(02 Jan 2015, 9:08 am)Dan wrote Darlo drivers in my experience have been some of the most enthusiast friendly in the business.
I'd suggest that drivers on Teesside are mostly quite friendly too - Arriva and Stagecoach.
In my experience elsewhere, it tends to be the case that you're mostly ignored. You may get the odd driver who gives you a thumbs up, and conversely the odd driver who sticks two fingers up.
I'd say Darlington drivers are pretty good towards enthusiasts as I've have had none make rude gestures at me yet although I did have one cover their face when they were pulling away from a stop in Jubilee Estate in Shildon on a Sunday 5A.
I've had no problems with drivers on Teesside yet either when I was in Middlesbrough Bus Station one day back in the summer and I had a Stockton driver driving an Omnicity on the 5A gave me a thumbs up when entering and exiting the bus station and one or two more smiled for the camera.
Not had any problems with GNE apart from one driver covering his face whilst passing the charity shop / Hot Rats outside Park Lane.
No problems with Stagecoach.
Only independent I've had a problem with is Hunters but looking back on here and Flickr it is more surprising if you don't get rude gestures.