I survived my first week!

NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE)
1

Beezil; I’m going to punch you in the face then buy you a pint. It’s all your fault. But you’re suggestion was inspired.

A couple of weeks ago I took Beez’s advice. I played a few agencies off against each other and serendipitously (google it) ended up at Sure Start in Hull, driving Stobarts for Tesco out of Donny.

If Stobart had a catchphrase it would be something like this:

Like a challenge? Excellent! New Driver? No problem!! Drive for us and well put you in a meat grinder, see if you kill anyone, destroy any equipment and if you haven’t blown your brains out or had a breakdown by the end of the week, you’re one of us.

I’d like to thank Charlie at Euro1 for giving me a ‘the sweet talk’ about how ‘accommodating’ stobarts are with new drivers with no hours under their belt since passing their class 1 two months ago. I actually slept quite well. Just as well because OMFG.

My agent said it was an 07:00 ‘induction’. Silly girl, being foreign she mistook the work induction for in itiation.

It took an hour and a half to fill out the disclaimer paperwork, go through the demonstration of how to operate the fridges, fill out the drop paperwork and all the other minutae. On return to the office I was assigned Miss Happe to drop in clay cross and pick up at Hovis Nottingham. “There’s your paperwork and keys. Ta, ta. See you later”.
I cannot think of any situation where I’d feel more stressed. Possibly just being told I’d got cancer or being ■■■■■■■■ assaulted would be contenders.

Looking back, after 4 days I’m not sure if it’s been a bad thing or a good one. I’ve certainly levelled up EXCEEDINGY quickly. The drive is a no brainer. Coupling doesn’t worry me any more and out of everything, tacho programming (stoneridges) bothers me more than accurately filling out the paperwork.

If it wasn’t for the drivers, shunters and office staff I’d certainly of had a breakdown or just quit. Jim was volunteered to ‘show me around’ and was daft enough to give me his mobo number. He’s my nominated mentor and has been a rock.

At the end of my first week I’ve driven a 13m artic 3 axle trailer at night with only one headlight with nothing but a car sat nav (NOT recommended!), a fully laden trailer across the depths of foggy Lincolnshire and a 42 tonne double decker to Widness without any obvious exhaust brake.

Beezil, you ■■■■■■■■. next time you’re in Donny. I’ll buy you a pint.

2

So if I see a one eyed Axor coming at me out of the fog I know its you! :grimacing: The fog has been really bad recently here in Lincolnshire. Almost every dam night after my shift I’m driving home in it.

3

Roop298:
Beezil; I’m going to punch you in the face then buy you a pint. It’s all your fault. But you’re suggestion was inspired.

A couple of weeks ago I took Beez’s advice. I played a few agencies off against each other and serendipitously (google it) ended up at Sure Start in Hull, driving Stobarts for Tesco out of Donny.

If Stobart had a catchphrase it would be something like this:

Like a challenge? Excellent! New Driver? No problem!! Drive for us and well put you in a meat grinder, see if you kill anyone, destroy any equipment and if you haven’t blown your brains out or had a breakdown by the end of the week, you’re one of us.

I’d like to thank Charlie at Euro1 for giving me a ‘the sweet talk’ about how ‘accommodating’ stobarts are with new drivers with no hours under their belt since passing their class 1 two months ago. I actually slept quite well. Just as well because OMFG.

My agent said it was an 07:00 ‘induction’. Silly girl, being foreign she mistook the work induction for in itiation.

It took an hour and a half to fill out the disclaimer paperwork, go through the demonstration of how to operate the fridges, fill out the drop paperwork and all the other minutae. On return to the office I was assigned Miss Happe to drop in clay cross and pick up at Hovis Nottingham. “There’s your paperwork and keys. Ta, ta. See you later”.
I cannot think of any situation where I’d feel more stressed. Possibly just being told I’d got cancer or being ■■■■■■■■ assaulted would be contenders.

Looking back, after 4 days I’m not sure if it’s been a bad thing or a good one. I’ve certainly levelled up EXCEEDINGY quickly. The drive is a no brainer. Coupling doesn’t worry me any more and out of everything, tacho programming (stoneridges) bothers me more than accurately filling out the paperwork.

If it wasn’t for the drivers, shunters and office staff I’d certainly of had a breakdown or just quit. Jim was volunteered to ‘show me around’ and was daft enough to give me his mobo number. He’s my nominated mentor and has been a rock.

At the end of my first week I’ve driven a 13m artic 3 axle trailer at night with only one headlight with nothing but a car sat nav (NOT recommended!), a fully laden trailer across the depths of foggy Lincolnshire and a 42 tonne double decker to Widness without any obvious exhaust brake.

Beezil, you [zb]. next time you’re in Donny. I’ll buy you a pint.

Jim wasn’t ex army and Scottish was he??

