It Really is a Mugs Game

[truckyboy]

Hinton : Sounds like the OP is exactly the same as the rest of the older generation drivers I have met, old, bitter, used to being paid more than most of the new drivers are even offered, moans everyday about how “hard” he is being worked, complains whenever he is asked to to anything above his normal day. your statement i believe >

Not all of us Oldies think this way, some of us have the brains to realise that this is transport, and includes all of what the op has posted, yes we all get our off days, we all would have loved to see our kids growing up, visit their schools, see them in pantomime etc, we also would have loved to answer our families when they ask What time will you be home, when will you be back, theres a party on saturday, can you make it
Transport has no set hours to suit, no set start times or finish times, we are monitored by phone, and gadgets in the cab like trackers, and also cameras, long hours for some come with the earnings on offer ( ie hourly paid ) we are treated like dirt at deliveries and collection points ( i dont allow that and ask them Do you want this stuff or not respect is given if received, we all work to get the job done, never more, never less,
none really wants to be away from home if we can help it, some like myself enjoy it, and as they say Absence makes the heart grow fonder i have loved it and still love my role in transport, i prefer laybys sometimes and other times its a service station or truckstop, but agree companies should have to pay for a drivers comfort and security.
From the ops post, hes on a good screw at £40.000 a year, but i bet that includes night out money ! on average of 4 nights out, that equates to £3840 which in turn would put you on par with the average of around £36 grand or just over…seems he is very bitter with the job in my opinion, but cant get out of it because of his needs and wants…thats my opinion.

[neilp1982]

nightline:
Who likes never known Finnish time
Who likes starting at mad times
Who likes been monerted every minute
Who likes doing long hours to make a reasonable wage
Who likes being treated like a leper in some places
Who likes getting no respect
Who likes doing more than you should
Who likes overnighting for little money
Who likes sleeping in laybyes
Who likes never finishing on time

1. That is the nature of the game, things go wrong, it happens.
2. I do, love my 3/4am starts, early start earlier finish.
3. Nobody does, but that only happens if you take the ■■■■ or have very keen employers, most just let you crack on.
4. Define a reasonable wage? What might be crap to you might be reasonable to others.
5. Grow some balls and bite back, or let it go over your head, stick your feet up, and laugh it off.
6. As others have said, same as above.
7. Nobody does, but those with a brain know the score, don’t rush round and give them the opportunity to throw more your way.
8. Personal preference, don’t like it, don’t do nights out, simple enough answer.
9. If you do indeed drive, you should have known before you even started what the crack was, there is no such thing as ‘finishing on time’. Don’t like the hours, go work in an office.

[captain_caveman_76]

eagerbeaver:
Good thread this. So far we have two contestants who would drive a 44 tonne lorry for minimum wage. I personally for minimum wage would rather do next to [zb] all for it rather than help sabotage other drivers.

Any more heroes? Don’t be afraid, tell us all who you are…

Come on beaver, you’re like me, you’re not a life long trucker. You’ve been out in the big bad world and realise how ■■■■ it ALL is. In every occupation there are people who are getting dumped on.
I went into lorry driving with my eyes open. I knew there were rubbish aspects: long hours, uncertain finish times, etc. IMO the only reason you drive for minimum wage though, is because you cant get a job elsewhere.

[eagerbeaver]

Captain Caveman 76:

eagerbeaver:
Good thread this. So far we have two contestants who would drive a 44 tonne lorry for minimum wage. I personally for minimum wage would rather do next to [zb] all for it rather than help sabotage other drivers.

Any more heroes? Don’t be afraid, tell us all who you are…

Come on beaver, you’re like me, you’re not a life long trucker. You’ve been out in the big bad world and realise how [zb] it ALL is. In every occupation there are people who are getting dumped on.
I went into lorry driving with my eyes open. I knew there were rubbish aspects: long hours, uncertain finish times, etc. IMO the only reason you drive for minimum wage though, is because you cant get a job elsewhere.

Don’t dispute that Cavey, however let us apply that to a couple of other occupations for the moment.

Fork lift drivers in Aldi. £11 plus per hour days for marshalling stock around the warehouse; Skilled? Not really. Responsible/Dangerous? Potentially yes, as people can get seriously hurt or killed around fork lifts.

Postmen/women. £10 plus per hour days for putting letters through doors; Skilled? No. Responsible/Dangerous? Not really, incorrectly delivered letters can have a detrimental affect on individuals on certain occasions.

