Newbie entering a 'mans' world'!

NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE)
21

Good advice indeed Evil Beezle , I’m open to any like that which is constructive! It makes sense that the Class 2 work is more readily available, but believe it or not the ‘sociable hours’ jobs wouldn’t easily suit my domestic set up anyway, as I have a relaxed childcare agreement with my ex (which basically works out 4 or five days on 4 or 5 days off, but very flexible) its the tramping work and euro work which would ultimately suit me best longterm.

In the meantime I fully accept that I will have to crawl my way up from the bottom, and as is becoming apparent from reading other threads on the main forum is that you never know what suits you until you try, and I may be surprised at what does! Agency work to start with would probably give me a good cross section experience of different things so that’s probably where I’ll realistically aim to start from.

CE is my ultimate goal, for personal reasons as well as financial ones, and will probably aim to achieve that sooner rather than later. Plus I feel that acquiring as much training as possible while the head is in ‘the learning zone’ is a good idea, gets harder to get back into student mode for an oldie like me!

interesting that you mention Hiab, as this does seem to be a useful addition, especially with the jobs I’ve seen in this part of the world.

Thanks again for good advice, it’s all helping me get a realistic handle on what the industry is really like from those who are really ‘in the know’! Much appreciated!

22

As long as the childcare is flexible you should be OK. The reason I say that is that we do Euro work, some of it can be France and done in a couple of days, but going further out, bottom of Italy, top of Sweden, it’s a full week to 10 days. Of course you may land on someone doing Benelux, Northern -mid France that fits in with that kind of timescale.

Specialist Euro work is still OK, not so squeezed by the East EUs.

I know Evil will rightly say, ‘Oi albion, most of them aren’t like you’ ( just getting there before you Evil :laughing: ), but we have taken new passes on. I’m more open to that because we double man and I can send a newbie out with someone with experience. So I’d always say aim high, see where it gets you. Haulage is so varied that you may well find what you look for.

23

You should definately go for it, you’ll be fine and I honestly believe that. There’s plenty of vertically challenged males in this profession too and you don’t need muscles to do this job either. Nobody wants their drivers pulling a back muscle by lifting stuff, most of the time you’ll be using straps to hold things in place and pump trucks to pull pallets around. (unless you get a job doing 7.5 ton home deliveries for curry’s/john lewis/b&q etc, but I would AVOID those jobs at all costs, they pay crap and the work is crap).

What part of Somerset are you in? I might be able to give some advice on who to maybe stay clear of or who might be good in terms of work.

Don’t let other people talk you out of this goal, it’s certainly attainable and a worthwhile plan to think of the future.

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Thanks Albion, your post boosted me no end! I’m fortunate to be in flexible position, having sacrificed the last decade doing the bulk of childcare and almost bankrupting myself in the process now that my ex has retired he does pretty much what he’s told! (we remain friends btw!) My turn now!

MikeD I’m in Shepton, been tentatively looking at what Gregorys offer as they appear to have a decent ongoing training situation happening, but am cautious as I still feel more comfortable with funding my training myself (somehow) than being affiliated to one employer for three years from the outset IYSWIM. And the overriding feeling I’m getting from previous posts on this thread is that I’m not gonna know what suits until I try it, hence tying myself to pallet work from the outset might be a bit like shooting myself in the foot before I’ve even started!

Any advice for potential ‘step away from that logo’ or decent work ‘round yer’ d’be much appreciated! :slight_smile:

25

albion:
As long as the childcare is flexible you should be OK. The reason I say that is that we do Euro work, some of it can be France and done in a couple of days, but going further out, bottom of Italy, top of Sweden, it’s a full week to 10 days. Of course you may land on someone doing Benelux, Northern -mid France that fits in with that kind of timescale.

Specialist Euro work is still OK, not so squeezed by the East EUs.

I know Evil will rightly say, ‘Oi albion, most of them aren’t like you’ ( just getting there before you Evil :laughing: ).

In this instance the ‘aren’t like you’ is down to you doing a specialist work, and less effected by the race to the bottom rates due to European competition…

And the other thing I need to say is that I haven’t had my job application through the post yet? :open_mouth:

Indigo - I started on pallet multi-drop (class 2 and then 1) whilst limping for them, and the fact I’d driven class VAN for them, they were happy to try me on artic’s. Getting a start on class 1 with no experience can be a bit of a hurdle for some, so I think pallet work is a great start for the average Newbie VAN driver looking to grow a pair and step up! :smiley: Both classes will always co-exist in a pallet network, and at night they will run double decker artics on trunk runs, which is again a nice easy start into artics… However the downside of pallet work is heavy 1 ton pallets, & restacking and wrapping the odd one or two! :grimacing:

Wincanton Tankers isn’t far from you, not that I know anything about them…

Best of luck! :smiley:

26

You’re right about not wanting to being tied to a three year contract with regards to having your licence funded by a company, they will take full advantage of that and you.

If you can afford it or even borrow the money to fund yourself, I’d strongly advise to go down that route.

I agree with Evil8Beezle about 18 ton class 2 pallet work, it’ll be a good place to start for a variety of reasons.

Lorrys can only go so fast, so a days work can generally be around 15-25 drops and collections. You’re given a lorry with a route planned out, put the address in a sat nav and off you go, most places have a fork lift, open the curtain or use the tail lift to deliver. Onto the next drop until either you’re empty or the business’s have closed at 5/6pm.

As a new starter, most places will understand if you’re slow to begin with getting to know the addresses of customers and routes etc.

Are you in Shepton Mallet? I’ve had a look at class 1 work in the area, there’s a lot of tanker work which would also be a good goal to aim for. Well paid relatively and decent wagons most of the time. I’ve seen tanker tramping work also available, something to think of in the future maybe?

27

Evil8Beezle:
And the other thing I need to say is that I haven’t had my job application through the post yet? :open_mouth:

  1. One of 'em has to die first for a vacancy to appear
  2. I’m worried about you showing them up :wink: :smiley:
28

albion:
2. I’m worried about you showing them up :wink: :smiley:

Why oh why oh why doesn’t TNUK have a smiley that says, “I’m doubled up, crying with laughter so hard, I nearly ■■■■ myself. Twice.”

:wink: :laughing:

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Happy to have brought you joy F-reds :wink: . Don’t send me the bill for new underpants :laughing:

30

MikeDBristol:
I agree with Evil8Beezle about 18 ton class 2 pallet work, it’ll be a good place to start for a variety of reasons.

Lorrys can only go so fast, so a days work can generally be around 15-25 drops and collections. You’re given a lorry with a route planned out, put the address in a sat nav and off you go, most places have a fork lift, open the curtain or use the tail lift to deliver. Onto the next drop until either you’re empty or the business’s have closed at 5/6pm.

As a new starter, most places will understand if you’re slow to begin with getting to know the addresses of customers and routes etc.

That’s about the size of it, and in my class 2 gig I drove a 26t MAN with a tag axle, rear steer and bags of tail-swing! :laughing:
It’s nothing like what most people pass in, as why would the schools make the test harder than it’s legally required to be?

So REAL class 2 work is different from the test, and a Newbie should view mastering a BIG rigid with the same respect they would an artic, as real life in a bigger truck and getting the job done is way more challenging than the test. I’m a firm believer in “Earning your stripes” and think all Newbies should start on class 2, whether they did class 1 straight after class 2 or not. I’d be an embarrassed artic driver if I didn’t know EXACTLY how to handle a big rigid, and know what to watch for…

To give you an example, a big rigid driver will be watching his left hand mirror intently when turning right (especially if it’s a right hand turn lane) as they know when they make the right turn (which may be tight) and the tighter it is, the more the n/s arse swings left and you create a pinch point to your left, and if another truck was heading up your left things wouldn’t be pretty. Your general artic doesn’t drive like that, and the public do give artic’s more respect and space than versized VANS :wink: So I’d put real life class 2 work down as an asset over someone’s CV, over someone who went straight to class 1…

Anyone thinking about pallets as a class 2 start, I suggest you check whether the VANS rear door is the tail lift or not (so huge), or some crappy little thing designed for cages and pig to use when trying to maneuver a heavy pallet, that you REALLY don’t want to land on you! :cry:

As for physical exertion; my experience was about 40% forklift drops in a rigid, and only a fraction in an artic, as not all the trailers had a tail-lift! :grimacing: The route and drop radius also differs as local firms know the drops to send an artic to, and a non regular drop gets put on a rigid generally, but not always if the planner/router is sick! :laughing:

F-reds:

albion:
2. I’m worried about you showing them up :wink: :smiley:

Why oh why oh why doesn’t TNUK have a smiley that says, “I’m doubled up, crying with laughter so hard, I nearly [zb] myself. Twice.”

:wink: :laughing:

What you saying mate, can I put you down as a reference or what? :open_mouth:
To be fair, I suspect Albion is more worried about whether her other drivers could cope with being cooped up with this bellend! :laughing:

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:laughing:

Oh, and in all seriousness, nice post by the way, big +1 from me.

32

Hey there are plenty of us women drivers out there in fact plenty on the forums

By vertically challenged how tall as I am 147 cm have been driving CE for quite some time now started van driving then just progressed from there would I change it no way so I would say just go for it what is to stop you although I am a bit older than you I managed to get work ok even as a newbie way back then

Stop worrying

33

animal:
Hey there are plenty of us women drivers out there in fact plenty on the forums

By vertically challenged how tall as I am 147 cm have been driving CE for quite some time now started van driving then just progressed from there would I change it no way so I would say just go for it what is to stop you although I am a bit older than you I managed to get work ok even as a newbie way back then

Stop worrying

There we have it; attitude is more important than altitude!

Sorry, Saturday night. . .

