 Poster: A snowHead
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I am deliberating over a job application for an airport transfer job in the Three Valleys and I've become stuck on a couple of questions. I think I have the right 'answers' but just wanted to see if experienced SHs had any further input which might assist me. The questions are:
1. At the start of a day, how would you prepare your vehicle for driving in the mountains?
A. Cleaning inside and out, stocking refrigerator, ensuring DVD player is working, magazines or books are stocked, checking tyre pressure, checking oil, checking snow chains are on correctly and tightly.
2. On the way to the airport with a minibus full of guests, you get a flat tire. What do you do?
A. Call to base to get another vehicle sent out to get them to the airport. Depending on where it is (main road or not), escort the passengers from the vehicle to wait outside the vehicle, away from the road. Reassure the passengers that we'll do all we can to get them to their flight on time.
These answers will obviously be padded out and written more formally but what do people reckon to the gist of the answer? Is it what you think the company is looking for and is there anything else you'd add?
Thankya. 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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i don't think you would assume that the snowchains are on. i'd check that they are in the boot
wouldn't you change the tyre?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Arno wrote: |
i don't think you would assume that the snowchains are on. i'd check that they are in the boot
wouldn't you change the tyre? |
 Yes, I would. Haha, I was so caught up in ensuring the guests got sorted that I forgot what the problem was in the first place.
Cheers for the heads-up vis-a-vis the snow chains, shall amend my answer accordingly.
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put out the warning triangle
and yeah change it, if it is safe to.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I think maybe you'd just change the flat tyre while the guests wait? Have you got experience of changing tyres? Experience of snowchains? Re. preparing the car I'd mention clearing it of snow if required.
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tiffin, good one - thanks.
Shimmy Alcott, I do indeed. I just assumed they'd asked about it being en route to the airport to insinuate time was of the essence in which case it may (depending on how far the van is from the airport/base) be quicker to have another vehicle come out to pick them up, especially if you start having to faf about with locking nuts that don't want to unlock.
I don't have experience of snowchains, however. But will add clearing the snow (from underneath? Or on the car?).
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Astraeus, first question looks like you are prioritising comfort before safety. Swap the order round so that the safety stuff is at the front end of the answer. Also worth looking at eg AA web-site to find out what is compulsory for a (?minibus) - hi-vis jackets available for all passengers?
Don't forget fuel, lights, tire condition as well as pressure and screenwash in your list of things to check.
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Astraeus, Someone mentioned it was actually illegal to change a wheel on French motorways (worth checking!) so you may want to clarify your response with depends on where you are
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Astraeus, clearing the snow off cars is very important, especially the roof as it is a danger to other road users when it eventually blows off in a big block.
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Astraeus, I think this might be better on the piste to be honest with you. Lots of the really clued up people on this kind of stuff dont bother with the Apres Zone. Maybe you could pm a mod to ask to get it moved?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Astraeus, pretty flash van you've got there, with a stocked refrigerator, books and magazines? That must be Crystal you're applying to?
The preparation starts the night before - check forecast, get chains on if likely to be needed, ensure easiest possible exit from your parking space, leave handbrake off if likely to freeze. If very cold, you might need to think about door seals freezing - there are some threads here about putting stuff on them, but can't remember what people said was best! Have your driver's door downwind if possible (without messing up your exit). now that we have a covered garage I don't have to do so much of that any more, but getting the chains on BEFORE there's half a metre of snow, and leaving the handbrake off, can be pretty crucial.
Check windscreen wash fluid - need loads - and it freezes unless you use the French stuff which goes to low temps. That freezes too, but not so often.
If outside, lift the windscreen wipers OFF the screen.
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Astraeus, No problem. Funnily enough got a text off a mate who'd got a new job last week after I had done her CV for her 
I have been going through yours - just a bit of tidying up - I'll get it back to you tonight.
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You know it makes sense.
