biggusdickusgb:
i’ve had 30 odd years training rog, but so do the “professional” class.
i thought engineers, lawyers, doctors etc etc, do a 5 to 7 year training period and then keep learning just the same as us.
that could be regarded as ongoing learning which we generally all do - so at what point do we become professional during that learning period 
- this time it’s me… 
i would’ve thought more than 1 or 2 weeks,
but hey what do i know, i’m just a driver
following the rules, constantly learning and being open to that learning process each and everyday. i never say that i am a good driver, be it the car or truck, simply because there is always more to learn and see. the laws and rules in my opinion help me to do that without the overtiredness, stress and worry of losing a job due to pressure from an employer who has no lgv lisence and wouldn,t even know where to find the parking brake on a trailer. 
biggusdickusgb:
i would’ve thought more than 1 or 2 weeks,
but hey what do i know, i’m just a driver
I’m just a plonka - and old one at that 
ROG:
biggusdickusgb:
i would’ve thought more than 1 or 2 weeks,
but hey what do i know, i’m just a driverI’m just a plonka
i wouldn’t condescend to call you that, and i’m of the old school of thought of “those who can do, those who can’t teach”.
following the rules, constantly learning and being open to that learning process each and everyday. i never say that i am a good driver, be it the car or truck, simply because there is always more to learn and see. the laws and rules in my opinion help me to do that without the overtiredness, stress and worry of losing a job due to pressure from an employer who has no lgv lisence and wouldn,t even know where to find the parking brake on a trailer.
and that is how it should be blueisland, and i’ve gone through my whole career along those same principles.
your asked are we really professional drivers?
double Q then quoted
"what defines ‘professional’ "
Thesaurus: He say,
[ Skilled, Experienced, Proficient, Expert, Learned, Trained, Able, Adept, Capable, Competent, Licensed ]
i prefer
engaged in an activity as a paid occupation rather than as an amateur.
engaged in an activity as a paid occupation rather than as an amateur.
Yep - That’s the way I look at it. - Driving is your profession.
(A profession is an occupation, vocation or career where specialized knowledge of a subject, field, or science is applied.)
You can be an amateur within your profession
i’m of the old school of thought of “those who can do, those who can’t teach”.
What about those that can do it and also teach - i’m a big believer in - “only teach others to do what you can do yourself” - the proof of the pudding comes when doing a demo
I class myself as a professional…but others dont always like my way of thinking. Over the years i have had to remind certain bosses, that its me whos in charge, and not them…something they dont agree on either. I have been a rebel all my life, and i am still one, and still argue my rights with the boss, if they dont like it, they can sack me, because if i know im in the right, or believe i know im in the right, i will argue till the cows come home.
My present T/M, always informs the drivers of new legislation, he will remind drivers of present legislation, he will take drivers into the office to talk about an infringement, and obviously get drivers to acknowledge it. he is a fair man, doesnt like me a lot cos i know too much, and obviously he doesnt know as much as me, but at the end of the day, his name is on the O licence, hes only a stooge at the end of the day, and will take the rap if we step out of line, which is fair enough. The no 1 boss however, is a pig, so is the M/D (a woman) and has no respect for drivers, and would get rid of them all tomorow if he could, but he cant, because its in his terms of contract with Sainsburys. When our M/D pulled me into the office, she said the boss wants to get rid of all the drivers, so i said, ok then, let me know when its happening, she then said, i`m not threatening, and i said, i dont give a ■■■■, if it happens…it happens…she doesnt like my honesty…but its the truth…and i ended by saying, at least i can get another job…ha ha …
truckyboy:
…and i ended by saying, at least i can get another job…ha ha…
Hmmm, I don’t properly know the answer to this thread Q, but I’ve hopefully got twenty-blah paid years left behind a wheel. However, I don’t wish to be on Easty-Beasty wages if our collective bridge was burned by one compatriot predecessor too many.
No one likes the pee ripped out of them and I aint no toady …but the MD holds the pen that could sign-in Borat and his mates by the trailer-full with its mighty stroke.
Professionalism?