34

Franglais:

animal:
Hey there are plenty of us women drivers out there in fact plenty on the forums

By vertically challenged how tall as I am 147 cm have been driving CE for quite some time now started van driving then just progressed from there would I change it no way so I would say just go for it what is to stop you although I am a bit older than you I managed to get work ok even as a newbie way back then

Stop worrying

There we have it; attitude is more important than altitude!

Sorry, Saturday night. . .

Any full size women on the forum please? :open_mouth:
I’d actually say there is a high representation of ladies on the forum, but unless the ladies keep banging on about it, all the fresh newbies wouldn’t know. Overall that’s actually surprising, as ladies bang on about everything else! :laughing: (That’ll drag em out the woodwork! :wink:)
But seriously my point is valid so hear me out, as Yoni has started a thread in this forum, but no newbies will know she’s a Dutch lady as not surprisingly she didn’t identify her gender and nationality first. Basically most of us generally first assume we are talking to a UK bloke, and Yoni’s English is easily passable as native, as such most of us make assumptions until we know different. I’m very happy to say we have a great representation of ladies on the forum, even evil boss ones! :imp:

(I want proof of postage next time… :wink:)

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Not rising to it evil :laughing:

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Evil8Beezle:

Franglais:

animal:
Hey there are plenty of us women drivers out there in fact plenty on the forums

By vertically challenged how tall as I am 147 cm have been driving CE for quite some time now started van driving then just progressed from there would I change it no way so I would say just go for it what is to stop you although I am a bit older than you I managed to get work ok even as a newbie way back then

Stop worrying

There we have it; attitude is more important than altitude!

Sorry, Saturday night. . .

Any full size women on the forum please? :open_mouth:
I’d actually say there is a high representation of ladies on the forum, but unless the ladies keep banging on about it, all the fresh newbies wouldn’t know. Overall that’s actually surprising, as ladies bang on about everything else! :laughing: (That’ll drag em out the woodwork! :wink:)
But seriously my point is valid so hear me out, as Yoni has started a thread in this forum, but no newbies will know she’s a Dutch lady as not surprisingly she didn’t identify her gender and nationality first. Basically most of us generally first assume we are talking to a UK bloke, and Yoni’s English is easily passable as native, as such most of us make assumptions until we know different. I’m very happy to say we have a great representation of ladies on the forum, even evil boss ones! :imp:

(I want proof of postage next time… :wink:)

As I said there are plenty of us around & I did know Yoni was female

But I don’t shout about being a female I am a driver 1st anything else is second about from I have the biggest balls round here :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

37

Good luck girl, follow your dream is what I say. I am a female driver who decided to have a career change and I passed my HGV Class 2 test just over 2 months ago. I am finding the whole process of finding a job rather frustrating to say the least. I want to be a tipper driver and it could just be the time of year which is not good for that kind of work. I have applied to over 50 organisations and even agencies are saying no to me as a new passes at the moment. I got an interview a few weeks ago but didn’t get invited to have an assessment drive. Mmmmm did I just waste quite a few grand to pass this test only to find I can’t get a job? I am feeling down about it but I am not beaten yet. If I haven’t secured work by the spring then I will seriously have to reconsider the whole situation! Wishing you all the best :sunglasses: :sunglasses:

38

Felix the cat:
Good luck girl, follow your dream is what I say. I am a female driver who decided to have a career change and I passed my HGV Class 2 test just over 2 months ago. I am finding the whole process of finding a job rather frustrating to say the least. I want to be a tipper driver and it could just be the time of year which is not good for that kind of work. I have applied to over 50 organisations and even agencies are saying no to me as a new passes at the moment. I got an interview a few weeks ago but didn’t get invited to have an assessment drive. Mmmmm did I just waste quite a few grand to pass this test only to find I can’t get a job? I am feeling down about it but I am not beaten yet. If I haven’t secured work by the spring then I will seriously have to reconsider the whole situation! Wishing you all the best :sunglasses: :sunglasses:

It’s your timing. Reapply to EVERYONE you previously applied to based on leading up to their busy periods.
Sorry but they empty the bins and your CV from 3 months ago is long gone! :open_mouth:

Just start again at the right time, but ask a tipper driver as I can’t help you! :laughing:

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Felix the cat:
Good luck girl, follow your dream is what I say. I am a female driver who decided to have a career change and I passed my HGV Class 2 test just over 2 months ago. I am finding the whole process of finding a job rather frustrating to say the least. I want to be a tipper driver and it could just be the time of year which is not good for that kind of work. I have applied to over 50 organisations and even agencies are saying no to me as a new passes at the moment. I got an interview a few weeks ago but didn’t get invited to have an assessment drive. Mmmmm did I just waste quite a few grand to pass this test only to find I can’t get a job? I am feeling down about it but I am not beaten yet. If I haven’t secured work by the spring then I will seriously have to reconsider the whole situation! Wishing you all the best :sunglasses: :sunglasses:

Have you been round to visit them in person that is sometimes the best

But as has been said thing are quiet atm on the tippers in some areas

40

Where are you looking for tipper work?