It’s been very entertaining reading all the moaning on here about being asked to work over Christmas and new year, and some people really do seem to be very upset indeed about the perceived injustice of it.
And then there’s been the competition to claim the highest earnings if actually working, and of course, what you wouldn’t get out of your Christmas bed for.
To give a different view if I may;
I came back in from the continent today on the tunnel, I saw a fair few British trucks both heading out and heading home, had coffee in the services with a few British drivers on the journey both in France and once back in the UK, nothing special about that except that almost without exception none of them were moaning about working over Christmas, and I got the impression most weren’t getting any more money for it either, just the days off in lieu, just like me.
It’s what you agree to when you sign up for work in the food transport sector, which like it or not, now runs 24/7/365
So please don’t be complaining about just being asked to work when there’s guys and girls out there today and tomorrow doing the job they love for the benefit of all.
You do yourselves no favours. As has already been said, if you object to it that much then move over and let someone else in the seat who would gladly appreciate the opportunity to work.
To everyone working today, good journey to you.
To those on a well deserved holiday, feet up and enjoy your time at home.
And to the whingers, please, get over yourselves and man up to life in the transport industry.
If a person has no family, no girlfriend, wife or kids then working over Christmas probably takes the loneliness away from it. I have been through two ex wives due to working away a lot and when living alone a couple of Christmas’s I would have been happy to work apart from me usually being blind drunk over the period.
In 2006 I left the employment of the first trucking company I had been with over here to become self employed, on November 28th I left my home to drive between Boston MA and Tampa or Miami back and forth, I didn’t see my wife or little girl until Christmas eve morning, I made a lot of money during that month but it didn’t make up for not being with them. I carried on working away for weeks at a time, sometimes taking 14 days for one round trip, it nearly cost me my 3rd wife, I came home and quit to join my present company that actually runs 24/7, 365 days a year delivering food. I refuse to give up my Christmas and Boxing day with my family for anyone. But my support and admiration goes out to all those drivers who work the holidays. Good for them, they are better men than I
PS; A facebook friend of mine posted a photo at about 01.00am UK time loading his milk tanker on a farm in Somerset. Good for that guy.
Nicely put Tgtrucker; just come in from an 11 hour shift, starting at 3pm, also in the chilled food business.
Not one driver I met today has complained about working (and that’s saying something as the French are world leaders in moaning!). We work for a very good firm and while obviously some ‘high flyers’ wouldn’t have gotten out of bed for mere double time we accept that the nature of the business means trucks don’t stand still, even on bank holidays. The company I work for treats us very well the rest of the year, and so when they ask 70% of the driving staff to work Christmas and New Year’s Days we just get on with it.
The only downer for me was the even-worse-than-usual driving by car drivers. When (if) the populace finally grasps that drinking and driving is a serious matter (as people in Blighty did 30 odd years ago), French roads will be safer for everyone . . . rant over, Happy Christmas all
We run 24/7/365 though nowt usually moves on the 25th,I was last night man in after a steady run up to ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ change and relaxed 45 before a cracking drive south.I passed another wagon just after I got on the M6 but that was the only one all the way home and no more than a dozen heading north and finished at 00.30 on xmas day, though like Craig I did see some dodgy car drivers. Driving wagons can be long and odd hours and always will be,I spoke to one of our lads on Sunday whom I had’nt seen for a couple of years he said he was on overtime but just works on Saturday normally, I havent done any extra’s which in my case is Fri/Sat for over a decade. As ever its each to his own.
Tgtrucker:
It’s been very entertaining reading all the moaning on here about being asked to work over Christmas and new year, and some people really do seem to be very upset indeed about the perceived injustice of it.
And then there’s been the competition to claim the highest earnings if actually working, and of course, what you wouldn’t get out of your Christmas bed for.
To give a different view if I may;
I came back in from the continent today on the tunnel, I saw a fair few British trucks both heading out and heading home, had coffee in the services with a few British drivers on the journey both in France and once back in the UK, nothing special about that except that almost without exception none of them were moaning about working over Christmas, and I got the impression most weren’t getting any more money for it either, just the days off in lieu, just like me.
It’s what you agree to when you sign up for work in the food transport sector, which like it or not, now runs 24/7/365
So please don’t be complaining about just being asked to work when there’s guys and girls out there today and tomorrow doing the job they love for the benefit of all.
You do yourselves no favours. As has already been said, if you object to it that much then move over and let someone else in the seat who would gladly appreciate the opportunity to work.
To everyone working today, good journey to you.
To those on a well deserved holiday, feet up and enjoy your time at home.
And to the whingers, please, get over yourselves and man up to life in the transport industry.
But above all, Merry Christmas to one and all.
