What a difference the first couple of weeks make. The agency called me up and said that they had a brand new client and that because I had “some” steel experience, I was the man. They stressed how important it was to do a good job and that they were hoping for the contract to grow, and obviously make more money. Firstly, I have to say that It wasn’t steel but was all general stuff on days with some early starts….result! 
Every aspect of the job was fantastic and I couldn’t of wished for a better first placement. The company is a quite small firm with about 10 units with around 15 trailers. The owner and the transport manager are both brilliant guys who gave me the fullest respect as a new driver and understandably didn’t raise an eyebrow when I said that I wasn’t ready for London yet. 
The job went really well and I’ve been all over the place collecting and delivering including the Docks, RDC’s and Stores and seen lots of new sights whilst listening to Radio 2 all day.
The hardest part about it was yesterday, I took a loaded trailer for a tip near Lancashire. The approach to the place was cluttered with cars on both sides of the road with just enough room to squeeze through, so tight in fact that even cyclists would have had to use the kerb. When I got to the gate I had the feeling of “what the f*@&” The weighbridge man said just pull on the bridge in the corner, reverse off and in to the middle of the yard and I’ll tip you. This bit wasn’t so bad even though it was blindside. I was tipped in no time then the fun started, “just turn it round and reverse back on to the weighbridge drive” he said!!! “Ill watch you” I had to skew the trailer round with the tyres going sideways, I didn’t think tyres were supposed to do that, but they did and with literally inches to spare and sweaty palms managed it. Now came the reversing on to the weighbridge, driver’s side. Embarrassingly, 
I struggled with this, I must have reversed successfully, a hundred times but yesterday with the yard filling up with FLTs and employees and a rather large skip on the front near side of the cab I couldn’t get it on. An older driver who by this stage had pulled in to the yard came to my aid and watched my position on the skip and after one more shunt got all the wheels on the weighbridge. I think that the nerves from all the peering eyes just overrode my basic ability to move my arms and legs properly! We had a laugh 
about my pathetic (on this occasion) reversing and with no damage done apart from to my ego; I was off for a reload at Liverpool Docks, thankfully, this time with no reversing dramas.
I have found that people will help you if you ask nicely and that more experienced drivers will take you under their wing and give you some pretty useful tips and guidance.
Anyway, I am confident that the company like me as they have told the agency to send me for any future cover. I am covering on Monday and have been given one of their new MAN Trucks 
for the day as a treat and have already been booked for a week at the beginning of May.
To all the new passes, keep plugging away at it, it will come, don’t loose the faith, you will manage it! 
Richard J
Great post. Well done for getting some good work. Nothing like a bit of a challenge to remind you that you are a professional driver and paid hundreds to be able to do that.
Keep at it mate. Your reversing will come in time. We all have days like that.
Good to see there are still agencies out there that will give people what they want and not feed them cows manure.
Happy Truckin’ 
Brill first job by the sounds of it and you have made an impression that your reliable and concentious all the boxes ticked for a company to ask for you by name well done to you hope you have many miles with them
all the best
Jen x
sweet post pal… i feel your pain… no one said it would be easy. best of luck to you!
wdf76:
sweet post pal… i feel your pain… no one said it would be easy. best of luck to you!
Ditto, the same here. Its not been easy but it has been lots of fun 