Job Offer - Advice

[cpcxx]

robroy:

CPCxx:

robroy:

CPCxx:
he came back and said it’s now £610 with £14 per day tax free meal allowance and free parking covered by company

Quite right, they should pay parking as I said.

So they are saying it’s14 quid ‘‘tax free meal allowance’’ after all …result.
So how much are they paying you for night out subsistence on top?

Valid point as I say this is all new to me so why I’ve came to you guys. I will phone tomorrow and mention a subsistence on top for being out each night with the unit. See what he says.

Tbh honest mate, I was being a bit flippant…sorry. …(.I think Mick picked up on that).
I hope I’m wrong, but I’ll be surprised if I am.
I really can’t see them giving you 25 quid or so for a night out, on top of 14 quid a day meal allowance, if they do it would deffo be a deal breaker for me, (but hey ! I’m easily led )

I think I was right the first time they are putting a positive spin on a crap night out rate selling it as a tax free meal allowance,.and dressing it up with ‘free parking’ which means the far end of [zb] all.

I hate trucking firms who treat their employees (or potential ones) in this cynical type way, taking full advantage of their lack of experience, knowing a seasoned driver would tell them to go and [zb] themselves.
But as I said,.I may be wrong…,.but if not,.and if you are happy with what they offer you, and you still want to give Euro trucking a go, it has [zb] all to do with anyone else.

Just tell them you have spoke to a LOT of experienced trampers,.and they ALL say 14 quid a night out (unless topped up with a generous meal allowance) is a complete ■■■■ take…you would have thought it would be 25 quid minimum.
Hope it works out.
On a footnote I do feel sorry for you, .you are 23 and keen, as I was once (believe it or not ) but you are starting to see at this very early stage that the industry is full of sharks who will eat inexperienced young drivers for breakfast, just let them see you ain’t as gullible as they think you are, you probably won’t get the job for doing so, but you’ll be that much wiser next time, …and you still have a good job, whilst looking around.

100% mate, for a man that’s been offered a solid enough opportunity it’s actually a horrible position to be in because it’s the unknown leaving behind what I know and what is easy for me.

I’m 23 but I’ve had many of jobs which if I was offered this opportunity I’d have been over in Ireland already by now but just at this current moment when it’s been offered I’d need to make sure it’s the right decision which can’t really be answered when I’ve got no feel for it at all. Boys here have done more miles in reverse than I have ever done in a HGV going forward

The best thing for me was to come to the boys with the years behind them and get a variety of opinions. It has helped seeing all the pros and cons and some that I’ve never even thought of.

[robroy]

Just to add to the mix…
I have found in this job, of which I have been in (too bloody ) long,.that NOBODY voluntarily leaves a good job with excellent t.s and c.s,. it is usually for a reason of negativity.

I have had 2 jobs in that category, both Euro tramping btw, the only reason I am not still.at the first one today is I was made redundant as the firm packed in,.and same with the second.

It depends how eager you are mate, you are still only 23 you have plenty years to wait for that irresistible job,.and they ARE still out there, albeit very rare…(I ain’t gonna go off on one again as to how the job has turned to ■■■■ over the years, so don’t worry. )

You do remind me of me years ago as I said…and I made the mistake of jacking a good job, but then ultimate ■■■■ mistake of buying my own truck, and more and more of the ■■■■ things, and regretted it for years later.
Just listen to the differing advice from us all, but then go with your own thing bud, it’s your life

[cpcxx]

robroy:
Just to add to the mix…
I have found in this job, of which I have been in (too bloody ) long,.that NOBODY voluntarily leaves a good job with excellent t.s and c.s,. it is usually for a reason of negativity.

I have had 2 jobs in that category, both Euro tramping btw, the only reason I am not still.at the first one today is I was made redundant as the firm packed in,.and same with the second.

It depends how eager you are mate, you are still only 23 you have plenty years to wait for that irresistible job,.and they ARE still out there, albeit very rare…(I ain’t gonna go off on one again as to how the job has turned to [zb] over the years, so don’t worry. )

You do remind me of me years ago as I said…and I made the mistake of jacking a good job, but then ultimate [zb] mistake of buying my own truck, and more and more of the [zb] things, and regretted it for years later.
Just listen to the differing advice from us all, but then go with your own thing bud, it’s your life

Thanks mate, I will do! Appreciated for the time and responses!

[robroy]

Glad Icould help a new driver.
PM on way, more of my ramblings.

[toonsy]

Oh no you’ve attracted Rob

I’ll chip in and say do it… That it has will always be there if you don’t.

The big question is will the pay at OT cover your expenses and allow you to put money away? For me thats the biggest consideration. If you can do that while enjoying your job then bonus.

I did something similar, think I was 25. Best thing I ever did. Sure I’ve had shockers and stayed in some less luxurious places, but I’ve also been paid to see scenery and places that people normally pay to see with loads of stories and laughs along the way.

Those days are behind me now. I do still go over the water but its a return trip these days, two/three nights max. But it still beats working in the UK hands down.

[robroy]

toonsy:
Oh no you’ve attracted Rob

I’ll chip in and say do it… That it has will always be there if you don’t.

The big question is will the pay at OT cover your expenses and allow you to put money away? For me thats the biggest consideration. If you can do that while enjoying your job then bonus.

I did something similar, think I was 25. Best thing I ever did. Sure I’ve had shockers and stayed in some less luxurious places, but I’ve also been paid to see scenery and places that people normally pay to see with loads of stories and laughs along the way.

Those days are behind me now. I do still go over the water but its a return trip these days, two/three nights max. But it still beats working in the UK hands down.

Why ‘Oh no’ exactly mate?
Only trying to give the lad the advice he asked for from somebody with experience,… it’s up to him who he listens to.
I initially told him to maybe give it a go being only 23, then I thought of the implications, and did not want him coming back at me telling me he’d made a mistake due to my input.

When you were 25 and went on Euro, how much trucking experience did you have?
When I pushed the boat out to buy my own motor I was 4 yrs in the job, and learned it, I didn’t pass my test one week and make a big move the next.

This lads driving experience is his car, and driving a school bus around a presumably 25 mile radius, and passing his test for an artic ffs.
His first job?
Upping sticks to an essentially foreign country to a firm who he knows little about (apart from their own version, which consists of vague and ambiguous statements on his t.s and c.s . …sounds a great proposition eh?

You as well as I know there is no charity shown in transport, you are an arse on the seat to be used, once he’s over there for 2 months or whatever, they have got him at their whim

He would be better getting a taster on an agency at weekends, or a full time job with a local outfit in his own area…in other words learn to crawl before learning gymnastics.

This job will more than likely be a reality check and a shock to the system, I was impulsive at that age also, act first think (and regret) later.
If he was one of my lads, I’d tell them the same.
That’s the way I see it.

[bigtruck3]

robroy:

toonsy:
Oh no you’ve attracted Rob

I’ll chip in and say do it… That it has will always be there if you don’t.

The big question is will the pay at OT cover your expenses and allow you to put money away? For me thats the biggest consideration. If you can do that while enjoying your job then bonus.

Why ‘Oh no’ exactly mate?
Only trying to give the lad the advice he asked for from somebody with experience,… it’s up to him who he listens to.
I initially told him to maybe give it a go being only 23, then I thought of the implications, and did not want him coming back at me telling me he’d made a mistake due to my input.

When you were 25 and went on Euro, how much trucking experience did you have?
When I pushed the boat out to buy my own motor I was 4 yrs in the job, and learned it, I didn’t pass my test one week and make a big move the next.

This lads driving experience is his car, and driving a school bus around a presumably 25 mile radius, and passing his test for an artic ffs.
His first job?
Upping sticks to an essentially foreign country to a firm who he knows little about (apart from their own version, which consists of vague and ambiguous statements on his t.s and c.s . …sounds a great proposition eh?

