WOW!!
Check you out Pierre!! That is the King of Agency equipment. Does your hi-viz have a fully functioning Velcro system too?
looks like the only to settle this is for rikki to arrange a TNUK - LIMPER VS FTW challenge, this can be sponsored by MAN auto’s and feature a series of challenges - ranging from paper work, moaning ability, RDC bullshine ( extra point awarded for each story the others either a believe or feel confident enough to repeat). we can arrange this on a set day and call the LIMPERS at 0600 telling them it starts at 0700 so they feel at home with normal working patterns, should any refuse as this is the day they need to do ‘jobs’ we will move onto the next LIMPER.
meanwhile in a not too distant mock up office all the FTW’s will be sat point blank refusing to drive someone else’s vehicle, or panicking because they have not had a days training on the make and model being used, yet alone signed at least one form stating they have been shown.
once we move onto vehicle checks we can scrape some doors and bumpers which despite the LIMPER reporting it will still be blamed and refused to pass beyond this point for causing untold damage before even turning a wheel - a replacement will be sought asap. this will then give the FTW time to again refuse to drive it because the agency LIMPER has left crumbs all over his pristine unit despite the fact he hadn’t even set foot inside it.
should we get to the actual driving and manoeuvres section again we can make sure that a mock up security hut can give the FTW’s their normal bay have a brief chat and let them go straight on a bay, meanwhile should any LIMPER turn up (providing they have been given the correct postcode) the security bod can tell them they are either too early/late and despite the yard being empty give them a blind side reverse in between the only 2 trailers in the yard.
that’s all I can come up with now Rikki its up to you now.
I was fulltime for around 6 years, I am now agency so I must be a useless ■■■■ too. Do I care ? Not at all, I know I am great (not being cocky) but I have had people look at me (I look young about 21 but really 31) and say to me after many Tight deliveries “Wow I must admit mate I first see you and I thought this was going to be a joke”. I had a Manager say 20 years in charge I was one of the best drivers he ever had. I could go on but I don’t want to look a cocky arrogant Prick 
Just trying to get the point across that not all agency drivers are crap alot was once Full-Time for many years, I have met old timers who are on Agency and some are really nice, they like the freedom of working as they please. I for one must admit its nice to earn a 5day week wage while only working 3 it gives me time to Study and get a qualification in a career I will want to do when I am 50 or 60.
I have recently been offered a job full-time for a big well known firm, but I still have to think about it, its not an easy choice to make. Do I want to lose my perks of higher wage and freedom ?
My case is dismissed I await the abuse, or I should I still move along to the limpers section of the site ? (gets his coat)
I reckon anyone in doubt regarding limpers ability, should speak to the temporary ■■■ that has just wedged their artic under a bridge in Falkirk late this afternoon.
And to balance it out the FTW who tried getting a urban artic under a 9’6" bridge today in devon flat packing the trailer.
Just to balance it out some more there are FTW’s among us that can manage to drive multiple types of units/trailers daily without complaining more then the necessary level and get the job done.
The other day my boss really pushed the boat out and had me drive a skip lorry to get a couple of bins one morning after someone else gave me 10mins training on the controls. I managed it but i get the impression the boss in charge of the skip drivers felt i was a bit slow getting the bins but im not concerned as its not my job after all 
eagerbeaver:
I reckon anyone in doubt regarding limpers ability, should speak to the temporary ■■■ that has just wedged their artic under a bridge in Falkirk late this afternoon.
didn’t you get the sack from stobarts beaver
keebs26uk:
Just trying to get the point across that not all agency drivers are crap alot was once Full-Time for many years, I have met old timers who are on Agency and some are really nice, they like the freedom of working as they please. I for one must admit its nice to earn a 5day week wage while only working 3 it gives me time to Study and get a qualification in a career I will want to do when I am 50 or 60.
Yeah can see how it works well for the old timers you describe, they may have a good pension coming in and mortgage possibly already paid off, so the supplement to their income & the flexibility of working days suits them fine. But for others with financial commitments the uncertainty of not having a guaranteed wage coming in every month must be worrying at times. Mind you it sounds like you’re doing well with the agency you’re on at the moment so fair play to you hope it stays like that as long as you need it.
I did indeed War!
Took a few attempts, but I got there in the end.
I dont understand this whole thing about them not liking agency drivers. I have a full time job but do agency when its quiet… Been young only 30 I have been to places in a truck many full time drivers in the uk wouldn’t go too… Recently iv have been working for one company and i ask directions to a pallet hub. A full time driver looked at me as if i was scum so i had an argument with him. I asked him what he does and the last 10yrs up and down to the same place every night and told me agency drivers are useless i then pointed this out to him.
In the last couple of weeks i have driven 4 different makes of trucks on a a variety of work from containers to curtainsiders. I have been sent to pallet hubs where most people get an induction but have to figure it out your self and some of them places are mental. He had a full tuition on how to do it… then the next night i was on containers. Different truck driffernt work, different set up… Once again figure it all out. The night after that on fridge work. Same again… All this and all the company has to go on is the Agencys word that we know what we are doing. Agency drivers are anything but lazy. i would love to see a bloke whos set in his ways jumping from different wagon night after night and still doing the job like an old timer… This lazy limper stuff is bollox… I do agency work as it suits my life style…
acceptme:
I do agency work as it suits my life style…
Classic 
forgot to finish that rant haha… the rugby is on… … ment to put at the end suits my life style of been able to go away when every i want and not have to relay on waitin on holiday
acceptme:
I dont understand this whole thing about them not liking agency drivers. I have a full time job but do agency when its quiet
Fair point with the rest of your post and not being funny or owt but bit confused about this bit, how is it full time then?
I can under stand your confusion… When it goes quiet its nice to diversify… but still regard it as my full time profession.
I’m full time self-employed but have a limp.
Can’t we have a ftw/limpers support group.
To bring us in from the cold
I’m a FTW. I also have a limp due to a lack of anything resembling cartilage in my left knee. I feel like I’ve got the worst of both worlds, I’m a ■■■■■■■ and limper!
acceptme:
In the last couple of weeks i have driven 4 different makes of trucks on a a variety of work from containers to curtainsiders. I have been sent to pallet hubs where most people get an induction but have to figure it out your self and some of them places are mental. He had a full tuition on how to do it… then the next night i was on containers. Different truck driffernt work, different set up… Once again figure it all out. The night after that on fridge work. Same again… All this and all the company has to go on is the Agencys word that we know what we are doing. Agency drivers are anything but lazy. i would love to see a bloke whos set in his ways jumping from different wagon night after night and still doing the job like an old timer… This lazy limper stuff is bollox… I do agency work as it suits my life style…
What a load of nonsense! You’ve driven 4 makes of truck have you? Big deal matey, I bet most of us on here could drive whatever we’re given & do it without thinking we’re blessed with the special magical powers of the agency monkey.
You might well jump from job to job & cope very well, but who the hell would want to? Gotta love how all the agency mob on here are over the moon with their lifestyles, but the ones you meet in the real world paint a very different picture.
I don’t do agency work because sitting by a phone each day wondering if I’v got a shift tomorrow would just tick me right off, flamin’ mugs game!
acceptme:
I dont understand this whole thing about them not liking agency drivers. I have a full time job but do agency when its quiet… Been young only 30 I have been to places in a truck many full time drivers in the uk wouldn’t go too… Recently iv have been working for one company and i ask directions to a pallet hub. A full time driver looked at me as if i was scum so i had an argument with him. I asked him what he does and the last 10yrs up and down to the same place every night and told me agency drivers are useless i then pointed this out to him.In the last couple of weeks i have driven 4 different makes of trucks on a a variety of work from containers to curtainsiders. I have been sent to pallet hubs where most people get an induction but have to figure it out your self and some of them places are mental. He had a full tuition on how to do it… then the next night i was on containers. Different truck driffernt work, different set up… Once again figure it all out. The night after that on fridge work. Same again… All this and all the company has to go on is the Agencys word that we know what we are doing. Agency drivers are anything but lazy. i would love to see a bloke whos set in his ways jumping from different wagon night after night and still doing the job like an old timer… This lazy limper stuff is bollox… I do agency work as it suits my life style…
Ooooooooo so close. You made a reasonably (although cack handed) argument and then you went and shot yourself in the foot
acceptme:
I dont understand this whole thing about them not liking agency drivers. I have a full time job but do agency when its quiet… Been young only 30 I have been to places in a truck many full time drivers in the uk wouldn’t go too… Recently iv have been working for one company and i ask directions to a pallet hub. A full time driver looked at me as if i was scum so i had an argument with him. I asked him what he does and the last 10yrs up and down to the same place every night and told me agency drivers are useless i then pointed this out to him.In the last couple of weeks i have driven 4 different makes of trucks on a a variety of work from containers to curtainsiders. I have been sent to pallet hubs where most people get an induction but have to figure it out your self and some of them places are mental. He had a full tuition on how to do it… then the next night i was on containers. Different truck driffernt work, different set up… Once again figure it all out. The night after that on fridge work. Same again… All this and all the company has to go on is the Agencys word that we know what we are doing. Agency drivers are anything but lazy. i would love to see a bloke whos set in his ways jumping from different wagon night after night and still doing the job like an old timer… This lazy limper stuff is bollox… I do agency work as it suits my life style…
What makes you think many full time drivers would not go to the places you go to exactly 
…, what basis if any, is in this opinion exactly? 
Personally I go, and have done, wherever the load needs delivered, it is called …being a driver. 
Don’t judge all full time drivers by the ■■■■ that you mention.
Again, me personally will and have done, help anybody who asks, young or old.
As for your description of your varied work, that is how it always was once over, chucked the keys and thrown in at the deep end with little (or mostly no) training. Glad to say on the whole things have changed on that score.
You could say that as you mention, that I am set in my ways at present, but if asked to go back on flats, low loaders, tippers, rigids, or left hookers abroad I would not bat an eyelid, so basically mate don’t run away with the idea you are unique or, with respect, something special.
I do agree with the agency limpers are ■■■■■■■■ however, as I KEEP saying 
,… with most of us it is just banter, we are all drivers at the end of the day.
robroy:
Don’t judge all full time drivers by the ■■■■ that you mention.
Now who is all defensive and narky, when its on the other foot. Fine to judge agency by a stupid stereotype, but don’t like it back.