Given the driver shortage, Eagle Christian Tours has a long list of candidates

Eagle Christian Tours has one long List of candidates in an industry that often has difficulty finding qualified professional drivers.

Carson Roes, president of the Rome, Ga.-based coach company, credits Eagle Christian with the list Tours’ Unique approach: emphasizing purpose, meaning and hospitality over simple transportation logistics.

With over 100 applicants arriving each month, less than 4% end up becoming official, certified host drivers – a job title the company uses to emphasize the importance of hospitality as well as the ability to drive a coach with excellence. This selective approach to new hires is critical to the company’s commitment to exceptional service.

“It all starts with a deep meaning for what we do,” said Roes. “Deep down, everyone wants to be part of something that matters, something significant. I think everyone wants to know that their work makes a difference in someone’s life.”

Founded by a former pastor

That focus is central to Eagle Christian Tours, which was founded in 2012 by Roes’ father, Brett Roes, a former pastor who was looking for a new path after decades of ministry. He found inspiration in a verse from Psalms 103: “(God will) renew you youth like that of the eagle.”

This message became the foundation for Eagle Christian Tourswhich has since centered his Purpose about “Glorifying God by serving people with the heart and mind of Christ.”

For Eagle Christian Tours, service is more than just transporting people from one place to another, Roes said.

“We work really hard to ensure that what we do is not just for commerce or making money, but also to improve the lives of our guests,” he said. “Something significant is happening out of the work we do.”

Eagle Christian Tours serves a wide range of customers, from celebrities to school trips, but the company strives to ensure that every guest is treated with the same respect and care.

“Whether we care for high-profile celebrities, major league baseball teams or third-graders going to the circus, every single person has great value and dignity,” Roes said.

“We work really hard to make sure everyone, from those who look after our buses to ours Host driverHe understands that the person in that seat is incredibly valuable. It is an honor and a privilege to prepare this space for them.”

Stay true to core values

Roes’ father founded Eagle Christian Tours with this approach, emphasizing hospitality central focus.

“The idea of ​​service is not new in our industry, but we are returning to its roots,” he said. “Over time, the focus shifted to transport logistics. We have remained true to our purpose: to serve people with the heart and mind of Christnot just to get them from one place to another. The transportation part is just the basics; It’s about engaging people through the process.”

This hospitality-focused mission is reflected in the way Eagle Christian Tours hires and trains its employees Host driver.

“We don’t just hire bus drivers; we are hiring Host driverand a different standard is required,” Roes said. “We have one long list of the candidates because we are doing something important. Our training process can take up to six weeks and is rigorous. If someone fails their final exam, they go back and try again until they are ready to serve our guests eagle Away.”

One of the benefits of being a Host driver is Eagle Christian Tours’ dedicated Host Driver CEnter the apartment with complimentary bedrooms, showers and a fully equipped kitchen with snacks and drinks, and a lounge where Host driver may gather, refresh and recharge.

“Our goal is to glorify God by serving people with the heart and mind of Christ, not just our guests or those who pay us, but every person who works at EagleRoes said. “If we as leaders don’t really serve the people who work here well, if you don’t feel the exceptional hospitality with us, how will they ever fully grasp What do we ask them to do for our guests?”

Not all about profit

For Roes, financial success is secondary.

“Money is a byproduct of doing things that matter for others“he said. “We are comfortable with breaking even – if it means fulfilling our purpose. Our elementary school The focus is not on making money; it’s about taking Great Caring for people. And we found that if you focus on people, the financial side takes care of itself.”

This goal-oriented culture is noticeable to applicants from the first visit.

“Everyone agrees here,” said Roes. “We don’t have ping pong tables or flashy things, but there’s an energy in taking good care of people. When potential employees walk around and meet our technicians and guest prep team, they can feel it deep feeling of Purpose we have Here. So many people want to be a part of it. That’s why we have one long list of the candidates.”

New employee orientation is critical, with an emphasis on values ​​and alignment with company values Purpose.

“Orientation about our values ​​is a whole day,” said Roes. “Ultimately, some people will come to the conclusion that it’s not the right thing to do, and that’s okay. Our way is not the only way or that ‘Right‘ Well, it’s just our way.”

For Roes, the success of Eagle Christian Tours is directly linked to the fact that service is more important than profit.

“Our success is the result of the importance we give ourselves We live our values” he said. “If people see Eagle Christian Tours, then maybe initially be attracted to the Success, but that success is a byproduct of our focus on take care of people. If we ever lose sight of the meaning, we will not be able to reproduce the success.”