On a field trip, our tire blew on the interstate. The bus driver had to fight to keep us from being flipped. His arms were BURNING when we finally came to a stop. He was a substitute driver for us. Our regular driver was an older man who I'm not sure would have had the strength to do what this man did.
I drove in 10th - 12th grade back when the school distr let students drive. If mine got too rowdy, I wouldn't say a word. I'd just pull over and cross my arms til the bus got quiet. All it took was a couple times then if they felt me brake unexpectedly, a hush would come over the bus cause they thought I was fixing to pull over again. 🤣
I first started driving a school bus in 1977 when my daughter was a baby. No automatic transmissions, no power steering, no bus aided and crazy kids. Went back to it 10 years ago when I lost my job. I’m now 70 driving a van for special needs students and love every minute of it. Have a wonderful and safe school year!
Good morning Lester! I'm about your age, but I can remember my grade school but driver. His name was Frank, and every day he started my day off right. We had a long route and by the time we finished seats were crowded. But there were never fights or arguing on Frank's bus, and it wasn't because Frsnk was strict. Frank spent the morning playing games, telling made up stories, and singing. Our bus was always filled with laughter. We were the noisiest bus to pull up to school each morning. A lot of times still singing as we got off and walked up to the building. Who would have guessed that a bus driver would have been the person that made such an impression on a child, they would be remembered fondly 40 some years later. So you may not be in a classroom this year, but you are still influencing lives everyday.
And for everyone's sake NEVER EVER PASS A BUS WITH THE ARM OUT OR FLASHERS ON. Our state lost 3 siblings in one case of that and another child injured in one incidence. I always loved the bus drivers.
You must be from Indiana. Either that or there are more people out there that really need to hear this. That was such a heartbreaking case. Don't know how many times I see people that don't stop. Makes me mad.
🚌 that was very interesting. Never realized the amount of training bus drivers had to go through. Whether you’re in the classroom or driving, you’re playing an important role to these kids Lester. Thank you.
Hey Lester. My dad was not a bus driver but he was a truck driver. In his younger days they used to have (and still do) what they call truck rodeos. The truck rodeos are similar to what you were just showing with the buses. Going through cones as obstacles, they had to back up to a loading dock within so many inches, parallel park, they also had tennis balls set up and they had to drive over the tennis balls without knocking any over between the tandem wheels. They also had a written test and A truck set up with some defects on it that they had to find. My dad actually won the national rodeo in Kentucky in 1958 and he won several state rodeos. He also had gotten an award for 21 years of safe driving without an accident. Pretty remarkable. Just thought you might find it interesting. I have great respect for truck drivers and bus drivers. I could not do that job.
My brother just turned 90 and is still driving a school bus. School told him he’s one of the best drivers they have. It’s a country route from a smaller school. Been doing it for years.
My grandpa was a bus driver/ driver trainer for decades. This brings back fun memories of being on his bus ❤️ when I was a young child he used to radio our bus driver on the cb and we got to say good morning to him everyday. We sadly lost him this year but it's nice to relive those memories
I consider school bus drivers a type of heroes. They take on the responsibility of keeping all the kids on the bus safe. Can you even imagine the verbal abuse they get from the kids, and being a bus bouncer. Having to keep the kids from arguing, and fighting. On top of keeping the bus safely on the road. On no this job isn't for me.
My mom is a bus driver and it’s a tough job!! She does it for the kids, but hearing the lack of respect for the busses by regular vehicle drivers, the scenarios they get themselves into and all they are responsible for - it’s much more of a job than people would ever think it is!! God Bless all school bus drivers!! Have a great safe school year ahead! ❤️🚍❤️🚍❤️
@@lindaplumbley7157 I know that I could never drive a school bus. I wouldn't tolerate my own kids being disrespectful. I sure as heck wouldn't tolerate someone else's kid acting that way!!
I am a retired staff member of my local school district. The bus drivers are the first staff members the children see in their day. We don’t know what a child has been through that day and a good bus driver can help prepare the child for a positive day! Thank you, thank you bus drivers for your great work! 🚌
I drove a school bus in Michigan for 6 years. It was my favorite job! Unfortunately, I had to leave it because of poor management. They lost a lot of really amazing drivers due to a manager. People truly do not understand how difficult driving a bus is. It's a very important job! You carry the world's most precious cargo. 💛
A local busdriver in our town was known as Wreckie Beckie because she had multiple accidents in her bus driver career. She retired last year which made many parents happy. Becky has a good heart ❤️ but her driving skills and strict mean attitude made for a long bus ride for many a child. I knew Becky outside of bus driving and know she wasn't truly mean. I love 💕 your attitude with the kids and see how much they truly love you. Thanks for NOT being mean.
I remember in 7 & 8th grade I had a mean bus driver & I was always afraid we would go into the canal that was right next to the road. She could not control the kids at all and many days she would take us back to school and sit in the hot bus until everyone was quite. I was glad in high school I would walk to school.