You as well as I know there is no charity shown in transport, you are an arse on the seat to be used, once he’s over there for 2 months or whatever, they have got him at their whim

He would be better getting a taster on an agency at weekends, or a full time job with a local outfit in his own area…in other words learn to crawl before learning gymnastics.

This job will more than likely be a reality check and a shock to the system, I was impulsive at that age also, act first think (and regret) later.
If he was one of my lads, I’d tell them the same.
That’s the way I see it.

Isn’t that what life is about at that age,opportunity and adventure
He would be lucky to even get agency at weekends because of having no experience
23 years old,no commitments, no responsibility and a opportunity to not only visit different places but learn on the job and gain the experience
If at 23 and your afraid to venture there is no harm in that, plenty of people never change but he has a itch and that’s a start so he should scratch it

[switchlogic]

The only thing that I’ve ever been interested in, and even then not very much, is how much goes in the bank. Don’t give a s**t how it’s categorised, just the pay I get my hands on. But as I say not even really bothered then. I’ve never chased money, hardly ever know it before I start a job, and as a result I’ve had so far a really fantastic career doing work I wanted to do at the time. And that’s what will be running through your head at the end, not how a company categorised your wages 30 years ago

[robroy]

switchlogic:
The only thing that I’ve ever been interested in, and even then not very much, is how much goes in the bank. Don’t give a s**t how it’s categorised, just the pay I get my hands on. But as I say not even really bothered then. I’ve never chased money, hardly ever know it before I start a job, and as a result I’ve had so far a really fantastic career doing work I wanted to do at the time. And that’s what will be running through your head at the end, not how a company categorised your wages 30 years ago

Everyone is different Luke and all with different circumstances and commitments.
When I was single all I wanted to do was drive, and yeh money wasn’t my first priority, but when you then become responsible for a family (my own choice I know) your views and priorities vastly and suddenly change.
You are fortunate to combine your means living with what you consider a satisfying pastime, or essentially maybe a hobby (broadly speaking not meant as an insult) many others are not, so they need to find a decent paying job out of a very bad bunch.
If everybody thought in your way (yep your entitled) these firms would take the ■■■■ even more,.and yeh I refer to as you say ;quote ‘How a co categorised your wage 30 years ago’ as a comparison to prove my point on that, the money you get in your bank today is much harder earned in terms of working hours etc to what it was at that time, but we just have to ■■■■ that up with all the rest of the declining t.s and c.s and vent anger about it on here if so inclined.

[carryfast]

robroy:
Only trying to give the lad the advice he asked for from somebody with experience,… it’s up to him who he listens to.
I initially told him to maybe give it a go being only 23, then I thought of the implications, and did not want him coming back at me telling me he’d made a mistake due to my input.

When you were 25 and went on Euro, how much trucking experience did you have?
When I pushed the boat out to buy my own motor I was 4 yrs in the job, and learned it, I didn’t pass my test one week and make a big move the next.

This lads driving experience is his car, and driving a school bus around a presumably 25 mile radius, and passing his test for an artic ffs.
His first job?
Upping sticks to an essentially foreign country to a firm who he knows little about (apart from their own version, which consists of vague and ambiguous statements on his t.s and c.s . …sounds a great proposition eh?

Not the zb E word again.
The only way that anyone will get ‘experience’ is by getting on with the job by definition starting with no experience.Uk work obviously doesn’t provide any ‘experience’ of International work which is obvious.
If he’s got an HGV and he wants to do the job of a truck driver then he ain’t a car driver he’s a truck driver.
The only way that he’s going to get Euro experience is by someone giving him the keys to the truck and telling him to take it from A to B hopefully with as much distance between the two places as possible starting living the dream from day 1.

The question in this case is whether he’s being tempted to jump from a more than acceptable job for all the wrong reasons and which defeat the object of the move.Being lumbered with Irish ‘locals’ based on the carrot of Euro work later fits that description.

