Hi everyone,
Just wanted to share my first two days driving lorries with you, hopefully someone finds it useful.
I was supposed to start via agency but then I had a call from a company for a permanent job as a relief driver delivering and picking up laundry basically and as I rather have a permanent job I took it.
First day I had to come in at 8 and do induction after which the transport manager (also a woman) was told to go do some drops in a 7.5 tonnes with me. We set off at 11.00 and came back 5.30 after only two drops [emoji15].
First we went to Asher, but as I didn’t have a truck Sat-nav we had to make do with a car Sat-nav which send us in a loop on the M25 and the Staines exit. [emoji15] This took at least 20 min to half hour. After a call to an experienced driver we were directed back on the M25 towards Gatwick, exit at junction 10 (I think) after which we got completely lost in a housing estate with two low bridges we couldn’t go under with the customer’s address right in the middle on a small industrial estate.
We found a way eventually without doing any damage or killing anyone and parked up, taking the cages with clean workwear out the back.
But then, where to take the stuff? And where was the dirties we needed to pick up? There was no one around. Then we saw someone and managed to open a door who showed us where to go and then we just opened changing rooms randomly, opened lockers and take the soiled stuff out by hand (yuck!) to dump it in an empty cage outside.
If that would have been me on my own I wouldn’t have a clue where to go or what.
Anyway, done that, loaded back up and off we went.
Then whilst trying to get out of the narrow street I caused a hold up when I wanted to turn left, lots of cars and trucks waiting for me behind and in front whilst I thought I was blocking their way completely overlooking the fact I had enough room to turn. [emoji15] embarrassing moment there. Eventually I was pointed to that fact and I turned left clearing the crossing.
I can’t remember the next drop but I made it through my first day without damage at least.
Next day early start 5.15am and this time I only had a drivers mate with me from another depot who didn’t know any of the routes or customers like me! And I was put on an 18 tonner, first call Clapham [emoji33] [emoji27].
Just getting out of the yard took 45 min as nobody told me how I could get out, so I got stuck trying to turn around and only by the mercy of another driver ( all the others had left) opening another gate I managed to get out.
The clutch gave me a headache, took me all morning getting used to it. Luckily my new Sat-nav had arrived the day before but it did take me through the centre of London, we saw some of the sites, which apparently we shouldn’t have and gosh it took ages for us to finally find the street to get in, tiny narrow thing with a huge tree on the left and a mini parked on the right. 5 seconds to make my move and I got stuck, against the tree. I couldn’t see why so my mate got out and I reversed back onto the wide, busy road [emoji16] and got in. But! I bend the long bar on the side, oopsy![emoji37] [emoji15]. No scratch on the Mini, mind [emoji5].
Anyway, got there, unloaded a ■■■■■■■■ of really heavy mats and cages, thank god I had help and two really nice gentlemen helped us unload and load back up. On my own I wouldn’t have been able to do it, I think.
We took about 20 min rest and then off we went again to the next one which went smoothly. Only, on our way out of London I stopped so my mate could get something to eat (he had had no time for breakfast and was nearly fainting). There was about half a car space in front of me, and just as I was indicating to move off this prick decided he had waited long enough and tried to reverse into that space! I saw what he was trying and moved forward even more but still he carried on reversing [emoji35]. Then he came out and started arguing and expressing his frustration, and I said why can’t you just wait patiently for me to move out?
Anyway, I ended up reversing into a busy crossing to be able to move off.
The rest of the drops went fine, we managed 5 drops out of ten [emoji15] and went back at 4.
nice one,
was the company ok with your bent bar?
When’s the film out?
Well done you did well,never worry about holding the traffic your doing your job,even if your holding traffic and you get out to look before reversing take your time deep breath and ignore snotty car drivers.
You will get a sense of when a road doesn’t look right but it will come in time so learn 1 thing at a time don’t try to learn it in a week.
Have a search for topics Evil8beezle posted his first days class 2 and have a read (evil not knocking or making fun mate just helping a newbie out to show how confidence can help and where your at now ).
Jeff.
.
Priest:
nice one,was the company ok with your bent bar?
Yes, wasn’t a big deal, I think it could easily be bent back [emoji4]
I’ve read his work, amusing and educational 
Good stuff Yoni! 
Although I’m not sure that bending the side guards against a tree is a prescribed method of making a turn! 
However if you’ve got yourself stuck, it’s probably better to remodel the truck a little, than someone else’s car…
Its a lot less paperwork for the office staff!
Practice and experience will help stop you getting yourself in a pickle, and that only comes over time…
So keep at it! 
Daytrunker:
Have a search for topics Evil8beezle posted his first days class 2 and have a read (evil not knocking or making fun mate just helping a newbie out to show how confidence can help and where your at now )
All good with me pal, I’m happy to set myself up for a bit of abuse/banter and a laugh!
You could say I’m almost asking for it!
Talk about being thrown in at the deep end! Second day of driving and you’re being sent to Clapham!
Radar19:
Talk about being thrown in at the deep end! Second day of driving and you’re being sent to Clapham!
I know! They’re so short of drivers, and they have all sorts of other issues there, it’s a mess. Anyway, I don’t mind, at least now I feel confident for the next job. [emoji12]
Yoni:
Radar19:
Talk about being thrown in at the deep end! Second day of driving and you’re being sent to Clapham!I know! They’re so short of drivers, and they have all sorts of other issues there, it’s a mess. Anyway, I don’t mind, at least now I feel confident for the next job. [emoji12]
If you can hack London then you should be fine! Just wait till they send you to the Whitgift Centre in Croydon! That will put some hairs on your chest even if they aren’t supposed to be any!
Radar19:
Yoni:
Radar19:
Talk about being thrown in at the deep end! Second day of driving and you’re being sent to Clapham!I know! They’re so short of drivers, and they have all sorts of other issues there, it’s a mess. Anyway, I don’t mind, at least now I feel confident for the next job. [emoji12]
If you can hack London then you should be fine! Just wait till they send you to the Whitgift Centre in Croydon! That will put some hairs on your chest even if they aren’t supposed to be any!
I got stuck with no childcare so sadly couldn’t stay at that job, but I’ll remember that place, I’m sure I’ll get there one day!
And I only seem to get hair on my teeth [emoji12] if you know that expression lol
Sounds like you did OK Yoni 
Hopefully you’ll get something else soon.
well done!
Sounds like you had an eventful couple of days. Just remember sod everyone else behind you take as much time as you need! And with overhanging trees ect consider your height which I have to on many occasions down small side roads!
Radar19:
Yoni:
Radar19:
Talk about being thrown in at the deep end! Second day of driving and you’re being sent to Clapham!I know! They’re so short of drivers, and they have all sorts of other issues there, it’s a mess. Anyway, I don’t mind, at least now I feel confident for the next job. [emoji12]
If you can hack London then you should be fine! Just wait till they send you to the Whitgift Centre in Croydon! That will put some hairs on your chest even if they aren’t supposed to be any!
I have delivered there once since i started my job, hated the place, far to small and to many stupid pillars!