When I learned to drive Daddy insisted I learn to drive a standard shift. Said if you can drive that you can drive anything. He taught me to back up, he taught me to parallel park, he taught me all of it and I failed my test because he taught me wrong. So I reread the book paid attention to what it said went and took the test again and passed and got a compliment from the driving instructor that I passed on to Daddy. The driving instructor said I backed up better than anyone he ever saw. So even though 90% of what Daddy taught me to do was wrong, he taught me how to back up good. As a matter fact years afterwards my dad had a friend with 40 foot motor homes that he needed moved to a motorhome show. Wasn’t a long trip to the mall but you did need to take the highway. And he was worried about me being a little girl handling a big 40 foot home. Had no problem though I went down that highway, pulled into the parking lot, and parked perfectly. Even with the wonky mirror on the passenger side that wouldn’t stay up. Now on the other hand the two people he really didn’t worry about was my brother and his friend and he should I have. My brother went to pull into his parking space and hit a pole and the other guy was backing into his parking place and backed into a concrete wall. Yes there was damage. But the guy told my dad anytime he needed help again, leave the boys behind and just bring the girl.
@Dan Rod I never rubbed it in, all I ever said was did he ask you to come help him move more vehicles because he did me! That’s not rubbing it in is it?
I had the vehicle with the V-8, so I was often tasked with hauling the boat. Girls can't do that? Just watch me! I can put it wherever you need it. I learned to back up successfully because I could park my first car...a beat up '63 Rambler station wagon with power nothing...in the family carport, but it was tight. It was easier to back in (better targets) and drive it straight out, so that was part of my daily drive. Backing a boat up and parallel parking the '76 Pontiac Catalina in Drivers' Ed on the first attempt were my early claims to fame.
Good for , I was alot lol e you , when I got my first car, my dad made me rotate all 4 tires ( on a 63 Chevy big car, my first road trip to see my mom who lived 200 miles away I had a flat tire at 11:00 at night on a dark deserted back road , I got out n changed that tire n was on my way in 10 min. Lol I stood there and said thank you dad. I was 16 years old
@@lindastout3298 Try to get my dad to teach me about cars, he was always working on one or another. I thought it was important I know these things. My dad‘s reply was, “don’t worry about it you’ll have a husband or boyfriend to you fix things for you.” I guess he never considered I could end up with someone who didn’t know about cars. Lol
I drove a school bus back in the day when high school students were the bus drivers. It was a lot of fun and at times nerve racking. Taught me a lot about the enormous responsibility you have with all those lives in your hand. I applaud you Lester and all school bus drivers because the world you are working in is very different than mine was 42 years ago! Great job on the course too!💜
Lester, it seems like that smile & bit of happiness has returned! Perhaps you really do need these kids in your life. Maybe not "in" the classroom, but I think they are an important part of your life story. And thanks for sharing a *behind the scenes* of what bus drivers endure to be safe on the road. I never knew this!
This was an excellent video. I have even more respect now for what our bus drivers deal with on a daily basis! Now, if people would only remember to STOP for school buses!
Lester bus drivers are heros. Like you said before, sometimes you are the bright spot in their day. Some have terrible home lives, or get bullied at school, and yours is the smiling face they see every morning and every afternoon. You touch more people than you know! I remember one snowy day on the way to school the car in front of us got stuck in a snowbank, and my bus driver got out to push the car out of our way. He also would sometimes pull into my driveway to drop me off instead of stopping across the street and I thought it was the coolest thing! These memories are over 30 years old, and I still remember my awesome bus driver!
Thank you and all your coworker bus drivers. The amount of cars on the road today and the number of people that live in their own little world makes being on the road very dangerous. God Bless everyone that gets behind the wheel of a school bus and drives with so many lives in their hands.
Lester I Am Amazed That You All Train Like This. I’ve Never Known For Our County or Any Surrounding County’s To Do This. Thank You For Sharing & I Pray You Have A Wonderful & Safe Year. ❤️🙏🏼😘
The whole video I keep thinking how great those buses would make into tiny homes 🏡 ❤️ RUclips bus conversation if you haven’t before. It is so cool what people can do in a small space
Hi Lester I was a bus driver and People don’t realize all the certifications we have to go through plus all the medical procedures we need to know along with the driving aspect of it and the discipline. Respect to you Lester
I haven't done some of these things since I certified as a bus driver 23 years ago. We start back on August 30 this year. I can't wait to see the kids when we go back.
When I’m in any store and I see someone stocking the shelves, buffing/sweeping the floor, clearing up the produce aisle etc; I always pause and say “thank you for doing a thankless job so that we can have a nice clean store to shop. 99% look a bit confused for a mere moment and then break out a smile and say Thank You or You’re Welcome.
When I was a kid, another student walked out in front of the bus and was ran over. She didnt survive, it was horrible. All the other buses had to go by it. I'll NEVER forget that. It wasn't the bus drivers fault, but a lot of things changed after that. For the better. I feel bad for all the crap we used to give our bus driver. Kids can be so mean. I think we were the reason he retired, and then we got stuck with a lady who put us in the ditch every winter, and hit a telephone pole.
I've always respected those who ferried kids to school and beck home safely. I drove a big rig, dragging a 53' trailer behind me for over 20 years. It always amazed me when people in 4 wheelers did stupid stuff around us. For some reason, they just don't understand that THEY will always be on the losing end of such antics.
Thank you Lester , for all you do & for the ppl lucky enough to be a part of your life , we are blessed 😊🥰🙏🙏♥️ God Bless you & may this school year bring you happiness & many more memories !! Stay safe & I love y’all ( even Carl 😂 ) ♥️🙏🙏🙏🙏♥️
Suckers? One of my grandfathers was a bus driver in northwest Iowa. He would have to clean the bus off when it snowed and then catch and hitch up the horses. My mom lived in the country and had to ride that bus every school day. They didn't have snow days unless it was a blizzard out.
Thanks for reminding the public of the required skills, the technicality & most importantly the responsibility that a bus driver must have to control a vehicle that long & wide, & still have to deal with the greedy, selfish & impatient motoring public. Having grown up working on dairy farms, I was driving a tractor with manure spreader or haying equipment or hay wagons, starting from the age of 11, as well as flat bed farm trucks & dump trucks. When I was taking my driver education training, my instructor would have me chauffeur him to the stores in Shrewsbury & Worcester without any instructions or corrections that I recall. Farm life not only teaches kids about life & death, but to be good drivers as well.
When I went to school on the bus, we had a bus patrol person. This person was one of the older student who were in charge. Sort of a bus drivers helper. They would make sure all of the students remained settling in the proper position. They would stop the other students from throwing things or fighting on the bus. You could recognize this person by the fluorescent vest they wore just like the cross walk attendees. At the end of the year and a Christmas they received a gift for all of their work. Unfortunately for them they has to sit at the back of the bus so they could see all of the passengers.
I used to be a Crossing guard in Alabama an I have the att most respect for the bus drivers, they where always my number one I let three, beside the emergency and post vehicles of course!! Many blessings and stay save my friend!b
My dad drove a big truck around STL delivering bags of concrete to hardware stores. He taught me to be respectful and smart around semis/big trucks. Give them space to turn. Stay out of their blind spot. Flash your lights to let them know they have room to switch lanes. Very thankful Dad taught us to appreciate bus and truck drivers!
YES! Thank you to the bus drivers. So many get criticized for not disciplining students. THEY ARE TRYING TO DRIVE YOUR KIDS SAFELY!! I for one appreciate ALL OF YOU! And I'll happily admit, that I am "sucker" for all your videos!! Always will be!
Lester, thank you for sharing this part of a bus drivers job. I too was a bus driver and there are a lot of parents out there that truly don’t understand the training a bus driver receives. Along with monthly safety meetings to keep a driver updated on safety. I loved my job and all of the children I have driven. Were there issues with kids, absolutely. But I always made sure the children knew the rules of the bus, and most important, to be respectful of each other and myself and they would get the same respect back. When you have a child upset and needs your attention, I used to keep them up front and chat with them the rest of the ride to school. And once we arrived I would have a quick chat with them to help them feel ready to head off the bus. Those are the days I miss, knowing I helped them have a better start to their day. Again thank you for sharing your day Lester!
Lester I'm literally in tears I had no idea what it took to even be a bus driver. I always loved my bus drivers growing up and I now have so much more respect for busses. I'm so glad you made this video my two babies are going into kindergarten this year and they will both be taking the bus I was so nervous and this just brightened my day I feel so much better about letting them ride the bus and not being there it was my biggest fear. Thank you ❤
School buses have always brought tears to my eyes because those drivers carry such precious cargo to and from school. It always amazes me how they show up about the same time and deliver each child home at the end of the day. Bus drivers have my upmost respect. I teach kindergarten and make sure my kiddos greet their drivers. We make cards for them a couple times a year. I also give them a little gift a Christmas. I bet you are an awesome bus driver and are so loved by your riders. Sorry for long post. ❤️
Absolutely! Bus drivers have a hard job and parents and kids don’t realize it. I always tell my kids to say thank you. We need to respect everyone in all positions and jobs.
People thinks driving a bus is easy, but it’s a lot of responsibility, lots of training and lots of stress! It’s a lot of stress on the kids too when they have to board a bus at 5:15am in the freezing weather, ride an hour to school on a bus without heat!
Lester, I just have to try to get a whole text out of this iphone. Thank you for taking on a job that would cause me to...well...commit suicide!🙏🏻🤐😰😨 I know you do it well. Two more things with apologies to your dear wife. One that damn longhorn, Tex, is gonna kill you one day. Sweet widdle baby boy that he is. 🐊🙏🏻 Two...a 77 year old lady here just said..."Bless your heart."...I love you!😇🙋♥️Your friend, *Auntie Em* near Nashville TN.
I used to work for a local council in the East end of London driving 23 feet long buses 12 seats plus 4 wheelchair spaces picking up disable children for school, when some of the older coach drive retired and some of us including myself had government PCV driving licence I move onto 42 feet long coaches with 57 seats picking up 16 to 18 year old dropping them off at different schools in the day, now I was working full time for 7am to 4.30pm plus because I had a PCV license I could work over time taking people to theatre's clubs wedding and holidays all over England, it was the best job I ever done. I also did a couple of trips to France and Belgium that was a bit scary they drive on the right like you do, we in England drive on the left. I'm semiretd now I work 25 hour week looking after old people in they own homes, they call us domiciliary carers. Happy driving Janine x love to everyone
Every one of those buses should have backup cameras on them for self-evident safety reasons. The safety of children is paramount, but also to help the driver.
As a retired schoolbus driver in Washington state, I have done most of those training events. I also competed twice at a schoolbus rodeo! In my area of the country we routinely deal with snow and ice covered roads. My trainer taught me how to slide (YES I SAID SLIDE) my bus so I would know how it felt and how to control it. Thanks for the memories!
Lester, do you know what the 3 black lines mean on the side of the bus? I have to be reminded, but it is the floor inside the bus, seat height & top of seat. It gives firefighters a reference line, if they ever need to cut into a bus for a rescue. I love that it is universal with all buses! ☺️
Omgosh, this video just swiped me back to the 1980's. My mother was a Flint Mi. (MTA) City bus driver. This yearly event was referred to back then as the Bus Driver Olympics. It was a huge family event. Good times.
That is one job I would never want. Looks like the Humble ISD bus drivers need to come take your districts training corse. Their drivers were always risking the kids lives pulling out into on coming traffic just expecting people to stop for them and barely stopping at stop signs. I would not let mine ride the bus. It’s good to see someone care about the kids and enjoy their job. Good Job Lester.
Here in columbus ohio, a couple of years ago, a female bus driver was drinking liquor while driving her bus route.. WHAT A LOOSER ,putting kuds lives at risk.. This country needs more drivers like you LESTER and YOUR GROUP of drivers SAFE YEAR ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY
I used to love my children’s bus drivers when they were in school! I was very appreciative of them because they always got the kids to school and home safely! Lester you’re a Rockstar! 🤘🏼🚌
Thanks For the video Lester. It was an enlightening experience. The end of my driveway is a bus stop. I will definitely appreciate the work they do and give them a thumbs up
Bus Olympics!!! I loved doing that when I was still driving. We did it 2x a year. I've been retired for 11 years now. Great to watch this. Thank you!!!
I am 69 years old and I still remember my elementary school bus driver! He was so nice, and yet had rules for riding the bus… that you had to follow. I really liked and respected him !
The most exciting ride of my life was a nuclear bomb drill around 1964. The school janitor drove the bus packed with kids doubled up in the seats and the center aisle crammed full. His assignment was to get us from school to a drop off point close to home as fast as possible. He took the job seriously and that bus made turns on two wheels. The janitor won the race. I can only imagine what parents would have said if they saw that.
I drove a school bus for 8 yrs, I loved the training I had to do. I ran over a cone, at the end of the year they have awards out, I received my squished up cone as my award.
You should do all that with a big sleeper truck with a 53 foot trailer !! I drove cross country for 8 years. What an experience !! Loved watching this.
On a field trip, our tire blew on the interstate. The bus driver had to fight to keep us from being flipped. His arms were BURNING when we finally came to a stop. He was a substitute driver for us. Our regular driver was an older man who I'm not sure would have had the strength to do what this man did.
You couldn't pay me enough to be a bus driver. Kudos to all the people who are up for the task.
Exactly me either love ya Lester
I drove in 10th - 12th grade back when the school distr let students drive. If mine got too rowdy, I wouldn't say a word. I'd just pull over and cross my arms til the bus got quiet. All it took was a couple times then if they felt me brake unexpectedly, a hush would come over the bus cause they thought I was fixing to pull over again. 🤣
I first started driving a school bus in 1977 when my daughter was a baby. No automatic transmissions, no power steering, no bus aided and crazy kids. Went back to it 10 years ago when I lost my job. I’m now 70 driving a van for special needs students and love every minute of it. Have a wonderful and safe school year!
Takes a special person to to this job. Thank you and prayers to u and ur students Bonnie. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Yes I appreciate the bus drivers… so much responsibility.
For a couple of years in junior high, our bus driver was Leland. He was the best! He’d get the whole bus singing, and he’d sing with us.
Not a job I would ever want😱
Thank you to all the bus drivers for their wonderful work in a very stressful atmosphere!!
Good morning Lester! I'm about your age, but I can remember my grade school but driver. His name was Frank, and every day he started my day off right. We had a long route and by the time we finished seats were crowded. But there were never fights or arguing on Frank's bus, and it wasn't because Frsnk was strict. Frank spent the morning playing games, telling made up stories, and singing. Our bus was always filled with laughter. We were the noisiest bus to pull up to school each morning. A lot of times still singing as we got off and walked up to the building. Who would have guessed that a bus driver would have been the person that made such an impression on a child, they would be remembered fondly 40 some years later. So you may not be in a classroom this year, but you are still influencing lives everyday.
As a retired teacher, I feel the non-certified staff is usually more important than a certified staff for the students.
And for everyone's sake NEVER EVER PASS A BUS WITH THE ARM OUT OR FLASHERS ON. Our state lost 3 siblings in one case of that and another child injured in one incidence. I always loved the bus drivers.
You must be from Indiana. Either that or there are more people out there that really need to hear this. That was such a heartbreaking case.
Don't know how many times I see people that don't stop. Makes me mad.
Yes Tracy I'm from Indiana. Broke my heart and angered me. Go from a family of 5 to 2 in stupidity by a stranger.
@@high62609 I'm in Indiana. I remember that, too. Such a horrendous thing to happen just because someone was impatient.
Now school busses have cameras on them
@@daniellewoolley8607 yes but they can still see cars still passing. I think the fines need to be much higher
🚌 that was very interesting. Never realized the amount of training bus drivers had to go through. Whether you’re in the classroom or driving, you’re playing an important role to these kids Lester. Thank you.
Hey Lester. My dad was not a bus driver but he was a truck driver. In his younger days they used to have (and still do) what they call truck rodeos. The truck rodeos are similar to what you were just showing with the buses. Going through cones as obstacles, they had to back up to a loading dock within so many inches, parallel park, they also had tennis balls set up and they had to drive over the tennis balls without knocking any over between the tandem wheels. They also had a written test and A truck set up with some defects on it that they had to find. My dad actually won the national rodeo in Kentucky in 1958 and he won several state rodeos. He also had gotten an award for 21 years of safe driving without an accident. Pretty remarkable. Just thought you might find it interesting. I have great respect for truck drivers and bus drivers. I could not do that job.
My dad won a few rodeos also. I think he won trips along with trophies.
It takes a village to take care of our kids ❤️❤️thank you
My brother just turned 90 and is still driving a school bus. School told him he’s one of the best drivers they have. It’s a country route from a smaller school. Been doing it for years.
That's awesome!
My grandpa was a bus driver/ driver trainer for decades. This brings back fun memories of being on his bus ❤️ when I was a young child he used to radio our bus driver on the cb and we got to say good morning to him everyday. We sadly lost him this year but it's nice to relive those memories
I consider school bus drivers a type of heroes. They take on the responsibility of keeping all the kids on the bus safe. Can you even imagine the verbal abuse they get from the kids, and being a bus bouncer. Having to keep the kids from arguing, and fighting. On top of keeping the bus safely on the road. On no this job isn't for me.
Me either
My nephew is in training now to become a bus driver. Kudos to all the bus drivers.
My mom is a bus driver and it’s a tough job!! She does it for the kids, but hearing the lack of respect for the busses by regular vehicle drivers, the scenarios they get themselves into and all they are responsible for - it’s much more of a job than people would ever think it is!! God Bless all school bus drivers!! Have a great safe school year ahead! ❤️🚍❤️🚍❤️
That is because parents don’t teach kids respect
@@lindaplumbley7157 I know that I could never drive a school bus. I wouldn't tolerate my own kids being disrespectful. I sure as heck wouldn't tolerate someone else's kid acting that way!!
Yas my mother drove for 20+ years as well.
Great job Lester. Thanks for keeping our kids safe.
I love that you even educate us off the farm. Life doesn't end at the home roads edge. Thanks.
I am a retired staff member of my local school district. The bus drivers are the first staff members the children see in their day. We don’t know what a child has been through that day and a good bus driver can help prepare the child for a positive day! Thank you, thank you bus drivers for your great work! 🚌
I drove a school bus in Michigan for 6 years. It was my favorite job! Unfortunately, I had to leave it because of poor management. They lost a lot of really amazing drivers due to a manager. People truly do not understand how difficult driving a bus is. It's a very important job! You carry the world's most precious cargo. 💛
Exactly bless y’all’s heart 💜
A local busdriver in our town was known as Wreckie Beckie because she had multiple accidents in her bus driver career. She retired last year which made many parents happy. Becky has a good heart ❤️ but her driving skills and strict mean attitude made for a long bus ride for many a child. I knew Becky outside of bus driving and know she wasn't truly mean. I love 💕 your attitude with the kids and see how much they truly love you. Thanks for NOT being mean.
My bus driver as schoolchild, 45 yrs ago, was always drunk.
I remember in 7 & 8th grade I had a mean bus driver & I was always afraid we would go into the canal that was right next to the road. She could not control the kids at all and many days she would take us back to school and sit in the hot bus until everyone was quite. I was glad in high school I would walk to school.
When I learned to drive Daddy insisted I learn to drive a standard shift. Said if you can drive that you can drive anything. He taught me to back up, he taught me to parallel park, he taught me all of it and I failed my test because he taught me wrong. So I reread the book paid attention to what it said went and took the test again and passed and got a compliment from the driving instructor that I passed on to Daddy. The driving instructor said I backed up better than anyone he ever saw. So even though 90% of what Daddy taught me to do was wrong, he taught me how to back up good. As a matter fact years afterwards my dad had a friend with 40 foot motor homes that he needed moved to a motorhome show. Wasn’t a long trip to the mall but you did need to take the highway. And he was worried about me being a little girl handling a big 40 foot home. Had no problem though I went down that highway, pulled into the parking lot, and parked perfectly. Even with the wonky mirror on the passenger side that wouldn’t stay up. Now on the other hand the two people he really didn’t worry about was my brother and his friend and he should I have. My brother went to pull into his parking space and hit a pole and the other guy was backing into his parking place and backed into a concrete wall. Yes there was damage. But the guy told my dad anytime he needed help again, leave the boys behind and just bring the girl.
@Dan Rod Hahaha right good thanking girl
@Dan Rod I never rubbed it in, all I ever said was did he ask you to come help him move more vehicles because he did me! That’s not rubbing it in is it?
I had the vehicle with the V-8, so I was often tasked with hauling the boat. Girls can't do that? Just watch me! I can put it wherever you need it. I learned to back up successfully because I could park my first car...a beat up '63 Rambler station wagon with power nothing...in the family carport, but it was tight. It was easier to back in (better targets) and drive it straight out, so that was part of my daily drive. Backing a boat up and parallel parking the '76 Pontiac Catalina in Drivers' Ed on the first attempt were my early claims to fame.
Good for , I was alot lol e you , when I got my first car, my dad made me rotate all 4 tires ( on a 63 Chevy big car, my first road trip to see my mom who lived 200 miles away I had a flat tire at 11:00 at night on a dark deserted back road , I got out n changed that tire n was on my way in 10 min. Lol I stood there and said thank you dad. I was 16 years old
@@lindastout3298 Try to get my dad to teach me about cars, he was always working on one or another. I thought it was important I know these things. My dad‘s reply was, “don’t worry about it you’ll have a husband or boyfriend to you fix things for you.” I guess he never considered I could end up with someone who didn’t know about cars. Lol
I drove a school bus back in the day when high school students were the bus drivers. It was a lot of fun and at times nerve racking. Taught me a lot about the enormous responsibility you have with all those lives in your hand. I applaud you Lester and all school bus drivers because the world you are working in is very different than mine was 42 years ago! Great job on the course too!💜
Lester, it seems like that smile & bit of happiness has returned! Perhaps you really do need these kids in your life. Maybe not "in" the classroom, but I think they are an important part of your life story. And thanks for sharing a *behind the scenes* of what bus drivers endure to be safe on the road. I never knew this!
This was an excellent video. I have even more respect now for what our bus drivers deal with on a daily basis! Now, if people would only remember to STOP for school buses!
Your videos are what's getting me through the loss of my partner. Thank you❤
So sorry Jody 😢
Hugs 🤗
So very sorry for your loss. Prayers 🙏 💜 🙏
❤❤❤
I'm so sorry Jody. I'm glad the videos are helping.
Lester bus drivers are heros. Like you said before, sometimes you are the bright spot in their day. Some have terrible home lives, or get bullied at school, and yours is the smiling face they see every morning and every afternoon. You touch more people than you know!
I remember one snowy day on the way to school the car in front of us got stuck in a snowbank, and my bus driver got out to push the car out of our way. He also would sometimes pull into my driveway to drop me off instead of stopping across the street and I thought it was the coolest thing! These memories are over 30 years old, and I still remember my awesome bus driver!
Thank you and all your coworker bus drivers. The amount of cars on the road today and the number of people that live in their own little world makes being on the road very dangerous. God Bless everyone that gets behind the wheel of a school bus and drives with so many lives in their hands.
Thank you Lester...your a hero to animals big small feathered fur 4 legs or 2...to kids and everyone
Your amazing
Lester I Am Amazed That You All Train Like This. I’ve Never Known For Our County or Any Surrounding County’s To Do This. Thank You For Sharing & I Pray You Have A Wonderful & Safe Year. ❤️🙏🏼😘
The districts in our area don't train like this except for when we 1st get certified.
The whole video I keep thinking how great those buses would make into tiny homes 🏡 ❤️ RUclips bus conversation if you haven’t before. It is so cool what people can do in a small space
You never forget your bus driver. 🚍
Mine was nuts. But she did her job and got us safely back and forth from school.
Hi Lester I was a bus driver and People don’t realize all the certifications we have to go through plus all the medical procedures we need to know along with the driving aspect of it and the discipline. Respect to you Lester
When I lived in London I drove the double decker buses. I moved to Germany and here I drove the big bendy buses. It was a lot of fun.
I haven't done some of these things since I certified as a bus driver 23 years ago. We start back on August 30 this year. I can't wait to see the kids when we go back.
Looks like a very exciting day. Kudos to all bus drivers.
Good morning
Yes you hit the nail on the head about auxillary staff. They are super important in making everything run smoothly.
When I’m in any store and I see someone stocking the shelves, buffing/sweeping the floor, clearing up the produce aisle etc; I always pause and say “thank you for doing a thankless job so that we can have a nice clean store to shop.
99% look a bit confused for a mere moment and then break out a smile and say Thank You or You’re Welcome.
When I was a kid, another student walked out in front of the bus and was ran over. She didnt survive, it was horrible. All the other buses had to go by it. I'll NEVER forget that. It wasn't the bus drivers fault, but a lot of things changed after that. For the better.
I feel bad for all the crap we used to give our bus driver. Kids can be so mean. I think we were the reason he retired, and then we got stuck with a lady who put us in the ditch every winter, and hit a telephone pole.
I've always respected those who ferried kids to school and beck home safely. I drove a big rig, dragging a 53' trailer behind me for over 20 years. It always amazed me when people in 4 wheelers did stupid stuff around us. For some reason, they just don't understand that THEY will always be on the losing end of such antics.
I have been a bus driver for 27 years and love it.
Thank you for sharing this video. It is vital to know what bus drivers face daily & their importance. THANK YOU, EVERYONE, WHO DRIVE BUSES
Thank you Lester , for all you do & for the ppl lucky enough to be a part of your life , we are blessed 😊🥰🙏🙏♥️ God Bless you & may this school year bring you happiness & many more memories !! Stay safe & I love y’all ( even Carl 😂 ) ♥️🙏🙏🙏🙏♥️
Suckers? One of my grandfathers was a bus driver in northwest Iowa. He would have to clean the bus off when it snowed and then catch and hitch up the horses. My mom lived in the country and had to ride that bus every school day. They didn't have snow days unless it was a blizzard out.
Got a hell of alot more respect for you bus drivers out there.
I didn't know just what it took.
💕🎈💕🎈💕🎈💕🎈
Thanks for reminding the public of the required skills, the technicality & most importantly the responsibility that a bus driver must have to control a vehicle that long & wide, & still have to deal with the greedy, selfish & impatient motoring public. Having grown up working on dairy farms, I was driving a tractor with manure spreader or haying equipment or hay wagons, starting from the age of 11, as well as flat bed farm trucks & dump trucks. When I was taking my driver education training, my instructor would have me chauffeur him to the stores in Shrewsbury & Worcester without any instructions or corrections that I recall. Farm life not only teaches kids about life & death, but to be good drivers as well.
When I went to school on the bus, we had a bus patrol person. This person was one of the older student who were in charge. Sort of a bus drivers helper. They would make sure all of the students remained settling in the proper position. They would stop the other students from throwing things or fighting on the bus. You could recognize this person by the fluorescent vest they wore just like the cross walk attendees. At the end of the year and a Christmas they received a gift for all of their work. Unfortunately for them they has to sit at the back of the bus so they could see all of the passengers.
My Mom was a school bus driver for 17 years. I gained a lot of respect for school bus drivers from her experiences.
I don't think I could ever have driven a bus! God bless you Lester! May you and all of your students stay safe this year.
I used to be a Crossing guard in Alabama an I have the att most respect for the bus drivers, they where always my number one I let three, beside the emergency and post vehicles of course!! Many blessings and stay save my friend!b
I'd be scared too Lester ! Hope you had a great time! We always loved our bus drivers :)
My dad drove a big truck around STL delivering bags of concrete to hardware stores. He taught me to be respectful and smart around semis/big trucks. Give them space to turn. Stay out of their blind spot. Flash your lights to let them know they have room to switch lanes. Very thankful Dad taught us to appreciate bus and truck drivers!
I loved my bus driver “Tony the Tiger” (we called him). Our driver from K to graduation. RIP Tony, you our loved!!!❤️❤️❤️
YES! Thank you to the bus drivers. So many get criticized for not disciplining students. THEY ARE TRYING TO DRIVE YOUR KIDS SAFELY!! I for one appreciate ALL OF YOU! And I'll happily admit, that I am "sucker" for all your videos!! Always will be!
Like a field day for buss drivers fun times. Stay safe & take care of you all. Thanks for sharing eh :))
I had no idea ya’ll did that training - WOW! It’s a huge responsibility driving kids to school and back. The video was fun!!
Lester, thank you for sharing this part of a bus drivers job. I too was a bus driver and there are a lot of parents out there that truly don’t understand the training a bus driver receives. Along with monthly safety meetings to keep a driver updated on safety.
I loved my job and all of the children I have driven.
Were there issues with kids, absolutely. But I always made sure the children knew the rules of the bus, and most important, to be respectful of each other and myself and they would get the same respect back.
When you have a child upset and needs your attention, I used to keep them up front and chat with them the rest of the ride to school. And once we arrived I would have a quick chat with them to help them feel ready to head off the bus.
Those are the days I miss, knowing I helped them have a better start to their day.
Again thank you for sharing your day Lester!
I really enjoyed this. That light pole at the end of that no power drill made watching this a lot more exciting!! 😂😂
Thanks for sharing!!
And ppl need to be more careful when buses are loading and unloading the kids. Well done Lester🇨🇦👍
I remember my bus driver when I was a child. His name was Red. He was a wonderful man and all the kids loved him. You remind me of Red.
Lester I'm literally in tears I had no idea what it took to even be a bus driver. I always loved my bus drivers growing up and I now have so much more respect for busses. I'm so glad you made this video my two babies are going into kindergarten this year and they will both be taking the bus I was so nervous and this just brightened my day I feel so much better about letting them ride the bus and not being there it was my biggest fear. Thank you ❤
School buses have always brought tears to my eyes because those drivers carry such precious cargo to and from school. It always amazes me how they show up about the same time and deliver each child home at the end of the day. Bus drivers have my upmost respect. I teach kindergarten and make sure my kiddos greet their drivers. We make cards for them a couple times a year. I also give them a little gift a Christmas. I bet you are an awesome bus driver and are so loved by your riders. Sorry for long post. ❤️
Absolutely! Bus drivers have a hard job and parents and kids don’t realize it. I always tell my kids to say thank you. We need to respect everyone in all positions and jobs.
Nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for bus drivers!!!
Thank you Lester and all Bus drivers, crossing guards, and support staff that keep our babies safe 💖 you guys are hero’s!
People thinks driving a bus is easy, but it’s a lot of responsibility, lots of training and lots of stress! It’s a lot of stress on the kids too when they have to board a bus at 5:15am in the freezing weather, ride an hour to school on a bus without heat!
What buses don't have heat?
@@bshiv9854 a lot in nc!
Lester, I just have to try to get a whole text out of this iphone.
Thank you for taking on a job that would cause me to...well...commit suicide!🙏🏻🤐😰😨 I know you do it well. Two more things with apologies to your dear wife. One that damn longhorn, Tex, is gonna kill you one day. Sweet widdle baby boy that he is. 🐊🙏🏻 Two...a 77 year old lady here just said..."Bless your heart."...I love you!😇🙋♥️Your friend, *Auntie Em* near Nashville TN.
