Grandpa:
The tens of thousands shortage didn’t give up driving for one year and came back the next, there’s been a shortage for years. £10.15 is the going agency night rate for what’s termed a ‘warehouse operative’ in one of the companies in this area. You don’t make a lot, as although it’s advertised as 12 hour shifts, they’re usually eight and sometimes as low as six and you get paid for the hours you work, not a minimum of eight. The guy I know who works there takes home around £320pw, with short hours and no stress. OK, it’s not a wage to shout about, but on the other hand driving HGVs for an extra £50pw? Only if you’re desperate.What was I expected to say? That it’s a fantastic career, that everyone’s happy and there’s no shortage of drivers and those that left can’t wait to get back? It’s a dying low paid stressful industry and it’s not going to get better. I don’t think you’re going to get many people who left and couldn’t wait to get back because they love it so much.
OK, perhaps I’m ‘Old Skool’ and miss my crash boxes and twin splits and actual driving as a skill instead of it resembling a labouring job … But recent changes also made me laugh as one company promised no handball as they’d give me a pump truck! Another was a minimum wage for nights, described as a ‘going rate’ … I’ve lost count of the adverts that never resembled what was promised. One wonders why there’s such a shortage with all these wonderful paying jobs around?The midlands ‘golden triangle’ has long gone, replaced by parcel companies and Eddie! When it gets to that stage it’s time to get out and that’s what’s happening and it’s not just me.
OK. You’re definitely Carryfast under a different handle, or his brother.
To loop back to one of your earlier posts : “There will always be those who support the gig-economy and what the general haulage sector has become and they will attack the poster and try to make excuses.”. Firstly, I don’t know where you got this from as it wasn’t from any of my posts. Disagreeing with someone is not attacking them so let’s clear that up.
Secondly, I don’t support the gig-economy and nor am I making excuses. In fact I said in another thread just recently about how the rates have decreased both in nominal and real terms. I could list at least 2 agencies in my area that were paying more for Sundays on PAYE (not umbrella) a decade ago than what you can get now on PAYE today. This is clear evidence that the alleged driver shortage is a load of ■■■■■■■■. It’s basic economics: If the demand exceeds the supply then the price for the product/service increases. If the supply exceeds the demand then the price for the product/service remains the same or often decreases. Companies and agencies are sourcing enough bums on seats at the rates offered to fulfil their needs. If they weren’t able to then the rates would increase 
.
Even if your quoted ceiling of £11/hr for the area was true (which it isn’t, as the Indeed website proves) I would still choose to drive a truck over working in a warehouse scanning parcels for £10.15/hr. The same applies to oft quoted argument about stacking shelves in Aldi. If you reckon you’ll be happier scanning parcels then on you go, no-one is stopping you. Personally I’m of the opinion that while it’s clear the pay and conditions for the HGV driving industry are decreasing in both nominal and real terms, there isn’t any other job with equivalent or better pay that a) I’d be content doing long-term, b) that I’m qualified to do (academically or otherwise) or c) that I have sufficient experience at doing to be considered for the role. Pretty much everything over a tenner an hour these days either requires qualifications in that industry or previous on-the-job experience.
If you want to list me some roles that pay the industry average (agency) of £12-15/hr for sitting on my arse most of each shift and not breaking a sweat, a low barrier to entry qualification wise and maybe also the opportunity to get paid for sleeping for a few hours during each shift, then I’m all ears 
