I give all my Drivers a big THANK YOU!  The tour could not go without you!

It is a must for Tour Operators and Tour Directors to have a close relationship with their Drivers.  Our guests and clients love to see us work together as a team.  It makes the tour so much more rewarding for all.

When I was working as a Tour Director, many times my Drivers would say “I received the best tips I have ever received working with you!”  The reason – we worked together as a team.  We gave the clients the feeling that we both care about them and that giving them the best tour possible was of utmost importance.  The Driver and I would always discuss privately the day’s routing and itinerary and any concerns that arose.

Now that I am a Tour Operator, I still maintain a close relationship with my Drivers.  We work together in some of those “tight spots” in finding that elusive site.  Laughter, good fun, and respect for each other will always make you both shine in your clients eyes.

I have had drivers with Charter Buses out of Canada, Greyline Buses out of Seattle, WA and O C & W out of Salem, OR.

Sylvia Spaulding

Quest Tours & Treks

The only time I had a chance to work with a motor coach driver was during a trip across U.S.A. & Canada, it was my first trip after graduation in 1989.

Since it was my first trip I lacked necessary experience, but the great thing about it was that the driver had experienced taking that rout many times, he was very helpful in informing me of the directions we were taking and since the tour agency had not provided very many details of the trip the bus driver filled all the blank spaces which took us through great seines sight a lot more than we bargained for.

Our trip was for 21 days, for 20 days all the guests and myself had a great time until the last night, the tour agency had changed the hotel sight without informing the guest, my schedule showed the hotel we stayed in, but the next day when the guest complained the bus drive started insulting the tour agency, complaining how unprofessional the agency had acted, it took me a while to calm things down, but the driver would not quite his remarks.

I reported that to the agency and hoping they did some thing about it.

In all I should say that coach drivers can be of great help and assistance not only to the tour, to the guest and the tour company.

I hope I will have another chance to do the same one of these days.

My best regards to the best & kindest teacher Mr. Ted Bravos

Alexander Goren

Ted & Randy.
Not only could we not do our job without a good partnership with our Motor Coach driver but the Motor Coach dispatchers as well. I arrived at Vancouver, Canada on a cruise from Hawaii with 205 Pax that had different flight schedules from either Vancouver or Seattle, WA. I was supposed to have five coaches waiting for me upon arrival at Vancouver. When I went to retrieve them, no coaches could be found and being a sunday no one was available at the home office. (This company no longer exists) Had I not known two of the  dispatchers in Vancouver The company would have been in real trouble as their was no way without the coaches the people would never make their flights and I probably would not make my flight to Alaska to pick up another tour the next day. I called both dispatchers and they said they said they would see what they could do. Within ten minutes they both called back. one could have two coaches there in ten minutes and the other could have three more within thirty minutes. Two coaches went to Seattle and three to Vancouver International Airport. Not one Pax missed their flight. I Probably saved that company millions of dollars in law suits and I didn’t even get a thank you.

Michael Wintch

In my travels throughout Canada I must say the drivers of “Brewster” are the best! They are VERY knowledgeable and most helpful to both tour directors and pax. In the USA, one company I work for, Holiday Vacations, uses almost exclusively the “Ready Bus Lines”, coach company and their drivers are all so friendly, helpful, courtious, knowledgeable, and professional. It’s a great benefit to travel with both of these companies and their drivers.

Russell Snow

Greetings Ted and Randy, and all the ITMI staff!

The question of the week has really  intrigued me, and I would like to make a few comments about motor-coach operators.

For the past 4 years I have been doing a lot of tours each Summer season, usually 12-18 week-long trips into our nations National Parks.  I have had the opportunity to work with many drivers, and I can tell you that a good relationship with the driver is a major key to having a successful trip!  I’m pleased to say that most of the trips I have done have been with very good drivers, and there have only been a few that I  have struggled with.  For the most part they realize that it can be very bennificial for them if the trip goes smoothly, and we all know that that just means great tips from the passengers along with gratitude for a safe and enjoyable tour.

As you might remember I worked as a driver for several years before attending ITMI, and I learned a great deal from some really good tour directors. I also learned some things when I worked with a tour director that was not all that good, and there are  a few of them out there on the road. As a result I consider myself to be a very  “driver-friendly tour director”, because I know what they must do to keep everyone safe ,and to make the tour run smoothly.  Once in awhile I have to be a “driver- tolerant tour director”, but not very often, I I try very hard to win them over.  I always introduce them the first day as “The most important person on the bus”, and let the people know that they can depend on them to do a great job for us.  That usually works quite well.

I always try to visit with them before a trip starts if that is possible, and to talk with them about the schedule, routes, and other things that could affect our trip. Good communication is the key, and not asking them to do things that are not legal, like driving extra hours, or stopping on the interstate to let people out for a photo op.

Those kinds of things do happen, and can ruin a good relatioship very quickly.  Drivers are under some very strict rules concerning driving hours, and keeping to the trip that their company has bid on.  Insisting that they do extra things puts them in a difficult position.

I have a great relationship with the drivers from Lakeshore Motor Coach Lines from Provo ,Utah. They have been doing the Mt. Rushmore-Yellowstone tour for Caravan Tours for many years, and are doing a great job.

It has been my privilege to work with several great drivers from Lamoille Valley Lines, from Vermont also. If I start giving names I will probably leave someone out, and I don’t want to do that.

Many of the drivers ask me for my entire schedule, so as to request that we work together again. I think that shows a mutual respect for each other, and will make for many more enjoyable trips together.

I still drive a bus during the off season, and really enjoy doing that also, but the tour-director job just has to be the very best job around!

I am very grateful for my experience at ITMI, and all the opportunities it has opened up for me. What a ride it has been so far, and I hope I can continue doing it for many years!  Caravan Tours has treated me very well also, and I think the world of Karen Duffy, and the rest of the staff in the office.  When I call in they are always very helpful and friendly.  I can hardly believe that they actually pay me to do this!

I have to close now- I leave for another great tour in the morning.

Thanks again,

Gordon Hodgson

The guide and the driver have to be a close team. It is important the both agree on  the routing, ETAs, and duration of rest and sight seeing stops. When I have a good driver and knowledgeable of the route, my job is so much easier. When I have to worry about telling the driver the route, it is stressful on me and the quality of my tour suffers. Drivers also need to be courteous to the passengers and  always stand by the door as they get on and off. I think tour guides and clients appreciate a driver who is courteous, helpful, and doesn’t talk too much.

On over the road tours, it is also important that a driver does not  have more than one, maybe two  two alcoholic beverages when staying somewheres over night and gets enough sleep. I have had to have private talks with drivers about studying their maps for routing or tell them to get get to bed earlier. When I have  excellent drivers, upon completion of the tour I write a note to their company stating the good work they have done.

Romano

“Work with the driver…work with the driver…work with the driver…” words I’m continually reminded of with each new tour.   Wise words, ITMI, and so true!

“Drivers are the polish that makes the tour director shine.”   Our drivers have a huge role in the success of any tour.  The Tour Director and driver succeed as a team or fail as a team.  It takes both to make a tour work.

It’s terrific to work with drivers who continually set the bar higher for the next one.  I appreciate so much drivers who take pride in their work - who dress the part, who are cheerful and thoughtful towards our guests, who take the time to get to know a few pax names, who, without being asked or nagged, ensure that those picture coach windows are cleaned several times throughout the day so that everyone’s pictures come out perfect, who arrive a few minutes early so I can get myself organized in the morning, who offer to help even me off the coach with my many bags at the end of the night, who still enjoy doing the work that they do, who come prepared every day.

Drivers I’ve worked with have helped me cope with medical emergencies, have offered suggestions for new coffee/lunch stops, have shared a couple of funny stories that I now share on the coach, have helped me gain perspective on days where things haven’t gone according to plan, drivers who have been supportive and encouraging.   When I feel comfortable with my driver, I can relax and be myself and not have to worry about anything.   It’s hugely gratifying for the pax to see teamwork develop between drivers and tour directors, when they firmly believe you and the driver have worked several times together when in fact you’ve only just met.   You need only have one bad experience with a driver to reinforce just how much we depend on the expertise our drivers provide and how vital they are to any tour.

It’s been enriching and rewarding to develop friendships over the years with all the drivers I’ve had the opportunity to work with and each time we meet on the road, it’s like reconnecting with family.  Nobody truly understands the daily pressures and stresses of our worlds like another tour director or driver.

Kudo’s to the motor coach companies I’ve come to appreciate over the years: Coach Canada in eastern Canada: Traxx, Charter Bus Lines, and Golden Arrow in western Canada and the countless drivers who have helped me to become the Tour Director I am today.

Lynda Brown

Calgary