just done my first artic drive, and i must say i enjoyed it to the full,was very nervous at going out,but now i feel happy that its done,
was easy enough to start with run a container from immingham to dhl cannock and return to immingham,was a nice job to do,lots more now 
Give it six months and post again and let us know what you think then lol.Good luck though!
Well done mate, glad it went good for you.
Even when you’ve been doing it for years when you get back in a truck after a few weeks off, even for holiday, the bloody truck seems to have doubled in length.
yeah thanks mate its a real eye opener,lots to take in,especialy when i havent done dock work before/or containers,
Well done on completing the first one, just getting your first trip is difficult enough, but at least you’ve now got your foot in the door so to speak.
I think the learning curve on your first few trips on your own in the real World of haulage is actually harder than training for the test.
i got stuck a few times in the yard,scilly things i suppose to the pros but to me a newbie it was scary,but after asking other drivers i was soon sorted and on me way so to all the the pros of the road its nice that then can help the newbies,as it has proved to me there are some great guys out there
tashman:
i got stuck a few times in the yard,scilly things i suppose to the pros but to me a newbie it was scary,but after asking other drivers i was soon sorted and on me way so to all the the pros of the road its nice that then can help the newbies,as it has proved to me there are some great guys out there
I think most drivers will try and help a newbie, provided you ask in the right way and don’t have the attitude that you know it all already.
Of course you might meet the odd [zb] who’d rather take the [zb] than help, but they are compensating for thier own short comings and thier advice wouldn’t be worth a much anyway.
tashman:
i got stuck a few times in the yard,scilly things i suppose to the pros but to me a newbie it was scary,but after asking other drivers i was soon sorted and on me way so to all the the pros of the road its nice that then can help the newbies,as it has proved to me there are some great guys out there
Yep, thats so true, never be afraid to admit you are green and would appreciate some advice, bloody hell we’re all green when we start a new job or go somewhere new doesn’t matter how long we’ve been at it, Muckles is right a few idiots out there trying to impress themselves (no bugger else) but most blokes will give you a hand if you ask proper.
One thing that stood me in good stead, everytime you get the chance, eg in a fairly empty truck park, select a bay you wish to reverse into (even if just for practice) and blind side the bugger in or reverse in anyway even if there are easy drive through bays available, do this enough times and it will come to you easier when you have to do it in earnest in some dark hole of a place.
Take a tip from me, i’ve driven all sorts of old trucks over the years, some bloody awful and some really great and to my regret i haven’t got a single picture of any of them.
So buy yourself a decent little camera and snap away, there’s a whole history to be catalogued there to bore your grandshildren with…
Juddian:
Take a tip from me, i’ve driven all sorts of old trucks over the years, some bloody awful and some really great and to my regret i haven’t got a single picture of any of them.So buy yourself a decent little camera and snap away, there’s a whole history to be catalogued there to bore your grandshildren with…
Totally agree with that, I only took a few from my early days, but take loads now, it’s so easy now with cameras on phones and digital cameras so no film to buy and develop.
What seems mundane today is good memories and history in the years to come.
What really made me realise how important it is, was seeing my dads old photos at his funeral.
well said juddian,i did do some reversing at the place i had to unload at and the place was full of drivers all watching me the green brigade, but i took my time and all was well couple of shunts etc but i did it,these are the things you dont get tought when doing ya test/lessons,raising your trailer suspension so you dont rip things to bits,not backing up to the bays with wheelclamps on it,doing paper work, meeting security guards,
and then the forktruck guys flying around,
its a big eye opener lol,
Congrats! Glad to hear it went well. Juddian is absolutely right, I wish I’d taken more pics over the years. Keep up the good work. 
Always best to take a shunt, then you won’t look a [zb]
Bud143:
Give it six months and post again and let us know what you think then lol.Good luck though!
Too â– â– â– â– â– â– â– right.
Well Done
I will never forget that feeling of my first day in an artic…It is brilliant.
Well done mate 
I remember the joy of the first trip myself, congrats and enjoy the feeling, it doesn’t last for most.
Always remember: if you’re not sure, get out and have a look!
No longer an artic virgin, well done. First times always a big step to make and never forgotten.
Well done!
You’ll soon be out and about, having having lots of stress free days… But then one day out of the blue, you’ll have a simple maneuver to do, probably in front of loads of folks, and you’ll screw it up big style! But just take your time, don’t fret, and just laugh and joke about it!
thanks guys for your comments