School Bus Transportation News at STN Media

What's It Like ...?

By George F. Horne

May 7, 1996

"What's it like, Old Boy, to be the man in charge-
Or the woman?" you might ask.
"What's it like for you when the dawn first breaks,
And you face each new day's task?

What's it like to have to deal with kids
And their parents when need be?
What's it like one day when a driver's out,
And no substitute is free?

What's it like when that bus won't start,
With no spare to take its place?
What's it like.oh, well.you know.
How do you keep the pace?"

Let me tell you, Friend, what the day is like;
Let me share a thought or two.
When you get the job, you're atop the world:
There is nothing you can't do.
(But I quickly add, it is just because
That's a naïve point of view!)
There are maps, reports, books and endless forms
And those budget sheets to read;
Add the state handbook to the local things,
Plus the federal regs to heed.

Soon the "Super" calls at the Board's request:
"Need to add a bus next year.
Uncle Charlie's boy got his CDL,
And he needs a job, You hear?

By the way, that stop you changed last week
Must be moved today, for sure
Kids are standing on Miss Bertha's grass
At the stop. I want a cure.

Don't forget.it's budget time again.
Make some cuts to help me out
Take some buses off, but don't change bell times.
Trosclair needs a shorter route.

Let me see.that's all my list for now,
But I'll call you later on.
One more thing.how could I forget?.
Heard your secretary's gone.
The good news, if you haven't heard by now:
You'll be getting Mrs. Greer.
She's retiring soon, and I moved her there
To mark time for one more year.
When her time is up, we'll review your needs
And then maybe you will get
A student clerk, or how 'bout a 'temp'?
Yes, indeed, that's better yet!"

The driver talk that you hear around
Is quite something to record.
Makes you chuckle, frown and even cry
And talk daily to the Lord.
Here's a sample that I heard last week
At in-service during break:
"Bet our Supervisor's glad he's here.
His job's easy.piece a cake!"
"Won't you change my route?" "Get him off my bus!"
"I can't drive that trip tonight."
"I was home because a kid broke my nose
When I tried to stop a fight."
"Drivers need a raise, newer buses, too.
Aides and helpers for each trip."
"Throw Josh clean out of school right now!
I can't take that young puck's lip!"
"Put that camera in to control my kids,
Or my job you'll surely get."
"Supervisors just don't do a thang!"
"They just walk around." "Or sit!"

Get the drift? There's much to do, in truth
When the buses have to roll,
And the safety of each youthful life
Is your everlasting goal.
When I got the call to take this job,
If I'd known what stretched ahead,
Maybe I would have lain awake at night
When at last I went to bed.
New, in retrospect, I'm happy
That when called, I answered "yes"
And with study, hard work and help from friends,
Skills and knowledge supplant guess.
I've learned the ropes, and know my job.
When trials come my way,
My "can do" attitude
Sustains me through each day.

"What's it like?" you ask. You'll never know
Until you pay your dues;
So come along today with me,
And slip into my shoes.