NewLad:
I don’t get this whole security guard thing, if a ■■■■■ tries to knick my diesel I’m not going to put up a fight for it, if someone wants to knick the load I’m not going to fight fight for that either. Its not my diesel and its not my load.
If you don’t think you’re there as a token guard, try suggesting to your boss you leave the wagon, perhaps loaded up and dieseled up and sleep in a Travel Lodge instead…they’re cheap enough with all that night out money the gaffers pay…
I bet a fiver he/she wouldn’t be very happy about the idea…
And then on the other hand get out and try and fight the thieves off, get beaten up and put into hospital and what’s the boss gonna say then?
Getting the idea that Truckulent is a day man, each to their own, but don’t have a go at a driver for factually wanting to do a night out! I’m away 5nights a week and the at free expenses go straight back into my pocket for food drinks etc the following week, so I eat as well as I can when I can! Besides by going home I’d be using my heat, my water and doing myself out of food money the following week!
Retro rob:
Getting the idea that Truckulent is a day man, each to their own, but don’t have a go at a driver for factually wanting to do a night out!
I agree, it’s perfectly natural for a new driver to want to do long distance jobs, visit new places and do nights out.
After a lifetime of nights away I prefer to get home once or twice a week but I wouldn’t critise someone who likes to be out and about. After all, a bit of variety is one of the nicer aspects of being a lorry driver.
Note to the OP, don’t worry about your trip falling through this time, the tramping jobs will come soon enough. Good luck
When I was single and driving coaches across Europe I went away in February and came back to England in September/October doing tours and shuttles and based in Lyon in a flat owned by the coach company. I loved it great days! Keyword there is SINGLE
Retro rob:
Getting the idea that Truckulent is a day man, each to their own, but don’t have a go at a driver for factually wanting to do a night out!
I agree, it’s perfectly natural for a new driver to want to do long distance jobs, visit new places and do nights out.
After a lifetime of nights away I prefer to get home once or twice a week but I wouldn’t critise someone who likes to be out and about. After all, a bit of variety is one of the nicer aspects of being a lorry driver.
Note to the OP, don’t worry about your trip falling through this time, the tramping jobs will come soon enough. Good luck
W
Excellent post… Alot of the older drivers seem to forget what its like when you first start out.
NewLad:
I don’t get this whole security guard thing, if a ■■■■■ tries to knick my diesel I’m not going to put up a fight for it, if someone wants to knick the load I’m not going to fight fight for that either. Its not my diesel and its not my load.
If you don’t think you’re there as a token guard, try suggesting to your boss you leave the wagon, perhaps loaded up and dieseled up and sleep in a Travel Lodge instead…they’re cheap enough with all that night out money the gaffers pay…
I bet a fiver he/she wouldn’t be very happy about the idea…
'A Rest is an uninterrupted period where a driver may freely dispose of his time… ’
If the OP hasn’t been given specific instructions where to park. He would be free to spend the night at a Travel Lodge as long as the vehicle was parked safely without causing an obstruction.
There wouldn’t be a whole lot the Boss could do about it, I park as safely and securely as I can and that’s as far as my responsibilities go until my duties resume the following day. I have never been called upon to be the overnight security guard for my vehicle.
W
A cracking post and all true in theory…and one I would wager not one tramper in a hundred does on a regular basis…'cos they know the boss would flip and that the boss wouldn’t pick up the Travel Lodge tab ‘when you’ve a lorry to sleep in…’
Officially, I doubt anyone has ever been asked to be the security guard as it is legally impossible. But how many drivers have ever tried regularly leaving their vehicles for more comfortable accommodation? And how many would risk ■■■■■■■ the gaffer off by trying it?
I wouldn’t be going in a travel lodge as I know I would pick up the tab for it, but if my boss thinks I’m going to stop someone trying to knick my diesel he is VERY wrong. Parking is paid by the co for me to have a wash/shower get some food the night out money is for my inconvieiance of staying in the truck. At least that is my oppinion
Once had a spat with a tm at dhl. It was looking like I’d get stuck in the snow and end up having a 45 off away fron home. He said he wouldn’t be paying and I said I wouldn’t be staying with the vehicle then. He insisted I was and that I was responsible for the vehicle/load even though I wouldn’t be getting paid.
I just turned round and drove the 3 hours back to his yard, got my kit and walked out.
Each to their own, I don’t mind the odd night out. You’ve got to expect it in the business we’re in but I like my own bed thanks.
Truckulent:
A cracking post and all true in theory…and one I would wager not one tramper in a hundred does on a regular basis…'cos they know the boss would flip and that the boss wouldn’t pick up the Travel Lodge tab ‘when you’ve a lorry to sleep in…’
Thanks, as it happens when I was on probation at David Croome two of us went up from Sheerness to Peterborough in the Shunter on a ‘local’ job. The office had made a mistake with the booking and it was supposed to be the following day. Neither of us had any kit and the sleeper pod only had one bunk so we were given permission to stay in the Travel Lodge across the road and claim back the expense.
I’m pretty much a company man really but when I’m off duty, I’m off duty. I take more than reasonable care to park securely but after that I’m off.
If that means sightseeing when I’m weekended abroad or visiting relatives and friends if I’m doing a job nearby in the UK I’ll go and visit without even a second thought about the truck and there isn’t a thing my Boss can do about it.
I bet when you go off duty you don’t spend your time at home worrying about the truck you were driving that shift, so why should I?
I know it’s hard to believe but sometimes the rules actually benefit us, all you have to do is read them properly.
Some brilliant posts and advice on this thread, thanks fellas!
the way I see the £20 a night is… If i sleep at home, i get NOWT, if i sleep away I get £20… and in my book £20 is ALOT better than nowt!
im all for cooking in the truck, i have a little spirit stove (trangia) that will do me for now, I can do a bit of bacon, or 1 pan pasta on it! when i get more OR (hopefully) i get a full time tramping position ill invest in better kit, although i have just acquired an aldi leccy cool box for £35!
as for acting security guard… NOT A ■■■■■■■ CHANCE! ill dial 999 but that’s as far as it goes!
and yep, as far as im concerned… once im parked up for the night, its my time to use as i please! If i wanna go for a long walk, i will! if i wanna go to the local pub for a feed and a pint, I will! likewise if im near a mates house, im going for a brew!