With responsibility comes the need to respect.
With respect comes the need for responsibility.
Just as it’s nice to be important …but how much more important is it than being nice?
Meanwhile:
truckyboy:
…I class myself as a professional…but others dont always like my way of thinking…
Many that I admire are able to continue very valid, appropriate, objective, plain common-sense but otherwise rude thoughts without necessarily vocalising them.
Gentlefolk, therein might lie sub-skills of professionalism from which we can properly learn.
i know i
m in the right, i will argue till the cows come home. My present T/M, always informs the drivers of new legislation, he will remind drivers of present legislation, he will take drivers into the office to talk about an infringement, and obviously get drivers to acknowledge it. he is a fair man, doesnt like me a lot cos i know too much, and obviously he doesnt know as much as me, but at the end of the day, his name is on theOlicence, hes only a stooge at the end of the day, and will take the rap if we step out of line, which is fair enough. The no 1 boss however, is a pig, so is the M/D (a woman) and has no respect for drivers, and would get rid of them all tomorow if he could, but he cant, because its in his terms of contract with Sainsburys. When our M/D pulled me into the office, she said the boss wants to get rid of all the drivers, so i said, ok then, let me know when its happening, she then said, im not threatening, and i said, i dont give a [zb], if it happens…it happens…she doesnt like my honesty…but its the truth…and i ended by saying, at least i can get another job…ha ha …
Truyckerboy - you sound exactly like someone I know at work !! If you hadn’t have mentioned Sainsburys, I’d have PM’d you to check !
The top dog at our DC is a women & she hates the drivers too ! Her attitude is it’s never anybody elses fault, except the driver. Any loading error, whether a mis-count at the DC, keying in error or mistake by the shop staff - it’s always the drivers fault !
Funny how she’s just got a huge bonus for meeting efficiency targets & we’re fighting for an extra 50p/hr !
but the MD holds the pen that could sign-in Borat and his mates by the trailer-full with its mighty stroke.
And then watch as the shop/customer changes contracts due to lack of confidence as Borat sods up the deliveries.
You pay peanuts etc…
i’m enjoying all the replies! i would like to add that according to joe public the reputation of all truckers has been shot to hell, anything falls off a building in a village it’s the fault of the trucker, anything falls off the trailer, it’s the fault of the trucker, anything falls off the road its the truckers fault. but whose fault is it that we have behave this way. maybe that can be given to the 19yr old spotty tart who tells us not to whinge and not to worry and to get it fixed tomorrow and then has the round things to ask us if we really want to keep the job because the boss can always get mr yugo or pola to do the job for less money. will anyone ever let us be that true professional, or is the likes of Lewis(god bless him) hamilton the true image of a professional driver. answers on a postcard to - managers who couldnt give a s. 
Professional Drivers??
everyone CLAIMS to be a "Professional "Driver,whether or not they are …or not …is really down to the people that are judging them!!
I have been shot to bits on here many times for my opinions…I dont claim to be a “Professional” driver,never have done I dont think!!
it just seems to me that everybody hides behind this notion of being a “Professional” driver,just cause they can DRIVE A LORRY
but the thing is…ANY thick ■■■■ with half a brain can pass a vehicle test
I would consider myself a Good,Experienced,Courteous Driver,I may break the 40mph single carriageway rule,when safe to do so,im on the limiter on dual carriageways,but I consider my driving to be SAFE In MY opinion.
So am I “Professional” or not??
I’ve certainly driven loads of miles,in a Car,Van,Motorbike,Truck and I passed ALL my tests 1st time…does this make me MORE “Professional”?
Maybe,Maybe not.