[switchlogic]

robroy:
the money you get in your bank today is much harder earned in terms of working hours etc to what it was at that time

Interesting points. I feel You’re of an age where you’ve been around the block a few times and come on this point is total bo**cks! At this stage it’s money for old rope it’s that ■■■■ easy. You’re an experienced European man of an age that means you lived through a time where most international operators saw the law as some fancy words on a page, nothing more. I’ve spent half my career running bent, not boasting or ashamed just a fact. And when I think what I did for my money on HSF for instance it’s actually a bit hilarious. I used to average 4/5 nights sleep* a week at one point, and for not much more money. So no, it really isn’t harder earned now, this job has never been easier. Also the ‘it’s ok you don’t have a family’ point is often raised and a fair point, but as you point out that’s a choice too, no one just dumps a random family on you. It was a very conscious decision on my part, I decided that work was for me and I shied away from having a relationship, only ever had one and that ended because I put the job first and was rarely home

Actually really suited me as I’ve never been a big sleeper and even now only sort about 6 hours a night

[msgyorkie]

switchlogic:

robroy:
the money you get in your bank today is much harder earned in terms of working hours etc to what it was at that time

Interesting points. I feel You’re of an age where you’ve been around the block a few times and come on this point is total bo**cks! At this stage it’s money for old rope it’s that ■■■■ easy. You’re an experienced European man of an age that means you lived through a time where most international operators saw the law as some fancy words on a page, nothing more. I’ve spent half my career running bent, not boasting or ashamed just a fact. And when I think what I did for my money on HSF for instance it’s actually a bit hilarious. I used to average 4/5 nights sleep* a week at one point, and for not much more money. So no, it really isn’t harder earned now, this job has never been easier. Also the ‘it’s ok you don’t have a family’ point is often raised and a fair point, but as you point out that’s a choice too, no one just dumps a random family on you. It was a very conscious decision on my part, I decided that work was for me and I shied away from having a relationship, only ever had one and that ended because I put the job first and was rarely home

Actually really suited me as I’ve never been a big sleeper and even now only sort about 6 hours a night

I enjoyed reading that Luke. Not because you are right or wrong but it was a post written how you used to write. No silliness, no insults and articulate.
Welcome back old Luke!

[carryfast]

robroy:
Everyone is different Luke and all with different circumstances and commitments.
When I was single all I wanted to do was drive, and yeh money wasn’t my first priority, but when you then become responsible for a family (my own choice I know) your views and priorities vastly and suddenly change.

The solution is easy enough.There are plenty of local/uk home every day type jobs out there.So drivers just need to rotate jobs regularly.
The truth is the distance/euro lot want to hog too much of a good thing to the point where the downsides of it get the upper hand over them.
While weaponising the ‘experience’ bs card to do it thereby lumbering others with all the downsides of a career spent doing boring local/uk zb.

[switchlogic]

That’s very kind of you to say. I’ll make more of an effort in future. Got a bit carried away taking the ■■■■ out of the likes of Carryfast and Winseer

[robroy]

switchlogic:

robroy:
the money you get in your bank today is much harder earned in terms of working hours etc to what it was at that time

Interesting points. I feel You’re of an age where you’ve been around the block a few times and come on this point is total bo**cks! At this stage it’s money for old rope it’s that ■■■■ easy. You’re an experienced European man of an age that means you lived through a time where most international operators saw the law as some fancy words on a page, nothing more. I’ve spent half my career running bent, not boasting or ashamed just a fact. And when I think what I did for my money on HSF for instance it’s actually a bit hilarious. I used to average 4/5 nights sleep* a week at one point, and for not much more money. So no, it really isn’t harder earned now, this job has never been easier. Also the ‘it’s ok you don’t have a family’ point is often raised and a fair point, but as you point out that’s a choice too, no one just dumps a random family on you. It was a very conscious decision on my part, I decided that work was for me and I shied away from having a relationship, only ever had one and that ended because I put the job first and was rarely home

Actually really suited me as I’ve never been a big sleeper and even now only sort about 6 hours a night

Ok I probably worded that wrongly, that is a valid point you make.
In those days I had my own truck, so a tacho was a thing to be constantly fiddled.
To explain my point, taking out the running bent aspect of 80s etc and referring to employed drivers, in those days your max spreadover was 12 and half hours, 8 hours basic, and time and a half over 40.
By time Thurs morning came around you were on overtime until Sat most weeks.
You now can work much longer hours (and are expected to) around 80ish virtually, but all for the same paltry rate right through .

I ain’t too good at maths (maybe obviously ) but how much more would a driver make today maxing out in a week every week subject to the rules, than what he collects now.
Hence my point…quote: '‘The money you get in your bank to day is much harder to earn in terms of hours, to what it was then’.

As for your family point, I did clearly state it was my choice, I was not complaining just pointing out my own personal position…as you did.
The two comparisons need a different approach to the job, that was all I meant.

[switchlogic]

robroy:
[I did clearly state it was my choice,

Just as well I said ‘as you point out then’

[robroy]

switchlogic:

robroy:
[I did clearly state it was my choice,

Just as well I said ‘as you point out then’

Yep.
At least you’ve stopped arguing about my ‘Harder to earn’ point then. (or ‘■■■■■■■■’ as you described it) so I did make SOME progress.

[toonsy]

robroy:

toonsy:
Oh no you’ve attracted Rob

I’ll chip in and say do it… That it has will always be there if you don’t.

The big question is will the pay at OT cover your expenses and allow you to put money away? For me thats the biggest consideration. If you can do that while enjoying your job then bonus.

I did something similar, think I was 25. Best thing I ever did. Sure I’ve had shockers and stayed in some less luxurious places, but I’ve also been paid to see scenery and places that people normally pay to see with loads of stories and laughs along the way.

Those days are behind me now. I do still go over the water but its a return trip these days, two/three nights max. But it still beats working in the UK hands down.

Why ‘Oh no’ exactly mate?
Only trying to give the lad the advice he asked for from somebody with experience,… it’s up to him who he listens to.
I initially told him to maybe give it a go being only 23, then I thought of the implications, and did not want him coming back at me telling me he’d made a mistake due to my input.

When you were 25 and went on Euro, how much trucking experience did you have?
When I pushed the boat out to buy my own motor I was 4 yrs in the job, and learned it, I didn’t pass my test one week and make a big move the next.

This lads driving experience is his car, and driving a school bus around a presumably 25 mile radius, and passing his test for an artic ffs.
His first job?
Upping sticks to an essentially foreign country to a firm who he knows little about (apart from their own version, which consists of vague and ambiguous statements on his t.s and c.s . …sounds a great proposition eh?

You as well as I know there is no charity shown in transport, you are an arse on the seat to be used, once he’s over there for 2 months or whatever, they have got him at their whim

He would be better getting a taster on an agency at weekends, or a full time job with a local outfit in his own area…in other words learn to crawl before learning gymnastics.

This job will more than likely be a reality check and a shock to the system, I was impulsive at that age also, act first think (and regret) later.
If he was one of my lads, I’d tell them the same.
That’s the way I see it.

Oh no as in “oh no thats how it starts”

You’ll be sending him photos of yourself in your pants next

Yeah when I jumped on Euro I had a bit behind me (not long and not much class one either!) but sink or swim i guess.

But they’re not shipping him out straight away. He’ll be doing domestic Eire by looks of it for a bit. That’s how I fell into it. Did domestic stuff, showed i was keen and reliable and when they eventually got let down I bailed them out, didn’t screw it up and didn’t look back from there.

Sort of bugs me tbh, the whole “must have experience” thing. I get it on one hand but on the other even a brain surgeon has to have a first operation…

[robroy]

Jeez …I told him NOT to mention those pics I sent him, you can trust nobody these days.

[toonsy]

robroy:
Jeez …I told him NOT to mention those pics I sent him, you can trust nobody these days.

You sent them to me remember when you gave me some “advice”.

It hurt putting my finger there