K so i have full time employment driving an eight wheeler not a bad jod and doiny holiday cover class 1 but i want class 1 full time so imm thinking of chucking my hat in with a decent agency full time to get more experience and keep my eye open for a classs one job preferabley on containers the only worry is i wont get reguler work whats your thoughts ? Thinking maybe mainstream in sittingbourne as they have a cpl of local contracts ie fowler welch and tescos and they seem a decent agency done some work with them in the past
I understand where you are coming from. BUT the grass always seems greener…
No idea what its like where you stay up here there is a lot of agency work right now has been all summer, choice of work even, slowed down a bit the last week since Scottish schools are back, but should pick up again, but got the problem months of jan-april can imagine work being hard to come by.
I’d personally stick with a full time job than risk agency work mainly because it will be slow in the new year.
If you want to do containers, try Maritime or one of the others at Thamesport.
bjd:
K so i have full time employment driving an eight wheeler not a bad jod and doiny holiday cover class 1 but i want class 1 full time so imm thinking of chucking my hat in with a decent agency full time to get more experience and keep my eye open for a classs one job preferabley on containers the only worry is i wont get reguler work whats your thoughts ? Thinking maybe mainstream in sittingbourne as they have a cpl of local contracts ie fowler welch and tescos and they seem a decent agency done some work with them in the past
Who are you trying to kid, bjd
You have had a taste of artics and now it consumes your every thought. 
I dont care what anyone says, you have already decided. 
But before you leave a as you so nearly put it.
Consider what you are getting into in the current econom…you know what,why am I bothering your probably on the phone to an agency right now…or MAYBE? you aint got the nads for it
All tongue in cheek mate, best of luck with whatever you do.
Maritine only take with 2 years experience i only have a year
If only life was simple and there was no morgage to pay i woud be on th ephone to the agency, on the other hand the wifes says go for it but your dead right i have been bitten by artics after all its what i trained for
bjd:
Maritine only take with 2 years experience i only have a year
Thats why Im driving coaches until my magic 2 years is up on the artic licence - July next year 
Not that Im not enjoying driving coaches mind because Im lovin’ it
August for me was offerd full time class one last week but the wages where lets say poor for want of a better word
Try Morrisons new RDC at Grovehurst.
If your are desperate try the firms on the Island like Wigglesworth lol…
bjd:
but your dead right i have been bitten by artics after all its what i trained for
Absolutely, if you have a Class 1 licence then you should drive an artic. I have always felt the same myself. There may be no logic to it but that’s the way it is.
Suppose you will have to let Father Time do his thing and aim to get on containers after the two years then, although it would be worth a phone call before then, it never hurts.
Coddy … the island now thats a leap have to get by the boy with the bango on the bridge fella only messing anythings worth a try
I’d hang out for a decent class 1 job, where you are just now seems ok and you are at least getting to drive class 1’s at times so looks good for future jobs can pad it out you drove regularly.
Go to an agency got 3-4months steady work ahead, after that everyone will be fighting over the scraps of work and you’ll be up against guys that have years of experience who will get the work before you.
Most economic forecasters recon things will get bad again, the tories cuts will kick in properly in September the prices of everything will rocket in the new year, will be a lot less cash floating around which as always will hit our industry hard.
Ive got a decent agency number just now class 1’s enjoyable rural drives tip at decent places never any hassles but i’d jack it in even for a steady 7.5 tonner or van job if the money was right.
Agencies are your best mate when they need you but when work slows down they dump you P.D.Q. I would stay with the full time job if I were you.
I’m always very cautious when I’m faced with a decision such as the OP faces…
I remember once thinking that the grass was greener elsewhere and I went for it.
As things turned out, the job was far worse than the one I’d left and it took me six months to persuade my old boss to give me my job back.
Then again, there’s always the old chestnut of “if you don’t give it a try, you’ll never know,” so it can be a very tricky decision.
to put a description on agencys there like women nice to you when they want something but when they’ve got what they want will leave you high dry. Better to stick with perm job, if your really desperate for class1 and good money grain movers and bagged feed hauliers seem to pay good money depending who it is.
Guess its just the driver in me rearing its head saved hard to get the cash together for the class 1 passsed it now i want to do it supose its that simple really but i hear the coments loud n clear re a full time job
Think long and hard bud. I had something similar 2 years ago. Job offer of £50+ per week extra plus a top of the range motor (Scania 480 or thereabouts) 8 legger, regular customer etc…fiancee (now wife) told me to stick current job out and see what happens, result; Bloke who offered job recently went bust had to get rid of4 out of his 5 trucks and I’ve kept my job despite my employer making 3 other drivers redundant. Never has the phrase about grass been more true…
Whilst I understand your desire to do more class 1 driving, I used to enjoy class 2 driving on agency that was paid at the class 1 rate - same cash, less aggro!!