So who works the longest hours
If a long distance driver can only drive 9 hours sometimes 10 to get to his drop it has to be a doddle no 15 hours days plenty of time to sleep
If you have a driver doing multiple drops doing less driving he can work 15 hours
21 hours, double man. Or as I like to tell carry fast, job sharing! 
I’ve done this job a while now, and since the easier and manageable 12.5 spreadover was changed to the ridiculousy long daily and weekly limits and minimal rest periods that are legal today (despite H&S being a big thing…allegedlly 
) the job for some has become one big cluster ■■■■ of teararsing, rat racing, and endurance testing, and running ragged until their eyes stick out like Bulldog’ balls and they age prematurely, whilst heading towards their inevitable first heart attack.
So in my long experience in the job, to answer your question,…Those are the type of guys I have noticed who tend to do the longest hours in the job, (with no real ‘other life’ on the side of it all 
.)…
That is the way I have seen it.
The thing is though, the vast majority of them I have come across, and known over the years in my experience, are now …prematurely DEAD…fact!
If you fall into that category today,…be warned.
robroy:
I’ve done this job a while now, and since the easier and manageable 12.5 spreadover was changed to the ridiculousy long daily and weekly limits and minimal rest periods that are legal today (despite H&S being a big thing…allegedllySo in my long experience in the job, to answer your question,…Those are the type of guys I have noticed who tend to do the longest hours in the job, (with no real ‘other life’ on the side of it all
That is the way I have seen it.The thing is though, the vast majority of them I have come across, and known over the years in my experience, are now …prematurely DEAD…fact!
So we talking shining wheel brigade here or what?
If you fall into that category today,…be warned.
So we talking shining wheel brigade here or what?
AndieHyde:
So we talking shining wheel brigade here or what?
Do what??
That’s gone right over my head mate. 
robroy:
If you fall into that category today,…be warned.
What category? What were you trying to say all along in that post… 
Don’t do 15 hours/day or you will die?
ETS:
robroy:
If you fall into that category today,…be warned.What category? What were you trying to say all along in that post…
Read it again mate, of course I’m not saying it like that.
It’s the way you adapt yourself to the job and how you handle it, that was my point.
The o/p asked who did the most hours, I pointed out that in century 21 nobody should have to work in excess of 70 hours a week to make a living, but the job has evolved to that state thanks to drivers themselves mostly.
Those handling drivers hours in the way some of them do ie…limits being used as targets, and being actively encouraged to do so by their employers…
AND for the same rate right through in many cases (see the premium rate thread)
My point was that after answering the o/p’s question from my pov, …I have personally observed those who do the most hours on the whole tend to be those guys, and in my vast experience in the job, it aint done them a whole lot of good.
In the past I myself have spent a lot of my life maxing out weekending and all the rest of the crap, but I’ve never fell into the teararse/endurance test trap.
In the past I myself have spent a lot of my life maxing out weekending and all the rest of the crap, but I’ve never fell into the teararse/endurance test trap.
[/quote]
Really, REALLY ,not having a go, but read that back one time.
UPS used to run from Nuneaton to ■■■■■■■■■■■ and back at night double manned,more than 9 is possible
robroy:
I’ve done this job a while now, and since the easier and manageable 12.5 spreadover was changed to the ridiculousy long daily and weekly limits and minimal rest periods that are legal today (despite H&S being a big thing…allegedllySo in my long experience in the job, to answer your question,…Those are the type of guys I have noticed who tend to do the longest hours in the job, (with no real ‘other life’ on the side of it all
That is the way I have seen it.The thing is though, the vast majority of them I have come across, and known over the years in my experience, are now …prematurely DEAD…fact!
If you fall into that category today,…be warned.
Sadly this is also my experience, a lot of guys in their 50`s just turn their toes up, one was found slumped over his steering wheel in the yard! Poor diet, usually smokers, overweight, moaners and spend the whole time in the lorry, they have that pallor about them and you just know they are dying soon.
I think what Rob is saying is the job is what you make it to be.
There’s a difference between maxing your hours out but taking your time doing it, having your breaks properly etc and maxing your hours out tear arseing around and never having a minute.
Sent from my SM-A320FL using Tapatalk
AndieHyde:
Really, REALLY ,not having a go, but read that back one time.
Ok, I’ve read it back,.and …Aye ‘‘REALLY’’
So what’s your point exactly?
mat79:
I think what Rob is saying is the job is what you make it to be.
