Well, what a week this has been!
I passed my class 1 last June with Dulson in Shropshire (recomended 
) and have been waiting to get a transfer from being a postie in Shrewsbury to driving in Wolves, this seems to have taken forever to happen, but Iām really glad I waited it out. The team at Wolves Royal Mail are a bunch of genuine gems, never have I had the pleasure to work with such friendly, helpful, supportive people.
I had a week with them last month as sign off assessment on my driving and worked with a few of the guys double manning which was great to help settle my nerves as I did most of the driving but had someone there with me to ask if I was unsure about anything.
This week Iāve had my first proper week, and to begin with felt a bit like a like a rabbit in someoneās headlights.
Monday, handed the keys to a MAN unit, told to pick up a trailer from Wednesbury then carry on to a couple of other places before running down to NDC at Crick. Followed a colleague to the first couple of points then off on my own to NDC.
ALLās well til I get on my way home, M1 Northbound junction closed, no major drama just a bit of a diversion. Then, diverted off the M6, no diversion signs but I know the A5 runs back up that way so thatās the way I go. All happy until a low bridge, lit up like a [zb] Christmas treeā¦ 15ft! I know my trailer should go under it at 14ft 8, and I can see other trucks coming under it from the other direction but here I feel I must apologise to anyone who may have been following me at this point. Crept through at 2 - 3 mph with my head out of the window craning my neck to check for clearance, and probably emitting very odd noises between expletives.
Probably not the best route to have taken back, and definitely ate a few more miles than someone with more experience would have, but got back on the M6 eventually, and home safe and sound, if an hour or so late.
Tuesdayā¦Oh God,Tuesday! Run to Warrington then Preston then home (short day). Pick up another tractor unit hooked up to a double deck 16ft 2 monster!
Off up the M6, stupidly relying on my sat nav to guide me when and where to come off. Off at the M62 west, then off at the next junction then right at the island, owner the next island thenā¦NOTHINGā¦THENā¦ROUTE RECALCULATIONā¦ROUTE RECALCULATIONā¦ERRRRRRRā¦TURN AROUND WHERE POSSSIBLE! ā ā ā ā ! I can see thereās no island for ages, but itās ok coz my spaz nav has picked up a route back, so feeling like I have no option, and checking that there were no height or weight or width restrictions I followā¦down a road which quickly became a really narrow winding road with trees over hanging either side.
I do my best to stay in the middle of the road where there seemed to be best clearance, and where I could see other large vehicles had cut there shape out of the trees but I can still hear twigs and leaves brushing the top of the trailer, then a line of cars coming the other direction forced me to take a less central position and BANG! Oh dear God! I could see in my mirrors leaves and sticks falling onto the road on the near side. I stopped as soon as it was safe to do so and got out to look at the dent in the top N/S corner of the trailer. 2 days in and Iāve already broke it!
Phoned Wolves to report it, who were awesome and really helpful. Got to depot and the guys there were fantastic, loaded new trailer unloaded the dented one etc. back to Wolves. Arrived back an hour late. Had to have an interview with one of the managers when I got in, who was also really supportive.
Wednesday, same run as Tuesday but with a couple of runs between Warrington and Chester, today I am accompanied by a colleague to assist me with the route. (Has anyone ever been so well looked after in any other job?) have me some really helpful tips on where to go to save a few minutes. Home on time!
Thursday same as wed but on my own, heavy traffic but home on time without incident. Feeling a bit more confidentā¦ until I have to go backwards (though thatās getting a bit better with all the advice I keep getting)
Friday same as Wed and Thursday except even heavier traffic, nearly 1 1/2 hours late by the time I got to my first drop at Warrington. Spoke to the manager there who advised me to just take my break while they load another trailer for me to swap onto. Brilliant! Got to Preston where everyone just piled in and and got me unloaded in super fast time, in fact with the help at Waarington and Preston I got, I was now pretty much back on schedule.
I must say itās been a totally knackering week, with long hours and really really stressful at times, but I am so glad I waited it out for this job. I seriously could not wish for a better bunch of people to work with, everyone Iāve come across this week has been great. And despite the bridge scare on Monday and the tree incident on Tuesday, I love this!
