So. I managed to get some work, and not through an agency either, which could be a bonus. The negative point is that it’s only class 2 but I guess I should be looking for class 1, now that I have the licence. The agencies that I have spoken to want me to have at least 200 hours of actual class 1 driving before they will take me on for more class 1. The usual catch 22 then.
I was helping a friend do some DIY and popped in to the office for a chat with a family friend who worked there, and she pointed out to her boss (after a natter) that I had my class 1 and a hiab licence. This is about when the job was offered and it kinda moved on from there. However, not at the local depot. Alas.
I went in yesterday, saw the boss at the other depot, went out on an evaluation and clearly coped. Coped is a laughable word. The previous driver didn’t last a day, couldn’t stand the gearbox or the truck but was OK on the crane. There were a few complications that weren’t my fault but I got to the end and they offered me a job, with restrictions.
So I came in today (Friday) for half a day, and then I’ll be in next week and onwards.
The morning run gave me a chance to cope with the decade old ERF, it’s ‘interesting’ 8 speed manual gearbox and the locale. The gearbox is a little worn. I think I am going to have relearn how to double de clutch, and the brakes are, um, well, they work. I had a numbskull pull out in front of me and whilst they thought they would make it I, in 18 tons of ERF and loaded to the hilt, didn’t. The brakes worked then and I was glad, so [zb] glad! The rest of the time they seem to surge when slowing down for junctions. I was told that’s normal. Erm, OK then. So slowing down on the dual carriageway on an incline downwards and in gear, then it popped into neutral. Needless to say I had a lot of junctions where I couldn’t get it back in gear as I only had two feet and without grinding it couldn’t get it in gear.
It likes to jump out of 6th whilst cruising when it thinks I should change. If I dip the clutch to change gear, I can still hear the gears spinning whilst I ease it in. I was advised to ‘just force it’. Oh, and the seat doesn’t like me. I could either have it ‘up’ or ‘down’ but not in the middle. After a few hours and I got something workable out of it, and many many swear words. Saying that I did find the back of the ERF seats have these air adjusters that can squeeze, push and, dare I say, fondle my lower back.
I got the morning run done, it wasn’t that hard. I struggled last year because I was in a different truck every day and often had to relearn ways to get things done the way the company wanted it done or the way their machines are setup… Once I learnt to trust it a bit more it went quite well.
Hopefully, being on one vehicle for the duration means that I shall get used to it and its foibles, and stay sane. It is a seasonal job and if all goes well it can keep me going towards winter.
) anyhow hope the job works out for you and you never know if a class 1 driver goes sick that rule about experience may go out the window if the load is important and your the only one with class 1 heres hopin 
