Change of career, sort-of

[simpsontruckdriver]

Ok, here is how you may find me, assuming I get through training and become a bus driver... I am going to have a lanyard filled with pins for Pin Trading! My wife used to do that every year she and her parents came to HICV Orange Lake and WDW. I got rid of her stuff 2 years ago, but after going through grief recovery, the counselor told me that doing stuff to honor her memory helps in healing. So, I feel that continuing her tradition, and bringing some joy to guests will be very enjoyable! I'm not sure if other drivers do it, and I will learn the procedures as I go through training. On my name tag, you'll see my real name and hometown of Kent, Ohio (I was born there, moved to the Orlando area 40 years ago).

TS

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

NEW SCHEDULE: I will be working at Disney Springs from now until the 28th in "Audience Control". In other words, I am assisting guests going to their buses to take them to their hotel/resorts. My schedule is tonight and tomorrow night, Saturday off, working Sunday and Monday, then Tuesday & Wednesday off for the rest of the month. Hours? 1815-0045. November begins actual bus training. If you are at DS any time this month, and you see me, I'll give you a unique souvenir!

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

Well, my career has 100% changed! I mean, I still have my Class-A CDL with doubles/triples and tanker, BUT as of December, I added the Passenger Endorsement. One of my trainers joked about having "all those letters". Anyway, yesterday (New Year's Eve), I passed "Check-Out", which is like a final exam! Starting Wednesday (January 3rd), I am working the closing shift at EPCOT. Some nights, I work until midnight, some nights 3am. I am officially a Walt Disney World bus driver! After I passed, we took some guests from EPCOT to Fort Wilderness. At one point, my trainer (he has a strong Boston accent) says to the guests "Happy New Year! Your driver is Todd, he went through our grueling training, and today, he passed his tests, you are his first passengers!" Everyone cheered and congratulated me as they exited

On the other hand, a family (father and mother) had a toddler who was screaming the whole time, we felt bad for them because they could not calm him down, so his announcement may have been a way to lighten the mood of the bus.

TS

 

[amycurl]

Congratulations! Excited for you on this new path, er, road.

 

[TheHolleys87]

Congratulations! I don’t expect to be back for another year, so I hope you’re still driving when we get there. and I can look for your name tag!

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

Congratulations! I don’t expect to be back for another year, so I hope you’re still driving when we get there. and I can look for your name tag!

Disney Transportation would have to drag me out kicking and screaming before I would leave the corporation

 

[TheHolleys87]

Disney Transportation would have to drag me out kicking and screaming before I would leave the corporation

Great! I’ll check with you a year from now to find out what routes and shifts you’re on!

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

After working since January 1st at EPCOT (second shift, Mondays and Tuesdays off), I am switching on May 5th to Hollywood Studios 2nd shift with Tuesdays and Wednesdays off. This is actually a perfect schedule, since both Christmas Eve/Christmas and New Year's Eve/New Years Day are Tuesday and Wednesday! Walt Disney World does not allow vacations on those holidays, and there are usually hundreds of cast members requesting to have those days off (getting them off is based on seniority, I am #1565 in buses). I will be working July 4th, but nearby, a city has a July 3rd fireworks show (Wednesday), which is also my late wife's birthday. I was able to get Thanksgiving Week as my paid vacation.

As a side note, if anyone happens to ride my bus, let me know you're from TUGBBS, and I will give you a worthl... I mean priceless... gift!

TS

 

[mentalbreak]

It will be fun to remind you in a few years that we remember when you were #1565.
Glad the calendar is aligning for you in your new role. Congrats!

 

[Talent312]

BTW, since you'll be so close to Galaxy's Edge
... Beware the Revenge of the Fifth (Sith).
.