I passed 3 people northbound on the M1 yesterday in a short space of time really…it was around 7 ish,so not too heavy traffic…I overtook a currys wagon,the driver was texting on his phone and made no attempt to hide the fact as I passed him…he just carried on did’nt even look up…
the second was an M&S motor with the driver watching a DVD as he came off the sliproad at 15a one foot pretty much on the dash and the last one before I pulled off at Rugby was tailgating the motor in front with about a 4 foot gap whilst sat back in his chair,foot up again ,talking on his phone!!!
is this Professional?..I dont ■■■■■■■ know whats good or bad with some drivers to be honest!!!..But I bet these 3 all call themselves “Professional Drivers”
Im sick to death of this term…its just used by all and sundry to justify their arguements on here a lot of the time…its just a load of ■■■■■■■■ to make people feel more important about themselves.
up until today i thought i was an sort of pro until i tried to back on to a bay today and it took me 4 goes , dont look at me ! im not worthy, the shame , WHY is there ALWAYS a bunch of drivers watching when you make a pigs ear of backing onto something , but NEVER NEVER anybody about when you back on to the mother of all nightmare bays on your blindside etc on your first attempt ■■? i lost the will to live today, i need beer, pies , and cake to make things right again and give me my pro powers back. .
hey bike monkey, just got access to the net again and guess what, your reply was just diamond, i am sick of the term professional driver. reason,so many let us down.
bikemonkey:
Professional Drivers??
everyone CLAIMS to be a "Professional "Driver,whether or not they are …or not …is really down to the people that are judging them!!
I have been shot to bits on here many times for my opinions…I dont claim to be a “Professional” driver,never have done I dont think!!
it just seems to me that everybody hides behind this notion of being a “Professional” driver,just cause they can DRIVE A LORRY
but the thing is…ANY thick [zb] with half a brain can pass a vehicle test
I would consider myself a Good,Experienced,Courteous Driver,I may break the 40mph single carriageway rule,when safe to do so,im on the limiter on dual carriageways,but I consider my driving to be SAFE In MY opinion.
So am I “Professional” or not??
I’ve certainly driven loads of miles,in a Car,Van,Motorbike,Truck and I passed ALL my tests 1st time…does this make me MORE “Professional”?
Maybe,Maybe not.I passed 3 people northbound on the M1 yesterday in a short space of time really…it was around 7 ish,so not too heavy traffic…I overtook a currys wagon,the driver was texting on his phone and made no attempt to hide the fact as I passed him…he just carried on did’nt even look up…
the second was an M&S motor with the driver watching a DVD as he came off the sliproad at 15a one foot pretty much on the dash and the last one before I pulled off at Rugby was tailgating the motor in front with about a 4 foot gap whilst sat back in his chair,foot up again ,talking on his phone!!!is this Professional?..I dont [zb] know whats good or bad with some drivers to be honest!!!..But I bet these 3 all call themselves “Professional Drivers”
Im sick to death of this term…its just used by all and sundry to justify their arguements on here a lot of the time…its just a load of ■■■■■■■■ to make people feel more important about themselves.
True. Sums up my thoughts on it too.
I meet profesionals everyday when i am manouvering in tight spots or in narrow streets where these professional advisers have parked their cars in a professional manner (on the corner of a junction right opposite the other professionaly parked cars), when they tell me how to do it i offer them the keys and welcome them to do it, they soon shut up and back off. when i have performed my manouver i am pleased and look back and think yes i am a professional. Then i think ■■■■ i have to get back out here, wheres my advisers?
blueisland:
I’m curious as to how many drivers are treated as pro’s. most of us have done an ‘apprenticeship’ so why not be treated as the professional people we are.
apprenticeship, what apprenticeship to drive a hgv, LOL,
im a specialist! i specialise in damp patches in womens bedrooms!
karl67:
blueisland:
I’m curious as to how many drivers are treated as pro’s. most of us have done an ‘apprenticeship’ so why not be treated as the professional people we are.apprenticeship, what apprenticeship to drive a hgv, LOL,
Excellent point - what did the apprenticeship consist of
ROG:
Excellent point - what did the apprenticeship consist of
Well, I have an advanced apprenticeship in Driving Goods Vehicles.
What it consisted of… I can’t tell you much really, I had some bloke follow me around Northern Ireland, ticking boxes and asking me questions. Then I sat a 45 minute test, which I passed quite easily. A few months later my certificate arrived in the post.
My understanding of the term professional was someone ‘qualified to do the job’, ‘no longer in training’.