You would make a great bus driver Lester you seem to be so calm with alot of people and children hope your day goes well haae a nice day Lester
Respect for them.People need to be a little more considerate.
I think bus drivers should have some say to keep safe. Sad parents say “My child wouldn’t do that” Parents start teaching your kids respect.
Exactly they learn from us parents and if they see them doing something wrong they can blame the parents for it Not really the Kids fault.
I used to work for a local council in the East end of London driving 23 feet long buses 12 seats plus 4 wheelchair spaces picking up disable children for school, when some of the older coach drive retired and some of us including myself had government PCV driving licence I move onto 42 feet long coaches with 57 seats picking up 16 to 18 year old dropping them off at different schools in the day, now I was working full time for 7am to 4.30pm plus because I had a PCV license I could work over time taking people to theatre's clubs wedding and holidays all over England, it was the best job I ever done. I also did a couple of trips to France and Belgium that was a bit scary they drive on the right like you do, we in England drive on the left. I'm semiretd now I work 25 hour week looking after old people in they own homes, they call us domiciliary carers. Happy driving Janine x love to everyone
Every one of those buses should have backup cameras on them for self-evident safety reasons. The safety of children is paramount, but also to help the driver.
As a retired schoolbus driver in Washington state, I have done most of those training events. I also competed twice at a schoolbus rodeo! In my area of the country we routinely deal with snow and ice covered roads. My trainer taught me how to slide (YES I SAID SLIDE) my bus so I would know how it felt and how to control it. Thanks for the memories!
Thanks for the ride along Lester!! That was fun and educational
Lester, do you know what the 3 black lines mean on the side of the bus? I have to be reminded, but it is the floor inside the bus, seat height & top of seat. It gives firefighters a reference line, if they ever need to cut into a bus for a rescue. I love that it is universal with all buses! ☺️
Lester, Thanks so much for sharing this enlightening video with us! I don't think many people realize how stressful a bus driver's job can be!
A big thank you to you Lester and all the school bus drivers out there. They transport our most precious cargo, our children.🧡
Omgosh, this video just swiped me back to the 1980's. My mother was a Flint Mi. (MTA) City bus driver. This yearly event was referred to back then as the Bus Driver Olympics. It was a huge family event. Good times.
That is one job I would never want. Looks like the Humble ISD bus drivers need to come take your districts training corse. Their drivers were always risking the kids lives pulling out into on coming traffic just expecting people to stop for them and barely stopping at stop signs. I would not let mine ride the bus. It’s good to see someone care about the kids and enjoy their job. Good Job Lester.
😂... that cracked me up..... did I do that... gotta love those Urkel quotes
Here in columbus ohio, a couple of years ago, a female bus driver was drinking liquor while driving her bus route.. WHAT A LOOSER ,putting kuds lives at risk..
This country needs more drivers like you LESTER and YOUR GROUP of drivers
SAFE YEAR ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY
I used to love my children’s bus drivers when they were in school! I was very appreciative of them because they always got the kids to school and home safely! Lester you’re a Rockstar! 🤘🏼🚌
Thanks For the video Lester. It was an enlightening experience. The end of my driveway is a bus stop. I will definitely appreciate the work they do and give them a thumbs up
We use to call this
The bus rodeo
This was back in the 80s &90s when i was driveing bus
I wrote a note to my son’s bus driver. I told her thank you for keeping my son safe.
Thank you for the Ride Along. Prayers of safety for all the drivers and children in the upcoming school year. 🌸
I have no idea what bus drivers are paid. But, whatever it is, it’s NOT enough!
Exactly 🙏🙏💜💙❤️💚🧡🙏🙏
New respect for bus drivers.
Way to go Lester! May God bless you and help you drive safely
Love and hugs to you and all the bus drivers!!!
Bus Olympics!!! I loved doing that when I was still driving. We did it 2x a year. I've been retired for 11 years now. Great to watch this. Thank you!!!
I am 69 years old and I still remember my elementary school bus driver! He was so nice, and yet had rules for riding the bus… that you had to follow. I really liked and respected him !
👏🏻‼️😁 such a fun insight today in this video. You seem to enjoy all that you put your hand to. God bless ‼️
So nice to see seat belts In the buses! We don’t have them in Canada! Which never made sense to me!
That was fun!!! Yes! Thank you to all the school bus drivers and teachers! You have an extremely important job and responsibilities. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
The most exciting ride of my life was a nuclear bomb drill around 1964. The school janitor drove the bus packed with kids doubled up in the seats and the center aisle crammed full. His assignment was to get us from school to a drop off point close to home as fast as possible. He took the job seriously and that bus made turns on two wheels. The janitor won the race. I can only imagine what parents would have said if they saw that.
My mom drove bus for 18 years, she brought home many awards doing this
Great job,very educational, now we know what bus drivers go through,Thank you to all bus drivers
Thank you to all those Bus Drivers out there. Thanks for keeping all the young ones safe to and from home 🚍❤❤
I drove a school bus for 8 yrs, I loved the training I had to do. I ran over a cone, at the end of the year they have awards out, I received my squished up cone as my award.
You should do all that with a big sleeper truck with a 53 foot trailer !! I drove cross country for 8 years. What an experience !! Loved watching this.
Words cant express enough how thankful I am to all you bus drivers