Only 1 is biologically mine. 5 in all. No plans for any more.
With ESL on telly, I know what I’d rather do 
well done andy… happy days pal! 
So it’s been a week now and no more work yet but lots of phonecalls and promises 
I’m back at my old coach firm for 3 days, day job friday and a London weekend overnight in a hotel at Heathrow sat/sun.
And monday it’s back in the car knocking doors.
And the plot thickens…
Interview with the firm I did the job for last week at 0900 tomorrow morning. I enjoyed the day, most of the fleet is getting on a bit but I got a good vibe about the place so fingers crossed it goes the right way 
Best of luck. Hope it goes well 
dar1976:
Best of luck. Hope it goes well
Cheers fella, I can guarantee a self gloss thread if I get it. Seems that last tuesday paid off, in that one day I’ve built, albeit a small one, a good reputation with them.
good luck fella. hope to be reading this tomorrow with you saying you got the job
loopyjuice:
good luck fella. hope to be reading this tomorrow with you saying you got the job
Cheers, I hope to be typing that I’m no longer a useless sofa dweller tomorrow, there’s only so much Discovery channel you can watch.
Gone.
jackylegs:
Hi mate, first time I’ve ever felt compelled to reply to a post on this website.Just want to wish you the best of luck with your interview, your story gave me a warm glow and that’s rare for a cynical and jaded git like me!
As with lots of things in life, attitude and application can be more valuable than experience. Based on your story so far, I think you’re in a good position.
Best of luck.
Thanks mate, hopefully it will work out. I can only go in and do my best.
I’m just as jaded and cynical about the world in general btw.
Gone.
Best of luck. Hope you will be reporting on your success very soon
OMG this post brought back memories great post
your story is exactly what happened to me apart from when i got to the DC i reversed first time onto the bay i was so proud of myself i handed in the paperwork/keys got back in the cab lay back with the biggest smile/smug look on my face, about 15 minutes later a guy knocked on my door and said al’rite mate can you OPEN your back doors so we can unload you. There wasnt a hole big enough to swallow me up pride to prat in 15 minutes
So I went to the interview and got on ok with the guy and got offered a full time permanent job via the phone this afternoon…
BUT, and it’s a big one.
After our chat I got in the car and came home and thought about what he’d said and to be honest the pay and conditions were not something I go go with. I know some of you will think I’m mad for turning it down but read on:
Pay: Same hourly rate as my old coach firm (who are offering me pretty much all the work I want) but that’s not the sticking point.
Now, money alone would not have put me off but then came some of the rules. First of all any damage and I would be financially liable. That’s right, repairs would come out of my pocket. Ok so I’m a careful driver but things happen that can’t be helped sometimes. For instance, if I were parked up asleep one night in a layby and someone clipped the truck and did a hit and run or cut the curtains to pilfer the load I’d have to cough up. And it would be a layby as the company won’t pay overnight parking in an MSA or truckstop.
So I’d be asked to park somewhere non secure, be financially liable for the vehicle and possibly the load.
All in all this particular job isn’t for me folks, I’d be a nervous wreck worrying about the slightest scratch.
I’m going to stick with what I know for now and keep looking around, I know opportunities are thin on the ground for us noobs but this just didn’t feel right. I’m gutted really as it seemed like a good firm when the agency sent me in.
I will keep looking and applying for jobs and I’ll be working “hauling cattle” while I’m doing it.
To all of you on here still looking, keep going, the right job is out there for you but don’t jump at the very first thing you get offered, listen to what they tell you, take it all in, step back, and make the right decision for you.
Oh, and there were more vacancies than applicants, IIRC all applicants were noobs, not local guys with experience.
Cynical? Moi?
AndyH71:
Oh, and there were more vacancies than applicants, IIRC all applicants were noobs, not local guys with experience.Cynical? Moi?
Bet you are not he first to turn that one down - I would have felt exactly the same as you did. No doubt some poor sod will take it and very possibly regret doing so.
OnlyAlan:
AndyH71:
Oh, and there were more vacancies than applicants, IIRC all applicants were noobs, not local guys with experience.Cynical? Moi?
Bet you are not he first to turn that one down - I would have felt exactly the same as you did. No doubt some poor sod will take it and very possibly regret doing so.
Thanks Alan, that was going through my mind on the way home.
My wife came home at lunch, I told her what the guy had said and how I felt about it. I was worried she would get the hump and tell me not to be picky so and so. She just told me to call my old boss and do coach work until the right trucking opportunity comes along.
AndyH71:
She just told me to call my old boss and do coach work until the right trucking opportunity comes along.
She sounds like she’s got her head screwed on your other half! That’s the advice I’d give anyway.
Sounds like you did the right thing turning it down. Seems like a crappy little place to work.
congrats on the job offer, just a shame it isnt a decent job
Gone.
jackylegs:
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at you.The other day you were mad for tarmac, gimme a go in an artic, it’s all I wanna do! I wasted my first ever post on this site on you.
Now I find out you’ve bottled it.
Once again, the “next generation” of “drivers” lets the side down.
All the best with your digital tachograph and the WTD, POA, DCPC ETC. All you’ll ever know is acronyms and timesheets, God be with the days of the 143 the 144 and the 164 doing a day’s work asleep. Honest men doing a dishonest job.
I think that’s a bit harsh. He’s keen to work which is good but he’s got his head screwed on and won’t just take any job driving an artic. I certainly wouldn’t take a job with those terms and conditions, and for no more money than he’s currently on.
If more people turned down lousy offers like that then company’s would have to make their offers better to get and retain drivers.