I have now had "orientations" at two different companies. I have decided to join the highest ranked company (in my area) as a school bus driver.
In my entire time driving a school bus, I have not been able to avoid driving a major highway (Hwy 404) and this will be no exception.
I look forward to the day that a route becomes available a bit more local to me (with no highway driving).
If I can, I'd like to suggest that driving a school bus is NOT a desirable job. It's part time only and split between two "shift" to accommodate driving students to school in the morning and home in the afternoon. Most companies offer a guaranteed four hours ... that works out to two hours in the morning, and two hours in the afternoon. The time between is entirely on your own, and unpaid. Most companies also pay an additional 15 minutes per day, that is to accommodate a pre-trip inspection and fueling your bus.
All risks are entirely on the driver. Any road delays, line-ups at fuel pump, weather related delays, students late from sleeping in, etc. are all unpaid.
And it gets more frustrating when you realize that crossing guards make the same or more. Of course, the crossing guard also to stand for extended periods, and often in inclement weather.
I keep buying lottery tickets ...
This being said, driving a school bus can be rewarding. It can be a good job for a parent – they can take their pre-school kids on the bus with them. It can be great for anyone retired that needs to give back and/or supplement their pension.
At this point, I have no plans to return to a role as a trainer. I still have my driver trainer certification. It's valid for three years. When it is time to renew the certification, I'll likely go through that and pay for it on my own ... just to maintain the credentials. I might approach the company I am in process of joining and offer to do training during Christmas break, School's Winter Break, and summers. That's about the only way I would train: full time. There is absolutely no way that I will drive a school bus and train another driver in the break between AM and PM runs. Not a chance. Nada.