This supposed Christmas rush and dead spell afterwards doesn’t happen anymore on agency and hasn’t done for the past few years. I remember 2012 Christmas was pretty flat on the run up and there were many full weeks of work available throughout Jan-Apr, unlike years gone by. 2013 Christmas run up was actually one of the quietest I’ve ever known, but January, February and March this year I was absolutely flat out with work and in fact made more money across February and March than I’ve ever done for any other 2 consecutive months 
. I could’ve been working 24/7 if the tacho rules had allowed it. I took pretty much all of April and May off as I was too knackered from doing 65hr+ weeks! It’s fair to say I am at the top of the pecking order whenever they need a bum on a seat but there were plenty of other agy in as well.
thanks Left Hand Down…thats good to know…
I’d been flat out in the run up to Christmas last year and was quite looking forward to the Jan/Feb break but it never happened, it was May before I decided I needed a break. Silage/hay harvest work is now pretty much over for this year and the agency is already asking how soon I can start driving again. Its about building and maintaining a reputation as a polite (doesn’t mean forelock tugging and I have been known to tell planners what I think but with a bit of humour thrown in) reliable, conscientious, versatile driver, if you do that then you start being asked for by name, takes a couple of years to get from newbie to requested. On agency reputation is as vital to getting regular work as your licence and DQC card.
Doesnt take years to get asked for, Ive been on agency for just over a year and have been askes for by name by companies all the time. So always been in work. Had plenty of job offers too.
As said above. Work hard be polite and get the job done and you will always be busy, an soon get offered better and better jobs once the agency know they can trust you.
Andrejs:
Agency drivers.Are you want get full time ■■?or prefer work from agency??
WHAT DO YOU PREFER ANDREJS
We’re reaching “crossover point” now in that the regular hours pay is now to be judged on the rate instead of it being “regular”.
There’s plenty of work about, so if you’ve got the choice of working for Bloggs & Co yard for £9.18ph full time or £11.75ph on agency - which are you gonna choose knowing that the risk of being laid off come January or any other time is now the SAME…? 
villa:
Andrejs:
Agency drivers.Are you want get full time ■■?or prefer work from agency??WHAT DO YOU PREFER ANDREJS
i work for driver 2 years.all the time from agency.near all time was one agency.in this 2 years was working mainly in 3 company but time from time was in 20-25 company.some company just one day,some company more.i apply for some full time job.may be ,may be.my money was in last 2 years very ,very good.i like work in different companies,not burring .IF WILL BE CHOISE I PREFER TRAMPING,BUT still not found or full time with 4 over 4…but still in agency 
Started off in a Full Time job, hated it, knocked my confidence almost gave up driving.
Working in Agency, been in work pretty much every day unless its a weekend or I have ask for a day off. Really boosted my confidence and real world driving skills.
Hopefully if I get my C+E this month I will still on agency and gain experience through them . 
I understand why agencies are not well liked but to most TM’s, I, like the rest of their F/T drivers are just a body in the cab and getting the job done.
Just about to finance my son to do his Class2, him and his pal are doing the course at the same time, agency says there’s work as soon as they’ve passed, not a bad rate for a newbies either. Like me it’ll be a kind of back-up for when things are quiet. If they want I’ll help them with their C+E the following year.
Winseer:
We’re reaching “crossover point” now in that the regular hours pay is now to be judged on the rate instead of it being “regular”.There’s plenty of work about, so if you’ve got the choice of working for Bloggs & Co yard for £9.18ph full time or £11.75ph on agency - which are you gonna choose knowing that the risk of being laid off come January or any other time is now the SAME…?
That’s because you’re not prepared to get up off your arse and go and seek out the agencies that are paying top dollar or even go direct. There is no such income parity (or even near parity) in my neck of the woods. Agency is still about £4-6/hr above the employee rate and there’s nothing to suggest that will ever change. There will always be the agencies offering the temps peanuts but those are the ones that have all the thick ■■■■■ on their books and only ever last 2 minutes with their clients because they don’t want them back after all the damage they cause. From your endless “problem” posts about work/agencies/etc, it sounds like you’re signed up to one of them.