Do Good HGV Employers Exist?

NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE)
41

DJC:
I’m happy with mine (maritime), but by reading up on them here you’d get the conclusion it’s like a concentration camp.

I’m left alone, they trust me to do the job without breathing down my neck, they don’t end up condescending if an infringement crops up and are generally accommodating. I was talking to one of our drivers the other day however who says don’t bother if you want to book days off for a long weekend or at short notice, don’t bother with this that etc. as they’ll shoot you down. Incidentally this guy thinks the world owes him a favour, drives like a ■■■■, treats other people like dirt & chucks all his litter right out the window. Go figure.

If you want them to do you a favour then don’t make life difficult for them.

Getting into the company with no experience though is a rarity. I was really lucky with the way I did things, I got 9 months experience on rigids before switching to Roadways which didn’t have any issues with new drivers & then less than a year later it was bought out by maritime.

Maritime ■■■■■. I remember speaking to one of their driver’s a few years ago. He told me that he once left the house in the early hours of Monday morning, was away sleeping out for 5 nights, finished at 7pm on Saturday! What sort of a life is that?

Are all Maritime driver’s recluse’s, or are they’re day trippers ( who’s life isn’t as sad as those, who think it’s clever to sleep in a little metal box during the week ) in there somewhere?

42

I went for the days job at Maritime and didn’t get it but they were interviewing for days, nights, 4on 4off and trampers. I think they are really expanding and going big time, the assessor told me the owner of Maritime (one guy) had spent 3.5m on the depot at Stourton Leeds where I had my interview. He also told me that it is the best job he has ever had and that is the third time I had heard that so I think the guys are really happy there. He said one driver though was getting a coffee while driving and crashed so I think they are going to lose the coffee making facilities in all the cabs :open_mouth: All their cabs have a boiler for coffee and a microwave installed no matter what shift system you are on. I was gutted I didn’t get the job as I really was wanting it. :frowning:

43

V40LLY:

DJC:
I’m happy with mine (maritime), but by reading up on them here you’d get the conclusion it’s like a concentration camp.

I’m left alone, they trust me to do the job without breathing down my neck, they don’t end up condescending if an infringement crops up and are generally accommodating. I was talking to one of our drivers the other day however who says don’t bother if you want to book days off for a long weekend or at short notice, don’t bother with this that etc. as they’ll shoot you down. Incidentally this guy thinks the world owes him a favour, drives like a ■■■■, treats other people like dirt & chucks all his litter right out the window. Go figure.

If you want them to do you a favour then don’t make life difficult for them.

Getting into the company with no experience though is a rarity. I was really lucky with the way I did things, I got 9 months experience on rigids before switching to Roadways which didn’t have any issues with new drivers & then less than a year later it was bought out by maritime.

Maritime ■■■■■. I remember speaking to one of their driver’s a few years ago. He told me that he once left the house in the early hours of Monday morning, was away sleeping out for 5 nights, finished at 7pm on Saturday! What sort of a life is that?

Are all Maritime driver’s recluse’s, or are they’re day trippers ( who’s life isn’t as sad as those, who think it’s clever to sleep in a little metal box during the week ) in there somewhere?

You’ve really opened my eyes :unamused:

If a driver wants to do tramping, why does that make a company bad? If a driver also wants to work Saturday, why does that make the company bad? I’ve worked 3 Satudays since September and I was always done by 10am. I don’t even know why I bother to type this as you’re obviously set in your ways of being a troll.

44

Juddian:

eagerbeaver:
Life isn’t difficult to understand, and neither are people. Its all about the correct attitude.

There are [zb] loads of LGV driving jobs around. Dress smart, show some effort, some respect/manners, and a glimpse of intelligence and you wont be out of work until you retire.

Driving an artic back and to is a piece of ■■■■. Easiest money I have ever earned. Plenty of good employers around, the secret is that the best ones don’t NEED to advertise. Get your shoes on and get knocking on doors.

SHOW SOME INITIATIVE !!

And thats exactly the way to do it.

Good employers do not advertise, they take on recommendation and sift through those who have the nous to cold call (politely, you might just pigeon hole the boss who can see first hand how you would approach the customer) and as said use a bit of initiative.

Invariably, but by no means set in stone, own account transport has better terms and conditions than hire and reward.

Where there’s muck and and hard graft there’s often brass, conversely the easiest hire and reward jobs often pay poorly, with pay being made up by a combination of working the two week’s worth of hours in one and night out pay…which some here still insist in counting as part of their take home pay, it isn’t.

You’ll have to take whatever you can get at first, do it well, learn your trade, take a pride in what you do, skill yourself up, don’t take the ■■■■ don’t take sickies even if every bugger else there does, sometimes newbies land on their feet but it’s very rare.

As you skill up if you have the right ethics you’ll find yourself increasingly in demand, not only from employers but other good drivers on good (or specialised operations) companies, ie those who don’t advertise who often pay well over the odds, tend to recommend or encourage applications from other drivers who are going to benefit the company they work for and help make the good job last.

Last but not least, don’t chase the bling motors, the old saying all flash no cash is still a valid one.

+1 Good advice from these posts.
Good attitude is very important, as is respect & manners too. Take pride in your work and protect your reputation.
keep your ear to the ground for companies after drivers.