Some of us remember the days when Xmas was a time to spend with family,friends,mates ,not sit outside some bloody shop which is already overflowing with food
Are you really suggesting if the shops shut for Xmas eve,Xmas day,boxing day we’d all starve no it would knock tesco,morrisons,aldi profits but we’d eat like we did before 24/7 shops started.
If you think working over Xmas is great as do your mates then I think that’s really sad,I’d much rather spend time with my family,if I was delivering stuff for hospitals or critical stuff fair enough,but it so fat jack and his 6 kids can stuff there self silly and some,then chuck 90% in the bin ,no I don’t enjoy working ,don’t want to ,but then I’m a normal person who knows my priorities,my family,and time spend with them.
I have a very understanding partner who has always accepted that my job requires sacrifices that others don’t have to make. Never once has she complained about my absences at holiday times BUT just every now and then she tells me ‘You WILL be here for such and such’ and I make sure I’m there LOLOL
I got home at 6pm Xmas Eve from tipping the load I had bought in from Holland and I am up now getting ready to go back out again. Luckily the kids are long gone and I am sure she likes the peace and quiet (those that know me know what I mean lol) but I have had her wave me off as I have gone to catch the 1500 sailing from Pompey on New Years Eve … she has waited up to welcome me home when I have got in at 0330 Xmas Day after a 17 day trip and never once can I recall her whining.
My thoughts on it?? Every day is the same to me … Xmas day is no different to any other day these days so if a load needs moving I am willing to move it. Double time?? Triple time?? Don’t think I have ever worked for a firm that has paid those rates at holiday time. Have always worked for small firms (I like to be known by name, not a number) and a nice bottle of malt is just as appreciated.
I did work for one firm for a while where the other 4 drivers were all workyard lawyers whereas I just got on with the job. At Xmas time, they got a slab of beer and £50. The boss delivered to my house a beautiful hamper and a card with £250 in. Enough said. That was after having just 12 days at home in 6 months.
You are ALL my heroes - thank you so much from the bottom of my everlasting grateful heart.
You all deserve medals for your unswerving bravery and call to arms for the benefit of the whole nation and I truly hope that the rewards for your loyalty are great.
fredthered:
You are ALL my heroes - thank you so much from the bottom of my everlasting grateful heart.
You all deserve medals for your unswerving bravery and call to arms for the benefit of the whole nation and I truly hope that the rewards for your loyalty are great.
I don’t know how this Country survives sometimes!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
FFS!!!
This ^^^
If you lads weren’t so happy to work over Xmas for naff all extra, these firms would either:
Pay a decent rate (after all double time is good, but if you’re only on £8.50/hour then it’s still ■■■■ for Xmas.)
or
Stop worrying that their profits will drop 0.5% due to an Xmas break and accept that the whole country wouldn’t stop functioning if all the fat ■■■■■■■■ didn’t get to Sains/Asda/Morrison’s et al. by 10am on Boxing Day.
If you’re doing Xmas day for days off in lieu then Ok… if you’re single and daft. But if you’ve got family WTF are you playing at? Spend some time with them for Goodness’ Sake!
Can I ask if your gaffers were all in Xmas Day? If they were it’s 'cos there was much £££ in it for them, not a day or two off in lieu!!
TheBear:
I have a very understanding partner who has always accepted that my job requires sacrifices that others don’t have to make. Never once has she complained about my absences at holiday times BUT just every now and then she tells me ‘You WILL be here for such and such’ and I make sure I’m there LOLOL
I got home at 6pm Xmas Eve from tipping the load I had bought in from Holland and I am up now getting ready to go back out again. Luckily the kids are long gone and I am sure she likes the peace and quiet (those that know me know what I mean lol) but I have had her wave me off as I have gone to catch the 1500 sailing from Pompey on New Years Eve … she has waited up to welcome me home when I have got in at 0330 Xmas Day after a 17 day trip and never once can I recall her whining.
My thoughts on it?? Every day is the same to me … Xmas day is no different to any other day these days so if a load needs moving I am willing to move it. Double time?? Triple time?? Don’t think I have ever worked for a firm that has paid those rates at holiday time. Have always worked for small firms (I like to be known by name, not a number) and a nice bottle of malt is just as appreciated.
I did work for one firm for a while where the other 4 drivers were all workyard lawyers whereas I just got on with the job. At Xmas time, they got a slab of beer and £50. The boss delivered to my house a beautiful hamper and a card with £250 in. Enough said. That was after having just 12 days at home in 6 months.
I hope the hamper was good because the card with £250 in was worth an extra £1.47 per day for all those days you were away during that 6 month period…
I’d say the boss can’t believe his luck my friend!! You can treat yourself to a Mars bar and a can of Coke each day on his generosity!
So, you wouldn’t take a £250 bonus because it wasn’t enough?? A bonus is simply that - an ex-gratia payment at the discretion of the gaffer - whatever it is, be ■■■■■■■ grateful FFS!
The Sarge:
So, you wouldn’t take a £250 bonus because it wasn’t enough?? A bonus is simply that - an ex-gratia payment at the discretion of the gaffer - whatever it is, be [zb] grateful FFS!
+1
£250, I see that as a nice gift from someone who ants to show that there grateful for what he has done for him, but it goes back to I demand £700 a week for a easy weeks work thing again. You know drivers demanding more for less work
Was out Xmas eve gritting the roads till midnight , then out Xmas day 7.00pm til late , likely to be out tonite , this is what I signed up for , no complaints part and parcel of being on call out duty , not being called out is a bonus , firemen, ambulance and police are all in the same boat ,providing essential services ,truckers provide an essential service to the modern day , 24 / 7 / 365 ,that’s how it is ,people wanting goods everyday cheers people have a good Xmas and Happy New year to everyone .
fredthered:
You are ALL my heroes - thank you so much from the bottom of my everlasting grateful heart.
You all deserve medals for your unswerving bravery and call to arms for the benefit of the whole nation and I truly hope that the rewards for your loyalty are great.
I don’t know how this Country survives sometimes!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
FFS!!!
This ^^^
If you lads weren’t so happy to work over Xmas for naff all extra, these firms would either:
Pay a decent rate (after all double time is good, but if you’re only on £8.50/hour then it’s still [zb] for Xmas.)
or
Stop worrying that their profits will drop 0.5% due to an Xmas break and accept that the whole country wouldn’t stop functioning if all the fat [zb] didn’t get to Sains/Asda/Morrison’s et al. by 10am on Boxing Day.
If you’re doing Xmas day for days off in lieu then Ok… if you’re single and daft. But if you’ve got family WTF are you playing at? Spend some time with them for Goodness’ Sake!
Can I ask if your gaffers were all in Xmas Day? If they were it’s 'cos there was much £££ in it for them, not a day or two off in lieu!!
Thank Christ for dozy and you two I was beginning to think I was the only one . It never ceases to amaze me some of the brainwashed re-cycled corporate ■■■■■■■■ that comes out of some of todays cabhappy drivers, I mean lets all ban holidays and time with our families and live all year round in the truck on permanent call as we are all soooooo lucky to have a job GET A ■■■■■■ LIFE!!!
Must admit, when I hear ‘your lucky to have a job’, it really annoys me.
Ive got a job because I did the training and get up and go to work.
If I did a job that was 24/7, then if it was my turn to work xmas then so be it, but, what I would expect is top dollar. We have gotten to the stage where people are being paid badly for xmas, it’s the same for weekend/night working.
I drive a london bus, and buses don’t run xmas day-yet, but we are getting closer every year, when they do start to run them xmas day, it will be with volenteers-to start with, the it will slowly be introduced as a standard requirement, and probably for bad money.
The working week should be mon-fri daytime, night and weekend working should be alot more, but we have slowly walked into working weekends/nights for not alot more money.
I’ve just realised that I am sad enough as it is going on a trucker’s site on Boxing Day (but in my defence I’m filling time in waiting for a lift to a day’s invite)
As for working Christmas Day, I have missed all my 4 kids growing up over the last 3 decades in transport, but I always drew the line at Christmas and would never have missed those special days spent with them for any cash incentive or bonus offered …end of.
There is more to life than sitting behind the wheel of a bloody truck, so if any of you cab happy stars have young kids take that advice,… or don’t and regret it!
Lifestyle choice Is what I was told when I found out this company I worked for was paying the same to night drivers as day drivers, so guess that’s what its turning into when people choose to work these times/days. Oo. will soon be a flat rate across the board. Congratulations on screwing an already ZB industry.
Busmanian:
Lifestyle choice Is what I was told when I found out this company I worked for was paying the same to night drivers as day drivers, so guess that’s what its turning into when people choose to work these times/days. Oo. will soon be a flat rate across the board. Congratulations on screwing an already ZB industry.
Merry Christmas and happy new year.
It’s down to the fact that far too many will willingly queue up with their kecks around their ankles preparing to touch their toes, and agree to anything… to be “lucky” enough to have a job , after the drivers that actually HAVE a pair have refused to agree to it. (Just read some of the comments from certain people on this site) Employers know that these guys are always out there, that is why they do it, it aint rocket science.
no it would knock tesco,morrisons,aldi profits but we’d eat like we did before 24/7 shops started.
GET A ■■■■■■ LIFE!!!