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Agree with pam w, all the stuff that you need to do in winter here anyway - check anti-freeze and screenwash, check you have other snow-clearing and ice clearing equipment, also not just snowchains, but chain fitting 'gear' (we take heavy duty gloves, torch with batteries, mat to kneel on, etc.). Also agree that prep starts the night before in terms of being aware of weather that might delay your start time or impede your exit from carpark/garage etc. so you can get up earlier if need be and warn guests of new arrangements.
I would honestly put all the practical and safety stuff first as it has to be top priority. Good that there will be drinks and DVDs but better that the vehicle stays on the road.
D
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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tic-tacs and strong coffee
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Poster: A snowHead
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A couple to add from me on preparing for the day;
> remove all snow
> open and close all doors (to check that they've not frozen shut)
> check chains are untangled... they're absolute bugs for tangling themselves up overnight!
> Screen wash full and spare in van.
> warm van up inside
> wash van (some companies want this done every day)
> all lights working
> food & coffee supplies for you
> schedule - this can change upto minutes before you need to leave
> weather forecast - for the day but also as 90% of your pick-ups the 1st or possibly 2nd question will be "what's the weather forecast?" (as an aside other questions will be; how long will it take to get there, what's the skiing like, what's my chalet like, how long have you been out here, how much skiing do you do, where is the best bar & restaurant on and off the piste, what do you do during the summer, how do you drive in these conditions)
> flight arrivals & departure times
> seat belts not tangled and working.
> remove all rubbish
> everything you're carrying is secure.
For breakdown;
1) explain to customers that this is exactly the reason why you picked them up 3hours before their check in time even though it's only a 2hour transfer!
2) triangle
3) phone office and possibly other drivers in the area.... one might be able to swap vans so you get on your way with the clients whilst they change your wheel and then do their transfer in your bus.
4) depending on conditions I might even leave the customers in the van whilst you change the wheel the jack will take the wieght,
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Confirm your mobile works throughout your route, that it is charged, and that you have change/phone cards for telephones if it does not. Also be sure to know where any public phones are located on your route.
Be aware of primary and secondary routes in case of traffic or bad weather and where you might be able to stay if stranded.
Condsider maximum driving hours you are allowed.
Seems you may have limited experience driving in mountains/snow (maybe even a bus). Consider driving style and techniques which will differ in dry mountain roads let alone icy and snowy ones.
Would like to think that the company would provide training which would answer these questions for you, rather than you present your "ignorance" at this stage.
Good luck
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Deliaskis, pam w, Basil, marcellus, this stuff is absolute gold dust and I'm VERY grateful to you all for being so forthcoming with your assistance. I'm definitely going to word it so safety is always paramount and then comfort and time-keeping important side issues.
Basil, they ask a separate question about how many hours I should drive for before taking a break - 4 1/2 is the legal limit but I'm thinking maybe I ought to put 4 to show I'm not going to push my limits. And you've hit that nail square on with the limited experience observation - never driven in snow (but have on ice) and have only had one experience of driving in mountains but quite extensive experience of driving minibuses and vans.
Thanks all - will let you know how I get on!
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Astraeus, what size bus are you driving?
There are no legal limits for "mini buses" under 11(??) seats.... if I were you I would word it something along the lines of; "no set time limits, breaks need to be taken at every opportunity so as to avoid tiredness and not compromise customer or employee safety dependant on driving conditions"
In reality it's what everyone does anyway which is why often you will see drivers asleep in the back of their buses at GVA..... (BTW take one of those inflatable pillows with you and work out the most comfortable position to sleep in the bus.... mind was curled up in the boot with a blanket and pillow between rear wheel arch and rear seats)
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| Quote: |
I ought to put 4 to show I'm not going to push my limits.
