Any advice would be really appreciated as I am pretty nervous about the first day lolol !!! 
Guy I spoke to at Bathgate couldn’t have been nicer , seemed like a decent bloke. . I need the experience . THANK YOU IN ADVANCE 
noah2012:
Any advice would be really appreciated as I am pretty nervous about the first day lolol !!! and anyone with any experience of JBT in Bathgate ■■? I have read some bad things
Don’t be afraid to ask what you don’t know, getting out of the cab and looking before driving in somewhere new is allowed, and learn the sodding rules on tacho hrs etc etc ,
And stick to the speed limit and drive sensibly looking after the kit.
What more can they ask or can you do. Don’t start out like a crazy cowboy it will end in tears.
I’ve no experience of that particular Co mate so I can’t advise on what they are like, but I will say that you’re probably keen to impress, so to that end I’ll say take your time as rushing around like a blue arsed fly always, but always leads to cocking up. If it’s multi drop then before you set off take 10 minutes with a map and try to build a mental picture of where you need to go, in what order, and the most efficient way of doing it. 10 minutes preparation could save you 2 hours messing around.
If you are given a run sheet detailing the drop order then stick to it, it might seem the wrong way but it’s the way they want it doing and there may well be a reason it’s in that order. The first day will always seem a nightmare but trust me, it will get better and it will become second nature.
Above all I’ll go back to my first point; you will NOT impress by rushing around, however, you WILL impress by taking it steady, not wrecking the truck and not squashing civilians! Good luck.
the maoster:
I’ve no experience of that particular Co mate so I can’t advise on what they are like, but I will say that you’re probably keen to impress, so to that end I’ll say take your time as rushing around like a blue arsed fly always, but always leads to cocking up. If it’s multi drop then before you set off take 10 minutes with a map and try to build a mental picture of where you need to go, in what order, and the most efficient way of doing it. 10 minutes preparation could save you 2 hours messing around.If you are given a run sheet detailing the drop order then stick to it, it might seem the wrong way but it’s the way they want it doing and there may well be a reason it’s in that order. The first day will always seem a nightmare but trust me, it will get better and it will become second nature.
Above all I’ll go back to my first point; you will NOT impress by rushing around, however, you WILL impress by taking it steady, not wrecking the truck and not squashing civilians! Good luck.
Its totally new to me so I hope to get a bit of mentoring on the day …but I cant see it lol. I will take that on-board thanks very much mate its multi-drop between 10 and 16 drops per day the bloke said…that seems a lot from what I can gather from on here 
When you get to a drop, park up and go and have a wander down so check if you can get in etc.
noah2012:
the maoster:
I’ve no experience of that particular Co mate so I can’t advise on what they are like, but I will say that you’re probably keen to impress, so to that end I’ll say take your time as rushing around like a blue arsed fly always, but always leads to cocking up. If it’s multi drop then before you set off take 10 minutes with a map and try to build a mental picture of where you need to go, in what order, and the most efficient way of doing it. 10 minutes preparation could save you 2 hours messing around.If you are given a run sheet detailing the drop order then stick to it, it might seem the wrong way but it’s the way they want it doing and there may well be a reason it’s in that order. The first day will always seem a nightmare but trust me, it will get better and it will become second nature.
Above all I’ll go back to my first point; you will NOT impress by rushing around, however, you WILL impress by taking it steady, not wrecking the truck and not squashing civilians! Good luck.
Its totally new to me so I hope to get a bit of mentoring on the day …but I cant see it
It could be local only runs which might mean 10 pallets to 10 different places in the morning and then 6 pallets in the afternoon.
Hi Noah.
As the others have said, take it slow don’t try and be the hero. Every drop park,get out and look then speak to the loady. Don’t be afraid to ask how other drivers do it,best approach or best angle. Most of all don’t forget to take your break. I was so excited on my first day I completely forgot about my break. Enjoy and have fun.
smudge837:
Hi Noah.
As the others have said, take it slow don’t try and be the hero. Every drop park,get out and look then speak to the loady. Don’t be afraid to ask how other drivers do it,best approach or best angle. Most of all don’t forget to take your break. I was so excited on my first day I completely forgot about my break. Enjoy and have fun.
Yeah that is a worry I did think about that lol. the tacho is its own worry 
Congratulations!!
Advice. First off no need to be worried. Relax and enjoy your first outing.
In flying aircraft circles they use a surprisingly basic back to school type saying to keep safe - “plane/path/people” in that order or “aviate/navigate/communicate”. It actually works well with all transport roles with a little word switching.
Driving. Basically control the thing. Thats your priority. Sounds stupid but amazing how easy it is to become distracted by other things all clamouring for your attention. Don’t let getting lost/boss yapping on phone put you off or forget your basic number one safety consideration. Drive the road, watch for low bridge/weight limit signs and pull over to sort out if getting in a fizz (you can do this in a truck 
)
Navigate/hours. Your path, the routes. Apart from physically keeping it on the ■■■■ Tarmac knowing where you’re going is next. Arguably you put this ahead of going driving of course as you’ll check out your route before you leave. BUT, when you do get lost (it’ll happen!) it’s secondary to concentrating on driving the road ahead. You can pull over safely in a wagon and re evaluate. Don’t let that panic in the city centre have you punching at the sat nav or peering into a map whilst going along - you’ll miss that low bridge sign. Drive the road ahead and find a safe spot to pull over. Drivers hours come into this. Massively important. Know these and make them your rules but don’t let worry over them get in the way of driving the tarmac ahead. If you think you’re over your hours, pull over at next safe spot, deep breath and have a little look at your tacho. No drama.