Not all employers advertise, so don’t be afraid to walk through the door and introduce yourself & ‘sell yourself’ into securing a job.

45

Have you heard of a company called Wincanton? They have long-standing contracts with numerous organizations including Co-op & Heinz and seem to have an excellent reputation.They have depots across the country. Check their website for vacancies. Good luck.

46

Dan Bear 87:

Juddian:

eagerbeaver:
Life isn’t difficult to understand, and neither are people. Its all about the correct attitude.

There are [zb] loads of LGV driving jobs around. Dress smart, show some effort, some respect/manners, and a glimpse of intelligence and you wont be out of work until you retire.

Driving an artic back and to is a piece of ■■■■. Easiest money I have ever earned. Plenty of good employers around, the secret is that the best ones don’t NEED to advertise. Get your shoes on and get knocking on doors.

SHOW SOME INITIATIVE !!

And thats exactly the way to do it.

Good employers do not advertise, they take on recommendation and sift through those who have the nous to cold call (politely, you might just pigeon hole the boss who can see first hand how you would approach the customer) and as said use a bit of initiative.

Invariably, but by no means set in stone, own account transport has better terms and conditions than hire and reward.

Where there’s muck and and hard graft there’s often brass, conversely the easiest hire and reward jobs often pay poorly, with pay being made up by a combination of working the two week’s worth of hours in one and night out pay…which some here still insist in counting as part of their take home pay, it isn’t.

You’ll have to take whatever you can get at first, do it well, learn your trade, take a pride in what you do, skill yourself up, don’t take the ■■■■ don’t take sickies even if every bugger else there does, sometimes newbies land on their feet but it’s very rare.

As you skill up if you have the right ethics you’ll find yourself increasingly in demand, not only from employers but other good drivers on good (or specialised operations) companies, ie those who don’t advertise who often pay well over the odds, tend to recommend or encourage applications from other drivers who are going to benefit the company they work for and help make the good job last.

Last but not least, don’t chase the bling motors, the old saying all flash no cash is still a valid one.

This whole quote should be saved lol! All newbies should read this :sunglasses:

+1
See, there are people on here that talk sense [emoji4]

47

cully1965:
Have you heard of a company called Wincanton? They have long-standing contracts with numerous organizations including Co-op & Heinz and seem to have an excellent reputation.They have depots across the country. Check their website for vacancies. Good luck.

48

cully1965:
Have you heard of a company called Wincanton? They have long-standing contracts with numerous organizations including Co-op & Heinz and seem to have an excellent reputation.They have depots across the country. Check their website for vacancies. Good luck.

I’ve just given them my weeks notice. They took over at our place 7 years ago and to be fair were good for me in the beginning, helped me see the error of my ways concerning running a little bit erm errr naughty shall we say but after 7 years of being spoon fed stoopid rules and more H&S than you can shake a stick at I was ready to explode so I’ve quit. If you don’t mind swallowing all that crap every single day then they really ain’t too bad I suppose.

49

“Dont let em grind you down”

lemmy - Born 1832 and still rockin…

50

Yes they do exist… I passed my c+e back end of March, and I started with a new firm in June and it’s brilliant, maybe speak to the boss once a week’ he just let’s us get on with it… Home every night and take a very good wage!!

I find small family run firms are best to work with…

51

Evenin’ pal. You still in that blue Volvo?

52

eagerbeaver:
Evenin’ pal. You still in that blue Volvo?

Yeah still living life in the middle lane mate :sunglasses:

53

I drove one of our 65 plate FH’s this week. Awesome machine!

54

They look brilliant mate, never drove a new volvo though unfortunately!! You across my end anymore?? How’s it going on the dark side?? I mean green side :wink:

55

I will PM you mate. Don’t think we should hijack this thread for a chat, lol.

56

eagerbeaver:
I drove one of our 65 plate FH’s this week. Awesome machine!

Really? I’ve heard from most stobbie drivers that they hate the 15/65 plate trucks. Billy bob basic compared to the 63 or older Volvo’s which were kitted out.

57

Superb to drive Radar. Nice progressive brakes, really comfy seating position, loads of room and light, cracking seats.

The steps aren’t great though. Don’t come out far enough.( Maybe I am too used to the Scania’s ).

58

eagerbeaver:
Superb to drive Radar. Nice progressive brakes, really comfy seating position, loads of room and light, cracking seats.

The steps aren’t great though. Don’t come out far enough.( Maybe I am too used to the Scania’s ).

Do you have the ones with the auto braking thingymabob on that makes it impossible to run in the back of someone?
Top bit of kit,whack cruise control in and jump on the bunk on those long motorway drives :slight_smile:

59

Not sure CK. More buttons and gizmo’s than the starship enterprise.

Electronic handbrake feels a bit odd at first though.

60

eagerbeaver:
Not sure CK. More buttons and gizmo’s than the starship enterprise.

Electronic handbrake feels a bit odd at first though.

You’d see the big red sensor at the top centre of windscreen if you had it,check it out here pretty impressive…
m.youtube.com/watch?v=ridS396W2BY
Also ours have lane assist that activates a short alarm if you change lane without indicating just in case you’ve nodded off,all this technology but still no in cab coffee machine vending free drinks :frowning: