I wouldn’t take the full time job unless you want them to pay for your class 1.
Then it’s not guaranteed I know a bloke who’s been there 5 years and he’s still waiting?
Your better staying on agencey and paying for it yourself.
Unless your happy signing a contract to stay for 2 years and the £100s a week drop in wages.
Good Luck
Mcdowells wont be putting me.through class one, I like having my freedom to move about but ill be going full time as at least the work is guaranteed unlike agency work where I can be dropped at any time.
Cheers
Jonny 
You be taking a drop in wages
£6.20ph full time class 2 Mcdowells 
Think they one more than that, jack knife, not much more granted, is the lad at mcdowells your taking about ‘al’ ?
Johny if you get set on tell them you want a decent motor, if they want you, they’ll give you one.
Enjoyed the post keep it up, are you a Keighley lad?
Yeah drives a low cab curtainsider merc.
Nice chap I have a natter with him when I bump into him.
He told me they were going to put him thro class 1 but he’s still waiting?
And I tryed to keep a straight face when he told me what he was on.
Isn’t minimum wage £6.50ph?
Well I’ll find out the ‘drop’ in wages when I get the information infront of me. Right now its getting me experience, a little money in my pocket and if it was £6.20 as you stated they would be in court by many a driver for not paying the nmw. As I said above regarding class 1, I’ll be putting myself through it so I’m not tied to any contract. After all Id like to be working a little closer to home when there are a few more hauliers closer that pay a lot more p/h!
FG I’ll be asking for a different motor to this one for sure, I don’t mind it as a temp but as a permanent motor I don’t want folk thinking I take damaging wagons like a hobby!
I’m from Knottingley, so a bit to travel but as I’m being kept down the road its no skin off my nose so long as the wages stay the same as what this weeks is gonna be that suits me fine.
Cheers
Jonny
enjoyed reading this. Why is their not a weekly diary?! I admire your enthusiasm so would be interesting if this was a regular diary as to how your enthusiasm keeps going…
You wouldn’t want one from this week I’ve done ■■■■ all Today I’ve done one drop, tipped and come back. Changed a couple bulbs that had gone out on the wagon and that’s it! 
My enthusiasm for the industry has always been there, just the past couple months in a job that was good but the office staff’s planning drove me mental. So came back to what was a fairly cushy number.
Cheers
Jonny
How old are you if you don’t mind me asking?
Judging by your pass dates fairly young or just a late starter.
I do occasionally get a bit niggle to get back into it, but im on a decent number at the moment. Over £8 an hour driving a van with 33 days paid holiday. Just reading your diary has brought back some good memories of when i was tramping on class 2 work.
21, passed my test when I was 20, drove for 2 weeks before my 21st. A goal to drive trucks before I turned 21. Just about managed it
Cheers
Jonny
You still running out of Avonmouth?
Ask them for Scotland got some nice runs up to Wick and Thurso.
I worked at mcdowells until 7 months ago, class 2 to start with and was never on 6.20, worked there for 21 months, and got put through my class 1 after 17 months, if ure upto the job, they will look after u, no questions
Left hand down!:
jonnytruckfest:
I’m 'living the dream ’
24 years in, still loving it. Back on tramping, best job to have. I get home every night… Without the stress and commute…
Driving trucks is not a job, it’s a way of life.
Good on you Jonny, if only more your age wanted to work like you do.
Once you have seen enough of the South West ask for the Scottish runs as suggested. We go up to the Highlands quite regularly and I often think if I went back to driving what a place to run from. Living in Bristol before, driving took me all over and as you say most other people you know will never have seen it all.
Finally as you don’t mind a week away you could move onto European work. Then you are talking a different game. Yes you might get to the same stage as others who have commented, but like me driving was something you wanted to do. If you do run out of a liking for it at least you can say you did it and what a great experience it was, I know I do.
jonnytruckfest:
Well I’ll find out the ‘drop’ in wages when I get the information infront of me.
If it is an insulting sum like £6.50 NMW, then forget how much you enjoy the job - DECLINE. Don’t lower yourself.
Once the Winter is past have a go at the Scottish work,we dont have the pressure of population up here .The roads are just as good but not as crowded.Drive a bit North of the Central belt engage C.C and enjoy the views.I have enjoyed following your progress.Well done.
Thanks everyone, just for peace of mind rob, I wouldn’t work for nmw now if I’m honest. I like the money too much without having to kill myself for it, been there done that!!
Id love a crack at the Scottish work, but alas I’m down in Bristol again next week although I’ve been given the sort of good news I’m swapping into a brand spanking new daf LF shortly. A little gutted as the last daf I drove died on me and alas there doesn’t look to be much space for my stuff but we’ll see. Not bothered as long as it goes and does the job!
Down to Paignton tomorrow morning, then back to Bristol for a reload. So unless the roads somehow magically clear up tomorrow I can guarantee I wont be back! Not too bothered at that, Saturday & overtime rate && extra night out for the piggy bank.
See you down the road 
Cheers
Jonny
You made it back last Friday!
Why not this Friday?
Says the traffic office?
Your learning quickly Johnny.
Sorry to disappoint but Mcdowells pay NMW.
Oh well. We’ll see in time. Whilst I’m on agency on £8.50 I wont complain too much