Ventura should have..

[MiniNut]

.. a new employee soon.

Hi Peoples. I'm Craig and am just going through the recruitment process of Ventura's now.
It's a lot more involved than I thought it would be, but thanks to stumbling across this board, and you people, I've had a pretty good idea what would happen next.

Ok. So far I've had the first interview at Doncaster. Are we allowed to name names of whom we dealt with? I have had nothing but three really nice, warm, people I've dealt with that have made me want to work for Ventura even more than I did when I started.
Anyhoo.. a lovely girl took me for the first interview.

And then I got a call back for the driving test <insert dramatic music here>
Turned up, still in suit and tie. If the only bit of advice I can give from this entire process is to continually treat each round as a serious interview, ie turn up DRESSED like it's an interview, then that would be it. Seriously, the fellow I did my assessment with gave me a good mark for presentation. He allowed me to remove my jacket in the bus, and even mentioned removing the tie, but if he can wear a tie driving, so should we. He told me he was surprised at how some turn up for the driving assessment in trackie dacks etc.

I have only driven trucks, MR licence, and was given a driving school card and brochure before we went for the drive. Oh wonderful, I thought. Well, it all turned out ok. The assessor was full of good hints and tips and with a bit of confidence, I passed. It was different and I'm sure he took me on one of the tightest bus runs they had LOL.

So, I've had an interview at Knox. And today did the online psychometric test... getting very excited that I may soon get the offer to be a Ventura driver
I hope they've started the police check as I hear that's the longest part of it

Anyway.. there's my experience. Can't wait to get that call to say I'm one of you

[Peter1805]

That's great Craig... all the best with the remainder of the process.

I think you can start the police check process yourself - check out the Vicpol website for the form, etc..

You can also do the Working with Children stuff yourself - go to a Post office to get the forms, etc.

[Denning-6V71]

In the words written on many an old coach's door: Welcome aboard!
Sounds like you're on the right track. Keep us posted of your progress and enjoy the community here at ATDB
Cheers,
John

[Sidey44]

Great news MiniNut,
Just quietly I have an interview on Monday at Oakleigh and a driving test aswell.
Hopefully you get that offer

[MiniNut]

Thanks for the replies...

I have my medical on Monday and am applying for the Police Check tomorrow for myself
I'd say that's a pretty good sign

Best of luck Sidey

[Sidey44]

Cheers Mininut
as the heading states.....Ventura should have....
well I can answer that......me
just got back from the 1st interview and driving test,and can say Im still all giggly on the inside.It was the first time driving a semi-auto and was easier than eating a pie,I sorta like the old Centurion a lot.
So Im back in 2 days for the writtens and other parts etc and patiently waiting for the wwc forms/police etc to come back in the mail.

[MiniNut]

Brilliant.. well done mate.

I passed the Medical today, thankfully I studied for the urine test (yes.. had to do it).. so wait for the results of that. Waiting for the Police/WWC to come back as well which I ran around to get sorted last Friday. Glad you had a better time of the driving test... then again, it helps that you've driven a bus before LOL.

[Peter1805]

Cheers Mininut
as the heading states.....Ventura should have....
well I can answer that......me
just got back from the 1st interview and driving test,and can say Im still all giggly on the inside.It was the first time driving a semi-auto and was easier than eating a pie,I sorta like the old Centurion a lot.
So Im back in 2 days for the writtens and other parts etc and patiently waiting for the wwc forms/police etc to come back in the mail.

Your driving test was in a Centurion?!!

[Sidey44]

Yep and loved every second of it..... Im back again today for round 2 interviews etc.
Im packing the camera as I want a shot of the old girl.

[MiniNut]

Good luck.. let us know how you go.

Oh.. and thanks Peter for the advice re the forms. I did as you suggested

[MiniNut]

Success!!! Start on the 15th

[BozzyDad]

Sounds like you went out for a charter test drive with AJ?
They take you out in either the centurion or the tigers
Great buses great fun to drive, usually get them on tram or train replace with lots of roundabouts usually!

[Denning-6V71]

Congrats MiniNut! Welcome to the world of bus driving.

[MiniNut]

Thankyou

I've just been reading "Insipid Passenger" stories in the lunchroom.. Mother and Captainch are hilarious.
I'm just hoping my experience behind the counter of a service station will help me

[vx255]

Welcome to bus driving, and to Ventura.

Rgds Eddie, Ventura driver, Knox.

[MiniNut]

Thanks Eddie. You'll soon be seeing a little yellow Mini parked in the car park.

[RailwayBus]

Thanks Eddie. You'll soon be seeing a little yellow Mini parked in the car park.

I didn't realise Mr Bean was a bus driver.

[scott]

I could just imagine him driving the bus from the roof, with some broom handles stuck through the roof hatch,or playing with the raise/kneel switches or driving around a roundabout three times.

[Peter1805]

Mr Bean had a green mini - so did I - many years ago... not any more though

[RailwayBus]

Mr Bean had a green mini

Not always, he started off with an orange one at first, then went green (a sort of yellowey-green) and I think at one point he had a yellow and black one?

[Peter1805]

Mr Bean had a green mini

Not always, he started off with an orange one at first, then went green (a sort of yellowey-green) and I think at one point he had a yellow and black one?

Spoilsport...

[scott]

Didn't the yellowy green one get destroyed by a tank when he went to his school reunion?

But getting slightly back onto topic, it would be funny to pose a bus alongside the Mini, suggestion being a Leyland Tiger as they share the same parent company. Would be funny to see a Mini as a driver changeover vehicle!!!!

[MiniNut]

The funny thing.. is besides the new Bini... BMW started from the same pedigree as a Mini. All started with the 1924 Austin 7 LOL

Did they share the same wiring company? The Prince of Darkness.. Lucas. So I can claim to be able to properly drive a Leyland.. just don't need to specify it's not a Tiger

Ah Peter. Do you miss it?

[Peter1805]

I do indeed miss it... with it's lack of any sort of "extras", optional or otherwise, and it's eccentric start-up procedure...
Was such fun to always know exactly how much water on the road would lead it to stop running, too - cheeky little blighter, it was..

Looked like this, from memory:

[MiniNut]

Oh they're good fun. I still grin like an idiot driving mine. It started out as a rolling shell last August and in seven weeks I put it together to act as my wedding car LOL. Replaced sills, doors, all the suspension, brakes, wheels, tyres.. and found a secondhand engine to tidy up.
It's now off the road again getting a reco engine and gearbox. Can't wait til it's back on the road.. 3 weeks time I hope, if not sooner
Someone dobbed me in to the EPA, but fair's fair.. the old second hand engine was belching the smoke LOL.