Hi there, long time lurker first time poster so please be gentle!
I have an unusual job. Essentially I am part of team that look after a wealthy family. Part of my job involves driving their horse lorry. (2011 26ton MAN 7 birth)
I have a c1+E and passed almost 2 years ago.
My main job obviously takes priority, but often for 1 month at a time our family are out of the country and we are left twiddling our thumbs. I’m not complaining as we are paid regardless, just wondering if I could top up my income with some moonlighting. I also have a lot of air miles to use up.
With this thought, numerous hurdles appear.
I wouldn’t even know where to begin looking.
I have absolutely no logistics/commercial experience.
I have no idea on the value of this kind of work.
Realistically I could take a week or more away to do this moonlighting several times a year.
So… My main question:
Do one off, we’ll paid jobs exist?
If these jobs exist, where would I even begin to look?
How much is a long distance job worth?
I’m thinking long trips from lands end, Cornwall to Warsaw, Poland. Or further?
Providing you have up to date CPC, DQC, DIGI CARD, and can convince the employer you have the experience, its just a matter of finding some work, they will of course make sure you pass all the relevant checks, to make sure you dont go to Poland with a truck full of goodies and not return, not sure the Air miles will help , why not do some UK driving through Agency, seems a lot more realistic.
Would you let someone do that with your truck or goods.
And also coming on with a first post wanting to talk about doing some MOONLIGHTING doesnt give the best first impression, if you cant be totally honest with your present employer, how is it possible for to be honest with anyone else, im starting to think the Guv is away at the moment and youve been on the Sherry .
As I will have passed 2 years in February I’m fairly certain my Cqc is good for 5 years? So I’m ok for another 3. My digi card is all fine. I need it for the horse lorry insurance so that was all fine as of 3 weeks ago.
My thinking with the air miles is if its a one way driving trip I can fly back relatively cheaply.
I’m certainly not opposed to uk based trips, I just assumed there was a premium on the longer journeys.
Any criticism greatly received, that’s why I’m here after all!
Edit: the guv is away and I’m considering moonlighting to pay for more sherry
If you cut the Sherry out, you may not need the extra £££
Try registering with an employment Agency, and see if they can find you some driving work, but dont be disappointed if they dont let you drive an Artic full of goodies all over the world
the only problem i see is there will be nobody there to feed the horses.
TROTSKY3:
but dont be disappointed if they dont let you drive an Artic full of goodies all over the world
the only problem i see is there will be nobody there to feed the horses.
Luckily I’m one of those more realistic chaps that are simply looking to earn a decent wedge, if the money is terrible then I’d rather have the time off. Destination doesn’t bother me. I’d do laps of the m25 if it paid enough.
Luckily I’m part of a team of 18, so they horses still get looked after pretty much everyone on the team moonlights during the off periods. The boss knows about it and doesn’t care so long as it doesn’t involve their property.
We have 2 butlers who spend their weekends earning £750 doing private jobs on the “off months”, cash in hand… Obviously I won’t get cash in hand, but is it possible to earn that sort of money on a weekend?
TROTSKY3:
We have 2 butlers who spend their weekends earning £750 doing private jobs on the “off months”, cash in hand… Obviously I won’t get cash in hand, but is it possible to earn that sort of money on a weekend?
In a word - No! You will be lucky to make half of that for a weekends work in this industry.
I’m wondering if boredom is more the issue than money. You have D1, is there a community minubus in the area you could occasionally drive? Obviously no pay but beats doing nothing. Or some other voluntary / charity work you could do?
To be honest it doesn’t sound like you have a bad deal that many wouldn’t mind! But I can see that not being busy could get irritating.
If you badly want to drive then maybe you could find some local hauliers and get to know them. I’m trying to imagine a country stately home with an industrial estate conveniently next door and it sort of isn’t happening in my imagination!
I agree it is more of a boredom thing than a money thing. I am also aware I have a great job in terms of being left alone by the boss. I have worked for previous families who you dedicate 24/7 of your life in exchange for lots of money… I did it for a couple of years then grew to hate them so moved family
Now we have a great deal and I’m very grateful for that…but if I could now steal your jobz and cherry pick a few jobs here and there that would comfortably pay for the annual holiday or pay off the mortgage a bit quicker.
Without being too nosey, what sort of pay / hourly rate can I expect as a newbie?
I’m going to google local firms and see what’s on offer. I doubt it will be online but who knows.
If you find some local firms, visit in person and have a card ready. It’s been proven on here time and time again that beats posting of CVs. If on Monday you call in, and on Tuesday the TM has 3 drivers ill, he’ll remember you and call you to help sort out his mess.
Just a very brief search reveals that there is a small family run haulage firm about 10 miles away. That’s it.
Perhaps I should be looking nearer the coast. Portsmouth and Southampton aren’t too far away from me… I assume haulage firms locate near cargo terminals. That would make sense after all!
Whilst I might be Licensed to drive an artic, I haven’t driven one since my test. I’ve racked up 37k miles in under 2 years in the horse lorry. And probably a couple of thousand in the gun bus.
The charity thing doesn’t really float my boat. Perhaps when I haven’t got a bloody great mortgage to pay then I might feel more charitable!
not sure the Air miles will help , why not do some UK driving through Agency, seems a lot more realistic.
pretty much everyone on the team moonlights during the off periods. The boss knows about it and doesn’t care so long as it doesn’t involve their property.