Have my class 1 training in May and just wondering what the possibility is of obtaining international work after passing.
Is it the type of job that only the seasoned veterans get?
What is the money like? (Currently would be able to step up to £37k per year class 1 in my current place of work)
Is it 5 days away from home? how does the shift pattern work?
jordon1703:
Have my class 1 training in May and just wondering what the possibility is of obtaining international work after passing.Is it the type of job that only the seasoned veterans get?
What is the money like? (Currently would be able to step up to £37k per year class 1 in my current place of work)
Is it 5 days away from home? how does the shift pattern work?
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Stay were you are, especially if that’s monday–friday, with no nights out.
IF you get onto European, 14-21 days away.
I was over the water for a number of years and it will depend on how far you wanna go and for who.
37k was right at the top of what I took home, but that was a couple of weekends away, this was on covered car transporters and I saw all of western Europe and some of eastern. I had done Europe before I started but I know a few new pass drivers that were taken on and taught the ropes (usually by me)
Good luck but if you can find a company that does uk/Europe and they will give you a start snap there hand off as that’s what I managed to do nearly 30 years ago and I loved it.
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Depends on what you call internacional work, a trip over to BE/F could be done in a day (depending on your location obviously) but further afield and as Big Griffin mentions it could run into a week or more>>>
Read on the Euro thread about Alcaline for straight trunking job.
Depending on where you start from, South of France is one and a half or two days away. Much further than Milan or Madrid and you’ll need to be prepared for weekends out.
“Shift patterns”? You start and finish to get the job done and get back. It’s not the Wild West anymore so it’ll need to be legally ok, but you’re need to be flexible.
I was talking to a driver in his twenties t’other day: newly passed from rigid to artics, his company were offering him French work. I don’t think that was 37k though, but I’m sure that they’re a straight company.
Where you based? And given Eu work is less common would you travel to get it?
As I said it’s no longer the Wild West, and the Gold Mines have long since closed.
A few beardy old fools still enjoying driving here still.
I know of at least one!
[emoji6]
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jordon1703:
Have my class 1 training in May and just wondering what the possibility is of obtaining international work after passing.Is it the type of job that only the seasoned veterans get?
What is the money like? (Currently would be able to step up to £37k per year class 1 in my current place of work)
Is it 5 days away from home? how does the shift pattern work?
Generally firms want experience, though I’ve taken newbies on. Double man a lot so they don’t get let loose on their own till I get the nod from the other driver.
Money varies a lot depending on what you want to do here. Year end and it’s ranged between 40±48+k + expenses.
Shift pattern? What’s a shift pattern? February was really quiet and not much happening, March has been out about 75-80% of the time. Timings are all centred round ferry schedules, so hours are all over the place. Not as many weekends as you might think.
I used to love Euro, now I’m older I’d probably be a bit more relaxed - tachos were a bit more optional those days! It isn’t the easiest work because of the odd hours, and whilst we don’t max hours all the time there are inevitably long days, but IMO it’s way better than RDC type stuff. If you are married/with someone you have to factor that in. Some women are fine being on their own all the time, others not so and it can wreck a relationship.
And in case anyone is thinking of PMing, sorry no, it’s rare any of mine leave.
albion:
jordon1703:
Have my class 1 training in May and just wondering what the possibility is of obtaining international work after passing.Is it the type of job that only the seasoned veterans get?
What is the money like? (Currently would be able to step up to £37k per year class 1 in my current place of work)
Is it 5 days away from home? how does the shift pattern work?Generally firms want experience, though I’ve taken newbies on. Double man a lot so they don’t get let loose on their own till I get the nod from the other driver.
Money varies a lot depending on what you want to do here. Year end and it’s ranged between 40±48+k + expenses.
Shift pattern? What’s a shift pattern? February was really quiet and not much happening, March has been out about 75-80% of the time. Timings are all centred round ferry schedules, so hours are all over the place. Not as many weekends as you might think.
I used to love Euro, now I’m older I’d probably be a bit more relaxed - tachos were a bit more optional those days! It isn’t the easiest work because of the odd hours, and whilst we don’t max hours all the time there are inevitably long days, but IMO it’s way better than RDC type stuff. If you are married/with someone you have to factor that in. Some women are fine being on their own all the time, others not so and it can wreck a relationship.
And in case anyone is thinking of PMing, sorry no, it’s rare any of mine leave.
Seems Lady Albion, runs a dead man’s shoe company,
Good on you for being able to do so,and keep your staff happy, must be lessons to be learnt. 
Specialise Griffin. I couldn’t get the rate on general work to pay as I do.
albion:
Specialise Griffin. I couldn’t get the rate on general work to pay as I do.
A virtuous circle.
A good rate, can give a good wage, to attract and retain good drivers, who give good service keeping the customer happy paying a little extra.
All easy common sense stuff. Long may it continue for you.
Edit. Even get drivers working in the rain like that!
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As has been mentioned ferries make for some strange hours, I’m only in Ireland right now but parked up at Rosslare port waiting for the 20:45 ferry to Pembroke. Factor in ferry mode I will be off the ferry at near 1am and straight down the road I go to get back to Bristol.
18 days is the longest I have done and that was enough for me, I don’t think I would like doing 2 week trips constantly as I still enjoy a day run a going home to my PS4 and the pub 