Just checked the website www.coastmountainbus.com and there are currently 8 job titles posted AND,
 there is also an Open House Oct 20 & 21 at the Burnaby Transit Centre for Commercial Transport Mechanics and apprentices, as well as Electronic Technicians!! More info about the open house at 604-953-3100!!
 Also over at www.translink.bc.ca there are 10 job titles posted!! and links to SkyTrain, GVtaps and Coast Mountain Bus Company...
 GOOD LUCK!!

Do you think it's cool being a bus driver ?

Not an easy job, but the pay and benefits are good and there's job security since transit is increasing, not decreasing.

 I never thought about it being "cool"...
 Just as a pretty good way to make a living! Decent pay and benefits,  great co-workers and a pension when you retire!!! Not to mention, flexible hours/shift work/route choices as your seniority increases...
 And there are LOT'S of other jobs within the company... One doesn't have to just drive... There are management, supervisory, office, tradespeople, farebox, maintenance, SeaBus, kitchen and bus stop signage jobs.. Just to name a few!

With the expansion of transportation in the GVRD and the thousands who are going to retire within the next 5 years, transit is going to be a huge growth industry.  And anyone wanting a job right now with good security, decent pay, excellent pension and great benefits should look at applying within one of the many job openings within Translink.

That is why it makes me laugh when I hear from friends who say they can't find a job or  when I see someone on the side of the road with a sign saying "Can't find a job - please help". 

Maybe I should apply!  Then I can have the pleasure of driving around DV posters...

I am a laid-off aircraft maintenance worker with 11 years experience. 20 years total experience in the aviation industry. I have applied twice online to the CMBC for their pre-apprentice position that they have advertised on their site. I applied once back in the summer and again a couple of weeks ago to the new posting for this position. I haven't heard a thing back from them on either application.

Even though my background is in aviation, I feel that 11 years of doing sheet metal and composite repairs on large jet aircraft and the fact  that I have done an apprenticeship and gone to the journey level in my trade  should be sufficent proof of my mechanical apptitude and should more than qualify me for an appreticeship opportunity working on buses.

And to Blue Jay...I agree that it would probably be a very secure job but if a person with my background can't even get an interview for a pre-apprentice position, it must be a pretty tough place  to get your foot in the door!

 To BOB, I strongly suggest you actually talk to someone in Human Resources!!
 Either head out to Gateway Stn next week, (13501 108 Ave in Surrey) OR call the main switchboard at 953-3000 and ask for human resources...
 They are there to help fill the vacancies, find the one for you!! 

 Correction: the address is 13401 - 108 Ave in Surrey!

Bob, I'm sorry to hear about your situation.  You may actually be in one of those rare situations where either your skill set is completely not what they are looking for, or more likely, you are viewed as being over-qualified.  If you still want to a job at CMBC, I suggest you start in a non-pre-apprentice position.  Many people I know start that way and find they actually like a change of career. 

I'm surprised you got laid off from the aircraft maintenance industry.  I good friend of mine just finished trade school in helicopter maintenance and he got a job in the Okanagan with no problems.

Thanks Superchecker, I'll give it a try.

@Blue Jay. I also thought that they might see me as over-qualified. As far as the "skill set" goes for the pre-apprentice position, it sounds like it is mostly just cleaning, refueling and helping out the trades people. The fact that I've already done an apprenticeship in my life, even though it is in a non-related industry, should show them that I know what is expected of apprentices as far a on the job training and classroom training is concerned. I've done  it all.

They also had a position on the CMBC site for a body person. Basically doing body work and collision repair. That sort of thing. The pay is  great...$31/hr.  I didn't apply for that because they were asking for someone who has done a 4 year apprenticeship in auto-body repair. I can do alot of the things required like riveting etc but I have no experience with collision repair or welding. I thought of just applying for the hell of it but didn't and the posting is gone now anyway. I guess they got who they needed.

I would really like to get out of the aviation industry as there is no job security in it but I may have to just stick with what I know if nobody is going to give me a chance.

 Might consider getting into the company as a driver first, then apply for internal postings as they occur....

Superchecker

Attention: REGISTER / LOGIN to view the image!Posted - 10/6/2007 8:10:02 PM  Might consider getting into the company as a driver first, then apply for internal postings as they occur....

 
I don't think I could handle being a driver. I'd end up being like that guy who got spit on that they showed on the news  my first day on the job.  I'd never be able to pass the dealing with the public part of the interview process. I'm not saying that I'm short tempered but I just wouldn't be able to handle abuse from people on a daily basis.

I've never had a job dealing with the general public and I have no intrest in starting now.

just another shiity job with another shiity union.

I could handle driving the bus, but I sure wouldn't like to get stuck driving a crappy route like Hastings on a Saturday evening...

ace	Attention: REGISTER / LOGIN to view the image!Posted - 10/6/2007 8:33:19 PM I could handle driving the bus, but I sure wouldn't like to get stuck driving a crappy route like Hastings on a Saturday evening...

 
That's probably exactly where you would end up as a low seniority driver.Superchecker  could probably shed a little light on how routes are assigned but I'm betting that a new driver would get the crappy routes for a long time.

 While it is true that everyone starts in Vancouver, with all of the ongoing hiring, you won't be on the bottom for long!!
 There are some new operators who right out of class end up at another depot!! Richmond is almost always a few operators short.... Or N Van, or Burnaby...
 AND it's all a state of mind.... Just drive the best you can, and take your "recovery" at each end... That's all... You'll meet ALL TYPES of passengers on all routes...
 Also, while Hastings does have it's problems, most of the regulars ride the limited stop #135 which is out of Burnaby! There are plans to make the #135 the next B-line type route! Fpr me personally, it wasn't the Hastings crowd that bothered me, it was the Commercial Dr area!! Especially on the weekends!! But that's quite a number of years ago now....
 If you don't think you'd like the regular buses, then they are ever increasing the number of smaller "Community Shuttles"... Smaller, van like buses used on less used routes through out the entire system. They are in almost every area now. First was White Rock, then the Tri-cities and Langley, then N Burnaby and Maple Ridge, Ladner, N Van and Richmond, and now the west end, Tsawwassen, UBC and S Burnaby... More to come I'm sure!!
 These are interesting times!! With the Canada Line coming online in late '09, the Olympics, the new Golden Ears bridge, the twinning of the Port Mann, and the possible expansion into Abottsford, Mission, Chilliwack and Squamish areas if local councils can get along!!
 New equipment being ordered, and a HUGE amount of older employees who will need to be replaced over the next few years, this is a great time to be in demand!!  
 

 Many long term employees got their "foot in the door" as either a Farebox Attendant, Traffic Checker or Kitchen Assistant.... All great "entry level"/temp-casual positions that help lead to longer term positions...
 Not everyone is hired as an operator first...
 Not to mention that once the new Canada Line is ready to open, they'll need attendants too!! Supposed to be operational in Nov' 09...

 So, has anyone applied lately??
 Any comments about CMBC??

 Just checked out the careers section at www.translink.bc.ca and found 7 different job titles listed on their website...
 Then clicked onto the link to Coast Mountain Bus ( www.coastmounatinbus.com ) where they have 9 different job titles listed!! Part Time Customer Information Clerk is a GREAT way to get your foot in the door!! Or there was also an Enviromental Officer???
 Then also clicked onto the link to SkyTrain, and they have 5 more job titles listed....

 Has ANYONE found this thread to be useful?? Or informative??

MORE training buses out and about today!! Both trolleys and diesels... must be at least 2 classes happening!!
 Saw Community shuttles training on Wednesday too!!

 They are up to 11 job titles/positions available now at www.coastmountainbus.com/careers !!

Coast Mountain bus discriminates against blind people in their add for Drivers.

 Any success out there?? Did anyone go to the Open House last weekend??

 Just to update that there are 7 job titles at Translink, being advertised in the careers section at www.translink.bc.ca
 Then there are links at the bottom of the careers section page to find:
 the 12 job titles at Coast Mountain Bus and also 6 job titles at SkyTrain!!

New double decker buses are coming soon to Vancouver operated by Coast Mountain Bus Co.

Anyone who took the panel interview please:
How long did you wait for the result? exactly two weeks?  Thanks in advance.

 Currently 9 job titles listed at www.coastmountainbus.com

 Currently 5 job titles listed at www.translink.bc.ca  and click on to careers page!
 Scroll down to the bottom of the page for links to AirCare positions, SkyTrain positions, Coast Mountain Bus positions and GVTAPS positions... ALL are currently hiring!!

 GOOD LUCK!!

 Can you believe that Translink/Coast Mountain bought 228 new trolleys and they all came to a grinding halt yesterday because of ice on the overhead lines??? It happens every year, the freezing I mean!!
 Also, they made an error in the design that resulted in them not being able to take bikes after dark??? Ever heard of anything more silly??

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