Plastic surgeon. It has to be plastic surgeon.
Investment Banking. A professional gambler in all but name.
It actually doesn’t pay to be a “Professional Gambler” in the self-employed sense in this country, because in UK law all gambling returns are tax-free. Why “Go Pro” and pay whatever taxes would be required when you can keep the winnings “private”, and get them tax-free anyways?
Sure, you wouldn’t be able to claim tax offsets - BUT you’re not going out there hell-bent on losing money - right?
(In my futures broker’s sign-up blurb, there’s an extra form that has to be filled in if you actually wish to run your trading account deliberately at a loss… so don’t assume anything is black and white in the Casino Banking world!)
I’ve been on a few WW1 and WW2 coach tours around Europe a few years ago, took my Dad with me each time.
Always fancied the tour guide’ s job I took modern history to O’ level standard at school, and have read a lot of books on it all over the years.
I’ve also visited a few battlefield and campaign sites while over there myself, so I do have a good basic knowledge.
I would just need to brush up to a higher standard to blag it…not a chance in hell of it happening though in reality. 
but I can but dream. 
robroy:
I…not a chance in hell of it happening though in reality.
Hey don’t write yourself off on it. Absolutely no reason why not Rob. I reckon the ability to keep people interested when you talk is just as important if not more. I know when I’ve gone on tours the boring ones have me asleep on any available flat surface whilst mooching about 
.
Doubt you need a full on degree to give talks on the battlefields. I’m sure there’s plenty of history graduates who are dull as dishwater to listen to. Look into it. You could always do it locally on your days volunteering if any war museums and see how you take to it?
robroy:
I’ve been on a few WW1 and WW2 coach tours around Europe a few years ago, took my Dad with me each time.
Always fancied the tour guide’ s job I took modern history to O’ level standard at school, and have read a lot of books on it all over the years.
I’ve also visited a few battlefield and campaign sites while over there myself, so I do have a good basic knowledge.
I would just need to brush up to a higher standard to blag it…not a chance in hell of it happening though in reality.
A job like that is a bit like teaching. Knowing the stuff is only half the job, the rest is all personality and engaging your group (but it does help if you have a personal interest in the topic). Nothing stopping you from doing it, except you.
Freight Dog:
robroy:
I…not a chance in hell of it happening though in reality.Hey don’t write yourself off on it. Absolutely no reason why not Rob. I reckon the ability to keep people interested when you talk is just as important if not more. I know when I’ve gone on tours the boring ones have me asleep on any available flat surface whilst mooching about
Doubt you need a full on degree to give talks on the battlefields. I’m sure there’s plenty of history graduates who are dull as dishwater to listen to. Look into it. You could always do it locally on your days volunteering if any war museums and see how you take to it?
I remember visiting Pegasus Bridge, it was attacked by a small co of (I think it was 3 gliders) men prior to the D.Day landings.
One old guy was sat quiet all through the Normandy tour, on the back of the bus on his own.
The tour guide was a guy called Bill McQuade (who is quite famous and is sometimes on tv war docs)
In the Cafe Gondrande beside the bridge that the Paras used as their billet and base, McQuade introduced this little old guy, turns out he was one of the Horsa Glider troops who was doing a pilgrimage around Normandy for his lost mates
What were the chances of that on our bus at that particular tour I thought.
A poignant moment it was.
Don’t think I would be up to McQuade’s standards,… but on the other hand I also bet he can’t reverse an artic as good as me.
robroy:
Don’t think I would be up to McQuade’s standards,… but on the other hand I also bet he can’t reverse an artic as good as me.
Here’s an idea… you drive the coach, he does the talking!
Macca77:
Harry Monk:
Colin_scottish:
Ive applied to become a train driver with virgin good pay and the base is only 20 mins from my house.I applied for a job with Connex South Eastern as a trainee train driver. Quite a long time ago now. They wrote back and said that my application had been accepted but due to the overwhelming demand etc etc etc…
I later found out that there are 300 applicants for every job, and the majority of the jobs go to staff promoted internally.
Funnily enough, I’m old enough to remember the days when anyone who wanted to drive a train could get a job driving one.
Aye its certainly a tough old job to get into
The competition is so huge, when seeing figures of the amount of people applying for just a single position it can be quite disheartening for anyone wanting to become a train driver
Virgin a year or 2 back opened up 80 new trainee driver positions, something unprecedented, and they say around 20k people applied for them (around 250 apps per position)
They are also now starting a new apprentice driver scheme, and they’ve taken on 3 applicants selected from a cv list of 1200 people.
As someone who is currently trying to become a train driver, I like to look at things differently, rather than with a negative outlook thinking I’ll never make it.
A) If I don’t try, then its a fact I will never make it
B) I’m confident of my abilities, and I know IF I was to be selected, and I applied myself correctly (like if anyone applied themselves) then I can achieve anything I want
C) Even if Train Driver jobs are sort after and highly competitive, If I apply or anyone who applies for that matter for current vacancies, our chances of being selected and passing the tests to get you to the point of starting training leading to a decent Job with earnings in excess of £45k a year, are far far greater than winning just over £25 on a lottery ticket…and applying is free too!!
A lot depends on where you live. Most TOCs insist you live within a maximum distance of a depot. If you live in London for instance, there are a dozen or so depots that you could be eligible for. If you live away from the city and only within catchment for one depot then chances are far lower. Keep going at it though. I did and made it against the odds.
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
ezydriver:
robroy:
Don’t think I would be up to McQuade’s standards,… but on the other hand I also bet he can’t reverse an artic as good as me.Here’s an idea… you drive the coach, he does the talking!
■■■■ !..Why didn’t I think of that.
