Carryfast:
eddie snax:
Carryfast:
When the definition of ‘start at the bottom’ means new C + E drivers being lumbered with zb 7.5 and 18 tonner multi drop etc type work to supposedly get ‘experience’.Let alone then being told they have to stay there because they’ve obviously then still got no ‘experience’ in the work they’ve entered the industry to do.Let alone the situation where some with less time in the job get a luckier break than others thereby creating the situation of an arbitrary inconsistent career progression situation for some v others,that’s a problem.While the idea of having to go back to the bottom,when trying to move up the ladder with a new employer,actually contradicts the statement concerning favoured faces getting cream work.
On that note why would anyone be stupid enough to throw away a load of service time with a reliable employer on UK trunking,having been offered a job on international with a new employer,when that new employer suddenly changes that job offer to sorry you’ll have to start on UK work only with the bs carrot of a so called possibility of international in the future,because you’ve got no international ‘experience’,for example.
The fact is, no one has the right to drive what they are licenced to drive, you have to find an employer willing to give you the keys, if you are a newbie with un proven record it will be harder, than an experienced old hand to find that opening. If that means you have to drive vehicles in a lower category than what you hold ie c+e driver driving c or 7.5t, then so be it to get your foot in the door, life ■■■■■ deal with it, the rest of us did
How does having to go back to the bottom, when trying to move up the ladder with a new employer, contradict the statement concerning favoured faces getting cream work. A new employer can see your past employment record, but he will more often than not want to see how you go for a month or 2, before he puts you on to any of his better contracts, the last thing he would want to do is screw up cream work because a new employed experienced driver, turns out to be a knob
Why wouldn’t a driver who wished to gain experience at a different type of driving work, not take the chance to gain that with a new employer, even if that meant throwing away a shed load of service. The fact that they may well have to first prove themselves to their new employer on work that they are more familiar with, may well work to the drivers favour in the long run, as in, several months keeping the record straight(timed deliveries no damage positive feed back from other drivers and customers etc) on familiar ground, will build the driver a bank of good will with his new boss and colleagues that he will be able to draw on as he needs it on unfamiliar work
I think that says everything about some of the reasoning why new drivers can’t be bothered with the industry.On that note it seems strange as to how every 7.5 tonner or four wheeler multi drop or building deliveries or at best class 1 super market distribution or night trunking jobs are all immune from the supposed potential catastrophic mistakes and zb ups caused by ‘inexperienced’ drivers.But as soon as something much better is mentioned then only ‘experienced’ drivers can handle the job.
So you’re saying it’s ok that even someone having spent at least 5 years + ‘at the bottom’ working with 4 and 6 wheelers then plenty more years on class 1 trunking with a clean record on all.Then actually ‘gets offered’ a job on international work on that basis.Having been called in to undergo and satisfied the employer’s assessment drive.In all cases regarding the international running side and depot of the firm in question.Then shortly before the start date gets a call that says sorry we can’t do that.You’re now doing UK only based at Northampton not international based at Dover.To which my reply was shove it thank zb I thought the offer was too good to be true and I hadn’t handed my notice in at that point.
On that note it would be interesting to hear your possible explanation as to the original job offer and the subsequent withdrawal and change in it.My theory was either an employer deliberately using the carrot of its international work to con an experienced driver with an obvious good record,into throwing away years of service time,to make a pointless change of employer for no gain.
Or possibly an argument between the guvnor who offered the job and a superior regards typical bs elitist,face fits,pecking order,politics.Of the type which continues to infest the industry and which instead of continuing to be in denial about should admit and be ashamed of.
Having said that bearing in mind the time delay between the job offer and subsequent ‘change’ in it my bet is probably the former.
You’re the one that keeps saying starting at the bottom is driving a 7.5t or 18tonner, I think of starting at the bottom as taking as job with a company that might not pay the best or have the best kit, or the best work, regardless of the type of truck rigid or artic on offer.
You gain experience with the company then either move on or move up, nobody except you says that has to be 5 years, so I can only assume is your own experience, but many people on here started on rigids doing multi drops or on companies that didn’t have the best reputation and then got a years or 2 experience, and kept their eye’s open for the next opportunity, and moved on when it appeared, but sometimes you have to make your opportunities.
As one of the problems the industry faces is not just attracting new entrants, but retention of experienced drivers, the answer isn’t for inexperienced drivers to fill the best jobs, but a general improved in terms and conditions of the job across the board. This means new drivers start on better conditions and those experienced drivers can still look forward to moving onto better jobs.
