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Transit Jobs NOW!!! Coast Mountain Bus is HIRING!

Discussion in 'Employment and Students' started by Superchecker, Nov 19, 2011.

  1. Superchecker

    Superchecker Active Member

    Noticing that CMBC has added postings for PARTSPERSON & BODYPERSON...

    BCRTC (SKYTRAIN) has added new postings for POWER TECH; ELECTRONICS TECH...

    Over at www.protransbc.com/ (Canada Line): GUIDEWAY TECH & BUILDING SERVICES TECH....

    AND, as always, www.civicinfo.bc.ca/16.asp has ever changing list of new opportunities as well...
     
  2. Ogeidez

    Ogeidez New Member

    I completed my medical this past January for community shuttle. So from the timelines I have read I'm looking at maybe a September training start? Yikes long wait.
     
  3. Superchecker

    Superchecker Active Member

    Not sure what to tell you... Shuttle is a little different than Conventional... Depends on their needs... Depends on his quickly existing shuttle ops switch over to conventional...

    Congrats and good luck!
     
  4. Superchecker

    Superchecker Active Member

    BREAKING NEWS!!!

    The posting for CONVENTIONAL TRANSIT OPERATOR TRAINEES is BACK!!!

    Not sure for how long... Sometimes only for 5 business days....

    www.translink.ca/drive and THEN "Coast Mountain Bus Company"!

    Good Luck!
     
  5. Ogeidez

    Ogeidez New Member

    Hey Superchecker do you have any idea if it's posible to switch my application from community shuttle to conventional? Just curious what the policy/process is on that.
     
    Superchecker likes this.
  6. Superchecker

    Superchecker Active Member

    Not exactly sure, sounds like a question for HR... I posted their phone number a while back...

    In case you didn't already know, some "Conventional" applicants have been waiting since last summer for actual start dates... Approx 30 Shuttle Ops switching to Conventional are in that group too...

    I think CMBC is gearing up just in case the referendum vote goes "YES"...

    Also, There maybe some extra retirements this year (50-100?), as some reach their magical 35 years of service... That's when some who were originally BC Hydro employees switched over to the new company's pension plan 35 years ago...
     
  7. Bill Odribege

    Bill Odribege New Member

    Hey guys, and please note that I scanned/read the previous pages for about an hour.

    I have my panel this Monday( I failed my first attempt a few years back) and based on my hour of "research" I gather these are keys to one's success:

    -study behavioural questioning and practice the answers
    -answer questions in order, do no come back to a question
    -don't ramble on/talk to much
    -if it is not your first time, tell them that you applied again as you are truly interested in the position
    -dress up pretty

    Are these points correct? Can anyone add anymore?

    Thanks a lot.
     
    CharlieUK likes this.
  8. TypeRNammer

    TypeRNammer Full Member

  9. Superchecker

    Superchecker Active Member

  10. Superchecker

    Superchecker Active Member

  11. ConventionalMan

    ConventionalMan Full Member

    I was off Wednesday! Wasn't me! :laugh: Never heard what happened...
     
  12. john riley

    john riley Full Member

    For all you guys who want higher wages and can't seem to make it into Translink....my advice to you: If you want a job close to home and don't mind working out of town every now and then, working on the railroad is a great job. Not great family hours, but high wages/benefits/vacation. Apply on the internet at CN Rail/CP Rail...lots of jobs on the railroad, with some in Vancouver, but many more if you are willing to relocate to another province. My cousin works for CN Rail and started as a conductor, making around $70k/year...within 3 years, he was an engineer making over $110k/year...if you don't mind moving to a small town, you pay almost nothing for houses/rent in these places, which really increases what you make!! No experience necessary and they are always hiring! I was on my way in the hiring process when I was accepted with Translink. Best to tell them you are willing to relocate during the hiring process, move up to a small town like Prince George for 1-2 years, and then you can transfer back to Vancouver once you are in with the company.

    Who the hell wants to pay these housing prices anyways!! Good luck and hope some people take my advice :)
     
  13. ConventionalMan

    ConventionalMan Full Member

    Happy Easter weekend everyone. Back for a quick update!

    First off... I've talked to a few of the current class of conventional operators going through and they're moving right along. Unfortunately one failed out but the rest of the class is doing well. Also, I have personally seen at LEAST three or four people out doing the trainablility/drivers road test so more classes are imminent. If it was any of you guys out there, good luck!

    Next, a few notes about my first few weeks as a Conventional Transit Operator... in point form...

    - You spend your first few weeks/months (at least until the next signup) on the Spareboard. LOTS of variety and shifts all over the place. Everything from early to late, junior to senior work. Great for learning the routes and the job, not so great for personal schedules as it can be as late as 6pm the night before when you learn your work for the next day.

    - Can be stressful at times while learning a route with a full 60ft bus and people wanting to pick fights with each other :eek: Talk about maxing out your concentration skills...

    - The variety of people you meet is crazy, from mid afternoon and evening on Hastings, to the late late gong show (I call it the Vomit Comet) on the bus to UBC on Friday and Saturday nights :laugh:

    - Driving the big bus around the city is FUN!

    The new sheet begins April 13th and can't come soon enough... I'm ready for my own work!

    As ususal, if there are any questions, just ask!
     
    Superchecker and CharlieUK like this.
  14. h3nyr

    h3nyr Junior Member

    [emoji1] [emoji1]
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2015
  15. Superchecker

    Superchecker Active Member

    Thnsks conventionalman, you're posts and updates are really appreciated!

    I just completed one week on the spare board as well. With my higher seniority I generally get morning shifts now... Such as 6am to 2pm on the Good Friday stat...
    As you seniority grows, so does your choice of shifts and even work locations...

    You're reference to the Vomit Comet reminded me of like nearly 20 years ago when I got to drive the last #19 from downtown to Metrotown... Let's just say the nickname was correct... That's why supervisors have kitty litter in their vans!
     
    ConventionalMan likes this.
  16. Superchecker

    Superchecker Active Member

    Once again, the posting now appears to have come down... There are numerous other postings to possibly "get your foot in the door"... Stay tuned!
     
  17. ConventionalMan

    ConventionalMan Full Member

    Ha! This time he broke out the giant absorbent pads and some amazing apple scented deodorizer. Great stuff! I'm doing that #14 again tonite! :eek: lol

    And yes you're right, as your seniority increases so does your choice regarding work on the spareboard. I should have mentioned that

    Cheers!
     
  18. largechicken

    largechicken New Member

    Hi everyone,

    I'm in the hiring process for conventional operator and I had a few questions that I would love your outlook on!

    First, for the panel interview, I've heard it's good to dress nicely, but I'm not sure how nice. For men, do you recommend suit and tie? Smart casual? I'm guessing not jeans. What do you think?

    Second, is it true that they check your references only after you pass the driving test? Or do they do that right after the interview?

    Third, if you get the job, what sort of hours are most disliked by senior drivers? I'm wondering because I really wouldn't mind doing late night or night bus shifts ("owls") and it would be great to hear if these sort of shifts are available right off the bat.

    Fourth, can anyone give some more detail on the driving test, in terms of where in metro Vancouver it takes you, what kind of vehicle is used for it, and what to watch out for especially? All I know is that it's done in order to see your "trainability" or lack thereof.

    Thank you for your help! I really would love to be a bus driver so I hope I make it through.
     
  19. MunchMunch

    MunchMunch Junior Member

    Most of these questions are answered in the pages here. From what I read and know of being my good friend being a driver, I'll try to answer some of these quickly.

    1. Don't look like a bum (common sense here) Suit and tie over dressed? No one is gonna know the answer 100%. Would you hire someone in a suit or tie over guy wearing jeans?

    2. The answer is written on their site. Translink /Careers page.

    1. Submitting an Application

    2. "Start" People Sense Video Test

    3. Panel Interview

    4. Driving Evaluation

    5. Reference Checking

    6. Criminal Record Search

    7. Medical Exam

    8. Offer of Employment

    3. Types of hours disliked by seniors. Again pretty sure no one is gonna know the answer. There are tons of Senior drivers who like to work lates as well (family or personal reasons) But,generally from what I heard is they drive mostly Early mornings straights.

    Late night or owl shifts is what most likely you will end up with when you sign for your own piece of work , when it comes to that time of year to sign for it. From what I read here you will be on spareboard meaning working all sorts of shifts and days . Read Conventional mans post up top! Splits, straights, mornings, evenings, late work, owls, weekends , no weekends. You are at the bottom of the barrel, you do what is left over! The shit peice of work no one wants!

    4. My friend was tested on a shuttle bus, But was told it has since changed and now you will be driving 40 Footer diesel for your Train ability test (Driving Evaluation). Marine drive,Main st,41st Ave,49th ave,Fraser St would be my guesses as to where they would take you for a test drive, considering where they are located and easiness of the road. What to watch out for? From their site!


    Driving Evaluation
    The Driving Evaluation will be conducted at CMBC's Vancouver Transit Center. Applicants spend approximately two hours with an instructor from our Training Department who will conduct a road test on the streets of Vancouver. The road test will last approximately 45-60 minutes during which applicants will be evaluated on their knowledge and application of Motor Vehicle Act traffic rules and regulations. Applicants may wish to review ICBC's Learn to Drive Smart manual prior to the road test. Applicants will be required to perform a hill park (up or down hill) and will be required to back into a parking space.

    Good luck, 600 people 10 make it!
     
  20. largechicken

    largechicken New Member

    Thanks for your reply. However, I am confused because what you're saying about the driving test portion of the application process isnt making sense. We aren't required to have a class 2 until we are actually accepted for and complete the training, so how would we be legally permitted to take a 40 footer out for a test drive? Also, do they really expect you to back into a parking space with a full bus? It sounds like they are talking about a more consumer-sized vehicle. It is good to hear what streets I might expect to be taken down though. Do you know if the test involves downtown peninsula driving?
     

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