AndrewG:
Never mind nights out…whatever would some do faced with 26 pallets of soap powder (or some other type of water sensitive load) a flat tri axle, a heap of sheets and a bundle of rope
Things have got far too easy and the spoilt ones will always be after a pay rise / moan about wages while driving a brand new top of the range truck and a curtainsider…or worse…having to do a night out or travel further than the next cafe…
good question…i just started a topic asking the same thing…might be interesting…or…it might just turn into a pointless debate consisting of pure pish…
Im guessing 2-3 pages of interesting replies then 10 pages of complete ball ■■■■■ then finally thread derail into a useless completely irrelevant subject… …
AndrewG:
Never mind nights out…whatever would some do faced with 26 pallets of soap powder (or some other type of water sensitive load) a flat tri axle, a heap of sheets and a bundle of rope
Things have got far too easy and the spoilt ones will always be after a pay rise / moan about wages while driving a brand new top of the range truck and a curtainsider…or worse…having to do a night out or travel further than the next cafe…
good question…i just started a topic asking the same thing…might be interesting…or…it might just turn into a pointless debate consisting of pure pish…
Im guessing 2-3 pages of interesting replies then 10 pages of complete ball ■■■■■ then finally thread derail into a useless completely irrelevant subject… …
or…until carryfast wakes up and links it to the rise and fall of socialism in the 1820 s…
AndrewG:
Going by some of the posts on here it does seem as though theres more than a few who dont like distance or nights out. Have this attitude in Europe and the whole thing comes to a standstill. I still find it odd that in such a small place as the UK theres drivers not willing to drive from one end of the country to the other to avoid having to have a night out, is it because they need to keep an eye on the missus maybe??
Get over yourself,
I’ve sat in Routiers talking to French drivers who say they never leave France or even their local area and there are plenty of drivers in Europe doing local deliveries in day cabbed trucks, ok if you’re based in Lillie you might go to Belgium but it’s no different than being based in Chester and going to Wales.
We get this sort of discussion again and again on here,
“If you’re a day man or trunker you’re not a proper lorry driver.” or
“if you have nights out you’re a mug sleeping in a tin box with no life.”
I prefer to be away, I love to tick off a new Country or another route, I’ve tried local work, trunking, even office and warehouse work, nice for a little while, but the novelty soon wears off and I want to be away again.
but I know people for who that would be their idea of hell, they want to stay local and be home everyday, they might prefer the certainty of regular hours or working with the same people.
it doesn’t make them less of a lorry driver they might be a better driver especially when it comes to getting a truck into a tight city centre delivery or into some farm in the middle of nowhere as they might do it several times a day, day in day out.
So if you’ve found a job that suits you that’s great, it makes going to work far easier, but don’t expect everybody else to share your passion for it, we’re all different and it’s not a one size fits all World.
There are plenty more who slog the length and breadth of Europe than day drivers on local runs with no complaint, me? i now have the Malaga to Calais slog and have no complaints. I never said anyone who didnt do distance or nights out wasnt a proper driver, ive never used those words its just i dont understand those that apply for driving jobs not wanting to do the miles/km’s involved when the word ‘driver’ is always plain to see in the job description. As for nights out, is it such a big deal or do some really need wrapping in cotton wool and putting away for the night ready to do their next shift If theres the fear of doing more than 300miles in a day or the terrifying prospect of not being home for the night then maybe the ‘truck driving’ job isnt for them…
There are plenty of UK drivers doing nights out, almost all the ones I know do either a full week or the odd night as required, and if you went for a job and they’ve said that’s what it involves then you can’t complain when it happens and most just do it.
Although the complaining about where you being sent isn’t new, I remember years ago some of the drivers where I worked with sent a joke map to the office about where one of the other drivers would and wouldn’t go, thing like he wouldn’t go to Scotland after October, wouldn’t go to Cornwall after Wednesday, wouldn’t do London on a Friday.
I don’t understand why somebody would only want local work, but it’s only the same as those who want local work don’t understand why anybody wants to drive a truck across Europe or further is the opportunity arises.
As for nights out, not a problem for me, but I can understand why somebody doesn’t want them, especially in the UK where the facilities are woefully sub-standard. but even if it’s just because they want to be in their own bed or with their family, or it could be family pressures, could be needing to be back to look after the children because their partner works evenings or nights, and to go from Milton Keynes to Birmingham at the wrong time can completely ruin any plans you have, if those plans are child care then it’s a big problem.
muckles:
I don’t understand why somebody would only want local work, but it’s only the same as those who want local work don’t understand why anybody wants to drive a truck across Europe or further is the opportunity arises.
I’ve done both of those and everything in between and for me, it generally depends on what else is going on in my life at the time. For example, when my boys were born I stopped driving a truck altogether for two years and went mini-cabbing on the evening shift so that I could be at home with them as much as possible when I needed to be. I’d happily do nights out if I was running down to Rome or Istanbul or wherever, just don’t want to do them on UK work.
muckles:
I don’t understand why somebody would only want local work, but it’s only the same as those who want local work don’t understand why anybody wants to drive a truck across Europe or further is the opportunity arises.
I’ve done both of those and everything in between and for me, it generally depends on what else is going on in my life at the time. For example, when my boys were born I stopped driving a truck altogether for two years and went mini-cabbing on the evening shift so that I could be at home with them as much as possible when I needed to be. I’d happily do nights out if I was running down to Rome or Istanbul or wherever, just don’t want to do them on UK work.
Wish you’d included my last paragraph to you quote, as it covers all that.
muckles:
I don’t understand why somebody would only want local work, but it’s only the same as those who want local work don’t understand why anybody wants to drive a truck across Europe or further is the opportunity arises.
I’ve done both of those and everything in between and for me, it generally depends on what else is going on in my life at the time. For example, when my boys were born I stopped driving a truck altogether for two years and went mini-cabbing on the evening shift so that I could be at home with them as much as possible when I needed to be. I’d happily do nights out if I was running down to Rome or Istanbul or wherever, just don’t want to do them on UK work.
Wish you’d included my last paragraph to you quote, as it covers all that.
I snipped your post for brevity, but yes, I completely agree with that. Before my children came along, the job was my whole life and the further I went, the happier I was. After they came along, they took priority and the job became secondary.
I agree with the posts about taking overnight kit, I did when I drove a truck with a sleeper cab. I don’t nowadays as I work too close to home to make it necessary. I don’t even take my wallet to work, and most days I have my breaks in our own yard.
Re Robroys post about taking a career in transport, I don’t regard it as a career. I like driving stuff (trucks or plant I don’t care either) and want a job that pays on time, gives me the odd perk (cash bonuses, company van, boss buys me beer in the pub etc) and I’m not hassled about keeping this and that clean.
I most likely will never get a class 1 because it would be a waste of nearly £2k; The licence to “live the dream” would burn a hole in my pocket because there’re no class 1 jobs nearby that interest me.
AndrewG:
Going by some of the posts on here it does seem as though theres more than a few who dont like distance or nights out. Have this attitude in Europe and the whole thing comes to a standstill. I still find it odd that in such a small place as the UK theres drivers not willing to drive from one end of the country to the other to avoid having to have a night out, is it because they need to keep an eye on the missus maybe??
Get over yourself,
I’ve sat in Routiers talking to French drivers who say they never leave France or even their local area and there are plenty of drivers in Europe doing local deliveries in day cabbed trucks, ok if you’re based in Lillie you might go to Belgium but it’s no different than being based in Chester and going to Wales.
We get this sort of discussion again and again on here,
“If you’re a day man or trunker you’re not a proper lorry driver.” or
“if you have nights out you’re a mug sleeping in a tin box with no life.”
I prefer to be away, I love to tick off a new Country or another route, I’ve tried local work, trunking, even office and warehouse work, nice for a little while, but the novelty soon wears off and I want to be away again.
but I know people for who that would be their idea of hell, they want to stay local and be home everyday, they might prefer the certainty of regular hours or working with the same people.
it doesn’t make them less of a lorry driver they might be a better driver especially when it comes to getting a truck into a tight city centre delivery or into some farm in the middle of nowhere as they might do it several times a day, day in day out.
So if you’ve found a job that suits you that’s great, it makes going to work far easier, but don’t expect everybody else to share your passion for it, we’re all different and it’s not a one size fits all World.
There are plenty more who slog the length and breadth of Europe than day drivers on local runs with no complaint, me? i now have the Malaga to Calais slog and have no complaints. I never said anyone who didnt do distance or nights out wasnt a proper driver, ive never used those words its just i dont understand those that apply for driving jobs not wanting to do the miles/km’s involved when the word ‘driver’ is always plain to see in the job description. As for nights out, is it such a big deal or do some really need wrapping in cotton wool and putting away for the night ready to do their next shift If theres the fear of doing more than 300miles in a day or the terrifying prospect of not being home for the night then maybe the ‘truck driving’ job isnt for them…
There are plenty of UK drivers doing nights out, almost all the ones I know do either a full week or the odd night as required, and if you went for a job and they’ve said that’s what it involves then you can’t complain when it happens and most just do it.
Although the complaining about where you being sent isn’t new, I remember years ago some of the drivers where I worked with sent a joke map to the office about where one of the other drivers would and wouldn’t go, thing like he wouldn’t go to Scotland after October, wouldn’t go to Cornwall after Wednesday, wouldn’t do London on a Friday.
I don’t understand why somebody would only want local work, but it’s only the same as those who want local work don’t understand why anybody wants to drive a truck across Europe or further is the opportunity arises.
As for nights out, not a problem for me, but I can understand why somebody doesn’t want them, especially in the UK where the facilities are woefully sub-standard. but even if it’s just because they want to be in their own bed or with their family, or it could be family pressures, could be needing to be back to look after the children because their partner works evenings or nights, and to go from Milton Keynes to Birmingham at the wrong time can completely ruin any plans you have, if those plans are child care then it’s a big problem.
My point was just simply dont apply for a job that may not suit your lifestyle, some employers need some flexibility and a bit of that goes a long way with an employer.
The points you make are valid and understandable, everyones different, im just a roamer thats all, cant sit still for long ill go wherever and whenever…
robroy:
I could understand some of you day men who get hot flushes and go all ‘time of the month’ if you very occasionally have to have an unscheduled night out, or even mention the words ‘night out’ (.oooh the drama ) if it was in a day cab, and
you had to sleep across the seats.(as it once was) then I could see your point.
In transport [zb] has always happened…fact, sometimes you will be held up and have to stay away maybe once a year in winter for eg…
. The clue is in the fact that you have designated bunk in there with you, so stop moaning like teenage girls and get on with it.
ffs.
When I started driving HGV’s in 1972 sleeping across the seats of a Bedford TK was the norm., I later progressed to a Ford D series.
In more recent times, as a day driver, I always took my overnight kit despite being a casual and having to load and unload it every trip. Being prepared makes life easier, no horrible surprises.
You are obviously a ‘proper’ professional driver who understands how the job works, so you cater and adapt.
It is those precious types, who bleat on about ‘I need to get home to my own bed’ or '‘I’ve no desire to sleep in a tin box’ ’ as if it is beneath them the same ones who look down their snouts at trampers, and think we are ALL unwashed carrier bag crappers with no social skills…We are not!!
Why did they even consider a career in road transport ffs ?
I also remember the dubious pleasure of sleeping in a TK and a D series too btw , but you just got on with it in those days with no drama queens in the job.
You have got it in one mate.If you want to be home the job is not for you.I was 30yrs on the rd started 1969 and progressed thro. the yrs doing similar to you.All this being on your own,yes you do spend time on your own but the job is what you make it.I used to find cafes,relais,autohofs were you could get in company and have good nights.
That was yrs ago when you got loaded and rang up when you were tipped,no planners,trackers,limited no.of timed dels,another world.
regards dave.
AndrewG:
There are plenty more who slog the length and breadth of Europe than day drivers on local runs with no complaint, me? i now have the Malaga to Calais slog and have no complaints. I never said anyone who didnt do distance or nights out wasnt a proper driver, ive never used those words its just i dont understand those that apply for driving jobs not wanting to do the miles/km’s involved when the word ‘driver’ is always plain to see in the job description. As for nights out, is it such a big deal or do some really need wrapping in cotton wool and putting away for the night ready to do their next shift If theres the fear of doing more than 300miles in a day or the terrifying prospect of not being home for the night then maybe the ‘truck driving’ job isnt for them…
There are plenty of UK drivers doing nights out, almost all the ones I know do either a full week or the odd night as required, and if you went for a job and they’ve said that’s what it involves then you can’t complain when it happens and most just do it.
