Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Kate on 04 November 2010, 18:55:13
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Hi Everyone!
I recently moved to London in order to improve my chances of finding work. I would really like a driving job and saw an advert for free training for women who would like to be bus drivers.
I went to an interview for the course and filled in a few forms and did literacy and numeracy tests. One of the forms was a basic medical questionnaire. I declared that I have suffered from depression.
I was then told that I would never ever be allowed to be a bus driver. I said that I had recovered from the condition and it didn't affect my driving anyway. I was told that this didn't matter and I would definitely never be allowed to be a bus driver.
My question is this: If you have suffered from depression can you never be a bus driver?
I realise that people with depression could be a danger on the roads but it seems wrong to suggest that they will never ever recover.
What do you all think about this? I'm very disappointed to be honest. :(
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Next time say no ;) ;D
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I thought about not telling them anything about my depression but didn't want to waste my time as I might get turned down for my PCV provisional as they contact your doctor I think?
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I thought about not telling them anything about my depression but didn't want to waste my time as I might get turned down for my PCV provisional as they contact your doctor I think?
No they don't, they send you for a medical but they have no rights (unless you give them permission) to look into your medical history ;)
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Hope this may help http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/medical/ataglance.aspx
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Hope this may help http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/medical/ataglance.aspx
Thanks that really helpful. I think the training place has been telling me a load of rubbish! >:(
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Kate, its one of the hardest jobs around ..
so imo think twice before accepting it.. :-/
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Kate, its one of the hardest jobs around ..
so imo think twice before accepting it.. :-/
Especially in London :o
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Kate, its one of the hardest jobs around ..
so imo think twice before accepting it.. :-/
Especially in London :o
Yes that's a very good point! :o
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sorry to here you didnt get the job but please dont get depressed about it......
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Hmmm... Don't think bus driving would be my choice. I'd rather do HGV work again!
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Any job's what you make of it Kate ........
I did nearly 25 years on the buses in various capacities, and loved it.
Privatisation killed the industry - that's why I left and went on the railway with it's far superior pay and conditions. If the bus industry became likewise, then I'd seriously consider returning to it.
I suffered from depression some years back, and I've still got my 'all types' PCV driving licence.
Personally, I'd forget London bus driving, and stay up north - expect around 8 quid an hour on OPO stage-carriage work!
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Hi Kate. I can't imagine you'd earn enough on the buses to live in London & the job would be unbearable today, it's not like this any more...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d55a6EDxqAA.
Regarding past conditions, some may still hold thier licences despite suffering in the past but applying for a new one is a different matter. The way things are going holding a new psv/hgv will involve a uni course. The so called powers that be...& know best??? Are making the whole thing so difficult to pass that even if you do the working conditions & pay don't justify it. Sorry to be negative but i'd look elsewhere. Guy.
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Hi Kate,
If you've previously been diagnosed by your doctor as suffering from depression, and now you're fine and dandy, what you need to do is book another appointment with your doctor for another consultation to get their professional opinion you're now "all clear", and and ensure they note it on your medical record.
Depression affects different people different ways, and stress can often be mis-diagnosed as depression - there is a significant difference between the two.
Either way, depression is not always a lifetime condition, which is why it's important for your GP to give you the "all clear" on your med rec once you've recovered.
If you've fully recovered, then I can't see any reason why your employer wouldn't agree you're medically fit to drive a PSV.
All the best :)
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my uncle was a bus driver for 30yrs, he died peacefully in his sleep last year.
not screaming in terror like his passengers ;D ;D ;D
copyright B.Monkhouse 1971bc
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Thanks very much for all your advice. I'm already living in London - I swapped my council house so the rent is very reasonable.
I used to be a secondary school IT/Maths teacher but left because it was too stressful. I might look for something in IT training instead as it sounds like bus driving isn't a very good job.
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Reminds me of a time 20yrs ago when I was made redundant, I fancied doing as my mate was, coach driving.
I had been on the dole for months, and at the second compulsary interview, this women asked me what I would really like to do. (I had been in senior management)
So I said about the coach driving. She got out all the stuff, and told me about it, and I got quite geared up :y
Light at the end of the tunnel. :) Then she said its costs something over £700 pounds. So I said, I assume you pay that and then recoup when I am in work. :y
'No' she said, you have to pay it'
So I said..'You are paying me £40 a week dole, I am on a mortgage 'holiday', am claiming for this and that, and you expect me to find over £700 >:(
I just said 'You are taking the p***' got up and walked out.
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Thanks very much for all your advice. I'm already living in London - I swapped my council house so the rent is very reasonable.
I used to be a secondary school IT/Maths teacher but left because it was too stressful. I might look for something in IT training instead as it sounds like bus driving isn't a very good job.
You are clearly an educated and articulate woman, Kate. Why not try writing, perhaps as a hobby to begin with.
This is how I started out. I now write full time.
Good Luck
Dusty. :y
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Thanks very much for all your advice. I'm already living in London - I swapped my council house so the rent is very reasonable.
I used to be a secondary school IT/Maths teacher but left because it was too stressful. I might look for something in IT training instead as it sounds like bus driving isn't a very good job.
You are clearly an educated and articulate woman, Kate. Why not try writing, perhaps as a hobby to begin with.
This is how I started out. I now write full time.
Good Luck
Dusty. :y
I've always wanted to be a writer. I just never had the confidence.
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Just give it a go, Kate.
Many publishers are looking for new talent, especially with the blossoming e-book industry.
I personally write romantic fiction, but it is best to play to your strengths.
It is not easy to become a published writer, I was rejected many times over a period of many years, before I was first accepted.
One good thing, Kate, writing has very low start up costs. All I use is a pencil and paper, and a laptop. If you want any advice on publishers let me know.
Dusty :y
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Its just not worth bothering with nowadays, I run a coach company and a driver with a car license has to jump through the following hoops to get his coach license.
Medical (renewable every 5 yrs)
theory and hazard awareness
that gets you to the provisional license
approx 16 hours learning to drive (coach/tutor hire )
test date payment
you also have to have a driver cpc which is 35 hours training on all aspects of costomer care.(every 5 years)
Then you arrive at my door and i say "go and get some experience"
Your spending well over a grand to get rejected >:( >:(
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Is coach driving seperate from Bus driving???
My friend (the coach driver) told me that he went with London Country (buses) to pass his test and you had to stay a year, or they reclaimed the fees.
Then free to go elsewhere :)
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London Buses (TFL) are just the Network / Route owners, they don’t actually own or operate any Buses, this is down to the Garage Operators (Sub Contractors) who do the recruiting and training, and there’s quiet a few of them i.e., Arriva, Metroline, Go Ahead, London General, to name a few.
So don’t just give up on one Operator, try some others, there’s plenty of EU Nationals driving Buses now, and an awful lot of Polish drivers, I would think they wouldn't bother contacting all the overseas Doctors.
Chris ;)
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i see your west london kate, try the airport for driving buses, or couriers. hotel bus services and so on. west london is not good for being on a bus late at night in my opinion. try some agencies, you could be better off.
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i fancied doing a bit of Heathrow Chauffeur work on the side, to earn a bit of spending money. But need to get a PCO license
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I find it difficult to understand that someone who has suffered with depression wouldn't be allowed to do this job.
The amount of people who suffer or have suffered depression is far more than most people think. In my opinion they are stronger afterwards too.
Keep your chin up Kate they don't deserve your employment sweetheart. :-*