Hi everyone,
This might be one of those repetitive, loads of questions and musings posts that I’ve read loads of, from new people, that really have no point - sorry.
Back in about 2007 I was thinking about getting my class C license. I took the medical and got my provisional, but life and whatever overtook and it was left by the wayside. I had a secure job at the time and it didn’t seem a priority.
I was working in mobile security and had made my way up to supervisor level - but In 2010 my company was bought out by another company, I had to apply for my own job, I got it. But the new company was a complete shambles, constant pointless changes, crap procedures and constant new rounds of cuts and being put on ‘risk of redundancy’ every few months - they completely destroyed everything that was good about and lost at least 3 quarters of the contracts from the old company within the first year. I was promoted, but hated it, then eventually when another round of redundancies came up, I jumped. Ended up having to move house for another job, but ended up as a branch manager for another security/keyholding company - it was good, but eventually I decided I didn’t want an office job, had paid off all my debts - and was free to do what I wanted, so I went back to driving on keyholding/mobile security, which I love.
Thing is, nothing seems secure anymore - now I’m engaged and we’re moving to a relatively expensive area in the next few months, we’re also thinking about kids in a few years time.
I’m on about £27,000, but this is 60 hours a week, 90% nights and it’s a zero hour contract - I do like the job though, and anyone who does or has ever worked in mobile security or response will know that that’s a bloody good wage for this job.
I’ve been thinking of getting my Class C again - as a back-up in case anything happens with my job because in this industry, they lose a big contract, they get rid of a van on the road - and with it all being zero hours and stuff these days, that can literally happen over night. Nothing feels secure anymore.
But also potentially as an area to move into when I have kids, because anything has got to be better than 60 hours a week permanent nights. Even if I had to stay away a night or two a week, it would be better than my current hours.
Is £25,000 - £27,000 a realistic expectation? I live in Portsmouth but we’re wanting to move to Romsey (just north of Southampton) in the next year or so. My thinking is, we’ve got Portsmouth and Southampton docks, a huge oil refinery, a huge Tesco depot, Palmer and Harvey at Park Gate, loads of transport companies nearby - so there has to be some good jobs?
I think the experience may be an issue - is it viable to sign up to an agency and work driving on one of my days off? Is that something you’re allowed to do, or would it be illegal since I’m doing so many hours in another job? - That’s kind of my plan, as I don’t want to go jumping from a secure (although zero hours) job, into insecure agency work.
I’m planning to get my license and somehow get experience, and then fund myself to get my artic license + as many other bits as I can, such as dangerous goods (ADR?) and HIAB - so I’m employable as possible.
A few months ago I bought the DVSA LGV theory book and downloaded a practice app for my phone, read through it, used the app a bit and booked my theory tests. I got 96 on the multiple choice and 77 on the hazard - so I’m ready to start the practical - just need to book some holiday off work and coordinate it.
I’m currently looking at 2 Start Ltd in Portchester, By-Pass Driver Training in Eastleigh and Lancing Driver Training in Lancing - anyone have any experience with any of these? Does my plan sound completely stupid and unrealistic?