Prize idiot tipper driver

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE)
41

A few points for clarification (even though we’ve now drifted off-topic :blush: )…

My original gripe with some of the replies was because it appeared that some of us, who should be sticking together (there’s plenty of others out there that knock us!) were turning against some of our own i.e. tipper drivers who are still ‘truck drivers’!

My point with the rest of the post i.e. flashing-in is that;

a) it shouldn’t be necessary if a driver is good enough and truly professional.

b) it can the wrong thing to do! Being flashed-in before there is a safe gap between vehicles (i.e. braking distance) is not only dangerous for the vehicle behind but is deemed to be tailgating. Barely a month ago, one of the Traffic Commissioners cited tailgating HGV’s as a main cause of accidents and thus showing these drivers as NOT acting in a professional manner!! Don’t forget, he can take your licence off you!!

c) did anyone get taugh or tested on it during there training/test?? No, and there is a reason for it!!

d) if so many drivers are dependant on it, does that mean that those drivers are not safe to European work (unless of course they are overtaking another Brit!!)■■

e) do you really want to get into the flashing-game with small rigids, 7.5 tonners, vans and even cars?? I know I don’t!! It has lost its practcality value and has become just a (dangerous) joke.

I am not being elite-ist or making out that I am any better than the next driver, however, it is simply something that I don’t believe in!

I have a clear conscience with regard to my abilities/qualifications; as some regulars on here already know, I am a DSA registered driving instructor (B, C+E, D+E), I am a qualified Road Safety Officer, an Accident Investigator and am currenetly on the waiting list for the Driving Examiners Course (i’ve passed the pre-selection). I must be doing something right and am certainly not a sprog!! :wink:

From those courses I would recommend either the Road Safety Officer or Accident Investigator (both courses have an element that involves virtually a week solid of viewing videos/reports of actual accidents. Not good.) as the only persuassion you will need to put right any bad driving habits you might have developed…

42

As a newbie when being flashed to come back in, i was flicking my hazards on for a sec to say thank you, until my porter informed me that was sooooo 80’s of me to do so :blush: Now i flick left, then right indicator. Is that right? or is that sooo 90’s? :confused:

43

Jaycool007:
As a newbie when being flashed to come back in, i was flicking my hazards on for a sec to say thank you, until my porter informed me that was sooooo 80’s of me to do so :blush:

It’s not just ‘80s’, it is now a recognised indication of standing traffic ahead (relevant to M’ways and dual c’ways) :laughing:

Jaycool007:
Now i flick left, then right indicator. Is that right? or is that sooo 90’s? :confused:

Not ‘90’s’ - it just says that you’re pulling in to the left then you’ve immediately changed your mind and are moving out to the right!! What else?? :wink: :wink:

44

whats the correct way then? I do a quick flick right then back left as i’m coming in lane when being flashed in

45

Jaycool007:
whats the correct way then? I do a quick flick right then back left as i’m coming in lane when being flashed in

Well, from what I’ve read in this thread , being flashed depends on whether you drive a tipper, rigid, artic or are just unlucky to find one of the newer breed of truck driver who thinks cameraderie & courtesy no longer counts for anything!!! your guess is as good as mine.

46

Melchett:
Just out of interest, where do tipper drivers come in the hierarchy of truck driving? A list would be nice :slight_smile:

Obviously perfect artic drivers are top & tippers somewhere near the bottom but a full breakdown would be useful.

Well here is a rundown from the Office of National Statistics :laughing:
The Good
1, Container Drivers(British)Excluding Roadways
2,Normal Artics(British)
3,Rigid Drivers (British) Excluding Tippers
4,Pedal Car drivers

The Bad
1,7.5t Drivers
2,Van Drivers
3,Foreign Drivers
4,Car Drivers

The Bad and Ugly
1,Anyone who works for Roadways
2,Tipper Drivers

So there you go :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

Ps Im only having a laugh,there are some good men of the Tipper :wink: :wink:

47

Well being a tipper driver im used to not being flashed in, not that i need it though but sometimes its nice to be treated like a proper trucker
Once in a blue moon when someone does take the time to be abit courtious to us neglected tipper drivers I always use 3 flicks of the side lights to say cheers as i think this is the best way of not causing any confusion to mr mondeo man

48

From the way people are talking about us Tipper drivers on here id say the list should be something like this:

1.CONTAINER DRIVERS
2.FRIDGE WAGON
3.CURTAINSIDER
4.FLATBED/LOWLOADER
5.TANKER DRIVERS
6.ANY RIGID LORRY(EXCLUDING TIPPERS)
7.LIVESTOCK MOVEMENTS
8.ANYTHING WITHOUT A SPACECAB OR TOPLINER WITH FANCY CURTAINS

9.ROAD SWEEPER/GULLY PUMP

10.WOOHOO ME IN MY 8 LEGGER, OH WELL AT LEAST WERE THE BEST AT SOMETHING, THE BEST AT BEING HATED

49

gav:
From the way people are talking about us Tipper drivers on here id say the list should be something like this:

1.CONTAINER DRIVERS
2.FRIDGE WAGON
3.CURTAINSIDER
4.FLATBED/LOWLOADER
5.TANKER DRIVERS
6.ANY RIGID LORRY(EXCLUDING TIPPERS)
7.LIVESTOCK MOVEMENTS
8.ANYTHING WITHOUT A SPACECAB OR TOPLINER WITH FANCY CURTAINS

9.ROAD SWEEPER/GULLY PUMP

10.WOOHOO ME IN MY 8 LEGGER, OH WELL AT LEAST WERE THE BEST AT SOMETHING, THE BEST AT BEING HATED

Am I at No. 4 for Flatbed or No.6 for Rigid? :confused:

50

I’m Andy, I’m Twenty-five, and my dad’s Bruce Lee. I Drive round in my DAF Lorrieeeeeee!

…and he’s holding up the bypass… oh yeah!

LOL

51

Personally I think there are several ways of looking at the whole “flashing in” concept, I drive various size vehicles, but normally (through choice, at the moment) a 7.5T curtainsider, it’s fair enough to say a “professional driver” should know the length of his/her wagon, but my idea of a safe distance and any other truck drivers idea are not always going to be the same :wink: consequently, I always indicate and wait for a flash before pulling back in, having done so i always acknowledge said flash.
Because of the power differential I often get passed on the uphill sections and will always flash any size truck back in, some acknowledge it, some don’t, no loss to me, at least I know that I’ve behaved within a code that I was taught.
My big argument with the whole thing is why should a rigid {of any size} be any differant from an artic ■■ we’re all doing the same frigging job, regardless of what size truck we choose to drive [for whatever reason, I have mine ] so why should any “group” of drivers be any better or worse than any other. There are bad and good in all sectors.

52

I am not being elite-ist or making out that I am any better than the next driver, however, it is simply something that I don’t believe in!

Of course you are, the statement below, screaming about all your medals clearly shows that in your opinion you are far better than the average Joe.

I have a clear conscience with regard to my abilities/qualifications; as some regulars on here already know, I am a DSA registered driving instructor (B, C+E, D+E), I am a qualified Road Safety Officer, an Accident Investigator and am currenetly on the waiting list for the Driving Examiners Course (i’ve passed the pre-selection). I must be doing something right and am certainly not a sprog!!

Does any of the above cut in the real world ? NO, basically all it means is you have done a few exams & passed them. Does this mean if I go & do a couple of C&G type exams in plumbing (which could be learnt in a few months), it would make me better than the guy with NO tickets but ben doing the job 30 years ■■ - IMO No it doesn’t.

If you want respect from drivers, be the best driver you can.

I don’t care 2 shoots what your text books say, I was taught properly by real drivers & will continue to do the job properly. When I want to lean how to drive a supermarket trolley “properly”, I will recruit the services of a “trainer”

53

scab-in-a-cab:
Of course you are, the statement below, screaming about all your medals clearly shows that in your opinion you are far better than the average Joe.

No, it says that i’ve been lucky enough to have been in a position to do those courses through some of the companies and organisations i’ve worked for. It would’ve been idle/lazy & nieve to have not taken advantages of the opportunities as and when they arose.

scab-in-a-cab:
Does any of the above cut in the real world ? NO, basically all it means is you have done a few exams & passed them.

Of course it ‘cuts it in the real world’ or I wouldn’t have had some of the jobs I have. Did you ever sit on an interview board where your deapth of knowledge was thoroughly examined, just to get the job on a trial basis and then work through a trial period of up to 2 years?? Trust me, it’s not just a few exams! Getting the job is the easiest part - proving yourself over time is where the hard work and experience kicks in!

scab-in-a-cab:
but ben doing the job 30 years ■■

Ben may have been doing the job for 30 years, me - only 18 years. :unamused: Take your plumber example; if he was ‘taught on the job’ by a bloke who always focused on water pipes etc would that mean he is automatically safe to be let loose on gas installations without having the relevant training/qualifications?? Not in my house anyway!!

scab-in-a-cab:
I don’t care 2 shoots what your text books say, I was taught properly by real drivers & will continue to do the job properly. When I want to lean how to drive “properly”, I will recruit the services of a “trainer”

In which case you will need to get hold of one in the next 3 years or so!! :sunglasses: Do you think you shouldn’t have to do the Drivers CPC? It doesn’t really matter what you think because the government and the industry representative bodies think you should. I hope you enjoy your ‘280 hrs of training (a total of 8 weeks) including a minimum of 20 hrs driving’!! Me? I don’t have to do it thanks to one of those exams I have done preiviously :sunglasses: . Maybe i’ll change tack somewhat and become your teacher!! :laughing: :laughing: :wink: :wink:

54

id like to flash people in, but ususally after ive undone my fly buttons theyre long gone, so ive packed in trying.

55

In which case you will need to get hold of one in the next 3 years or so!! Cool Do you think you shouldn’t have to do the Drivers CPC

I will not, no intention of doing so. I did my HGV & CPC long enough ago & rarely have to use it now :wink:

I also have no intention of it getting nasty or personal with you MT, we have differnet points of view but that’s it.

I still think the modern day ways of "training’‘’ are all cocked up, what happenede to the good old days when people did apprenteships or learned from the old hands. THAT is why there’s no comaraderie between drivers anymore, because it has been infested by steering wheel attendants that were shown how to pass a test & not how to do the job. Bring back the trailer boys I say :wink:

56

I really don’t know why i have read all that !!

:confused: :laughing:

57

scab-in-a-cab:
I also have no intention of it getting nasty or personal with you MT,

Good! Me neither!! :smiley:

scab-in-a-cab:
we have differnet points of view but that’s it.

Which is fine; it’s what makes this board such an interesting place!! :sunglasses:

scab-in-a-cab:
I still think the modern day ways of "training’‘’ are all cocked up,

Believe it or not, I kinda agree with you, however, it’s real easy to be a ‘dinosaur’ but in this day and age you can either choose to go with the flow (i.e. training & courses & all ‘touchy-feely’) or stand still. I wasn’t happy, nor earning enough money for my liking, by ‘standing still’ so I took advantage of every single opportunity that presented itself. The latest ‘opportunity’ for me is the new Drivers CPC (Tip-for-the-Top is get on an NVQ Level 2 HGV Driving course NOW as it will be counted as equivelent as the Drivers CPC, but is much easier!!!) because as an NVQ Assessor, NVQ Internal Verifier and studying for my NVQ External Verifier (more of those pesky courses!! :unamused: :open_mouth: :wink: :wink: ) I am over-qualified to instruct/assess the Drivers CPC. :laughing: :wink:

scab-in-a-cab:
what happenede to the good old days when people did apprenteships or learned from the old hands.

There wasn’t/isn’t enough accountability for this modern ‘blame culture’ and also because being ‘in’ with your mate became a lot less more important and essential to survival than being ‘in’ with the ‘office’. :unamused:

In my job I don’t do the ‘falling out’ thing; you’re either ‘on board’ with the programme or just left behind. There simply isn’t enough time/flexibility for any other approach. :unamused: It’s a kinda “Dinosaurs need not apply” situation but everyone is happy and likes the job. :wink: :wink:

58

All I can add to that Marcustandy is …

Isn’t it a refreshing change to be able to SHOUT THE ODDS about our own personal view of things without sinking into bitter & twisted slanging matches :wink:

I CAN see where you are & what you are saying, maybe I’m a bit biased because I am involved in a different business completely now & really don’t care too much for haulage. Funnily enough an old friend met me at my office door this morning, ex haulage contractor, well established small company … working for TESCO as a trolley dolley ! Says it all doesn’t it. At least he will be able to educate some of the S-W-A’s how the job used to be done :laughing:

I really don’t know why i have read all that !!

Must have been somebody twisting your arm if it was so painful :laughing:

59

scab, are you a train driver / work on the railways by any chance? :wink:

60

scab, are you a train driver / work on the railways by any chance?

:laughing: i don’t know if to award you “silly question of the week” award, as it’s only Monday, but I will bear this one in mind :smiley:

No