First Student Inc

Write a Review847-352-7900

The best part of my job is getting to know my students. While some are loud and challenging, the positive interactions I have with others make my time here worthwhile. It’s difficult however, tolerating some co-workers negativity and bitterness, especially from the ornery buzzard that hands out your bus keys (as she’s making condescending judgments and squawking orders to drivers). Even still, I’m very grateful for the many perks of my job, including working for both a Location Manager & Assistant Location Manager that extend respect to their subordinates. In addition to effectively leading the Schaumburg Branch, Terri & Rich are approachable, willing to listen. So refreshing. The lead dispatcher does a remarkable job given the overwhelming responsibilities of her extremely stressful position. On occasion though, she assumes guilt first and snaps at drivers in an accusatory tone, when someone has “complained” to her. For example, a stand-by reported me for making several improperly positioned stops on my route that supposedly were “unsafe”? He then stated that I made 2 house stops when, in fact, I did no such thing. It was he that CHOSE to pickup 2 students in their driveways because they had not yet walked to their respective stops. GPS records would’ve supported me and shown her that this driver, who has a less than stellar reputation, based the initial allegation solely on where some of the kids were standing at their stops, and not by the actual location I pick them up at. They wait to SAFELY cross, after the stop sign has fully extended. This driver erred on the side of suspicion, definitely not a team player. Instead of asking me about this, she chose to scold me in the presence of onlookers. Here’s the kicker...truth is this immature, meddling, very unprofessional stand-by, who has nothing nice to say about any of his fellow drivers and also left my bus smelling of cigarettes, said this to her because he wasn’t getting his required “hugs” from me and felt slighted?! Further, this angry boy was overheard slandering me. Yet his word is deemed gospel? I wasn’t even given a chance to defend myself. We are all human yet situations like this can affect employee morale. A simple apology in hindsight would’ve carried a lot of weight. Having said this, I do truly understand how much pressure my supervisor must be under. She’s always busy, juggling everything all at once. I’m exhausted thinking about her endless contributions to First Student’s daily operations.