Fairfax County General :
Fairfax Underground
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
oh lordy!!!
()
Date: January 08, 2015 03:02AM
Just got this in e-mail. Unbelievable.
"A message from FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
FCPS is experiencing significant mechanical problems with a number of buses across the county this morning due to the freezing temperatures. Some of these buses will be late picking up students; some may be very late. Parents are advised to take precautions to ensure that their children are not standing outside in the cold for extended periods of time. Mechanics, transportation supervisors, and drivers are working to the best of their ability to get the buses running and on time.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we apologize for the delays."
My kids are staying home today.
"A message from FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
FCPS is experiencing significant mechanical problems with a number of buses across the county this morning due to the freezing temperatures. Some of these buses will be late picking up students; some may be very late. Parents are advised to take precautions to ensure that their children are not standing outside in the cold for extended periods of time. Mechanics, transportation supervisors, and drivers are working to the best of their ability to get the buses running and on time.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we apologize for the delays."
My kids are staying home today.
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
bus mechanic
()
Date: January 08, 2015 04:06AM
About 20% of the school bus fleet is currently inoperative.
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
True The Vote !
()
Date: January 08, 2015 07:01AM
Hey mechanic, Are they inoperative because of this cold snap?
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
DcvbM
()
Date: January 08, 2015 07:07AM
Cold causes ANY mechanical item/system problems.
School has been closed as of this post today 1/8/15 due to bus issues and other reasons.
Same issues last year when we had the Polar Vortex.
The buses are hard to start, the air brakes have issues if moisture is in the system, there are oil and antifreeze leaks and so forth.
School has been closed as of this post today 1/8/15 due to bus issues and other reasons.
Same issues last year when we had the Polar Vortex.
The buses are hard to start, the air brakes have issues if moisture is in the system, there are oil and antifreeze leaks and so forth.
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
DcvbM
()
Date: January 08, 2015 07:11AM
BTW, this is NOTHING compared to the issues they had last year during the Polar Vortex.
Last year over 1 hours straight of bus drivers calling it with bus problems on just one of the 4 bus district areas.
Last year over 1 hours straight of bus drivers calling it with bus problems on just one of the 4 bus district areas.
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
hervek
()
Date: January 08, 2015 07:31AM
Whats alexandria and arlingtons secret to getting buses started? They're not closed, only 2 hours late.
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
True The Vote !
()
Date: January 08, 2015 07:34AM
Maybe time to invest in electric dipsticks. The libturds elected a Dipshit head bus driver for the state of Virginia.
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
34CLF
()
Date: January 08, 2015 07:41AM
FCPS is a difficult situation, largest bus fleet in the county, large than Grayhound as I recall.
Arlington and Alexandria have a much smaller bus fleet, probably much newer buses and also do not have the 400 square miles of roads with as MUCH greater variation in conditions. Keep in mind, think about all the back roads in Great Falls where the buses have hills, turns and valley.
Alexandria is very flat, Arlington has some hills but the buses can probably work around these or they have been treated by Arlington. Fairfax is at the MERCY of VDOT and VDOT was not even deployed in proper numbers to deal with the interstates earlier in the week, much less the back roads of Great Falls and other difficult areas in the county.
Not to mention that many of the teachers and staff have to travel much further to reach FCPS schools than probably other localities.
Few teachers and administrators live in the district they work within Fairfax as many cannot afford to live close to where they work.
I only know a small handful of teachers and administration that live close to where they work in FCPS facilities. Man of these do not need to work, but they do.
Arlington and Alexandria have a much smaller bus fleet, probably much newer buses and also do not have the 400 square miles of roads with as MUCH greater variation in conditions. Keep in mind, think about all the back roads in Great Falls where the buses have hills, turns and valley.
Alexandria is very flat, Arlington has some hills but the buses can probably work around these or they have been treated by Arlington. Fairfax is at the MERCY of VDOT and VDOT was not even deployed in proper numbers to deal with the interstates earlier in the week, much less the back roads of Great Falls and other difficult areas in the county.
Not to mention that many of the teachers and staff have to travel much further to reach FCPS schools than probably other localities.
Few teachers and administrators live in the district they work within Fairfax as many cannot afford to live close to where they work.
I only know a small handful of teachers and administration that live close to where they work in FCPS facilities. Man of these do not need to work, but they do.
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
3am I must be ronery
()
Date: January 08, 2015 08:22AM
oh lordy!!! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Just got this in e-mail. Unbelievable.
>
> "A message from FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
> FCPS is experiencing significant mechanical
> problems with a number of buses across the county
> this morning due to the freezing temperatures.
