Training By Carmen Daecher

Training is important to your success. Properly trained employees, especially drivers and mechanics, are fundamental to the efficient and safe operation of our fleet. Good drivers and mechanics who have been properly trained reflect well on the company, and produce high customer satisfaction.

Having the right training materials is very important to a successful training program. Quality, comprehensive training programs, consistently given to employees or prospective employees, is the foundation of a successful training program.

In the event that you do not know, there are two training curricula available to you which fit the above criteria. The Motorcoach Drivers curriculum and the Motorcoach Mechanics curriculum are available for use.

Both were developed through the Federal Highway Administration of the US Department of Transportation. These curriculum were greatly influenced through the contributions and oversight of knowledgeable personnel within motorcoach and bus companies. I am proud to say that I was part of the development of both of these curricula.

The Motorcoach Driver curriculum covers all essential topics that must be learned by a person who wishes to drive a bus. The curriculum is developed to allow room for customizing by each company, especially in the areas of individual company policy on fares, baggage handling, etc. There is an instructors Manual, a Student Manual, and a master set of white transparencies for use within the training program. It is available in printed form and on 3 floppy disks for those who choose to use their computers.

The general topics covered in this training curricula are:

  1. Hours of Service and Daily Logs
  2. Motorcoach Orientation
  3. Safe Driving Procedures
  4. Safe Driving On-Road Practice
  5. Special Driving Conditions
  6. Breakdowns & Emergencies
  7. Loading and Transporting Passengers

I conducted the pilot training with this curriculum and have talked to many operators who have used it since. There is a unanimous agreement that this curriculum offers the most comprehensive collection of training materials available for new driver training.

The Motorcoach Mechanics curriculum is aimed towards providing specific knowledge about motorcoaches to mechanics who already have fundamental mechanic training. It attempts to help them understand the unique aspects of motorcoaches, how to inspect them, and how to identify defects that they may see.

It is very comprehensive in nature. This curriculum includes many diagrams and technical data from major manufacturers. And it includes collective knowledge of many mechanics and operators throughout the United States and Canada.

This curriculum includes an Instructors Manual, Student Manual, white transparencies, and a set of slides for presentations. It is only available in hard copy form.

This curriculum is divided into twelve modules. Those modules are:

  1. General Safety
  2. Structural Integrity
  3. Steering System
  4. Heating and Air Conditioning
  5. Driver and Passenger Safety
  6. Electrical System
  7. Power Train
  8. Exhaust and Fuel Systems
  9. Cooling System (engine)
  10. Brake Systems (air)
  11. Suspension Systems (air)
  12. Air System Accessories

For more information on this curricula, feel free to call The Daecher Consulting Group, Inc. At (717) 975-9190. Or visit us on our web site at www.safetyteam.com.

*** Click here to visit the NADME training web site ***