Delighted to say that I went for an interview yesterday for a non driving related job, and this morning I took the phone call which released me from the shackles of the cesspit that is the majority of driving jobs (in my commutable area at least).
No more stupidly early starts, stupidly late finishes, shifts of indeterminate length, rock bottom hourly rates, unpaid breaks, “I don’t care just get the job done” attitudes, ■■■■■■■■■■■■ units and trailers, traffic jams, roadworks, breakdowns, VOSA, CPC, etc. etc…
I didn’t come from a haulage background when I started this driving carry on 10 years ago, and at the ripe old age of 54 (!!) I’ve had more than enough of it. I won’t miss anything about it. Onwards and upwards!!!
You must have enjoyed it at one point I mean you’ve done it for 10 years
I mean if I carry on until I’m your age I can probably see myself hanging. Judging by how ■■■■■■ off you are with the industry
Shames it’s taken you 10 years to realise it’s not for you… good luck with ya future
Ergot2005:
You must have enjoyed it at one point I mean you’ve done it for 10 yearsI mean if I carry on until I’m your age I can probably see myself hanging. Judging by how [zb] off you are with the industry
Shames it’s taken you 10 years to realise it’s not for you… good luck with ya future
I did enjoy the first 5 years or so, but then got made redundant from that particular job. Tried another few companies but realised they wanted someone who was willing to eat sleep and ■■■■■ lorries. Not for me. I have also had a few breaks by going and doing other work non driving related, but for various reasons have always used the HGV ticket as a fall back, and that has meant agency work recently. Due to being fortunate enough to have a pension from a previous life, and no mortgage, I don’t have any need or desire to fit in with this nonsensical 60/70 + hours per week; so your normal full time driving work isn’t going to happen here. New job is local so I will save on commute costs, has sociable hours and only 30 hours per week at a similar rate to what I was getting for class 1, so I reckon this could be a keeper. It will be a bad day if I ever have to use my HGV licence again.
It sounds like you have been totally sickened mate.
Maybe it was the firms that you worked for rather than the job it’s self.
I, like you, would not tolerate the scenario that you describe either, but it does not have to be that way.
A lot of what you describe has come about because of the drip fed decline of many different type conditions of the job over the years, combined with guys just sucking it up without any resistance to unfair treatment…the more they just sit back and take it, the more and more they get abused, it’s a vicious circle that just goes on and on if allowed to.
I can see the attraction of a 30 hour week though, you won’t get any agument from me there.
Good luck with your new career.
(Btw…I don’t get the ‘fish’ bit, but maybe that’s just me. 
)
robroy:
(Btw…I don’t get the ‘fish’ bit, but maybe that’s just me.
I’m guessing maybe he meant to write pish and auto correct changed it.
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It’s a quote from a fairly famous book,TV and film series, “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams - “Goodbye, and thanks for all the fish” was what the dolphins said when they left . . . probably without a backward glance.
I also wondered about the fish bit, thought we were on a trip to Hull or similar… 
Cant speak for everyone but the discontent i read on here isnt something im used to in Spain, mostly all seem very happy in their work, also goes for a lot of Frenchies i know. Maybe its the way (some) Uk companies treat drivers like theyre something nasty on the bottom of their shoe? Working conditions do seem a lot worse than they are over here…
Anyway, good luck in your new job.
Good luck Al! I too was unsure about the fish thing, but on the scale of things it’s nothing to worry about.
AndrewG:
I also wondered about the fish bit, thought we were on a trip to Hull or similar…
Cant speak for everyone but the discontent i read on here isnt something im used to in Spain, mostly all seem very happy in their work, also goes for a lot of Frenchies i know. Maybe its the way (some) Uk companies treat drivers like theyre something nasty on the bottom of their shoe? Working conditions do seem a lot worse than they are over here…Anyway, good luck in your new job.
There is a definite problem with the way things are done in the UK, not sure why but from from the moment you turn up to you leave everything seems to a be a problem. The length of tipping and loading times in the UK are ridiculous, this week went out to Holland arrived Wednesday morning tipped 26 pallets of frozen beef in 40 minutes, headed to Amsterdam to reload in and out in under an hour so all in an hour and 45 to tip and reload. It is the same in France we tip in 20 minutes and at our regular backload have to drag it out to get 45 minutes in the bay. When tipping on the continent there doesn’t seem to the same resentment that you are bringing some work for them to do.
That’s because the majority of places in Britain are staffed by bone idle and thick moron’s Mazzer.
And also lot’s of firms do not provide enough machinery and/or bods due to penny pinching and satisfying shareholders etc… Who cares if a truck driver is sat captive for hours on end?
The hauliers are too busy undercutting each other to realise that if they all got together and started charging £100 per hour waiting time, these places we deliver to would soon start to sharpen up.
alcraw62:
Delighted to say that I went for an interview yesterday for a non driving related job, and this morning I took the phone call which released me from the shackles of the cesspit that is the majority of driving jobs (in my commutable area at least).
No more stupidly early starts, stupidly late finishes, shifts of indeterminate length, rock bottom hourly rates, unpaid breaks, “I don’t care just get the job done” attitudes, ■■■■■■■■■■■■ units and trailers, traffic jams, roadworks, breakdowns, VOSA, CPC, etc. etc…
I started my new non-driving job a couple of weeks ago and left for the same reasons as you. Not regretted it. Asked about having to take a bit of time off for a dentist appointment to be told “just let me know when it is, you don’t need to repay the time you take off for it.” Less money but then again I’m working 20+hrs a week less than I used to. Wife also enjoying knowing when she can put tea on every day as well now. Its also nice to be able to go do things on an evening and knowing you’re still going to be able to get a good 8hrs kip.
As for those wondering about the “thanks for all the fish”, its a thing from Hitchhikers Guide. youtube.com/watch?v=ojydNb3Lrrs
AndrewG:
I also wondered about the fish bit, thought we were on a trip to Hull or similar…
Cant speak for everyone but the discontent i read on here isnt something im used to in Spain, mostly all seem very happy in their work, also goes for a lot of Frenchies i know. Maybe its the way (some) Uk companies treat drivers like theyre something nasty on the bottom of their shoe? Working conditions do seem a lot worse than they are over here…Anyway, good luck in your new job.
Ive been working with a Spanish driver on a certain job where we both arrive at the same time during the night at a collection point, he is from Madrid originally, he has been here three years and loves it in the UK, his version of events in Spain are at odds with yours I`m afraid…
His main points about the UK are ; everybody wants to help, everybody seems nice, his employer is great, his TM is a gentleman, the money is good, ect. ect. ect.
His main points about Spain were ; Romanians under cutting you on everything, greedy bosses taking advantage of this, very poor money and everybody is ■■■■■■ off…
I`m a bit gutted TBH, as I was planning on moving to Spain / Canaries for a better life 
Alcraw62 Well done and Good luck in your next job. 
What you’ve described is pretty much whats wrong with the industry, but instead of trying to deal with the problems to keep hold of experienced drivers, the major players in the industry are looking for gimmicks and government handouts to attract new drivers, while hoping for another influx of cheap labour.
Stanley Mitchell:
AndrewG:
I also wondered about the fish bit, thought we were on a trip to Hull or similar…
Cant speak for everyone but the discontent i read on here isnt something im used to in Spain, mostly all seem very happy in their work, also goes for a lot of Frenchies i know. Maybe its the way (some) Uk companies treat drivers like theyre something nasty on the bottom of their shoe? Working conditions do seem a lot worse than they are over here…Anyway, good luck in your new job.
I
ve been working with a Spanish driver on a certain job where we both arrive at the same time during the night at a collection point, he is from Madrid originally, he has been here three years and loves it in the UK, his version of events in Spain are at odds with yours I`m afraid…His main points about the UK are ; everybody wants to help, everybody seems nice, his employer is great, his TM is a gentleman, the money is good, ect. ect. ect.
His main points about Spain were ; Romanians under cutting you on everything, greedy bosses taking advantage of this, very poor money and everybody is ■■■■■■ off…
I`m a bit gutted TBH, as I was planning on moving to Spain / Canaries for a better life
Well…you will get the odd one or two i suppose (your guy obviously worked for a ■■■■ co. over here) but i can only speak of what i know being out here for quite a number of years and i can only comment on the UK re what i read on this forum as i havent driven in the UK since 93 and from this alone wouldnt want to again.
I find the co. i sub for very friendly and although theres only two of us Brit drivers subbing for them we get treated on par with their own employed drivers inc the xmas gift this year. Calais/Reims dropping point both friendly helpful staff, paperwork all ready, drop/pick up and go. Groupage to Seville/ Portugal/ Barcelona/ Valencia return again all nice easy going friendy and helpful staff and will en mass help handball on/off if needed.
Re moving out to Spain just make sure you have a job offer in place as work will (in the main) go to the Spanish first but there are places which will happily take on Brit drivers. Out here though youre best just asking from place to place as many jobs are not advertised as such…
TBF, he has worked all over Spain, and he had three of his own trucks before the “crash”, but I`m not sure which “crash” this was, he always gets a bit excited on this subject and his English goes to ratshit…
We get a lot of SP trucks on our site and a hell of a lot of the drivers are not Spanish nationals, they are either EE of the RO or BG variety, or South American, Brazilians / Columbians / Venezuelans amongst others…and they always look frazzled 
Good luck for the new job hope it all works out for you, sounds like you have had a miserable time in our hgv job reently
Thanks for all the good wishes guys, and Merry Christmas to you all!
To be honest I am heartened that all of the replies are acknowledging that there are problems in the UK driving industry. I was expecting more replies from the head-in-the-sand brigade telling me to MTFU or GTF, because “that’s the way it is” for the majority of UK drivers.
Hopefully soon the tide will turn and drivers will get the working terms and conditions that they deserve, but it won’t happen as long as people are willing to put up with what is on offer to most drivers these days. I know we all have to put food on the table, but FFS, there are limits!
so what did you do before driving,were you a suit or other,you got sick of the haulage industry after 10 yrs,i have done it since I was eighteen starting with vans so 35 yrs on I am sick of it but I know nothing else,other guys have been driving hgvs for 40 yrs +,still that’s life I suppose,although I moan about it I should consider myself lucky as there are people out there a lot worse off than me,good luck anyway,happy new year to you and and everyone else.