> Some of these buses will be late picking up
> students; some may be very late. Parents are
> advised to take precautions to ensure that their
> children are not standing outside in the cold for
> extended periods of time. Mechanics,
> transportation supervisors, and drivers are
> working to the best of their ability to get the
> buses running and on time.
>
> Thank you for your patience and understanding, and
> we apologize for the delays."
>
> My kids are staying home today.
Dude, 3am? Fuck man, I am afraid of some of you trolls on this website. Every time I hear about a domestic murder suicide or some other pyschopath being killed, I check on here to see which posters have stopped.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Just got this in e-mail. Unbelievable.
>
> "A message from FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
> FCPS is experiencing significant mechanical
> problems with a number of buses across the county
> this morning due to the freezing temperatures.
> Some of these buses will be late picking up
> students; some may be very late. Parents are
> advised to take precautions to ensure that their
> children are not standing outside in the cold for
> extended periods of time. Mechanics,
> transportation supervisors, and drivers are
> working to the best of their ability to get the
> buses running and on time.
>
> Thank you for your patience and understanding, and
> we apologize for the delays."
>
> My kids are staying home today.
Dude, 3am? Fuck man, I am afraid of some of you trolls on this website. Every time I hear about a domestic murder suicide or some other pyschopath being killed, I check on here to see which posters have stopped.
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
yucky afdsa dumbass
()
Date: January 08, 2015 08:39AM
bus mechanic Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> About 20% of the school bus fleet is currently
> inoperative.
BTW, posting at 4am, after you posted at 3am, is a clear way of showing you are double posting you dumb fuck.
Tonight, at 3am, go ahead and stick your revolver in your mouth and end the embarrassment that you are to your family.
-------------------------------------------------------
> About 20% of the school bus fleet is currently
> inoperative.
BTW, posting at 4am, after you posted at 3am, is a clear way of showing you are double posting you dumb fuck.
Tonight, at 3am, go ahead and stick your revolver in your mouth and end the embarrassment that you are to your family.
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
ethics question
()
Date: January 08, 2015 09:55AM
Seriously? All the shit that goes on here, and you're going to ride someone's ass for double posting?
At least he said something useful. Both times!
At least he said something useful. Both times!
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
Edrf
()
Date: January 08, 2015 10:04AM
Why am I not surprised FCPS school can't run in cold weather under 30 degrees??????
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
Joke Buses
()
Date: January 08, 2015 10:07AM
Joke buses
Attachments:
Attachments:
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
fakedit
()
Date: January 08, 2015 10:08AM
oh lordy!!! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Just got this in e-mail. Unbelievable.
>
> "A message from FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
> FCPS is experiencing significant mechanical
> problems with a number of buses across the county
> this morning due to the freezing temperatures.
> Some of these buses will be late picking up
> students; some may be very late. Parents are
> advised to take precautions to ensure that their
> children are not standing outside in the cold for
> extended periods of time. Mechanics,
> transportation supervisors, and drivers are
> working to the best of their ability to get the
> buses running and on time.
>
> Thank you for your patience and understanding, and
> we apologize for the delays."
>
> My kids are staying home today.
That email was from last school year.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Just got this in e-mail. Unbelievable.
>
> "A message from FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
> FCPS is experiencing significant mechanical
> problems with a number of buses across the county
> this morning due to the freezing temperatures.
> Some of these buses will be late picking up
> students; some may be very late. Parents are
> advised to take precautions to ensure that their
> children are not standing outside in the cold for
> extended periods of time. Mechanics,
> transportation supervisors, and drivers are
> working to the best of their ability to get the
> buses running and on time.
>
> Thank you for your patience and understanding, and
> we apologize for the delays."
>
> My kids are staying home today.
That email was from last school year.
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
uJWet
()
Date: January 08, 2015 10:11AM
Just convert to electric buses and keep the batteries maintained.
But this will not solve the fact that VDOT did/does a crappy job clearing roads and the drivers are not experienced with driving in these conditions.
But this will not solve the fact that VDOT did/does a crappy job clearing roads and the drivers are not experienced with driving in these conditions.
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
Natural Gas!
()
Date: January 08, 2015 10:13AM
uJWet Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Just convert to electric buses and keep the
> batteries maintained.
>
> But this will not solve the fact that VDOT
> did/does a crappy job clearing roads and the
> drivers are not experienced with driving in these
> conditions.
Natural gas. Cheaper, a hell of lot more efficient, easily accessible and works in all temps.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Just convert to electric buses and keep the
> batteries maintained.
>
> But this will not solve the fact that VDOT
> did/does a crappy job clearing roads and the
> drivers are not experienced with driving in these
> conditions.
Natural gas. Cheaper, a hell of lot more efficient, easily accessible and works in all temps.
