My advice is stay where you are,I had a similar experience about 20 year ago.
I had a decent class 2 job on food service work to restaurants and large canteens etc,hard work but start 5/6 am and done by 3 most day and took home same amount every week.
I’d always wanted my class one so I paid for it and passed and got itchy feet and wanted to be a big trucker.
Then I made a mistake that I regret to this day.
I took a job with a local largish haulier and worked 60-70hr a week and away all week for around £100 a week more,so I was working 20-30 hrs a week more and sleeping in the truck for an extra £100.
Why I didn’t jack it in and go back to my old job I will never know but I then have had ups and downs in this game and very rarely have I been happy.
Got a decent job now doing locals on containers with sensible hours and only occasional nights out.
My advice is if you want to do it go for it,BUT beware it’s not just a change of job,that job you mention is a change of lifestyle and it’s not for the faint hearted…
Iv done U.K. and European tramping and I’d say 70% of the time I was unhappy but you get stuck in rut and I’d never go back to it especially now I have a young family
To the OP there is a lot of crap being written here by people who either don’t know what they’re on about or are relying on 10 year old stereotypes. O’Tooles run 100% legal, Tarmaceater must make the boat has been out of date for a good while except maybe in exceptional circumstances, doing euro work the working hours are generally less than doing UK work, yes you may be out for 2 weeks but actual working time will be less always been the trade off for doing Euro work
I appreciate you are in a deadman’s shoes job and so if you make the change it may not be possible to go back there if it doesn’t work out which may be influencing your decision. Have a chat with some of the Scottish firms that do the same work and see how the terms and conditions compare, although I doubt they will be taking anyone on at the present.
Mazzer2:
To the OP there is a lot of crap being written here by people who either don’t know what they’re on about or are relying on 10 year old stereotypes. O’Tooles run 100% legal, Tarmaceater must make the boat has been out of date for a good while except maybe in exceptional circumstances, doing euro work the working hours are generally less than doing UK work, yes you may be out for 2 weeks but actual working time will be less always been the trade off for doing Euro work
I appreciate you are in a deadman’s shoes job and so if you make the change it may not be possible to go back there if it doesn’t work out which may be influencing your decision. Have a chat with some of the Scottish firms that do the same work and see how the terms and conditions compare, although I doubt they will be taking anyone on at the present.
Hi mate.
My personal input to o/p was a general view of the rat race the industry has been reduced to today, and yes also stating the stereotypical, but to be fair I did state this to o/p, and I did stress I knew nothing of the firm he was on about. 
It sounds like you have got your job sussed mate, I like to think I’ve got mine the same,.working amongst those who go at it in endurance test mode.
Thing is though when you look around, and again speaking very generally, do you not think that the likes of you and me the way we approach the job,.and what we do and don’t accept, (in a looking after number 1 style) are the exceptions rather than the rule?
I have been on boats with stressed out guys (sorry mate, many of them on Irish firms but not them all ) with a day and a half’s workload in front of them, that is being expected to be done in a day, quick meal, .shower and bed, totally hyped up while I and a few more have a relax in the bar before turning in.
You are right there were and maybe still are some excellent Euro jobs out there, but in a very small minority,.and for a poor rate of pay in comparison to over 10 yrs ago.
Maybe the o_p’s firm are one of them, you obviously know more about them than I do.
That was my point anyway.
Mazzer2:
To the OP there is a lot of crap being written here by people who either don’t know what they’re on about or are relying on 10 year old stereotypes. O’Tooles run 100% legal, Tarmaceater must make the boat has been out of date for a good while except maybe in exceptional circumstances, doing euro work the working hours are generally less than doing UK work, yes you may be out for 2 weeks but actual working time will be less always been the trade off for doing Euro work
I appreciate you are in a deadman’s shoes job and so if you make the change it may not be possible to go back there if it doesn’t work out which may be influencing your decision. Have a chat with some of the Scottish firms that do the same work and see how the terms and conditions compare, although I doubt they will be taking anyone on at the present.
Exactly mate, thanks for the level headed response. I know O’T run 100% legal I’ve done my research on them so I have no issues there and I know they have good kit also.
I always said I’f this kind of job did come up I’d go for it, but now it’s been offered it’s become more real to me that I’m leaving a solid easy number the now for the unknown… who knows I could love the job and never look back, I could be 2 weeks in and realise I’ve made an error and I’ve gave up something great which I have the now.
