i personally hate driving around the south side of London. its a total ball ache. i think i would`ve gone M25/ A20. as long as the M25 is moving its a much better route than stop start for an hour watching your life slip away.
robroy:
Btw didn.t realise Ol. Hai. I was a ‘stereotypical lorry driver type’…I’m gutted
Yeah, you are. Nowhere did I say the bloke should go in and grovel so I’m not sure where you get that idea from… 
Still, at least we weren’t subject to your usual retort, which is along the lines of anyone who doesn’t agree with you is one the idiots that the industry is now full of and not a proper driver, like what you are.
Olog Hai:
robroy:
Btw didn.t realise Ol. Hai. I was a ‘stereotypical lorry driver type’…I’m guttedYeah, you are.
So there we have it robroy … Your normal 
rangechange59:
a very simple way to sort this out…say you are sorry and it wont happen again and then ask him to route you to every drop you do as he is an expert and clearly knows the job better than you and doing it his way you wont go wrong and if you come up to a closed road phone him up for another route…see how long that lasts,same thing happened to me,a young idiot in the traffic office who didnt even have an hgv licence tried telling me that i was going “off route” so when i phoned him for directions after my next drop he said “dont talk stupid” and i replied “well you started it” he never bothered me about routes again
That’s exactly what you need to do at your disciplinary to shut the mouthy [zb] up.
When I did a bit for Nisa they used to pick up on mileage to the point of going a few km’s over their predicted plan, I told them to give me their preferred route to every drop and I’ll stick to it 100% but don’t complain if the road is closed and I sit there waiting for it to open!!
Treat me like a c**t and I’ll act like one, treat me with respect and that I know what I’m doing and I’ll get the job done.
There are probably more than half a dozen different combinations of route that could be used to get from your starting point to reach Blackwall. It would seem to be worthwhile challenging the man to pick an exact route. Purley, Croydon, Norbury, Streatham, Catford, Lewisham, Penge, Beckenham, Crystal Palace, Sydenham, Forest Hill, Bromley, West Wickham, Sanderstead, Orpington, St Mary Cray, Eltham, Grove Park, Blackheath etc. All of these would have been busy, are known for sometimes long traffic queues at junctions and any one could have caused a hold-up, or needed a diversion round a low bridge; and there are several of those to avoid. You avoided the lot. If it had been a Friday then perhaps your choice of Motorway might have looked a bit dodgy.
Olog Hai:
robroy:
Btw didn.t realise Ol. Hai. I was a ‘stereotypical lorry driver type’…I’m guttedYeah, you are. Nowhere did I say the bloke should go in and grovel so I’m not sure where you get that idea from…
Still, at least we weren’t subject to your usual retort, which is along the lines of anyone who doesn’t agree with you is one the idiots that the industry is now full of and not a proper driver, like what you are.
You think I am? Here comes a few sleepless nights
And nowhere did I say that YOU said that the bloke should go in and grovel, and I’m not sure where YOU got that idea from either…?
As for my ‘usual retort’ 
ah well!..at least I’m consistent 
I’m quite pleased that idiots in the industry don’t agree with me, and flattered that you consider me to be a ‘proper driver’…so thanks for that mate I’m touched 
dowahdiddyman:
Sorry your in the ■■■. If you are on a disciplinary for basically using your brain and daring to think for yourself it’s time you got another job. There is an endless amount of work out there,your boss needs you more than you need him. Good luck on the naughty boy meeting but seriously look for another job.
What he said:
nick2008:
Olog Hai:
robroy:
Btw didn.t realise Ol. Hai. I was a ‘stereotypical lorry driver type’…I’m guttedYeah, you are.
So there we have it robroy … Your normal
Right …So I’m a proper driver, real man, stereptypical lorry driver, and normal. Looks like I have a fan club on here.
Who is gonna be the first to balance things up and call me a ■■■■ ?
Form a queue in an orderly fashion 
To all those that have said I agree with your choice of route, where does it say in the OP which route the OP chose. I thought he was asking for a concensus of which route other drivers would have chosen, as opposed to asking if he had chosen wisely. But if I have misread or misunderstood, then I apologise.
Having just left a company with a know all “Operations Director.” I used to listen to which way I “should go” and go whichever way I saw fit. There were no problems, no extra cost and I was never late, so crack on drive.
The best way to deal with this prick is to remain cool. Go into the meeting and explain to him that you have been thinking about your performance as a driver.(Which you tell him is excellent). Thank him for the opportunity to reflect on this as a result of his intention to discipline you.
Next step. Mention other companies in the area that pay more.
Final step.Look him in the eye and tell him that you are going for a coffee and that should give him enough time to decide if the meeting is taking place, or you are going home to relax. As there is plenty work available for you either way.
Drivers need to start showing some balls,otherwise you deserve to be taken for a ride.
I would have checked the live traffic on Google, if it said it was clear, I would have gone M25 A20 route. If not then across town it is.
Don’t worry about the meeting. Whatever their problem with the route you chose, just apologise, and remind them you only did what you thought was best. If they are going to criticise your choice of routes then they absolutely HAVE TO provide you with a written copy of the route you are expected to take. Otherwise this whole malarkey is for nothing.
Interestingly this last week I got to take my two planners out for a day each, so they could see how it is in truck. We had a similar scenario. I had completed a drop at Chigwell Golf Club, and the next one was in Rainham.
I gave planner the choice of 2 routes the first, was direct to Rainham via the North Circular and the A13, taking about 25 minutes if I remember rightly. The second was back out to M25 and round to A13 and in towards Rainham taking about 55 minutes and was I think, a 40 mile longer route. He asked which route I would take, and I told him I was cautious by nature, so would go out to the M25 as the live traffic said it was clear all the way, the North Circular was busy at that time.
He picked the north circular. It was a “more direct” he said. Fair enough, off we went, and rolled into Rainham 1 hour 40 minutes later, a massive grin on my face 
To be fair to the guy he held his hands up and said he didn’t realise it could take that long to travel that short a distance in town. And he really is a decent planner, and a top bloke.
thanks for all your input guys.
As far as I’m aware there was no specific traffic problems and I dont remember being held up as the route I chose was the motorway.
A bit of history
I drive a 18t rigid and regularly deliver around London (upto 40/50 drops a week).
The clash with the TM, I have been documenting since the end of September last year when after about 4 1/2 years he suddenly developed a problem with me. As a result of this my nights out have reduced and so has my overtime so Im currently £50-100 down each week based on my average over my time there. I have been doing nothing different to all my time there and the guy is a cowardly bully if that makes sense. There are only about 10 drivers and at least 2 others have written logs of his mis-treatment of them. Not long after I started there he bullied 1 guy into leaving to such an extent he needed treatment for mental illness. The main reason I have stayed is that I can walk to work in 10 min and the pay is ok and depending on his mood it is an enjoyable job. But as many have said time has come to move on.
thanks again for your input.
when you attend the meeting
1, take someone with you who will remember/ record what was said, 2, think about what is said before answering or commenting, 3 admit nothing and only agree to to consider what has been said and reply at a later date once you have had time to fully recall your actions on the day.
THINK
say no more than you need to
do not agree with anyone
use only words like I suppose that’s possible
or that was a possibility so as not to diminish your own route or actions,
There must also be a higher level of management to go to somewhere in the chain of command,
your long term and adaptability should stand you in good stead, and if this cannot be seen then a move may be the best option as companies are always looking for long term staff.
good luck with whatever you decide is best for you on the day,
It’s your right to have a colleague go in with you and essential that you do this and not just for moral support.
Two people can remember things better than one and you’ll have a shared perspective of the proceedings/outcome.
I can’t see what the fuss is about, it wasn’t timed, you did the drop (it wasn’t like they were shut for the day when you got there) so crack on.
Sure there isn’t more to this than ya telling us?
I would take a voice recorder, then you have an exact record of the meeting. I think most mobiles have a voice recording app.
jc69817:
The clash with the TM, I have been documenting since the end of September last year when after about 4 1/2 years he suddenly developed a problem with me. As a result of this my nights out have reduced and so has my overtime so Im currently £50-100 down each week based on my average over my time there. I have been doing nothing different to all my time there and the guy is a cowardly bully if that makes sense. There are only about 10 drivers and at least 2 others have written logs of his mis-treatment of them. Not long after I started there he bullied 1 guy into leaving to such an extent he needed treatment for mental illness. The main reason I have stayed is that I can walk to work in 10 min and the pay is ok and depending on his mood it is an enjoyable job. But as many have said time has come to move on.
One of the others logging his treatment of them would be ideal to have as your witness/ note taker.
Who will be running the disciplinary? Him or another person in management? If it’s him then the outcome is predetermined, keep whatever you say very simple and straightforward i.e. your experience and ongoing knowledge of the area was the reason and choice of route. If it’s another member of management or if you have to wait for the appeal (which has to be someone different) then, if you’re in the mood for what could follow, then it’s time to say that the disciplinary is down to his agenda of bullying you. Bring that up and they have to make a full investigation. One of you won’t be there much longer. Completely up to you though.
Bend over and accept it and you know you’re then in his pocket.
jc69817:
thanks for all your input guys.
As far as I’m aware there was no specific traffic problems and I dont remember being held up as the route I chose was the motorway.
A bit of history
I drive a 18t rigid and regularly deliver around London (upto 40/50 drops a week).
The clash with the TM, I have been documenting since the end of September last year when after about 4 1/2 years he suddenly developed a problem with me. As a result of this my nights out have reduced and so has my overtime so Im currently £50-100 down each week based on my average over my time there. I have been doing nothing different to all my time there and the guy is a cowardly bully if that makes sense. There are only about 10 drivers and at least 2 others have written logs of his mis-treatment of them. Not long after I started there he bullied 1 guy into leaving to such an extent he needed treatment for mental illness. The main reason I have stayed is that I can walk to work in 10 min and the pay is ok and depending on his mood it is an enjoyable job. But as many have said time has come to move on.thanks again for your input.
Horrible situation to be in mate. I think, though, if just after I had started a job,a driver was bullied to the extent he developed a mental illness,I would have been off somewhere else pretty ■■■■ quick !! The only up side seems to be you got about 4 good years in before it was your turn for the " cowardly bully " treatment. Better off out of it IMHO ,once things have gone so far they rarely get a happy ending in my experience.
Good luck however it goes.
Regards. John.
Regards. John.
Never heard anything like it.
There’s no set or right route, but going the wrong route (how can there be) results in a disciplinary, you couldn’t make this pish up…you’re a bloody lorry driver so you go the way you choose unless the company dictate for some other reason…eg height.
Do as your mates, diary, reliable witness (not an arse kisser who can be bribed/bullied by the company) in with you, send boss man an email requesting the disciplinary findings report to be confirmed via email or in writing, he won’t respond and that’ll go down like a lead balloon at the tribunal together with the other evidence you’ll have by then of bullying/victimisation, and don’t forget to raise the victimisation card in the email, not quite as good as the race/sexism trumps-everything-everywhere card but still give the twerp something to think about.
Sounds like you need another job, might as well bugger off with a nice unfair dismissal payout.
Yet again…and i know this falls on deaf ears here…working people need good unions.
As a professional driver you took the best route available on that particular day. Unless you are given a specified route to take, I can’t see anything wrong in your actions.