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
Natural
()
Date: January 08, 2015 10:15AM
Natural gas
Attachments:
Attachments:
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
yucky24 asdas
()
Date: January 08, 2015 10:31AM
ethics question Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Seriously? All the shit that goes on here, and
> you're going to ride someone's ass for double
> posting?
>
> At least he said something useful. Both times!
Yes because he's yucky24 the douchebag cunt racist who also posted 10 minutes later on a different post. He is a fuckin loser who should just kill himself. He provides nothing to society except his constant sophmoric and immature bullshit on this piece of shit website for morons which he has transformed into his personal stormfront forum.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Seriously? All the shit that goes on here, and
> you're going to ride someone's ass for double
> posting?
>
> At least he said something useful. Both times!
Yes because he's yucky24 the douchebag cunt racist who also posted 10 minutes later on a different post. He is a fuckin loser who should just kill himself. He provides nothing to society except his constant sophmoric and immature bullshit on this piece of shit website for morons which he has transformed into his personal stormfront forum.
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
ccaaccaaold
()
Date: January 08, 2015 10:58AM
January 8 - 10:10 a.m.
The decision to change from a two hour delayed opening to an all day closing for schools was made today because, as our bus drivers reported to work, it was evident that many of our buses would not start in this morning’s cold weather. We did not want students waiting in this cold for buses that may be running late because engines wouldn’t start. In addition, the refreeze of snow and ice on residential streets and sidewalks also made walking and travel treacherous. We understand the change to an all day closing creates problems for many, particularly our SACC families, but we believe this decision is best for our students. Thank you for your support and understanding. http://www.fcps.edu/news/emerg.shtml
The decision to change from a two hour delayed opening to an all day closing for schools was made today because, as our bus drivers reported to work, it was evident that many of our buses would not start in this morning’s cold weather. We did not want students waiting in this cold for buses that may be running late because engines wouldn’t start. In addition, the refreeze of snow and ice on residential streets and sidewalks also made walking and travel treacherous. We understand the change to an all day closing creates problems for many, particularly our SACC families, but we believe this decision is best for our students. Thank you for your support and understanding. http://www.fcps.edu/news/emerg.shtml
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
ustabe
()
Date: January 08, 2015 10:59AM
Fairfax County does not have bus mechanics for the simple reason that competent diesel mechanics will not work for the peanuts that the county pays.
The bus garages only do the simplest repairs such as brakes and oil changes. Anything complicated gets sent out to private repair shops. Of course they hate to pay for this, so if the bus is running at all, that's good enough.
Some of the guys try hard and some eventually become good mechanics. When that happens they quit and go to the private sector where they will be rewarded for their skills.
The bus garages only do the simplest repairs such as brakes and oil changes. Anything complicated gets sent out to private repair shops. Of course they hate to pay for this, so if the bus is running at all, that's good enough.
Some of the guys try hard and some eventually become good mechanics. When that happens they quit and go to the private sector where they will be rewarded for their skills.
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
Canta y no llores
()
Date: January 08, 2015 11:04AM
How much would it cost to have buses that run in cold weather? Obviously this can be done as it is done all the time north of here. Did we get a deal on buses or something?
How would that cost compare to the price of the turf fields (and their maintenance)? We know what the priorities are I guess (and the SB wants their salaries doubled).
How would that cost compare to the price of the turf fields (and their maintenance)? We know what the priorities are I guess (and the SB wants their salaries doubled).
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
jdp3P
()
Date: January 08, 2015 11:09AM
Read the Transportation section of this Wiki - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairfax_County_Public_Schools
Some of the buses are almost 20 years old!
If you want few problems, you cannot keep 15-20 year old things running under all conditions without a LOT of maintenance.
FCPS should consider Leasing and see if this offsets the maintenance and staffing issues?
Some of the buses are almost 20 years old!
If you want few problems, you cannot keep 15-20 year old things running under all conditions without a LOT of maintenance.
FCPS should consider Leasing and see if this offsets the maintenance and staffing issues?
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
n9jNk
()
Date: January 08, 2015 11:13AM
Honestly its got to be cheaper to just close the schools 2-3 days a year when it gets below 10F than to ready the fleet for those rare temps. The Vortex is relatively new around here so why gin the fleet up to NH standards?
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
Hondo
()
Date: January 08, 2015 11:31AM
jdp3P Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Some of the buses are almost 20 years old!
It sounds to me like it's time to get new buses. If they don't start in cold weather, they need to be replaced. These current conditions are well within the norm for this area. This is ridiculous!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/08/2015 11:31AM by Hondo.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Some of the buses are almost 20 years old!
It sounds to me like it's time to get new buses. If they don't start in cold weather, they need to be replaced. These current conditions are well within the norm for this area. This is ridiculous!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/08/2015 11:31AM by Hondo.
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
wrong calculation
()
Date: January 08, 2015 11:49AM
"Honestly its got to be cheaper to just close the schools 2-3 days a year when it gets below 10F than to ready the fleet for those rare temps."
How much does it cost in lost productivity for parents who have to stay home with kids? Talk to the parents who don't get paid when they don't work (and whose kid probably needs to be at school the most) and then decide how "cheap" it is to close schools.
How much does it cost in lost productivity for parents who have to stay home with kids? Talk to the parents who don't get paid when they don't work (and whose kid probably needs to be at school the most) and then decide how "cheap" it is to close schools.
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
$10,000 free daycare/kid/yr
()
Date: January 08, 2015 12:00PM
wrong calculation Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "Honestly its got to be cheaper to just close the
> schools 2-3 days a year when it gets below 10F
> than to ready the fleet for those rare temps."
>
>
> How much does it cost in lost productivity for
> parents who have to stay home with kids? Talk to
> the parents who don't get paid when they don't
> work (and whose kid probably needs to be at school
> the most) and then decide how "cheap" it is to
> close schools.
THere you have it, the truth - school is just daycare for working parents. So calculate the productive days parents GET from having kid babysat by the schools 990 hours per year. I guess when you figure parents are getting $10,000 free daycare per child per year a snow day is not that big a deal. Oh and on top of that they get instruction and reduced cost food if needed.
Come on give me a break. I mean I know you are pissed your kids are cutting into your bottom line and you want to outsource as much of your parenting as possible but a few snow days wont cut into your Ford F-150-leather-couch-56-inchflat-screen budget now will it.
-------------------------------------------------------
> "Honestly its got to be cheaper to just close the
> schools 2-3 days a year when it gets below 10F
> than to ready the fleet for those rare temps."
>
>
> How much does it cost in lost productivity for
> parents who have to stay home with kids? Talk to
> the parents who don't get paid when they don't
> work (and whose kid probably needs to be at school
> the most) and then decide how "cheap" it is to
> close schools.
THere you have it, the truth - school is just daycare for working parents. So calculate the productive days parents GET from having kid babysat by the schools 990 hours per year. I guess when you figure parents are getting $10,000 free daycare per child per year a snow day is not that big a deal. Oh and on top of that they get instruction and reduced cost food if needed.
Come on give me a break. I mean I know you are pissed your kids are cutting into your bottom line and you want to outsource as much of your parenting as possible but a few snow days wont cut into your Ford F-150-leather-couch-56-inchflat-screen budget now will it.
Re: school buses having huge problems getting started
Posted by:
Burke Brat
()
Date: January 09, 2015 12:08AM
I would like OP to explain why all the tractor Trailers along exits sit with the engines running? especially in cold weather. Diesel Fuel Gels, it makes starting a Diesel difficult. If its not plugged in with a Block Heater it will be a challenge to get it started, so 8 Degrees over night, yeah I buy it. This isn't the first time this has happened, now add little or no melt to the snow on sidewalks, back streets, Rural roads.
I place the blame on #1. Schools for not at least opening 2 hours late Tuesday, #2 Weather people for their poor forecast (Channel 4 at 7 am was calling for only .5-1" and there was more than that on the ground) #3 The drivers who feel their time is so important and pissed that the Traffic was slow because people where getting stuck on hills. I am not going to blame VDOT only because with the small amount of snow being called for did not warrant a FULL SCALE call out.
Lesson Learned, if a snow is forecast around rush hour, delay 2 hours, Parents plan on having a secondary plan of action for your children and don't rely on the schools to baby sit, Winterize your vehicles, (Leave the Beemers, Mustangs and Chargers at home) And Finally if you see this outside which is not normal. STAY HOME AND LISTEN TO THE RADIO.
Chances are you wont be going anywhere soon.
Attachments:
I place the blame on #1. Schools for not at least opening 2 hours late Tuesday, #2 Weather people for their poor forecast (Channel 4 at 7 am was calling for only .5-1" and there was more than that on the ground) #3 The drivers who feel their time is so important and pissed that the Traffic was slow because people where getting stuck on hills. I am not going to blame VDOT only because with the small amount of snow being called for did not warrant a FULL SCALE call out.
Lesson Learned, if a snow is forecast around rush hour, delay 2 hours, Parents plan on having a secondary plan of action for your children and don't rely on the schools to baby sit, Winterize your vehicles, (Leave the Beemers, Mustangs and Chargers at home) And Finally if you see this outside which is not normal. STAY HOME AND LISTEN TO THE RADIO.
Chances are you wont be going anywhere soon.
Attachments: