Hey all, so just looking for some input from the experienced guys and gals to hopefully provide some kind of reality check for me…
Quick background:
Live in Essex, UK, I’m 25 come February, engaged with 2 sprogs under 5 (started early, ha!).
Current job:
I’m a dual fuel engineer (gas/electric) working for one of ‘the big 6’ energy suppliers, get paid on average 30K per year + good pension / okay perks. It’s a job that I don’t mind doing, keeps the roof above our heads, pays the bills, food on the table and some extra for me and the boss - it’s a start!. However, one of the best things about the job I love is the driving side. Now, I don’t drive anything as monstrous and impressive as some of you, I drive a mere Ford Transit Custom - however I’ve been driving for some 5-6 years now and love every minute I’m in a vehicle behind the wheel, as of late more than the the actual installation side.
The bad:
Recently, a combination of my employer screwing me something chronic and the overwhelming corporate-mindset where I’m treat as a ‘mere engineer’, not a skilled tradesman isn’t helping my motivation for the job. Somehow, despite that I’ve gone through; 12 months training, passed a period of mentoring, sat numerous exams (each with 90% pass rate, no exceptions), constantly working to industry-standards, numerous practical exams, regular auditing of my work, on-going training and face-to-face customer service etc, somehow, someone trained for some 2 weeks (?) who sits in the office taking telephone calls has more authority than me. And there’s rumors floating about our job security. Kind of makes me think of the stories I hear of you truckers that get blamed for everything - guess I’ve already got a skin for that! Heh.
The good:
I enjoy the professionalism of having to know my stuff; regulations, measurements, acceptable tolerances, potentially dangerous situations… . I also enjoy the physical work a lot, I’m left alone all day, no one breathing down my neck - I’m highly-preferential to lone working and making-decisions by myself. I’m very comfortable in my own skin.
My loose expectations of trucking:
I like the sounds of tanker driving in the distant future also happy to do long-distance as long as I can be home majority of the week for the kids and missus. Should I choose this path; I’d be interested at being as skilled as possible - get any and all driving qualifications. I fully-appreciate I’ll have to put up with the ‘low-end’ for some time - I’m no stranger to hard graft. I don’t mind initially taking a pay hit as I am not in it just for the money, foremost it’s a ‘quality of life’ improvement. I also believe, in the future the potential earning of trucking can outweigh my prospective future salary here as an engineer, unless I get a lot of PJ’s. My forseeable future here will only get me to about 32K ish max.
What I’d like to know:
Do any of you fine ladies and gentlemen haul with a young family, if so how do find it? How secure is the trucking industry? Does anyone have experience trucking in Essex? I’d really appreciate and value your opinions… I encourage blunt honesty in the matter.
Thanks to anyone who sat through and read this… it may of been 5-10 minutes of your time you ain’t getting back but I assure you it will not be for naught.
Rik