4

What did I do? :open_mouth:
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

You survived didn’t you? :smiley:
And now you’ve got some experience, which you can continue to build on… :wink:

As for the rest mate, it sounds about par for the course… :unamused:
You’ll need to speak to the Beaver about getting sacked from Stobarts :wink: and while I hear they may not be the best firm to work for, they’ve given you a start and it can only be up from there! :grimacing:

Glad you had fun mate, but sadly I’ll have to pass on the pint as I’d too posh to go any further North than Oxford! :wink:

5

Evil8Beezle:
What did I do? :open_mouth:
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

You survived didn’t you? :smiley:
And now you’ve got some experience, which you can continue to build on… :wink:

As for the rest mate, it sounds about par for the course… :unamused:
You’ll need to speak to the Beaver about getting sacked from Stobarts :wink: and while I hear they may not be the best firm to work for, they’ve given you a start and it can only be up from there! :grimacing:

Glad you had fun mate, but sadly I’ll have to pass on the pint as I’d too posh to go any further North than Oxford! :wink:

You should make the trip, the pints are cheaper up here!

6

Radar19:

Evil8Beezle:
Glad you had fun mate, but sadly I’ll have to pass on the pint as I’d too posh to go any further North than Oxford! :wink:

You should make the trip, the pints are cheaper up here!

‘’'Tis true Beeze, but is it worth the bother? You know, having to mix with them there northern folk, and their tendencies to talk to complete strangers. Nutters.

7

well done :slight_smile:

8

Radar19:

Evil8Beezle:
What did I do? :open_mouth:
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

You survived didn’t you? :smiley:
And now you’ve got some experience, which you can continue to build on… :wink:

As for the rest mate, it sounds about par for the course… :unamused:
You’ll need to speak to the Beaver about getting sacked from Stobarts :wink: and while I hear they may not be the best firm to work for, they’ve given you a start and it can only be up from there! :grimacing:

Glad you had fun mate, but sadly I’ll have to pass on the pint as I’d too posh to go any further North than Oxford! :wink:

You should make the trip, the pints are cheaper up here!

He’s probably a lager drinker :wink:

9

F-reds:

Radar19:

Evil8Beezle:
Glad you had fun mate, but sadly I’ll have to pass on the pint as I’d too posh to go any further North than Oxford! :wink:

You should make the trip, the pints are cheaper up here!

‘’'Tis true Beeze, but is it worth the bother? You know, having to mix with them there northern folk, and their tendencies to talk to complete strangers. Nutters.

I don’t class Lincolnshire as “Up North”. That being said, when I deliver to our usual contract in Sunderland I get asked if I’m from London. I don’t even have a London accent!

10

Roop298:

Radar19:

Evil8Beezle:
What did I do? :open_mouth:
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

You survived didn’t you? :smiley:
And now you’ve got some experience, which you can continue to build on… :wink:

As for the rest mate, it sounds about par for the course… :unamused:
You’ll need to speak to the Beaver about getting sacked from Stobarts :wink: and while I hear they may not be the best firm to work for, they’ve given you a start and it can only be up from there! :grimacing:

Glad you had fun mate, but sadly I’ll have to pass on the pint as I’d too posh to go any further North than Oxford! :wink:

You should make the trip, the pints are cheaper up here!

He’s probably a lager drinker :wink:

He’s afraid he might taste something.

11

Radar19:
He’s afraid he might taste something.

I’ll have you know I used to frequent CAMRA pubs when I was a drinker! :smiley:
Although after you’ve had enough bad pints it is easier to order a larger or a Newkie Brown…
But at the moment I’ve been mostly drinking Old Rosie cider.

So stick your nats wee pints of Mild where the sun don’t shine! :grimacing:

12

Well done, Roop.

You must have packed your Nomex pants for that trial by fire! :laughing:

Makes a note to ask Santa for some Nomex pants

13

Oh, I’ve had some fun. Well I haven’t but I’ve probably made some people laugh. Like the time I drove round Chesterfield FC’s driveway thinking it was the entrance to Tesco. Or the time I stalled the 4 over 4 manual on M1 junction 28 roundabout and couldn’t figure out what gear I was in. Or the time I got 30 tons of icecream stuck in the verge while trying an impossible reverse manoever in Mansfield. Or the time I drove into Gateshead bus station thinking it was the access ramp. Actually theat one wasn’t my fault. I’m seriously considering submitting my own hazard awareness route as the one created actually was hazardous!

14

Roop298:
Oh, I’ve had some fun. Well I haven’t but I’ve probably made some people laugh. Like the time I drove round Chesterfield FC’s driveway thinking it was the entrance to Tesco. Or the time I stalled the 4 over 4 manual on M1 junction 28 roundabout and couldn’t figure out what gear I was in. Or the time I got 30 tons of icecream stuck in the verge while trying an impossible reverse manoever in Mansfield. Or the time I drove into Gateshead bus station thinking it was the access ramp. Actually theat one wasn’t my fault. I’m seriously considering submitting my own hazard awareness route as the one created actually was hazardous!

I’m bloody glad I’m a soft Southerner! :open_mouth:
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

It’s all a laugh and a learning experience mate, and you’ve definitely got the right attitude for it. You laugh at yourself which is a good release from the stress of the situation, and as such I suspect you don’t panic, which we all know in reality is the WORST thing to do! You hopefully get out, take the applause (possibly bow :laughing:) and then work out how you’re going to sort it out…

What Newbies TEND to do is panic, hide in the cab and then rush to try and get away with their mistake before no one notices, and that’s when things go wrong. :unamused: So I commend you mate on the way you’re viewing it, and I’m still waiting for my pint of PImms!:smiley:

So the message I’m trying to give to all Newbies reading is: If in ANY doubt, always CHECK!!!
And don’t get complacent…