People. The managers, customer etc. Because they’re the shouty mouths they’ll often try to make you think they’re top of your list. They’re not, they’re 3rd. Only once you’re in a safe postion to deal with them do you answer phone etc.
When I first started I asked away. If kicking around I asked other drivers if they needed a hand with strapping a load or something. Amazing how if you offer a hand you often find good advice coming your way for free and you form good working relations. Fellow drivers are where you’ll really learn. Don’t be put off by the usual driver room testosterone stuff. Most drivers I’ve ever encountered will always respond to a fellow driver genuinely asking for help in a nice way, especially if you say you’re new. You’ll get to know your reliable sources! I started back driving after a ten year break and fellow workmates were invaluable. A top bunch of blokes.
Enjoy!
Freight Dog:
Congratulations!!Advice. First off no need to be worried. Relax and enjoy your first outing.
In flying aircraft circles they use as a surprisingly basic back to school type saying to keep safe - “plane/path/people” in that order or “aviate/navigate/communicate”. It actually works well with all transport roles with a little word switching.
Driving. Basically control the thing. Thats your priority. Sounds stupid but amazing how easy it is to become distracted by other things all clamouring for your attention. Don’t let getting lost/boss yapping on phone put you off or forget your basic number one safety consideration. Drive the road, watch for low bridge/weight limit signs and pull over to sort out if getting in a fizz (you can do this in a truck
Navigate/hours. Your path, the routes. Apart from physically keeping it on the ■■■■ Tarmac knowing where you’re going is next. Arguably you put this ahead of going driving of course as you’ll check out your route before you leave. BUT, when you do get lost (it’ll happen!) it’s secondary to concentrating on driving the road ahead. You can pull over safely in a wagon and re evaluate. It don’t let that panic in the city centre have you punching at the sat nav or peering into a map whilst going along - you’ll miss that low bridge sign. Drive the road ahead and find a safe spot to pull over. Drivers hours come into this. Massively important. Know these and make them your rules but don’t let worry over them get in the way of driving the tarmac ahead. If you think you’re over your hours, pull over at next safe spot, deep breath and have a little look at your tacho. No drama.
People. The managers, customer etc. Because they’re the shouty mouths they’ll often try to make you think they’re top of your list. They’re not, they’re 3rd. Only once you’re in a safe postion to deal with them do you answer phone etc.
Enjoy!
Thank you sound advice that
Ah no problem! If you get in a real twist, jump on here and ask. A wise man uses all resources. We don’t all bite.I don’t know what your new role entails but for technical stuff YouTube is a mine of things from strapping/using fridges/ tacho hours/ using digi tachos. I found switchlogic’s youtube videos useful on fridges and coupling and quite enspiring in finding the good things about the job which are easily overlooked (lukemvernon I think it is?)
Freight Dog:
Ah no problem! If you get in a real twist, jump on here and ask. A wise man uses all resources. We don’t all bite.I don’t know what your new role entails but for technical stuff YouTube is a mine of things from strapping/using fridges/ tacho hours/ using digi tachos. I found switchlogic’s youtube videos useful on fridges and coupling and quite enspiring in finding the good things about the job which are easily overlooked (lukemvernon I think it is?)
just hope they take pitty on my newbie self lol . i am sitting my class 1 in april next year , i hope to stay with this company then move on to class 1 with them so i hope it works out
They will. Character gets a man nine tenths of the way in this life I’ve found. I’ve worked in a failed merchant navy career many years ago at age 18 as an engineer on an iron ore bulk carrier (for all of 5 days!), driving and aviation and have had to go through the “first day at school” crap more times than I can mention. It’s only a complete tool who doesn’t respond appropriately to someone genuinely asking for help and advice.
Just a hint on tacho’s. When I did multidrop, I always tried to get a 15 in early - maybe while waiting to be tipped or even (don’t tell anyone) while being tipped. This gives you more flexibility later on as you only need a 30 min break for lunch, although there is nothing top stop you taking more if you aren’t pressed for time. Always make sure that you park up somewhere for a midday break and then you have 4½ hours to finish the job and get back to the yard.
one little tip mate i personally would not name the firm you are going to start for and say you have heard some bad things you never know who’s reading . But good luck with new job. local pallet work can be a hard graft but will usually a good learning curve. If The truck has a tail lift make sure you get shown how to use it before you leave the yard
chester1:
one little tip mate i personally would not name the firm you are going to start for and say you have heard some bad things you never know who’s reading . But good luck with new job. local pallet work can be a hard graft but will usually a good learning curve. If The truck has a tail lift make sure you get shown how to use it before you leave the yard
Just what I read on here mate but I will take on board what you said cheers.
Park up outside and walk in to have a look to see if you can get in■■? Get ya self on rolos pal you’ll soon learn how to get into a tight place forwards or backwards
Young_AL:
Park up outside and walk in to have a look to see if you can get in■■? Get ya self on rolos pal you’ll soon learn how to get into a tight place forwards or backwards
Or gas/oil mini-bulkers! 
If your going to be using a Satnav then I would also buy a good road map at least that way You can have a good look at the route that your satnav is going to be sending you down before committing , most satnavs will only give you routes for a car unless you have a unit running truck maps
Good luck and a Bon voyage
As others have said, don’t rush around - it’s when accidents happen. Do as many deliveries as you can, but remember, there’s another day tomorrow
When I was on Tuffnells, I used to bring back priorities every day - but they got delivered the next day! 