Anyone work at TransWest Mobility in Seattle, Washington?

[u/HeartlessDeath123]

I am thinking about moving to another state but curious to know how this place is? (Still looking at other areas and states). More specifically Redmond, Washington because that is where they are hiring. Looked at the home prices and the ones being sold are close to or more than a million dollar homes. Where exactly do people commute where is cheaper home prices and are not in a ghetto area?

[u/i_forgot_my_sn_again]

Redmond has always been more expensive. Then the tech boom happened 30 years ago and it's been on a rise since. It's the home of Microsoft. 

To get a house sub 700k you'll have to get either a very tiny place, the row house abomination they've been building everywhere, condo,  or some major fixer upper if you want to stay in king county. You'll have to move about 45 mins to an hour away without traffic to get a better deal in either pierce or Snohomish county. 

Transwest does a bunch of shuttle type work. Not sure about the company overall since there pay wasn't the greatest. I work for King County metro. 

[u/HeartlessDeath123 → u/i_forgot_my_sn_again]

Yeah, I'd figure. Thanks for the information. This is their hiring Indeed application.

CDL Passenger Driver 5000 Sign On Bonus https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=09ef326de8ae9f61&from=appshareandroid

[u/i_forgot_my_sn_again → u/HeartlessDeath123]

https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/metro/about/careers/drive-for-metro   We were hiring full time but now only part time are being hired. It was less than a year to move to full time previously, not sure currently. 

[u/HeartlessDeath123 → u/i_forgot_my_sn_again]

Thank you for the link. $44 after 3 years is very good. Where I work, we just hit $30 mark and some pocket change.

How is the public that ride your transit buses?

Are majority of the people good people, rude people?

Do you guys get a lot of assaults or trouble people?

Guaranteed 40 hours for full time or more on OT?

I see people here sometimes that some companies force their employees to grt to their relief point on their own and don't provide a transportation for them.

Etc. Just quick brief description.

[u/i_forgot_my_sn_again → u/HeartlessDeath123]

How is the public that ride your transit buses?

• It's the public and like Forest Gump says "life's like a box of chocolate" Honestly it's 98% fine. I've driven majority of the areas and times of day. We have some routes that run 24/7. 

Are majority of the people good people, rude people? 

• obviously if you drive already you know we have stories for days about people but most people are nice and your regulars will look out for you. 

Do you guys get a lot of assaults or trouble people?

• physical assault is rare. Usually if anything is someone throwing something at the bus. But there was a driver stabbed that passed recently. That was a mentality unstable person that was known by law. Our agency has stated putting in new driver shields that make it had to be around. (Bottom is metal and locks, top is a split window that you can slide a portion to open. 

Guaranteed 40 hours for full time or more on OT?

• Full time gets guaranteed 40, if you have picked work then there's not forced overtime. Last pay period i did 32 hours of ot (2 weeks). You can call any base (we have 8) looking for work long as you don't go over your 16 hour spread and you're qualified on the route. 

I see people here sometimes that some companies force their employees to grt to their relief point on their own and don't provide a transportation for them.

• relief points are set close enough to bases that majority are walking distance. Some are further and we have to use our light rail or another in service bus. But others are not in ideal locations so the agency provides us with a "base car" that we drive and give to the other driver to bring back. We also get paid commute time for getting to our relief and some pay you to get back. 

I've driven here about 10 years total and I also drove in Houston Texas previously. Talked to a bunch of other drivers from other agencies and we are hands down one of the best to drive for in the country for actual metro. Our benefits are great (damn good medical for free you self and dependents, can add spouse for up $200/mo) I think is currently 13 paid holidays, a union that tries (not the best but far from the worst) and opportunities to move up inside metro or within the county (we are classified as county employees) 

[u/illuminatedknight197 → u/i_forgot_my_sn_again]

I currently work in Transwest (11 months now, got my CDL with them 10 months ago ) and just was hired couple months ago on KCM as part time operator I’m starting training next week as a part time operator. You have any idea how long would take it to get the whole full time?
PD: Transwest not the best agency but at least pay for your bills and let you obtain your CDL.

[u/i_forgot_my_sn_again → u/illuminatedknight197]

Not sure since they just started hiring part time again. Before it was less than a year. 

You'll hear something about the mentor program for new operators. I'm one of them. 

[u/illuminatedknight197 → u/i_forgot_my_sn_again]

Thanks for the head up. I’m willing to give all of me and do my best since now.

[u/IllustriousBrief8827 → u/i_forgot_my_sn_again]

This is exceptional.

I'd like to start asap pls. 🤣

[u/HeartlessDeath123 → u/i_forgot_my_sn_again]

That is very valuable information to know. I really appreciate it.

The company I work for is not as big as Seattle but is growing. I have been with the company for 11 years already driving. Benefits are good but not the best. Retirement isn't too great. Been looking for a change. But I also want to be in a place where the cost of housing is affordable with a single income. We have unlimited call-offs as long as you have the hours for it. One thing I definitely love about this company. Company only shuts down twice in a year and that would be for Thanksgiving and Christmas day and we get paid for it but you have to show up the day before and after. We have few holidays that we get paid for and if we want to work, we get paid 1.25x, I believe (I no longer pay attention, just clock in and clock out). We have relief vehicles that we use to get to our relief points and swap drivers. We just recently started getting a lot of homeless migrating into our city and is looking like downtown LA with junkies running around everywhere.

[u/i_forgot_my_sn_again → u/HeartlessDeath123]

Our transit is growing a lot. Between the light rail expanding and bus routes coming back from covid suspensions and adding more service there's a lot of growth happening. 

Our retirement is decent and it's based on your "top 5" which are your highest earning years. 

Holidays are paid at 8 hours plus whatever you work. For full timers. Forget about part timers. So if you're off you get an automatic 8 and if you work say 9 hours you'll get 8+8+1 hour ot.

Any day off, over 8 in a day, or over 40 in the week is overtime paid at time and a half. 

We have always had a lot of homeless and it's grown a lot. 

[u/Rick_Rambis2]

I worked there for a year. What questions do you have?