I passed my class 1 in 1996, I started by doing powder tanker work but this involved nights out which I hated so gave this job up after a year.
I then did various agency work, Great for gaining experience with all different types of gearboxes.
I got a full time job with one of the firms I did quiet a bit for on agency and did 7 years for them, it was 75% trailer swaps at Argos distribution centres, very good tackle but the pay was a bit low and long hours with some very early starts but I really enjoyed it.
I left to do skips which was very good money and local work with 07:30 to 16:30 shifts, I only stayed 18 months though as the maintenance was an absolute joke.
I now drive 8 wheel tippers, I’m on a basic with bonus after the truck has earned so much per day, I do have to go a bit or hope for some good mileage jobs to earn a decent bonus but I am really enjoying this job and am not looking at changing it for the foreseeable future.
I am having great fun at the moment and wish that I had found this job a long time ago.
it can be fun at times but it can also be hard if you get the wrong company, i at times wish id never become a driver but im not a indoors person so i like it, the only thing i dont like is if your single it doesnt do a lot for your social life as it can be a lonley job, but if you do like your own company then ok.
its a good job but like any other job its got its ups and downs im not driving at the moment but keep looking for a job i enjoying beeing partly your own boss ie having a break when and where you like,going your own routlistening to whatever music you like on the radio and most of all the variety of work and the scenery whilst driving,ive seen some nice places(and some dives)whilst on uk work and met some nice people too the bits i hate are people cutting you up and not giving you enough room waitin long hours to tip or paperwork mostly RDCs but i wouldnt swap driving for a living tho
Truck driving is the best job in the world, I love the fredom. so long as I do whatever in a decent amount of time nobody bothers me. I started last week in ascott and finished in edinburgh. next week I could be anywhere doing anything, life is an adventure on the road.
Even at the of my worst days I talk to our lass and she tells me about the office politics she as to put up with everyday and I’m thankfull for my easy going job.
Trucking is OK,its better than being stuck in an office or factory seeing the same old faces everyday.But like every other job it has its downside,but i think i will stick with it.Give it a go if you dont like it try something else.
i do 1 to 3 days driving a week, i pick my own route and my own time table and nobody puts any pressure on me to be back at a certain time etc. (probably because i’m not paid by the hour) Provided i get the goods there safley and at a time that suits the customer. Some of the places i go i have to set off before 2am otherwise i can’t do it in the 10 hours driving. Sometimes i have to have a night out.
The other days i would in the factory / office, go out to sites in the uk & abroad.
I enjoy the driving but i couldn’t do it all week and don’t really like the nights out. I find i have to set off very early to make the first drop at a time that suits them so am normally out of driving hours before 4pm. What do you do then? You stuck at a services, you can’t exaclty drop the trailer and drive to the local cinema! I’m doing a college course so take that work with me, but i couldn’t be one of these drivers who is out every night of the week, i really don’t know what they do! On the days when i’m at the factory i clock off and go home when my hobbies are!
That said i can’t stand it if i’m stuck in the office all week either so i guess variety is best!
Id say yes its a lot of fun., Thats why I write a blog on here , not everyday is a picnic or a day trip but it has its moments .
Look at the blog if you like , Im adding some reviews of the kit I have soon , good and bad !!!
waitin long hours to tip or paperwork mostly RDCs