The pay is pretty solid I believe from what I’ve worked out it’s £45,000 gross before tax and from research it’s also v. Good money especially for my first gig in the industry - it seems to be that I’ll earn about £230 more a week if I take the job at O’T but for that 230 a week I’ll be doing a hell of a lot more hours and won’t have any home comforts.
It’s all unknown territory’s for me, driving HGV’s, working in a foreign country, doing tramping there’s a lot of unknowns. I just maybe feel that if I don’t take it then will I even take the chance because what they are offering seems to be a good deal but even at that from what I’m earning the now I’m still not sure.
They say mans worst enemy is the comfort zone so do I take the gamble and see if it pays off or do I just stick with what I have. If it was any of my other previous jobs then I wouldn’t really have a decision to make but I’ve just found myself in a really good number at the moment but on the same hand it’s 3 separate contracts… they could go bang within 6 months and leave me worse off or they could be solid for 10 years, that’s the other side of the coin too. Nobody really knows.
I’ve got time to think about it, they have been great at giving me plenty of time to decide etc. So I’m happy about that.
robroy:
Mazzer2:
To the OP there is a lot of crap being written here by people who either don’t know what they’re on about or are relying on 10 year old stereotypes. O’Tooles run 100% legal, Tarmaceater must make the boat has been out of date for a good while except maybe in exceptional circumstances, doing euro work the working hours are generally less than doing UK work, yes you may be out for 2 weeks but actual working time will be less always been the trade off for doing Euro work
I appreciate you are in a deadman’s shoes job and so if you make the change it may not be possible to go back there if it doesn’t work out which may be influencing your decision. Have a chat with some of the Scottish firms that do the same work and see how the terms and conditions compare, although I doubt they will be taking anyone on at the present.Hi mate.
My personal input to o/p was a general view of the rat race the industry has been reduced to today, and yes also stating the stereotypical, but to be fair I did state this to o/p, and I did stress I knew nothing of the firm he was on about.It sounds like you have got your job sussed mate, I like to think I’ve got mine the same,.working amongst those who go at it in endurance test mode.
Thing is though when you look around, and again speaking very generally, do you not think that the likes of you and me the way we approach the job,.and what we do and don’t accept, (in a looking after number 1 style) are the exceptions rather than the rule?
I have been on boats with stressed out guys (sorry mate, many of them on Irish firms but not them all ) with a day and a half’s workload in front of them, that is being expected to be done in a day, quick meal, .shower and bed, totally hyped up while I and a few more have a relax in the bar before turning in.
You are right there were and maybe still are some excellent Euro jobs out there, but in a very small minority,.and for a poor rate of pay in comparison to over 10 yrs ago.
Maybe the o_p’s firm are one of them, you obviously know more about them than I do.
That was my point anyway.
Fair point Rob wasn’t a dig at you in particular I know you’ve done euro work and so have the experience and yes going back 10 years things were very different nothing like Madrid to Caen in one hit to test your endurance, when I started if you weren’t prepared to run bent then you severely limited your job opportunities. There is not the money in it any more to pay the fines even if you are inclined to crack it on a bit so with the odd exception it’s pretty much straight over here now.
I agree with you about those treating each day as an endurance test but generally I think the people who do would do so in any job they had, there are a lot out there who could do with a chill pill or two.
CPCxx:
The pay is pretty solid I believe from what I’ve worked out it’s £48,000 gross before tax
Show your calculations please.
Mick Bracewell:
CPCxx:
The pay is pretty solid I believe from what I’ve worked out it’s £48,000 gross before tax
Show your calculations please.
Really don’t understand your issue pal, like a wee girl with all these emojis. Very condescending. Thought you said you were out after I told people what I’m on at my current job? Still hanging about?
But anyway, you head yourself over to moneysavingexpert.com/tax-calculator/
Sorry gross pay was £45,000 how could I be so wrong, but you enter in £45,000 and you will get the full gross and after tax deduction/breakdown, it’s not 100% accurate but any job I’ve done it’s always been there or there about.
Gross pay: £45,000 p/a
Take home pay: £33,750 p/a
Gross weekly pay: £865
Take home pay: £649
There you are ‘ ’
Just wondering mate (without me checking your numbers, 
) have you counted your night out subsistence in your calculations of pay per annum or not?
A lot do make the mistake of doing just that.
I never have, my night out money is exs for me to spend, fair do.s they top up your money, but I personally don’t count them as weekly ‘‘pay’’.
(Not trying to patronise, catch you out, or make a condescending point btw. 
)
robroy:
Just wondering mate (without me checking your numbers,
A lot do make the mistake of doing just that.
I never have, my night out money is exs for me to spend, fair do.s they top up your money, but I personally don’t count them as weekly ‘‘pay’’.
(Not trying to patronise, catch you out, or make a condescending point btw.
Nah mate your fine, I know your not lol.
But I phoned last night to ask about expenses, he will be checking that out and getting back to me. So that £650 may well be with or without the expenses I’m not sure.
I probs think that would be £650 including the night out money etc.
robroy:
Just wondering mate (without me checking your numbers,
A lot do make the mistake of doing just that.
I never have, my night out money is exs for me to spend, fair do.s they top up your money, but I personally don’t count them as weekly ‘‘pay’’.
(Not trying to patronise, catch you out, or make a condescending point btw.
So guys just got back to me.
Now saying £610 a week after tax plus £14 per night expenses and all parking is paid for.
How does that sound?
CPCxx:
Mazzer2:
To the OP there is a lot of crap being written here by people who either don’t know what they’re on about or are relying on 10 year old stereotypes. O’Tooles run 100% legal, Tarmaceater must make the boat has been out of date for a good while except maybe in exceptional circumstances, doing euro work the working hours are generally less than doing UK work, yes you may be out for 2 weeks but actual working time will be less always been the trade off for doing Euro work
I appreciate you are in a deadman’s shoes job and so if you make the change it may not be possible to go back there if it doesn’t work out which may be influencing your decision. Have a chat with some of the Scottish firms that do the same work and see how the terms and conditions compare, although I doubt they will be taking anyone on at the present.Exactly mate, thanks for the level headed response. I know O’Toole run 100% legal I’ve done my research on them so I have no issues there and I know they have good kit also.
I always said I’f this kind of job did come up I’d go for it, but now it’s been offered it’s become more real to me that I’m leaving a solid easy number the now for the unknown… who knows I could love the job and never look back, I could be 2 weeks in and realise I’ve made an error and I’ve gave up something great which I have the now.
The pay is pretty solid I believe from what I’ve worked out it’s £45,000 gross before tax and from research it’s also v. Good money especially for my first gig in the industry - it seems to be that I’ll earn about £230 more a week if I take the job at O’Tooles but for that 230 a week I’ll be doing a hell of a lot more hours and won’t have any home comforts.
It’s all unknown territory’s for me, driving HGV’s, working in a foreign country, doing tramping there’s a lot of unknowns. I just maybe feel that if I don’t take it then will I even take the chance because what they are offering seems to be a good deal but even at that from what I’m earning the now I’m still not sure.
They say mans worst enemy is the comfort zone so do I take the gamble and see if it pays off or do I just stick with what I have. If it was any of my other previous jobs then I wouldn’t really have a decision to make but I’ve just found myself in a really good number at the moment but on the same hand it’s 3 separate contracts… they could go bang within 6 months and leave me worse off or they could be solid for 10 years, that’s the other side of the coin too. Nobody really knows.
I’ve got time to think about it, they have been great at giving me plenty of time to decide etc. So I’m happy about that.
^ + 1.
But no point in defeating the object of the move by accepting a possible/probable bait and switch move.
Also remember that Euro tramping, like UK tramping, is a very different thing to all UK-Euro-UK/Irish full, or at least only a few bulk part loads, runs.That’s closer to the description of Euro trunking.
Tell em you’re up for the job on that basis but forget the local work ‘experience’ bs.
You expect your first run for the firm to memorable and beneficial for all parties and for all the right reasons and the job to continue on that basis.
That obviously means that you do the job that you’re moving for from day 1.
But if it was me I wouldn’t jump from what you consider to be a ‘dead mans shoes’ job for either an offer of Euro Tramping let alone the ‘experience’ bait and switch.
Both of which for me would defeat the object of the move.Tramping by it’s nature contains all the downsides of local work and distance work combined.That obviously being magnified when transferred to Continental operations.
As for the local experience first bs the reality is more likely to be that you’re stuck on zb work at the bottom of a very long waiting list of hopeful drivers ahead of you who’ve been snared by the same carrot.Even then it’s more likely that the firm will prefer to recruit ‘experienced’ Euro drivers than take any of those who it has categorised as ‘not worthy’ from the start.
If that is for 7 days how is that for you?
.
Now I’ll argue against Juddian and RobRoy position on pay.
What matters isn’t how much per hour, but how much in your bank account at the year’s end.
If you are going tramping then finishing early doesn’t put you back home with the wife and kids, or the girlfriend. When this covid takes a back seat again you will be able to get in a decent routiers restaurant though.
If it takes you a fifteen hr day to get your pay remember you aren’t spending an hour or two every day burning petrol in your car on the boring commute.
You can view it from all ways
.
Suits some but not others.
Suits some at one period in their lives, but not at another time.
.
Is that a serious itch, or a passing irritation? [emoji3]
Franglais:
If that is for 7 days how is that for you?
.
Now I’ll argue against Juddian and RobRoy position on pay.
What matters isn’t how much per hour, but how much in your bank account at the year’s end.
If you are going tramping then finishing early doesn’t put you back home with the wife and kids, or the girlfriend. When this covid takes a back seat again you will be able to get in a decent routiers restaurant though.
If it takes you a fifteen hr day to get your pay remember you aren’t spending an hour or two every day burning petrol in your car on the boring commute.
You can view it from all ways
.
Suits some but not others.
Suits some at one period in their lives, but not at another time.
.
Is that a serious itch, or a passing irritation? [emoji3]
I’d be stuck in the lorry on my 24 off and back home every 2 weeks for my 48.
I’d love to go and give it a try and I’m only 23, so I don’t have any real ties. But as I’ve mentioned it’s the gamble of the unknown and giving up the hours/money I’m on the now for easy street.
CPCxx:
Franglais:
If that is for 7 days how is that for you?
.
Now I’ll argue against Juddian and RobRoy position on pay.
What matters isn’t how much per hour, but how much in your bank account at the year’s end.
If you are going tramping then finishing early doesn’t put you back home with the wife and kids, or the girlfriend. When this covid takes a back seat again you will be able to get in a decent routiers restaurant though.
If it takes you a fifteen hr day to get your pay remember you aren’t spending an hour or two every day burning petrol in your car on the boring commute.
You can view it from all ways
.
Suits some but not others.
Suits some at one period in their lives, but not at another time.
.
Is that a serious itch, or a passing irritation? [emoji3]I’d be stuck in the lorry on my 24 off and back home every 2 weeks for my 48.
I’d love to go and give it a try and I’m only 23, so I don’t have any real ties. But as I’ve mentioned it’s the gamble of the unknown and giving up the hours/money I’m on the now for easy street.
Get it wrong that 24 (36 or more possibly) may be in a service area. Get it right it’ll be a nice restaurant in a nice spot. You will get both. Make the best of where you are. Don’t just belly up to the bar to pass the time as quick as possible, talk to the locals. You should get talking to real people not the (No offence) holiday hotel staff.
You could be stuck in the cab, you might not.
You seem to know the pros and cons of both courses of action. Up to you.
CPCxx:
robroy:
Just wondering mate (without me checking your numbers,
A lot do make the mistake of doing just that.
I never have, my night out money is exs for me to spend, fair do.s they top up your money, but I personally don’t count them as weekly ‘‘pay’’.
(Not trying to patronise, catch you out, or make a condescending point btw.So guys just got back to me.
Now saying £610 a week after tax plus £14 per night expenses and all parking is paid for.
How does that sound?
If you’re only 23 as you say, maybe I’d take a different take on it.
Doing Euro at 23 these days ain’t the same ‘‘adventure’’ as it was when I was that age, pre tracker, pre cab phone, and all the rest of the modern driver surveillance dog ■■■■, but at least it will be an experience for you …only if to find out how crap the job is these days.
Whether the rate of pay acceptable or not, wholly depends on how many hours they are planning to drag out of you, and/or if they run you ragged with ridiculous minimal rests, or even how much you want to do this when you’re still young.
Btw I’m assuming you’re Scottish,.have you not tried Tunderman, who are a Dutch outfit with a depot in Glasgow (just off the A80 I think) they run left hookers which are a bonus when doing Euro, not sure about pay rate,.but I always found the Dutch ok as payers, not sure about vacancies but it wouldn’t hurt to try.
As for the 14 quid night out money, I was on around 30 Euros working for the foreigners about 15 yrs ago (although they called it something else other than n/o money) I’m on about 25 quid now on UK which is still pretty crap, so their 14 quid is a bit of a ■■■■■■■■ imo tbh mate.
Let’s know how you get on anyway.
Franglais:
If that is for 7 days how is that for you?
.
Now I’ll argue against Juddian and RobRoy position on pay.
What matters isn’t how much per hour, but how much in your bank account at the year’s end.
That ain’t like you to argue with me Franglais.
Surely the hourly rate determines the bottom line which determines what is in your account, (as well as the top line) or am I missing your point. 
Well I see you are very very much like I was at 25 dead mans shoes job in the early 80s , home every night but had an itch to scratch and ended up seeing all over but sleeping at traffic lights for twice as many hrs and very little more money. Now if I could go back and speak to my younger self what would I say … and the answer surprised me. Go for it but pick a better outfit because if I had stayed in the comfort zone I would never had left to come to Canada james
robroy:
CPCxx:
robroy:
Just wondering mate (without me checking your numbers,
A lot do make the mistake of doing just that.
I never have, my night out money is exs for me to spend, fair do.s they top up your money, but I personally don’t count them as weekly ‘‘pay’’.
(Not trying to patronise, catch you out, or make a condescending point btw.So guys just got back to me.
Now saying £610 a week after tax plus £14 per night expenses and all parking is paid for.
How does that sound?
If you’re only 23 as you say, maybe I’d take a different take on it.
Doing Euro at 23 these days ain’t the same ‘‘adventure’’ as it was when I was that age, pre tracker, pre cab phone, and all the rest of the modern driver surveillance dog [zb], but at least it will be an experience for you …only if to find out how crap the job is these days.Whether the rate of pay acceptable or not, wholly depends on how many hours they are planning to drag out of you, and/or if they run you ragged with ridiculous minimal rests, or even how much you want to do this when you’re still young.
Btw I’m assuming you’re Scottish,.have you not tried Tunderman, who are a Dutch outfit with a depot in Glasgow (just off the A80 I think) they run left hookers which are a bonus when doing Euro, not sure about pay rate,.but I always found the Dutch ok as payers, not sure about vacancies but it wouldn’t hurt to try.
As for the 14 quid night out money, I was on around 30 Euros working for the foreigners about 15 yrs ago (although they called it something else other than n/o money) I’m on about 25 quid now on UK which is still pretty crap, so their 14 quid is a bit of a ■■■■■■■■ imo tbh mate.
Let’s know how you get on anyway.
Well the £14 is just for food and all parking is covered so depending how much parking costs etc will determine the full value of the expense if you get me. I’ll have a look at that Dutch company the now and see what they are saying to it online.
robroy:
Franglais:
If that is for 7 days how is that for you?
.
Now I’ll argue against Juddian and RobRoy position on pay.
What matters isn’t how much per hour, but how much in your bank account at the year’s end.
If you are going tramping then finishing early doesn’t put you back home with the wife and kids, or the girlfriend. When this covid takes a back seat again you will be able to get in a decent routiers restaurant though.
If it takes you a fifteen hr day to get your pay remember you aren’t spending an hour or two every day burning petrol in your car on the boring commute.
You can view it from all ways
.
Suits some but not others.
Suits some at one period in their lives, but not at another time.
.
Is that a serious itch, or a passing irritation? [emoji3]That ain’t like you to argue with me Franglais. [emoji38]
Surely the hourly rate determines the bottom line which determines what is in your account, (as well as the top line) or am I missing your point.
Just pointing out another way to calculate whether or not a job is paying enough.
20quid an hour for a 4 hr day is great if you’re going home. Not good if you do 4 hrs and park up.
Of the OP is 100 or more quid better off per week, and may have less outgoings, then does it matter if he works 10 extra hours or 30 extra hours for that 100?
He isn’t going to spend those extra hrs at home, so they aren’t worth so much.
To pay some one an extra hour or two per day when staying away from home…is different to paying someone who isn’t going home.
Not very well explained, sorry.
(I would be arguing that point even if it wasn’t against you!)
JIMBO47:
Well I see you are very very much like I was at 25 dead mans shoes job in the early 80s , home every night but had an itch to scratch and ended up seeing all over but sleeping at traffic lights for twice as many hrs and very little more money. Now if I could go back and speak to my younger self what would I say … and the answer surprised me. Go for it but pick a better outfit because if I had stayed in the comfort zone I would never had left to come to Canada james
Interesting insight James, the gamble appears to have certainly paid off for you. That’s the thing, if you don’t take these opportunities are you always going to wonder what if?