I could go on all day, but it’s pointless. Most truck drivers get paid crap because they accept it. And then you get bellends who would rather drive a truck for minimum wage than brush a yard! We have thousands of truck drivers who get paid between £8 and £10 per hour. That’s pathetic in my view and it needs to change.

[olog_hai]

Captain Caveman 76:
Come on beaver, you’re like me, you’re not a life long trucker. You’ve been out in the big bad world and realise how [zb] it ALL is. In every occupation there are people who are getting dumped on.
I went into lorry driving with my eyes open. I knew there were rubbish aspects: long hours, uncertain finish times, etc. IMO the only reason you drive for minimum wage though, is because you cant get a job elsewhere.

You are correct, there are many aspects of lorry driving that are truly dreadful. What I can never understand is why those drivers who spend every minute moaning their ■■■■■■■■ off about the job, usually including the old chestnut of ‘■■■■■■■ drivers, they don’t have any balls and won’t stand up to the man’, don’t take their own advice, grow a pair and ■■■■ off into a different line of work.

I did exactly that a few years ago and it remains the best thing I ever did. Good firm, good money, looked after well and suit myself diary-wise as long as the job gets done - which it always will, even if I have to sit up late once or twice a month as I have no interest in upsetting any apple carts.

[mrginge]

AndrewG:
Started at daft o’clock (2.30am) this morning from Madrid, maxed driving hours yesterday and 9hrs off last night, only to suit myself though, done and dusted later today…

I did a 2:30 start this week as it’s easier moving medical trailers between hospital car parks when the car parks are practically empty before day shift starts, it meant a stress free early finish.

Yesterday I picked up a trailer after they closed at 6pm and had it installed at its new location and parked up in the services for 11pm. That meant I could get a good sleep and then run back to the yard for a 12:15pm finish.

So I have no issue being flexible with my start/finish times as im paid salary so the game is to do the minimum hours.

[happysack]

Your spelling is the same standard as a retarded 3 year old cauliflower.

[captain_caveman_76]

eagerbeaver:

Captain Caveman 76:

eagerbeaver:
Good thread this. So far we have two contestants who would drive a 44 tonne lorry for minimum wage. I personally for minimum wage would rather do next to [zb] all for it rather than help sabotage other drivers.

Any more heroes? Don’t be afraid, tell us all who you are…

Come on beaver, you’re like me, you’re not a life long trucker. You’ve been out in the big bad world and realise how [zb] it ALL is. In every occupation there are people who are getting dumped on.
I went into lorry driving with my eyes open. I knew there were rubbish aspects: long hours, uncertain finish times, etc. IMO the only reason you drive for minimum wage though, is because you cant get a job elsewhere.

Don’t dispute that Cavey, however let us apply that to a couple of other occupations for the moment.

Fork lift drivers in Aldi. £11 plus per hour days for marshalling stock around the warehouse; Skilled? Not really. Responsible/Dangerous? Potentially yes, as people can get seriously hurt or killed around fork lifts.

Postmen/women. £10 plus per hour days for putting letters through doors; Skilled? No. Responsible/Dangerous? Not really, incorrectly delivered letters can have a detrimental affect on individuals on certain occasions.

I could go on all day, but it’s pointless. Most truck drivers get paid crap because they accept it. And then you get bellends who would rather drive a truck for minimum wage than brush a yard! We have thousands of truck drivers who get paid between £8 and £10 per hour. That’s pathetic in my view and it needs to change.

Fair point, but there are also forklift drivers earning minimum wage too. Just like any industry there’s a range of salaries depending on who you work for.

As for postal workers, they’re still reaping the benefits of being a nationalised organisation. Every time they’re in danger of losing these perks, they threaten strike action. Forgot to say, delivering mail is a dangerous job. Thousands (yes, thousands) of post people get bitten by dogs every year.

There are good lorry driving jobs out there. You’ve got one, I’ve got one. If newbies like us can find them, why can’t the old hats?

[eagerbeaver]

happysack:
Your spelling is the same standard as a retarded 3 year old cauliflower.

I didn’t know veg could spell mate? Although you could say " Your spelling is not worth a carrot ".

I suppose it’s related…

[happysack]

eagerbeaver:

happysack:
Your spelling is the same standard as a retarded 3 year old cauliflower.

I didn’t know veg could spell mate? Although you could say " Your spelling is not worth a carrot ".