There’s a difference between maxing your hours out but taking your time doing it, having your breaks properly etc and maxing your hours out tear arseing around and never having a minute.Sent from my SM-A320FL using Tapatalk
Thank you mate, that’s exactly what I meant. 
I’ve tramped for most of my life, done all the maxing out crap as I said, but still managed to maintain a decent quality of life (well, as much as you can living in a ■■■■ truck that is)
I don’t look upon nights out as a disadvantage, nor did I when I used to do weekending abroad. I eat properly, I don’t park in ■■■■ holes, I don’t look upon 11 hour rests as something I need to ‘‘get in’’ between the 9 hour rest periods as some do , I don’t allow anybody to push me, so consequently I’m still ok for my age.
I still feel like I’ve plenty years left in the job, and don’t look like I’m about ready to have the lid screwed down like some drivers my age that I’ve known.
If I’d done the job like some I know for the same time, things would be a lot different.
Tude:
Sadly this is also my experience, a lot of guys in their 50`s just turn their toes up, one was found slumped over his steering wheel in the yard! Poor diet, usually smokers, overweight, moaners and spend the whole time in the lorry, they have that pallor about them and you just know they are dying soon.
I’ve known 3 lads who have died in their cabs.
I’ve known a few who have had to jack through medical conditions caused by the job…and the way they have applied themselves to it.
I’ve known 2 jack in through stress after being pressureised on their phones, …and know many who still put up with it.
And I can count on one hand guys who have retired and died soon after, through ‘‘burning themselves out’’.
So ‘‘Keep it Lit’’ and keep up the lifestyle, keep being first in the queue, stick to your lay bys, Ginsters pies/cans of coke suppers, wet wipe washes, and the carrier bag craps guys, and all the rest of the ■■■■■■■■.
Hell needs filling…happy trucking ! 
As Robroy says tramping is what you make it yesterday sightseeing in Paris today on the beach at Zeebrugge
Mazzer2:
As Robroy says tramping is what you make it yesterday sightseeing in Paris today on the beach at Zeebrugge
Say Hello from me to the Dutch blonde barmaid in Monty’s (Monte Carlo) bar at Zeeby .(she knew me as ■■■■ Rob 
) …come to think of it, it was 11 bloody years since I was in there. I aint quite as ■■■■ now.
I’ve never understood some drivers aversion to “15 hour shifts” when the law states you cannot drive more than 9 hours, 10 hours only twice per week.
This means the 3 times one can reduce minimum rest to 9 hours from 11 - if you’re working 15 hours, you’re coining it in, and getting bags of “other work/downtime sleep” rather than being run ragged on “10 hour shifts max, that keep moving about” losing you sleep BETWEEN SHIFTS which is the very worst kind of sleep to be losing.
If you’re full time, and have 15 hour shifts expected of you in the job - then you can end up working a 3 day basic week, with additional shifts being 12 hours of overtime.
If you’re agency, and paid by the hour - a 15 hour shift gives you 14 hours of it paid at most places, rather than a flat 9 shift less an hour which is 12% unpaid rather than the 6% unpaid on the 15 hour shift…
…Then there’s the aspects of “fewer commutes per week” - if you’re driving 50 miles to get to work, and you do 3x15 hours for your working week - then that’s cheaper than 6x7.5 hours isn’t it? Not to mention that you get 4 days a week off instead of only 1, and your 26 days a year holiday - gets you nearly 9 weeks per year off as well, rather than only 4.5 weeks…
Wot’s not-to-like about “cramming the hours” then?
robroy:
Mazzer2:
As Robroy says tramping is what you make it yesterday sightseeing in Paris today on the beach at ZeebruggeSay Hello from me to the Dutch blonde barmaid in Monty’s (Monte Carlo) bar at Zeeby
Lol save that for next time, had the young fella with me this trip so no drinking or looking at the lovely Belgian ladies on the beach have to set an example to these young ones
Mazzer2:
robroy:
Mazzer2:
As Robroy says tramping is what you make it yesterday sightseeing in Paris today on the beach at ZeebruggeSay Hello from me to the Dutch blonde barmaid in Monty’s (Monte Carlo) bar at Zeeby
Lol save that for next time, had the young fella with me this trip so no drinking or looking at the lovely Belgian ladies on the beach have to set an example to these young ones
I used to take my little girl in the bars there…well the respectable ones that is.