Although the complaining about where you being sent isn’t new, I remember years ago some of the drivers where I worked with sent a joke map to the office about where one of the other drivers would and wouldn’t go, thing like he wouldn’t go to Scotland after October, wouldn’t go to Cornwall after Wednesday, wouldn’t do London on a Friday.
I don’t understand why somebody would only want local work, but it’s only the same as those who want local work don’t understand why anybody wants to drive a truck across Europe or further is the opportunity arises.
As for nights out, not a problem for me, but I can understand why somebody doesn’t want them, especially in the UK where the facilities are woefully sub-standard. but even if it’s just because they want to be in their own bed or with their family, or it could be family pressures, could be needing to be back to look after the children because their partner works evenings or nights, and to go from Milton Keynes to Birmingham at the wrong time can completely ruin any plans you have, if those plans are child care then it’s a big problem.
My point was just simply dont apply for a job that may not suit your lifestyle, some employers need some flexibility and a bit of that goes a long way with an employer.
The points you make are valid and understandable, everyones different, im just a roamer thats all, cant sit still for long ill go wherever and whenever…
[My point was just simply dont apply for a job that may not suit your lifestyle, some employers need some flexibility and a bit of that goes a long way with an employer.
The points you make are valid and understandable, everyones different, im just a roamer thats all, cant sit still for long ill go wherever and whenever…
[/quote]
Not all employers have that attitude, I worked for one a few years back in Norfolk who would rather use agency drivers than their own drivers. A lot of take but very little give on their part.
I don’t mind being out all week, my priority is only to fulfil the contracts I have and if that means away for 3 weeks at a time or 4 days at home doing local stuff then that’s what gets done
AndrewG:
Never mind nights out…whatever would some do faced with 26 pallets of soap powder (or some other type of water sensitive load) a flat tri axle, a heap of sheets and a bundle of rope
Things have got far too easy and the spoilt ones will always be after a pay rise / moan about wages while driving a brand new top of the range truck and a curtainsider…or worse…having to do a night out or travel further than the next cafe…
Here we go, the roping and sheeting card has been pulled!
bald bloke:
I’d love to do long distance but working for a supermarket as I do it ain’t going to happen is it
You want to get a transfer to the Scottish depots, 9 hours in the saddle doing Tain, Huntly, Fraserburgh stores! We have same issue. very few want these runs, They would rather do 2 locals then sit in canteen till clocking off time.
There’s plenty of jobs where it’s never going to entail a night out.
So if, like me, you want to be home around tea time each day, then the answer is simple.
I haven’t had a night out since 1984. I can, (and do) rope and sheet and have had a class 1 for 41 years…so there!
I never lived like the current trampers. I think they’re treated like mugs these days.
I know where I’d rather be.
AndrewG:
Never mind nights out…whatever would some do faced with 26 pallets of soap powder (or some other type of water sensitive load) a flat tri axle, a heap of sheets and a bundle of rope
Things have got far too easy and the spoilt ones will always be after a pay rise / moan about wages while driving a brand new top of the range truck and a curtainsider…or worse…having to do a night out or travel further than the next cafe…
Here we go, the roping and sheeting card has been pulled!
Thought it would never come [emoji23] [emoji23]
Was already locked and loaded…just waiting for the right moment in the thread to fire that one off…
AndrewG:
Never mind nights out…whatever would some do faced with 26 pallets of soap powder (or some other type of water sensitive load) a flat tri axle, a heap of sheets and a bundle of rope
Things have got far too easy and the spoilt ones will always be after a pay rise / moan about wages while driving a brand new top of the range truck and a curtainsider…or worse…having to do a night out or travel further than the next cafe…
Here we go, the roping and sheeting card has been pulled!
Thought it would never come [emoji23] [emoji23]
Was already locked and loaded…just waiting for the right moment in the thread to fire that one off…
Ps-
My faith in humanity has been restored [emoji12] [emoji12] [emoji12]
… 
If theres the fear of doing more than 300miles in a day or the terrifying prospect of not being home for the night then maybe the ‘truck driving’ job isnt for them…
the same ones who look down their snouts at trampers, and think we are ALL unwashed carrier bag crappers with no social skills…We are not!!
