So I thought I’d give an overview of what my first couple of months of being a Class 2 HGV driver has been like, hopefully others can either relate, discuss, or potential drivers can get a picture of what can be like starting out.
I passed in November 2016, started my HGV job when I left my old career in January, got lucky that a company took me on with no experience at all, not agency which was a plus
Job 1 - Palmer & Harvey (January 2017- February 2017) £10.44 per hour 45 hour per week permanent
I was started with several other new recruits, some experienced others with zero to little experience like me, they sent me out for two weeks with another driver as the second man. They said they wanted me to know the job inside out before I focus on driving, at the time I thought that made sense. Two weeks passed, job seems easy enough so onto the driving.
They sent me out as the driver in the third week, with one of their drivers as a second man, so far so good I liked how they were easing me in slow.
The week went fine, no mishaps drops done on time etc.
On the Friday morning of this week I was told I was to have my assessment drive in the afternoon, more in depth than my original check drive.
I freaked out and blew it, I clipped kerbs, balls up reversing on the loading bay, missed parts of vehicle checks, it wasnt a good assessment.
Spent a few hours that afternoon waiting in the canteen, then was called into the office to be told they were letting me go as I was too high risk to be allowed out on my own.
Job 2 Agencies, Driver Hire, Drivers Direct, Tailored Recruitment(February 2017 - April 2017) Pay from £8-£10 per hour
Signed up for as many agencies as I could travel to, February/March is a very quiet time for Class 2 HGV work I was told, this turned out to be true. Most agencies had nothing for me due to not having much work and the work they have going to drivers with some experience.
I was scraping by working what ever was offered, averaging 2-3 days work per week.
Worked a couple shifts for companies Banvulc tyres, Relay Technical Transport, Keyline, ND Installations, 151 Products, Lee Floor Stock.
I was constantly applying for permanent work elsewhere, I got pretty far with Brakes, passed their assessment drive and was told in interview they would offer me job. However they went dark after they said they would call, and when I called them they had no record of my application.
I applied for Alpha LSG at Airport, this was a six month contract and guaranteed minimum of 40 hours fingers crossed.
Job 3 Airport, Taskmaster Recruitment (April 2017 - August 2017) Pay £9.42 per hour, Overtime was time and half.
This job was done through agency called Taskmaster recruitment, couldn’t fault them they were excellent at getting me into this job, as its airside there was lots of paperwork to do, medical, CRB, tons of references etc.
Finally got my start date early april, went through 2 weeks training and started live, the job consisted of loading aircraft supplies for flights your given at start of day, then driving airside to unload and load the aircraft. It was a great job.
Downside was this job is 30 mile commute for me, 60 mile round trip every day.
Due to this I kept my eyes open for other permanent jobs.
Job 3 Graylaw Freight Group August 2017 - Leaving in September 2017) Pay 9.30 per hour
Finally a job closer to home (around 5 mile commute) and its permanent, thought this was it now no more job insecurity and I can finally settle somewhere and earn some good money.
Problem was I hate it, every day drags and everything about my day gets me down, to the point were I questioned if I even want to be a HGV driver.
Its brutal work, multi drop normally more than 10, to a mix of home addresses and small businesses that sound like there made up. The load is all pallets, often weighing over a Ton.
Wreslting a large 1-2 Ton pallet onto a small tail lift is nearly impossible, then some drops the closest you can get can be quite far so your then pulling this huge heavy pallet a long distance.
I dont know if I have this in me to carry on.
Future : I got back in touch with Alpha and asked for my job back, lucky enough I left on good terms so they were willing to take me back, and overtime will be available to negate my fuel expense ( about 2 hours overtime a week covers my fuel cost of the long commute)
I’ve also been took on with a longer contract this time, just waiting for criminal records check and other little things before I get my start date.
I really shouldn’t have left Airport in the first place, I was lucky enough to get a second chance I couldn’t be happier as its an awesome job.
To sum this up, (I’ve gone on way too long now) its been a tough year, had some bloody hard and terrible days, struggled for money at times when work has been scarce but I think im nearly past the worst of it.
What I’ve learned from this year is I do not really want to be a HGV driver, but I do love working in an Airport 