pinch of salt

NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE)
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Hello all,

Ok, I dont post much but I do read most.

I am a newbie just like most in this section, passed class 2 in Jan got my first start in Feb, passed class 1 April got a start in august after applying for my first class1 job. So I know what its like for newbies, ok I didnt have it as difficult as some. All I want to say to fellow neebies is listen to what the old hands tell you about coming into the industry but take it with a pinch of salt. Looking on another thread a young lad is having everyone tell him “dont bother with your test till you’re 21” or “you’ll never get work when you’re under 21” or even no one will give some one with a fresh liecence a go! Yes, it can be harder to get that first start, but people on here, Sam Millar for one, get a start at 18, 19 years old. Do some leg work! Do a fresh copy of your cv, photocopy your liecence and dcpc card, go round every haulage place near by and give them a copy! Speak to the gaffa, show them you’ve got something about you! Going to actually see them and showing your face makes them more likely to remember you rather than just a letter in post or a call on the phone! , If we listened to what everybody said there would be no truck drivers in a couple of years, yes its hard work and long hours and not always good money but stick with it!

You may only be 18 but that doesnt mean you carnt drive! Youve as much skill and experience at driving something bigger than a car than some 40+ year olds whos just done their class 2.

Sorry for

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Argh my phone wont let me edit

Sorry for the ramble but I just wanted to say you can get a lot of advise and words of wisdom of the old hands (meant with the most respect) but please take some with a pinch of salt

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Well said! Pete : :laughing: :laughing:

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Thanks for the example mate. :stuck_out_tongue:

No I completely agree. What makes me less of an attraction than a 40 year old that has just passed his test too? (Sorry, no dis-respect to anyone in or around that age :stuck_out_tongue:) but, okay, other than insurance and the fact that most young guys are tarnished with a bad image. Who says I’m the same, because the majority may be doesn’t mean I am too. I have IAM, Pass Plus, I’m on my second brand new car (no not because I totalled the rest, because I’m a careful enough driver) and can trust myself to spend a lot of dosh on something like that.

I was listening to the news on the way home in the car actually, and they’re trying to ban young drivers from driving at night, and with their mates in the car. Sorry what? Are these people bonkers? I agree some steps need to be taken, but if you go and do something like that then 95% of teens are just going to rebel against it and do it anyway.

Hell, if that was the case then that would mean I have to pack my job in driving Class 1 on fridge work as it’s trunks through the night.

Anyway what Damion said is true, I’m fortunate enough to be computer literate and good with graphics so I managed to make myself up a fancy CV, i appreciate that not everyone can do that but it doesn’t need to be fancy to catch some eyes.

I’ve had more than a few comments on it by prospective employers, along the lines of “It was the CV that caught my eye!” or “If it was on the CV alone, the job would be yours 10 times over” etc.

I’d say I probably had it quite hard, 4 months of solid searching day in day out (and that ain’t no joke!) before I got my start, and it would surprise you that after your first start, the two years experience rule tend to go out the window.

…when the call comes through, “Sam, how do you fancy a trunk tonight?” it’s the best feeling ever knowing someone has trusted you with a £100k bit of kit, and the rest. In fact, on my latest run I had to go to Scania in Bellshill and pick up a new, well, Scania… :laughing: