Newbie - Containers

NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE)
1

Hello, been browsing for a while on here deciding on career in LGV. Finally got the ball rolling and booked the theory tests. Just done LGV CPC Theory 50/50. Good start. Got the other two on 6th June.

No serious problems with this one. Had to think twice with one question as could have been crossed hammers or box with a line through it. Arrive at place of delivery and told it will be 2 hours before unloading. Now I thought you needed more notice than that so was unsure. In the end I had the gut feeling to go for POA.

Bit about me. As you may have guessed from my username I really want to work with containers. It’s not because I am a lazy bugger (well maybe a little bit :slight_smile: ). I’m getting on. Few health problems. On anti-coags for life so would like something a bit easier than what many of you guys get up to. Really don’t fancy all the hard graft of some jobs especially with the risk of injuries. Although they won’t do me a lot of good if someone drops a container on me head.

I don’t know much about the job apart from what I’ve seen on other forum. Now that I’ve registered I can use the search function and find out some more info. All I know so far is – lazy buggers, easy job, lot of waiting around. Not put me off yet.

My main motivation is it’s always been my dream to live by the coast so I’m thinking (maybe wrongly) that living close to a port might be handy. Even if I am wrong I still want to move to coast. Might come down to which one has the cheapest accommodation. The “easy” work would be a bit of a bonus I suppose. Waiting around might be more of an issue but I’ll have to play it by ear.

I have a few questions if you don’t mind:

Is this sort of work hard to come by/popular, like tanker work?

Would it be easier for a beginner to get into? Seen a few jobs listed. Some want experience. A couple mention new passes might be considered.

What are the methods used to load/unload the container?
I imagine at the port this is done for you but if you are collecting from or delivering to a customer would it be some kind of lorry loader? Would this be something i should get just in case it is needed?

My plans were as follows if anyone would be good enough to advise me if I’m doing right:

  1. C test.

  2. Either get some experience (doing other types of work for a while) or launch straight into C+E. [I gather that C only may be a handicap for this type of work]?

  3. Do a hook lorry loader

  4. Do the ALLMI Lift Superviser course. [I don’t want to work as a superviser I just want to demonstrate my interest and commitment to the job and hopefully spice up my CV a bit. Maybe show the employer I am thinking about health and safety and wanting to improve my knowledge. Sure it won’t hurt.]

Are there any other skills/training that would be ideal?

From what I understand I can get my 35 hours with 2, 3 and 4 of the above anyway so might as well go all out.

Any guidance would be appreciated. Cheers.

2

Go straight to C+E if you’re serious about containers. Living by the coast and working containers seems like a good idea to me. Make sure there’s a port nearby! Container work is not hard to get into. I wouldn’t bother spending any more money trying to impress potential employers, they should be trying to impress you. Expect to be told you need two years experience by the vast majority of companies but not all. You will find a job if you work at it.

3

Thanks mate. Looks like C only won’t be much cop.

4

Do the ADR core + tanks. With that you will also be able to transport tank containers.

Some tank containers carry non ADR liquid stuff but most loads are hazardous, flammable etc.

With the ADR you’re more flexible for container companies

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5

Thanks Tipperdipper1.

Just core and tanks. No other classes. Is that that the same tanks that people do who want to drive fuel tankers?

6

Regards the unloading, generally, you open the back doors reverse onto a bay and the Warehouse staff unload the container onto a boomdock, hence the waiting around.

You might leave the trailer, swap with another or wait with it.

7

Think I got a bit confused and thought the waiting around was mainly at the docks themselves.

Put a question on the other post about what ADR would be best to go for but repeat it here just in case other post is not seen?

Core + (tanks or packages or both) + all classes or just certain ones. :question:

Bearing in mind I only intend to work on containers so any classes that would never be carried this way i’d happily avoid doing. I know TipperDipper has said core and tanks but I thought packages covered small tanks, barrels etc… Would larger tanks be carried in containers that go over the threshold for packages?

Cheers.

8

ADR

Core and Tanks cover all classes, but not EXPLOSIVES AND RADIOACTIVE.

If you want to transport any ADR stuff you always need the Core course to build up on.

  • Tanks

  • Explosives

  • Radioactive

are all additional.

Like I said everything you need (CORE + TANKS ) unless you want to transport TNT :wink:

Tanker drivers have also to do the core and tank, not more/not less.

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9

Check out Maritime PDS

maritimetransport.com/join-u … ver-scheme

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10

Tipperdipper1:
ADR

Core and Tanks cover all classes, but not EXPLOSIVES AND RADIOACTIVE.

If you want to transport any ADR stuff you always need the Core course to build up on.

Hi Tipperdipper1,

I saw your…

Tipperdipper1:
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… so I can tell you that we don’t usually have the fixed ADR Basiskurs in the way that they do in many other countries.

In the UK, our ADR course can be as little as Core, Packages and ANY one Class if that’s all the customer wants.
Similarly, a customer can choose Core, Tanks and ANY one Class.

Most people choose Core, Packages and all classes except 1 and 7 to give a general qualification to carry most dangerous goods in packages/bulk.

Tanks, Class 1 and Class 7 do count as specialisms here as in most other countries as you said.

MfG,

Dave. :smiley:

11

Thanks for the info Dave.

Just another way how to teach and do it.

I did mine overhere and just thought thats the general way but now I know better.

Danke :slight_smile:

12

Tipperdipper1:
Thanks for the info Dave.

Just another way how to teach and do it.

I did mine overhere and just thought thats the general way but now I know better.

Danke :slight_smile:

Hi Tipperdipper1,

Those pesky Inselaffen do lots of other things quite differently too! :smiley: :laughing: :laughing:

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13

Just a quick one Dave but do you have to do Core first? Can they be taken in any order? I gather that if someone did Core then either Packages and/or Tanks but decided to do two or more Classes at a later date then the moment you do one Class they will issue you with certificate or card :question: . But if you havn’t finished and are still going to get around to doing another Class then they would need to issue it again with the updated classe(s). So if you did Core last (when you know you’ve finished doing the moudles you want then and only then would it trigger the issue of cert/card.

Thanks.

14

ContainerBoy:
Just a quick one Dave

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Oh dear, this isn’t going to be quick. :open_mouth:

ContainerBoy:
but do you have to do Core first?

Yes, you have to do Core, then either Packages OR tanks AND at least one Class.
I wrote this earlier, but I should have written… all on the same course.

Then you get an ADR card. :wink:

ContainerBoy:
Can they be taken in any order?

No, but once you’ve got a valid ADR card, you can add anything else at a later date and in any order you like, but see above because you need the card first before you go adding other bits to it.

ContainerBoy:
I gather that if someone did Core then either Packages and/or Tanks but decided to do two or more Classes at a later date then the moment you do one Class they will issue you with certificate or card :question: .

Yes, that’s sort of nearly correct. You need Core PLUS either Packages OR tanks PLUS at least one Class.

After that, each time you do any ‘additional(s)’ they will issue you with a new card if you pass the relevant exam(s.)

If you take and pass two Classes on the same course at a later date, you’ll be issued with a new card that has both of your new Classes on it.
I can’t imagine why anybody would even think of going to all that trouble though, because they’d be taking chunks out of several different weeks and lose far more in terms of lost time/wages.

It would also take quite a while to get a ‘full set’ by this method, because (usually) even a fairly prolific ADR provider only runs one ADR course per month.

ContainerBoy:
But if you havn’t finished and are still going to get around to doing another Class then they would need to issue it again with the updated classe(s).

See last answer.

ContainerBoy:
So if you did Core last (when you know you’ve finished doing the moudles you want then and only then would it trigger the issue of cert/card.

Sorry mate, please see my first answer. You can’t do Core last.

It seems that you might (possibly) be massively overthinking this and tying yourself up in knots in the process, it’s quite straightforward really and far less complicated that you seem to think.

Please don’t let this worry you.
Once it’s time, you can ask again just in case the rules change in the meantime.

My best tip is that you get your MOD 4 in the bag and on the system before you consider any ADR course.

15

OK thanks Dave. I think I was just looking at whether it was an option to avoid a whole week in a classroom and do it piecemeal.

16

ContainerBoy:
OK thanks Dave. I think I was just looking at whether it was an option to avoid a whole week in a classroom and do it piecemeal.

Hi ContainerBoy,

Core, Packages and seven Classes (by far your best bet) only needs 3.5 days.

Doing it piecemeal would cost you very dearly once everything is taken into account.

If I were in your shoes, I’d leave out the tanks module because it’s very unlikely that (given your newness) anybody will give you tanker (or tank container) work. It’s not impossible, just very unlikely.

Tanker (or tank-container) firms usually like to see some LGV experience before letting you loose with a load that ‘slops’ around.
Not many tank-containers have baffles (to break the load compartment into smaller sections) which aids stability by controlling ‘slop.’

I don’t mean to put you on a downer, but you’re possibly looking a bit too far ahead at this stage of your training because there’s no point in spending money that you may not recoup.

Rome wasn’t built in a day. :wink: