ORLANDO, Fla. -- Motorcoach operators need to think creatively when contending with the current recession.

That was the advice from three operators who participated in a panel discussion at UMA Motorcoach Expo here. The operators offered ideas and techniques for surviving the downturn.

"The next two years are going to be fairly questionable," said Mike Waters, vice president and general manager of Coach America, Franciscan Lines, out of San Francisco.

Some work is recession-proof, Waters suggested, like shuttling football teams, while other business not so. "We were getting a lot of foreign tourism, but so many countries bought into the subprime market. Our best (tack) will be to plan very conservatively."

Tom Ready of Ready Bus Line in La Crescent, Minn., said that paring back may be needed. "Instead of three buses, do two. You need to prepare for smaller groups."

Dale Krapf, chairman of Krapfs Coaches in Exton, Pa., said the current downturn is "much different from anything Ive ever seen. A fairly large part of our population is just plain scared. Discretionary income is not going to be there."

Victor Parra, president and CEO of UMA, asked Ready and the other panelists how they will be influenced by the next two years. Ready said that refinancing debt and extra preparation for big expenditures will be needed.

"Look at the people in the office," said Waters. "What role do they play? You have to look as if you have too many people. Maybe you should try to scale down the operation, go to a four-day workweek, or look at salaries."

Krapf said operators should stay lean during the next few years.

Waters said an operators eyes should be on clinching the sale, telling the staff: "If youre going to lose a sale, you need to talk to me first."

Steve Klika, president of International Motor Coach Group, asked the panelists what were the most important factors to consider during the next two years.

"The charter (service) rule is a huge opportunity," said Krapf. Also, actions by the Obama administration could bring more dollars for green equipment, he predicted.

"The charter rule is a fairly new opportunity," added Waters. When you see a transit go by, he said, "it could be hauling your next charter customer."

Parra noted that "preserving the charter rule is going to be a battle going forward."