When I joined Continental Express, I was told to meet up in the yard with my driver and set off for Gibraltar. That’s exactly what happened and we’re still good friends now.
Ok, it doesn’t always work out like that and there was a number of teams who fell out by the time they got to Calais.
Most of the time our lot are in hotels, but sometimes a crew stay in the cab. The difference is that they have probably seen the guy in the tearoom a fair bit, done some day runs with him.
I can’t imagine some completely random bloke turning up one morning and sharing a cab later.
Update…if anyone’s mildly interested.
Seen his guvnor who tried it on with the old ‘Letting the co down/would really appreciate it’’ ■■■■■■■■, followed by a stareout death stare.
The lad stood his ground but was very polite offering day work compromises, but they gave the job to one of their yes men.
They talked for about 15 mins after meeting, and he said he sensed that he got respect off him for sticking to his well explained principles.
So it just shows, …stand up to unreasonable requests and don’t just readily touch your toes.
Always worked for me anyway.
When I joined Continental Express, I was told to meet up in the yard with my driver and set off for Gibraltar. That’s exactly what happened and we’re still good friends now.
Ok, it doesn’t always work out like that and there was a number of teams who fell out by the time they got to Calais.
A difference being both in the crew knew the score from day one. In this case it is a change to an existing job.
Not saying its the right thing to ask/tell a driver to do, but does ANYONE on here remember the days before sleeper cabs when ‘transport accommodation’ was anything up to a dozen or more drivers, all total strangers, bedding down in one room?
Places like the Noake at Purfleet - need I say more!
Not something I’d ever do . Was bad enough when worked for palmer Harvey having to take a 2nd man mostly agencies. Some were ok some wernt.
To be fair though sounds a decent place wanting to train drivers up show them the role etc.
My 1st job tramping was an eye opener. Never done it or done long distance before.
1st day got work told here’s your load addresses paperwork etc.
Based in Stockport. 1st drop Birmingham then down to Southampton.
Said never done nights out what’s the score
Was told be fine when get to last hour of driving head towards an industrial estate find someware to stop.
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Basically 1st day told here you go work it out for yourself.
edd1974:
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Basically 1st day told here you go work it out for yourself.
Same here. Was the youngest driver at Jack Richards at 22yrs, had never done nights out either, just told to get on with it. Was also given a nearly new F10 which went down like a lead balloon with drivers of many years experience…
edd1974:
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Basically 1st day told here you go work it out for yourself.
Same here. Was the youngest driver at Jack Richards at 22yrs, had never done nights out either, just told to get on with it. Was also given a nearly new F10 which went down like a lead balloon with drivers of many years experience…
I know I was but a mere puddle jumper driver, so not really worthy of being on the big boys thread, but wasn’t that part of the fun? Going out ( or abroad), with Not A Clue. Is there only me that sometimes likes to just do things and see what happens? Planning is the bane of modern life
edd1974:
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Basically 1st day told here you go work it out for yourself.
Same here. Was the youngest driver at Jack Richards at 22yrs, had never done nights out either, just told to get on with it. Was also given a nearly new F10 which went down like a lead balloon with drivers of many years experience…
I know I was but a mere puddle jumper driver, so not really worthy of being on the big boys thread, but wasn’t that part of the fun? Going out ( or abroad), with Not A Clue. Is there only me that sometimes likes to just do things and see what happens? Planning is the bane of modern life
Too right. I was paranoid at the time for fear of cocking it all up and made plenty of mistakes along the way. Its the best way to learn though. Being an O/D circa 25yrs old and taking a well used F7 (lucky 7 it was named) fully freighted doing Europe was another chapter in the learning curve…giving the little 6.7 litre, 224hp (aka mule power) the job of long gradients at max weight and some was never going to be a good idea… …
While I would agree that any sleeper cab is going to be a bit cramped with two people, it isn’t really a great deal different to many of the digs drivers used to sleep in forty years ago. Many were dormitories with bunk beds, so the neighbouring sleepers in most cases were more of a stranger than this guy is going to be.
sammym:
How about your son asks to speak to the bloke and gives him a call or meets him for a coffee.
Nice dinner for two, maybe take in a show … and buy him some flowers afterwards and says ‘it’s not you, love, it’s me’?
It’d be a no from me. 2nd choice it’d be him in the cab - for proper on the job experience - and me in the hotel room, solo, with a dinner and breakfast thrown in.
sammym:
As I don’t do nights out - I’m not really qualified to comment.
As a relatively new driver - I think it’s pretty nice of the company to be helping someone out.
How about your son asks to speak to the bloke and gives him a call or meets him for a coffee.
This is just me… But if I was the lad in that position I might be willing to stick my hand in my pocket and pay for the accommodation. He might just me very nervous - but desperately looking for a job and not even that keen on sleeping in a small cab with a random bloke himself.
Worst case the guy in question is a wrong un and your son can say no in no uncertain terms with real reasons. Best your son can be the top bloke who helped a guy get a chance and wasn’t put out too much.
How exactly is it ‘‘nice’’ ?..they need a driver so they take one on, it aint some kind of charitable gesture done out of the goodness of their hearts.
Also it aint some blind date he’s on, so why tf would he call him and meet him for a coffee.
Also it aint your place to stick your hand in your pocket, during training, if it was me who went for a job that included doing nights out during training, and they were not willing to provide me with minimal proper accomodation, but expected me to cab it with a stranger, I’d just knock it on the head.
Another thing why should my son IN LAW put himself out and do something he is not comfortable with, just to save an established profit making co some money.
Not being funny mate, but you’ve a lot to learn about the road transport industry.
Ste46:
Not saying its the right thing to ask/tell a driver to do, but does ANYONE on here remember the days before sleeper cabs when ‘transport accommodation’ was anything up to a dozen or more drivers, all total strangers, bedding down in one room?
Places like the Noake at Purfleet - need I say more!
Steve
One of the reasons I chose a board and matt across the engine cover in those days over transport digs.
I once was on a top bunk on a ferry that was a bit primitive, with a Bulgarian on the bottom one with rotten feet, who ■■■■■■ about 6 times before I got out and slept on a couch instead.
I’ve also cabbed it with the mates at different times, but never with a stranger,…my Mam always told me not to talk to them anyway.
Bet you lot would change your tune if this was the new driver 
… 