Since 1976 I have been a
Farm labourer
Hotel management trainee
Police officer
Civil servant
Retail manager
Bank clerk
Telesales
Self employed business advisor
Trainer
Van courier
Food manufacturer assistant
Hgv driver
I now work 9 hours a day Monday to Friday have no,repeat no, management responsibility I have a constantly changing view out of my window including snow, rain,sun, early morning mist and no one telling me what to to do. I have a break when I want and I spend my time driving through some of the most fantastic rural scenery in the world.
I earn a fraction above the uk average wage but quite frankly I can not believe that I am being paid to do what I love…
Stay in the haulage industry because other industries don’t come anywhere near…but just find the right driving job that suits you
Why does no one want to be a DCPC trainer?
alamcculloch:
Why does no one want to be a DCPC trainer?
You see adverts for those… “Come on a DCPC trainer’s course with us. For the snip of a price of £3000, we’ll teach you how to get that money back in just one classroom full of No-Speke English types, all turning up and paying £250 each every five years to get the blue card. No need to learn the languages, or even the modules! - The £3000 fee gives you full access to JAUPT, and everything else towards creating your revenue stream - is up to you!”
I’m really hoping to be able to return to my old job in the police force when they begin recruitment again later this year. I was made redundant due to the government cuts a few years ago and fell back on my old pcv licence initially.
I totally hated it, it’s totally impossible to keep to a timetable in today’s traffic conditions, the passengers are mostly complainers and ungrateful but the bus company will always take their side, even if you as a driver have done nothing wrong.
So I took my class 2 Hgv test last year and to be fair it’s a lot less stressful than bus driving.
What I don’t like however are the attitudes of warehouse staff at a lot of drops. To say they lack communication skills would be a massive understatement. Also facilities for drivers leave much to be desired. At some of my customers premises the visiting drivers are expected to use a disgusting portaloo which is almost full to the brim with urine and faeces. The toilets in the main building can be used by business visitors but are strictly off limits to truck drivers.
I try hard to portray a professional image wearing clean clothes each day and being well groomed.
It has certainly opened my eyes to the public’s attitude towards truck drivers. It’s a pity as apart from this aspect I enjoy the job.
I dread to think how female drivers cope with the aforementioned facilities, it’s bad enough as a male !
fernando:
I dread to think how female drivers cope with the aforementioned facilities,
They’re granted the privilege of the better loos.
If your looking to change your job for better money. The problem is that most drivers have done it the wrong way round, your not going to get a decent wage or become rich driving a lorry. I made my money through refrigeration and now drive for a measly wage which I am happy to accept as I don’t rely on the wage. You should choose a lucrative job first, make your money then drive a lorry when you are financially secure. Be less idiots on the road and far less moaning gets too. I have never understood anyone that just sits on their arse moaning, get off your back side and do something else. Plenty of time on your hands to study whilst driving, I funded my University degree through driving. Nothing stopping anyone who wants to better themselves if that is your goal.
Back to the OP. But if he does this 3 month course he might be able to get a job at a company offering him initial experience eg a plumbers mate. Don’t let people destroy your dream/ambition. It would be interesting to hear what it is. Go for it.
Just saw this earlier:
…where others see impenetrable barriers, they see challenges to embrace and obstacles to overcome.
UKtramp:
If your looking to change your job for better money. The problem is that most drivers have done it the wrong way round, your not going to get a decent wage or become rich driving a lorry. I made my money through refrigeration and now drive for a measly wage which I am happy to accept as I don’t rely on the wage. You should choose a lucrative job first, make your money then drive a lorry when you are financially secure. Be less idiots on the road and far less moaning gets too. I have never understood anyone that just sits on their arse moaning, get off your back side and do something else. Plenty of time on your hands to study whilst driving, I funded my University degree through driving. Nothing stopping anyone who wants to better themselves if that is your goal.
most moaning drivers never will change nothing.Because in another job must think,work,planning much more than in usually driving day.May ba some class 2 drivers willing do some new job but typical class 1 trunking drivers no.
Andrejs:
most moaning drivers never will change nothing.Because in another job must think,work,planning much more than in usually driving day.May ba some class 2 drivers willing do some new job but typical class 1 trunking drivers no.
Your probably right, trouble is that life simply passes you by if your not happy with your current job. Anyone is capable of changing their current position if they are prepared to put the effort in. Most drivers will always be drivers for this reason alone. Sticking with something that doesn’t suit you is simply an easy option or lack of confidence in their own ability.
I have a passion or restoring old cars in my spare time, mainly 1970s era, cortinas, escorts, minis, triumph dolomites and stags and so on
so when I retire in 6 years I would like to turn it into a small business. I am also a demon when the welder gets taken out and like to make obscure things from scrap metal, so who knows maybe that’s my next step if I can drag myself away from transport.
Harry Monk:
Colin_scottish:
Ive applied to become a train driver with virgin good pay and the base is only 20 mins from my house.I applied for a job with Connex South Eastern as a trainee train driver. Quite a long time ago now. They wrote back and said that my application had been accepted but due to the overwhelming demand etc etc etc…
I later found out that there are 300 applicants for every job, and the majority of the jobs go to staff promoted internally.
Funnily enough, I’m old enough to remember the days when anyone who wanted to drive a train could get a job driving one.
only a petty thing, but you don’t drive them you operate them,my bruv’s mate tried that on me when he once boasted of driving a 64 wheeler because he knew I had a class 1 licence[he was an operator on the underground,my brother still is]so I replied’‘really,so how do you work the gearbox and steering wheel’'he said don’t be stupid the train don’t have those, my reply was ‘‘then you don’t xxxxxxg drive them do you, all you do is push a lever back and forth and the rails drive the train’’ shut him right up