Why do bus drivers salute each other

Giggsy19 · 14-07-2019 1:40pm #1

Been taking a lot of buses over the last year and almost all bus drivers salute each other even if working for different companies, even across motorways. They don't salute anyone else just each other. Is there like an unwritten bus drivers code where they all have to salute each other?

colm_mcm · 14-07-2019 1:42pm

They probably know each other.

branie2 · 14-07-2019 1:43pm

It's just fellow workers spotting each other on the job

Allinall · 14-07-2019 1:45pm

Giggsy19 wrote: »

Is there like an unwritten bus drivers code where they all have to salute each other?

It’s actually written into their contracts. At least for BE.

I did an interview and driving test with them a few years ago, and it came up as one of the terms of employment.

It was this along with another couple of issues that put me off.

I think it’s a h & s issue. Both hands should be on the wheel at all times, except for necessary actions, like indicating, adjusting the radio etc.

Giggsy19 · 14-07-2019 1:47pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

They probably know each other.

Certain they don't, they can't even see who is driving the bus across the motorway. Coach drivers saluting BE local city drivers unlikely they know each other. It's weird but it just annoys me a little for some reason!

RasTa · 14-07-2019 1:48pm

Ye do it on the motorbike too, also when out running. I think Prius owners do it as well.

Cutie 3.14 · 14-07-2019 1:48pm

Why does it annoy you? They're just saying hello to their fellow worker in the same boat, just being friendly

InTheShadows · 14-07-2019 1:49pm

Allinall wrote: »

It’s actually written into their contracts. At least for BE.

I did an interview and driving test with them a few years ago, and it came up as one of the terms of employment.

It was this along with another couple of issues that put me off.

I think it’s a h & s issue. Both hands should be on the wheel at all times, except for necessary actions, like indicating, adjusting the radio etc.

:pac: It's just a wave hello ffs. They aren't getting on the roof and doing a dance. Health and safety

Giggsy19 · 14-07-2019 1:51pm

Cutie 3.14 wrote: »

Why does it annoy you? They're just saying hello to their fellow worker in the same boat, just being friendly

I don't know why it annoys me, just kind of does! Why are city link drivers saluting bus eireann drivers etc just drive the bus!

InTheShadows · 14-07-2019 1:51pm

Giggsy19 wrote: »

Certain they don't, they can't even see who is driving the bus across the motorway. Coach drivers saluting BE local city drivers unlikely they know each other. It's weird but it just annoys me a little for some reason!

May i suggest that if something as trivial as that annoys you you might as well give in using the roads because you'll have a heart attack in no time.

Giggsy19 · 14-07-2019 1:53pm

InTheShadows wrote: »

May i suggest that if something as trivial as that annoys you you might as well give in using the roads because you'll have a heart attack in no time.

Its just the buses that annoy me. Why don't all taxi drivers salute each other?

Collie D · 14-07-2019 1:55pm

Giggsy19 wrote: »

Its just the buses that annoy me. Why don't all taxi drivers salute each other?

Watching interactions between some taxi drivers at the rank outside my office I think we should just be happy that their civility to fellow drivers extends to not throttling one another.

martingriff · 14-07-2019 1:56pm

Giggsy19 wrote: »

Its just the buses that annoy me. Why don't all taxi drivers salute each other?

I know a few who do

branie2 · 14-07-2019 1:57pm

I wonder if Gardai salute each other

Flesh Gorden · 14-07-2019 2:01pm

It's a show of manliness to prove that they can squeeze past with only one hand on the wheel.

It's up there with the fine tradition of temporary blinding someone, to thank them for letting you through.

Mrcaramelchoc · 14-07-2019 2:08pm

They are all part of a union brother.

Giggsy19 · 14-07-2019 2:12pm

Mrcaramelchoc wrote: »

They are all part of a union brother.

So if you are part of a union you have to salute your fellow union brother. Good to know.

shockwave · 14-07-2019 2:12pm

People who drive campervans usually wave at each other on the road too

Odyssey 2005 · 14-07-2019 2:25pm

Giggsy19 wrote: »

Been taking a lot of buses over the last year and almost all bus drivers salute each other even if working for different companies, even across motorways. They don't salute anyone else just each other. Is there like an unwritten bus drivers code where they all have to salute each other?

