my dilema!

so ive been working in the traffic office now for about 6 months, I only had my class 1 6 weeks before I took an office job (more money ) and ive stayed in it since. so ive had the urge to go back on the road for a while and gets especially strong when I have an horrendous day. I think that I never really gave it a chance the first time round and had the time to get it out of my system. on the other hand would I be giving up a far better long term job■■? im unsure what to do! I can drive with the people I work with now… the boss said there will always be a driving job for me if I decide to do that.

so what would you do■■?

I can relate to this…been in the office for 6 months now.

However, i’ve been driving either PSV or HGV for 19 yrs now…so i was quite keen to get off the road. And if i’m honest, the hours are far better behind a desk, i get my weekends free, get private healthcare, and a decent pension. But…the money is abysmal…especially for the role that i do. Coupled with the ■■■■ poor way the company is run and it gets very demoralising at times.
I don’t see much progression from my current role, so the thought of being stuck in a middle management role being paid as if i were a clerk or supervisor, with no obvious upward career path, and knowing i could easily put £7-8k a year on my earnings by going back on the road…it’s very tempting.

But…i do remember the utter ■■■■■ that drivers have to put up with these days…crap bosses, crap RDC’s, DVSA waiting to shaft you at every turn, etc etc and the office doesn’t seem so bad.

If you’re young, with little or no family commitments, then by all means go on the road, get some experience under your belt, try for a decent euro tramping job and make the most out of the driving side of things. If you want any sort of decent family life, being able to see your kids (if you have any) grow up, then stick with the office, maybe see if you can some runs at the weekend if you really have to scratch that driving itch?

pay is also bad for me. 12 hour shifts 15 on a Friday on call everyother day getting calls from the night guys then from the morning guys maybe somedays getting only 4 or 5 hours sleep… if im on call over the weekend and we have work on ill also get calls then… im young but have a girlfriend but she understands my urge to get back into it…I just thought if I went into the office id have a bit of a social life turns out that im working just as much. so why work the same hours for less…but jpb progression although very slow there is an opportunity

hmmmmmm really hard choice will I regret going back on the road I really don’t know

In other words you are still a driver just no wheels and a desk instead. Only you can decide

Jimmy

Driving is an itch you got to scratch I would sit down with your boss tell him how you feel and tell him you want to go back on the road for a month or 6 weeks.
Until you get out on the road you cant really make a proper decision.
Hope this helps

Jeff.

your right I think jeff it wont go away but because ive just moved to this job 6 weeks ago im not too sure ill have the luxury of a time out hence why such a hard decision. anyones opinions welcome! its always good to get ideas of people who knows

I had my hgv and psv licences within a month of each other, I drove hgv then in the TA for 11 years while I drove buses for 17 years and after a really bad accident I was going to leave but was given a (created) job in the office, I did that for 7 years.
I loved the office job as I had my own set up and was my own boss and go to meet upset or difficult customers face to face and either try and educate them about the industry and diplomatically resolve complaints.
Since redundancy I have done a bit of various driving and office work but I have been working for my current employer for a couple of years, and guess what? I have no desire to work in an office again, that said I will be dammed if I ever drive a bus again :laughing:
11 years bus free and my mate a manager at a bus depot keeps telling me he can get me £11 an hour, I keep laughing :laughing: :laughing:

jimmy have a chat with the boss. There is just a chance another (older?) driver might like to try his hand in the office. Perhaps you could swap over every week/fortnight/month.