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In terms of road safety for yer ordinary punter, extensive research shows that efficiency drops quite quickly after 2 hours. When I drive back and forth to the Alps I try to stop for a leg stretch and coffee every 2 hours - after that initial 2.5 down to Reims; can't bear to stop before Reims unless forced to. At 3 - 4 am when most of us are at our lowest ebb, in terms of diurnal rhythms, 1.5 hours is safer. I've sometimes left here at 5 am for an early flight out of Geneva. Before we had the garage, which was built after the apartments, I had to dig out several times; that gets the blood moving early on! I've never driven a mini bus - my son drove one for the Sussex Uni dive club when he was very wet behind the ears as a driver (and as a diver, come to that). Used to give me the willies thinking of him responsible for all those people. He'd held a full licence for about 6 years and had driven for about 3 weeks maximum during the whole of that time; one of those being a camper van driving up to the ski fields in New Zealand, which is quite hairy. Not the sort of thing parents like to think about really (especially as he'd paid a huge deposit on the van using my Barclaycard!). Still, both he and the van survived.
Driving in snow. Highest feasible gear, lowest possible revs. Eggshells.
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pam w, the problem is with the 1.5hr approach is that if Astraeus is down in the 3Vs and transfering to Geneva then the drive will take c3 to 4 hours and his employers won't expect him to be taking a break half way (despite all they say about safety blah blah blah).. they will expect him to be at the pick up point 10mins before he's due and then drive straight to the Airport (another to add to the list of checks - Fuel for the day) and drop his clients off.
They should then plan him in a break at the airport before his pick up and return back down to the 3Vs........................ the issue is that whilst the Bus is at GVA it's not actually earning them any €s, and if Monday to Friday it will cost them parking, so they will plan a relatively short turn-around time at GVA.
If you are early and one of your fellow drivers are late and their passengers are there ready to leave then there is a temptation for the planner to switch routes so that you take the other drivers passengers in the name of customer service but not in relation to drivers welfare.
So,  if the planner doesn't know you're there he can't switch your route and you get your rest time.
Every year you hear reports of "excessive hours" and probably if you look at the hours spent driving over the weekend then probably these reports are true however over a week it balances out.
(BTW all of this is written having never been a transfer driver to the southern alps but having been a driver to the Grand Massif................ and 20+ hour days aren't unheard of... still the best resort job I had though)
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marcellus, what made it so good? I'm seeing a lot of long hours and only one day off per week plus a measly wage (albeit with everything included) compared to some other jobs, including bar work. Yet I still hear very positive things from all of the transfer drivers with whom I've spoken.
Having done a fair few motorway trips to-and-from airports, I'd say I'm happy to drive non-stop for three hours but it is around the four hour mark that I begin to get weary if I don't keep myself stocked up with food and drink. One cold drink is all I need to get me raring again. I also imagine some of the mountain roads keep me on my tippy-toes moreso than the M6, for instance. 
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I wouldn't want to do it all the time (I'm an amateur unpaid transfer driver ) but if you're young and strong, should be a bit more stimulating than sitting up in a bar at midnight wishing they'd all go home so you can start cleaning up. And most of the time, of course, you don't need chains and all that faff. It's not a job for someone who struggles to get up and get doing early in the morning, I suppose.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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One more question guys, but I think I've got this one:
You greet your guests at the airport to take them back to their chalet/villa. There are 6 children and one adult. You have a two hour journey ahead of you. What things might you consider?
Introduce myself so that everyone feels comfortable with me. Sit the children in the back, ensure there is adequate provision of children's DVDs and refreshments if they are required as well as colouring books or reading books depending on the children's age. I would ask the adult if they'd prefer to sit up front next to me or stay in the rear with the children. Ensure the children have made any necessary trips to the toilet and check that everyone has all of their luggage with them.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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marcellus, thanks. I guess the £80 per week of this job will stretch if they're providing a food allowance, ski hire and boot hire, return travel to the UK, accommodation and a ski pass.