They are all free masons. I think they're secretly planning something.

14-07-2019 2:28pm

People doing similar work tend to salute each other. Around my area everyone salutes everyone even if they don’t know the car Incase it’s someone they know but if I’m in the tractor and meet another tractor there is always a salute regardless of the area it’s just a nice bit of spirit among people. You will see truckers do this a lot too. I like the way bus drivers also do it. A lot of them would know each other too particular among the different private operators as they would be hanging around at the start/finish stops chatting often.

AMKC · 14-07-2019 3:37pm

Flesh Gorden wrote: »

It's a show of manliness to prove that they can squeeze past with only one hand on the wheel.

It's up there with the fine tradition of temporary blinding someone, to thank them for letting you through.

It's a show of manliness to prove that they can squeeze past with only one hand on the wheel.

And what about the Women bus drivers are they just trying to be manly by doing it too. A know a few and they are far from manly to look at.

ToddyDoody · 14-07-2019 3:42pm

Aithníonn ciaróg ciaróg eile.

(We have a rich heritage, believe it or not)

FTA69 · 14-07-2019 3:51pm

Some absolutely miserable c*nts around if they’re getting wound up about two working men saluting each other on a bus round.

somefeen · 14-07-2019 4:00pm

I salute people with the same car as me. I'm sad like that

Paddy Cow · 14-07-2019 4:07pm

Giggsy19 wrote: »

Certain they don't, they can't even see who is driving the bus across the motorway. Coach drivers saluting BE local city drivers unlikely they know each other. It's weird but it just annoys me a little for some reason!

If that's your biggest grievance when using buses, consider yourself lucky!

Stephen15 · 14-07-2019 4:08pm

What's wrong with it have you nothing better to be moaning about? It's very universal too I was on a few buses in Italy there recently and the drivers all waved at each other.

Generally they seem to give small wave to drivers they don't know such ones working out of other depots or companies like DB drivers waving at Go-Ahead drivers but drivers who know each other give a big friendly wave.

Paddy Cow · 14-07-2019 4:08pm

somefeen wrote: »

I salute people with the same car as me. I'm sad like that

I still like to wave at helicopters

Rubberchikken · 14-07-2019 4:14pm

ive seen lorry drivers do this too.
probably a case of 'all in this together lads'.
i think its nice:)

PsychoPete · 14-07-2019 4:17pm

RasTa wrote: »

I think Prius owners do it as well.

Odyssey 2005 · 14-07-2019 6:17pm

RasTa wrote: »

I think Prius owners do it as well.

I thought Dublin taximen hate everyone ?

14-07-2019 6:21pm

I think it's nice

Qrt · 14-07-2019 6:24pm

Luas drivers do it too. It’s a gentle reminder that they need to pick up their cooler bag at the depot.

corner of hells · 14-07-2019 6:36pm

Giggsy19 wrote: »

Been taking a lot of buses over the last year and almost all bus drivers salute each other even if working for different companies, even across motorways. They don't salute anyone else just each other. Is there like an unwritten bus drivers code where they all have to salute each other?

Its code for bus drivers on the same route , to let each other know they've got the route idiot on board and that he may be on the return bus later.

Always Tired · 14-07-2019 6:40pm

How do you even remember how to breathe is the real question OP. You probably find that annoying too.

Schwanz · 14-07-2019 6:45pm

That's a Sunday Evening Hangover question if I ever saw one.

TheValeyard · 14-07-2019 7:23pm

Odyssey 2005 wrote: »

I thought Dublin taximen hate everyone ?

They do. Including other Dublin taxi men.

14-07-2019 7:26pm

Cutie 3.14 wrote: »

Why does it annoy you? They're just saying hello to their fellow worker in the same boat, just being friendly

Speaking of boats, it happens with boats too.

At around 1600 every evening, if you happen to be around Dun Laoghaire, you'll see the WB Yeats (en route to Cherbourg) passing by one of the ferries returning from Holyhead in the middle of the Bay. They honk their horns at one another, it's very exciting.

I need to get out more.

Still waters · 14-07-2019 7:45pm

I drove hgvs for a living, and we would always give a salute even across the motorway, youd get to know the lads and eventually you might bump into some of them at one of the services taking a break and get to know them a little better, you would also get to know the lads that wouldnt salute but fcuk them dick heads

corner of hells · 14-07-2019 7:56pm

Still waters wrote: »

I drove hgvs for a living, and we would always give a salute even across the motorway, youd get to know the lads and eventually you might bump into some of them at one of the services taking a break and get to know them a little better, you would also get to know the lads that wouldnt salute but fcuk them dick heads

Did y'all have CBs ? And the "breaker ,breaker" thing?
Convoys, bears in the air etc.

Still waters · 14-07-2019 7:58pm

corner of hells wrote: »

Did y'all have CBs ? And the "breaker ,breaker" thing?
Convoys, bears in the air etc.

Things of the past now, some tangs still use them but normal drivers wouldnt bother with them

Sir Guy who smiles · 14-07-2019 8:06pm

Giggsy19 wrote: »

I don't know why it annoys me, just kind of does! Why are city link drivers saluting bus eireann drivers etc just drive the bus!

Outrageous, saluting his fellow peasents as you pay his meager wages. The only salute he should give is doffing his cap-at least two inches above the head please-when a member of the aristocracy such as your good self deigns to travel in his filthy carriage.

vladmydad · 14-07-2019 8:35pm

Still waters wrote: »

I drove hgvs for a living, and we would always give a salute even across the motorway, youd get to know the lads and eventually you might bump into some of them at one of the services taking a break and get to know them a little better, you would also get to know the lads that wouldnt salute but fcuk them dick heads

Is this code for gay sex at service stations ?

Still waters · 14-07-2019 8:51pm

vladmydad wrote: »

Is this code for gay sex at service stations ?

Obviously, have you not seen the way them big beardy trucker bears dress, cheekless chaps and string vests galore

Jimmy McGill · 14-07-2019 8:56pm

I salute all my friends when I see them too... Oh wait

Oxter · 15-07-2019 3:19am

To indicate that there are no speed checks ahead?

Giggsy19 · 15-07-2019 8:20am

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

Speaking of boats, it happens with boats too.

At around 1600 every evening, if you happen to be around Dun Laoghaire, you'll see the WB Yeats (en route to Cherbourg) passing by one of the ferries returning from Holyhead in the middle of the Bay. They honk their horns at one another, it's very exciting.

I need to get out more.

This probably would annoy me a lot too but not as much as bus drivers!

Giggsy19 · 15-07-2019 8:29am

Oxter wrote: »

To indicate that there are no speed checks ahead?

Most buses go the speed limit or at least should be with passengers on board so not sure it would matter about speed checks...

Graces7 · 15-07-2019 8:40am

Naya Colossal Numismatist wrote: »

People doing similar work tend to salute each other. Around my area everyone salutes everyone even if they don’t know the car Incase it’s someone they know but if I’m in the tractor and meet another tractor there is always a salute regardless of the area it’s just a nice bit of spirit among people. You will see truckers do this a lot too. I like the way bus drivers also do it. A lot of them would know each other too particular among the different private operators as they would be hanging around at the start/finish stops chatting often.

the same out here in Mayo. Always a wave from other drivers... like saying hello...we are friendly out here

whisky_galore · 15-07-2019 8:46am

Would you prefer it if drivers of competing bus services started ramming one another's buses instead OP?

Giggsy19 · 15-07-2019 8:57am

whisky_galore wrote: »

Would you prefer it if drivers of competing bus services started ramming one another's buses instead OP?

Bit extreme because it doesn't need to be one or the other. Just stop saluting every other bus driver and been a cnut to every other road user...

davej · 15-07-2019 9:00am

Do you know who else does salutes ?

Nazis

Why do bus drivers salute each other

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