CDL: Loading and Trip Start
Loading and Trip Start: Baggage, Hazardous Materials, and Boarding
Safely transporting passengers starts well before the bus ever leaves the curb. From where riders stow their carry-on bags, to what's legally allowed on board, to how standing passengers are kept safe, a bus driver has to manage a lot of small details that add up to a much bigger safety picture. This article covers baggage handling, hazardous materials rules, the standee line, and what to announce at each stop.
Handling Carry-On Baggage and Freight
Riders should never be allowed to leave carry-on baggage sitting in a doorway or aisle. Nothing should be left in the aisle that could trip another passenger. Any baggage or freight being carried needs to be secured in a way that prevents damage while also meeting three key safety goals:
- Allowing the driver to move freely and easily
- Allowing riders to exit through any window or door in an emergency
- Protecting riders from injury if the carry-ons happen to fall or shift
Hazardous Materials on Board
Part of a driver's job is staying alert for cargo or baggage that might contain hazardous materials, since most hazardous materials simply cannot be carried on a bus at all. The Federal Hazardous Materials Table identifies exactly which materials are considered hazardous — substances that pose a risk to health, safety, or property during transportation.
Shippers are required to mark containers holding hazardous material with the material's name, an identification number, and a hazard label. There are nine different diamond-shaped hazard labels, each measuring four inches, and drivers should watch for these labels closely. As a general rule, never transport any hazardous material unless you're certain the rules permit it.
| Class | Class Name | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Explosives | Ammunition, dynamite, fireworks |
| 2 | Gases | Propane, oxygen, helium |
| 3 | Flammable and combustible liquid | Gasoline fuel, acetone, fuel oils, lighter fluid |
| 4 | Flammable solids | Matches, fuses |
| 5 | Oxidizers | Ammonium nitrate, hydrogen peroxide |
| 6 | Poisons | Pesticides, arsenic |
| 7 | Radioactive | Uranium, plutonium |
| 8 | Corrosives | Hydrochloric acid, battery acid |
| 9 | Miscellaneous hazardous materials | Formaldehyde, asbestos |
| None | ORM-D (Other Regulated Material – Domestic) | Hair spray, charcoal |
What's Allowed — and What's Strictly Forbidden
Buses are permitted to carry small-arms ammunition labeled ORM-D, emergency hospital supplies, and drugs. Small amounts of certain other hazardous materials are also allowed, but only if the shipper genuinely has no other way to send them.
That said, there's a firm list of materials buses must never carry under any circumstances:
- Division 2.3 poison gas, liquid Class 6 poison, tear gas, or irritating material
- More than 100 pounds of solid Class 6 poisons
- Explosives in the space occupied by people, with the exception of small-arms ammunition
- Labeled radioactive materials in the space occupied by people
- More than 500 pounds total of otherwise-allowed hazardous materials, or more than 100 pounds of any single class
The Standee Line
No rider is permitted to stand forward of the rear of the driver's seat. On buses designed to allow standing passengers, there must be a clearly marked boundary — typically a two-inch line on the floor, though other methods of marking the boundary are acceptable — showing riders exactly where they're not allowed to stand. This boundary is known as the standee line, and every standing rider must remain behind it at all times.
At Your Destination
Whether you've reached your final destination or an intermediate stop, there's specific information you should announce to riders:
- The location
- The reason for stopping
- The next departure time
- The bus number
It's also good practice to remind riders to take their carry-on items with them if they're getting off the bus. If the aisle sits at a lower level than the seats, remind passengers about the step-down — ideally before the bus has fully come to a stop, so they're prepared.
Charter bus drivers have one additional consideration: riders shouldn't be allowed to board the bus until the scheduled departure time. Keeping the bus closed until then helps prevent theft or vandalism while it's unattended.
From securing baggage properly to knowing exactly what can and can't be carried on board, the details covered here are all about preventing problems before they start. Add in a clearly marked standee line and consistent announcements at every stop, and a driver sets the stage for a trip that runs smoothly from the moment riders step on board.