I suppose it’s related…

Yep. Pretty sure vegetables can read and write.

[eagerbeaver]

happysack:

eagerbeaver:

happysack:
Your spelling is the same standard as a retarded 3 year old cauliflower.

I didn’t know veg could spell mate? Although you could say " Your spelling is not worth a carrot ".

I suppose it’s related…

Yep. Pretty sure vegetables can read and write.

They drive lorries too…

[nightline]

Who likes being tired all the time
Who likes sleeping on there time off
Who likes not getting a proper wash when tramping
Who likes eating crap most days
Who likes wearing the same clothing all week
Who likes travelling long distance to work
Who likes a machine telling you when to take a break
Who likes there family life turned upside down

[dipper_dave]

Thought I would give this more attention from my own perspective and job as a tramping box jockey.

nightline:
Who likes never known Finnish time.

My finish time is usually my choice to a certain degree within a 12 to 15 hour window, I won’t entertain an RDC unless I have 4 hours to do it so they won’t ask, docks railheads or supposed quick collections I’ll give a try with 2 hours left. But will pull out if needed.

Who likes starting at mad times

All relative but I sleep in the truck so start times of 4am to 6am are norm, I prefer 5am myself. Won’t start before 4am unless a bung is offered.

Who likes been monerted every minute

Not an issue really, my place give us the job and let us get on with it. Full tracking is available but very rarely does a chosen route or location get called into question. Knowing that my place are aware of my location isn’t always a bad thing, especially if I should get into difficulties.

Who likes doing long hours to make a reasonable wage

Me, I knew what I was getting into and it goes with the job, 65ish hours per week suits me fine.

Who likes being treated like a leper in some places

Never experienced this, be polite, relaxed, professional and a tad submissive and no issues arise. If I find myself in a potential disrespectful situation I will walk away, nobodies worth risking my job over. Unless they excite me then I have to take me meds .

Who likes getting no respect

As above really, respect is a two way street, give it and usually it’s returned. Go through life with a chip on your shoulder and drama will follow.

Who likes doing more than you should

I do just the same as anyone else in my profession/sector we are all governed by drivers hours regs and more importantly our own levels of alertness. On the rare occasion I go the extra mile within legal limits it’s either to get home, brown-nose a bit or the customers really nice and I want to help them out.

Who likes overnighting for little money

There’s a hell of a lot more about nighting out than the money, yes night out money is good and at first many will just stay close to the truck but there is still commaradery in this trade, one just has to look for it. I’ve had some epic nights out but more often than not I like a quiet one or just a small bit of socialising. It’s true the money ain’t great but I’m not expected to be the trucks security guard.

Who likes sleeping in laybyes

I never sleep in laybys.

Who likes never finishing on time

True it’s a ball ache on a Friday to finish late but sometimes I’m finished by dinner time, swings and roundabouts really.

Just my opinion, the jobs what you make it and at times there will be power struggles with planners. I’ve found putting the phone down and refusing to argue and sticking to me guns ensures there’s no doubt who is in charge. But it’s a two way street at my place, help them out and they help me out and vice versa.

[happysack]

eagerbeaver:

happysack:

eagerbeaver:

happysack:
Your spelling is the same standard as a retarded 3 year old cauliflower.

I didn’t know veg could spell mate? Although you could say " Your spelling is not worth a carrot ".

I suppose it’s related…

Yep. Pretty sure vegetables can read and write.

They drive lorries too…

Evidentally

[pat_hasler]

Firstly with regard to the post about grammar and spelling I have to agree somewhat, I often look through these posts and am quite shocked by the terrible spelling and grammar but that’s not really the drivers fault is it, it’s the fault of the education system.

Now as for the original post … I love my job for the most part, I know that I often complain about it, there is always something about your job that you dislike. Seeing some of the posts here I realise just how lucky I am. I have some long days just as others. I average 55 hours a week although I am away in my truck and spend nights in it but it has a huge interior compared to the ones you have in the UK, I never park in the equivalent of a layby, I insist when talking to my dispatcher that I will never spend a night without facilities, if I am in NYC our yard has cooking stuff, Wifi and in my truck has a bed that is 4 feet wide and all the home comforts I am paid more than any company in the USA with the exception of Walmart, on rare occasions I am parked in a truck stop where I can’t get a TV signal and that gets right up nose. I work mostly from Monday to Friday, Take this week for instance… I started at 06.00 from home on Monday, I got home for Tuesday evening and my next delivery was yesterday (Thursday), I then reloaded in Philly for Vermont and was home for the weekend at 07.00 this morning. Easy job really.

[nightline]

Pat Hasler:
Firstly with regard to the post about grammar and spelling I have to agree somewhat, I often look through these posts and am quite shocked by the terrible spelling and grammar but that’s not really the drivers fault is it, it’s the fault of the education system.

Now as for the original post … I love my job for the most part, I know that I often complain about it, there is always something about your job that you dislike. Seeing some of the posts here I realise just how lucky I am. I have some long days just as others. I average 55 hours a week although I am away in my truck and spend nights in it but it has a huge interior compared to the ones you have in the UK, I never park in the equivalent of a layby, I insist when talking to my dispatcher that I will never spend a night without facilities, if I am in NYC our yard has cooking stuff, Wifi and in my truck has a bed that is 4 feet wide and all the home comforts I am paid more than any company in the USA with the exception of Walmart, on rare occasions I am parked in a truck stop where I can’t get a TV signal and that gets right up nose. I work mostly from Monday to Friday, Take this week for instance… I started at 06.00 from home on Monday, I got home for Tuesday evening and my next delivery was yesterday (Thursday), I then reloaded in Philly for Vermont and was home for the weekend at 07.00 this morning. Easy job really.

Nothing to do with spelling try using auto spell it can make you look stupid but that’s no harm the main thing is to get a point across and i think all the 7.50 to 8.00 an hour people got that so the comeback is slag about spelling but that’s ok as i have always said we need people like that to take the slack and make us good drivers even more money
It’s not rocket science any and all fields need people to take the slack at a lower rate and in truth we would be all equal if that was not the case

[kcrussell25]

nightline:
Who likes never known Finnish time
Who likes starting at mad times
Who likes been monerted every minute
Who likes doing long hours to make a reasonable wage
Who likes being treated like a leper in some places
Who likes getting no respect
Who likes doing more than you should
Who likes overnighting for little money
Who likes sleeping in laybyes
Who likes never finishing on time

I have been driving for 7 weeks now after 20 years in retail. With the exception of nights out/laybys all of the above apply to retail, and I am sure many other industries. In some ways the taco rules help as I must have time off. I didn’t have that protection before.

As others have said I find being polite and friendly avoids the issues a lot of others complain of.

Regards money I am sure driving paid more in the past but so did a lot of other trades so can’t be surprised that its happened, not that I am condoning it.

All these who say stacking shelves in Aldi pays better why not go do it? I assume its a combination of it is seriously hard work there (I didn’t work for them but know people who do/did). Also whilst its a high hourly rate you won’t get enough hours in consistently to match your weeks wages driving a truck.

I now do fridge work for more money and a fraction of the stress and hassle that I had running a nightshift. Longer term I will look for something more specialized/better paid but this is a good start for me.

I knew what I was walking into as should anyone else who is planning to change career

[andrewg]

nightline:
Who likes being tired all the time
Who likes sleeping on there time off
Who likes not getting a proper wash when tramping
Who likes eating crap most days
Who likes wearing the same clothing all week
Who likes travelling long distance to work
Who likes a machine telling you when to take a break
Who likes there family life turned upside down

Apart from a machine advising me to take a break i cant say any part of the rest of that list applies…you havent quite got the hang of this driving lark yet have you…

[southeastcashew]

AndrewG:

nightline:
Who likes never known Finnish time
Who likes starting at mad times
Who likes been monerted every minute
Who likes doing long hours to make a reasonable wage
Who likes being treated like a leper in some places
Who likes getting no respect
Who likes doing more than you should
Who likes overnighting for little money
Who likes sleeping in laybyes
Who likes never finishing on time

Needs to find better employer…

Needs to find a better dictionary… what’s a leper? :'-/

[nightline]

SouthEastCashew:

AndrewG:

nightline:
Who likes never known Finnish time
Who likes starting at mad times
Who likes been monerted every minute
Who likes doing long hours to make a reasonable wage
Who likes being treated like a leper in some places
Who likes getting no respect
Who likes doing more than you should
Who likes overnighting for little money
Who likes sleeping in laybyes
Who likes never finishing on time

Needs to find better employer…

Needs to find a better dictionary… what’s a leper? :'-/

Another 7.50 to 8.00 a hour merchant that’s what happens when you skim the bone it’s brings out there intelligent mind