One thing that does concern me though is that this job differs from the other driving jobs in relation to a point you made - I'd heard that 2/3 days off was the norm but this one indicates that you will only have 1 day off per week and that you'll be working a 48-hour week. That seems a little excessive compared to the other driving jobs I've seen. Is that just to make me aware of what a worst-case scenario could be and, in truth, they'll be more flexible and forgiving than that?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Many kids will be sick as dogs if you give them colouring books. they love to sit right at the back of vehicles, but if they're prone to vomitting they're better off a bit further forward. Have sick bags handy? make sure they tell you if they feel sick, not 7 seconds before you get it in the back of the nect.
Do transfer vehicles have to be equipped with kids booster seats etc?
Are you allowed to give them strong drugs?
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You know it makes sense.
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I did a winter minibus driving course with TCS 2 years ago and it was excellent. Applicable to all winter driving and you get to play on a skid pan (just off the runway at GVA). It's not cheap (employer paid - try them), but well worth while.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Astraeus, £80 per week for a transfer driver seems very very very very (did I say very) low but I suppose it depends in what else the employer is paying for.
I would expect the wage to be closer to €1000+ (net) per month for basic hours with no overtime and nothing else (ski hire, lift pass, accommodation, food, return to UK) included.
As for travel sickness... worst place for children is the back row, if the customers are over 14 put them in the front and give if they know how to drive give them a steering wheel (your clip board will do) and make them pretend to drive the road including clutch, gears brake and accellerator!!
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Poster: A snowHead
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marcellus, they're providing all of the benefits I outlined above. Still, a few other jobs in similar resorts were paying up to £600 p/m so this still seems on the low side.
I really like that idea for the older kids!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Astraeus wrote: |
| I really like that idea for the older kids! |
Works well with adults too!!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Quick question - do any of the employers who specify live-in positions ever allow you to forego the accommodation, take a pay increase and go off to your own accommodation?
I think I know the answer...
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Astraeus wrote: |
| I would ask the adult if they'd prefer to sit up front next to me or stay in the rear with the children. |
It is your responsibility to get the group to their destination safely and on time you are not a childminder so make the responsible adult* sit in the back to maintain control of the children regardless of their age. This adult will then understand their responsibilities to the children who, if left at the back of the bus unsupervised will be making obscene gestures at passing motorists and drawing offensive symbols in the condensation on the windows, at the very least. Nor will they be able to rob your fridge, undo their seat belts etc etc. Good tip for keeping kids quiet is to put The Exorcist on the DVD LoL.
*But then again it depends how good looking they are...
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Astraeus, My #2 son was a kitchen porter / night porter and he got paid £60 a week plus end of season bonus and all extras you describe.
BUT he got to snowboard six days a week (often seven if he was on nights) from 10:30 to 16:00. When he was on nights he got first lifts. Also one or even two days off a week.
Walk away from that job now.
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Astraeus, My son worked for Skiworld and had a great time. He got his job in the May so time is ticking on for you, but give Skiworld a call. They treated him very well and I would recomend them.
He used to opt for as many night shifts as he could so that he could get first lifts.
Have a great season.
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cad99uk, thank you. I applied to Skiworld along with half a dozen other TOs back in July but the responses I did get (albeit not from Skiworld who never recognised my application) were all negative. I shall get in touch with them again today though.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Astraeus, My #1 son was a sous chef in a club hotel. He was only 18 but had been on a cookery course and was a competent cook already.
He got his job as late as November as there is always a demand for chefs.
Any chance that you could do some cheffing?
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Interesting one that because I'd always written off chef work as I've no experience of working in a kitchen. I am, however, a reasonably competent cook at home and feel comfortable cooking (or experimenting with) dozens of dishes. A friend of mine did sous chef work and said it was a doddle in terms of what you do but a nightmare when it comes to spending all day or night in a steaming hot kitchen with too many people and with constant pressure.
Alas I shall be putting in a couple of speculative sous chef applications but I wouldn't hold out much hope for them.
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FAQ
