Well, I started with Stobarts a month and it’s quite a easy job. Hours can be long but most HGV jobs are nowadays.
And in that time I have had comments said to me which have been a bit out of order. 1 example being from a Wincanton driver at Lymm services. I think he called me waste of time and thanked me personal for ruining the haulage business.
Only been driving 5 years, didn’t realise I could destroy so much so little time 
UKtramp:
Its just business and all businesses do the very same thing. The supermarkets took all the business away from the corner shops but no one hates them, the supermarkets all undercut each other or worse, they price fix. Car manufacturers do it all the time. Stobart is not to blame for the state that this industry is in, the drivers have played as much of a part as anyone else for allowing this to get to where it is now.
Utter rubbish.
Weasel87:
Well, I started with Stobarts a month and it’s quite a easy job. Hours can be long but most HGV jobs are nowadays.And in that time I have had comments said to me which have been a bit out of order. 1 example being from a Wincanton driver at Lymm services. I think he called me waste of time and thanked me personal for ruining the haulage business.
Only been driving 5 years, didn’t realise I could destroy so much so little time
Then the Wincanton driver is a prick, you can not blame the drivers for their firm being a shower of ■■■■.
Any Stobart driver I know is ok, a driver is a driver, and like everything else there are good ones and bad ones.
robroy:
Weasel87:
Well, I started with Stobarts a month and it’s quite a easy job. Hours can be long but most HGV jobs are nowadays.And in that time I have had comments said to me which have been a bit out of order. 1 example being from a Wincanton driver at Lymm services. I think he called me waste of time and thanked me personal for ruining the haulage business.
Only been driving 5 years, didn’t realise I could destroy so much so little time
Then the Wincanton driver is a prick, you can not blame the drivers for their firm being a shower of [zb].
Any Stobart driver I know is ok, a driver is a driver, and like everything else there are good ones and bad ones.
It’s also a bit rich from a Wincanton driver. This is Wincanton who also undercut other operators to get contracts…
Norfolkinclue1:
UKtramp:
Its just business and all businesses do the very same thing. The supermarkets took all the business away from the corner shops but no one hates them, the supermarkets all undercut each other or worse, they price fix. Car manufacturers do it all the time. Stobart is not to blame for the state that this industry is in, the drivers have played as much of a part as anyone else for allowing this to get to where it is now.Utter rubbish.
So are you saying that Supermarkets have been a good thing for the small shops and haven’t tried to gain market share and driving them out of business by using loss leader to get customers through their doors?
Or they haven’t put undue pressure on their suppliers, including hauliers, to reduce their prices if they want to keep their contracts with the Supermarket chain?
So are you saying Stobart’s are the only large company that has taken work from other companies by undercutting them?
Are you saying all the problems in the Haulage industry are the sole responsibility of Stobart’s and the like of Turners, Wincanton, XPO, Downton etc, haven’t also reduced Drivers terms and conditions in their efforts to reduce costs, increase profits and undercut their rivals?
Weasel87:
Well, I started with Stobarts a month and it’s quite a easy job. Hours can be long but most HGV jobs are nowadays.And in that time I have had comments said to me which have been a bit out of order. 1 example being from a Wincanton driver at Lymm services. I think he called me waste of time and thanked me personal for ruining the haulage business.
Only been driving 5 years, didn’t realise I could destroy so much so little time
Stobart drivers were at one time self confessed “Chauffeur’s” not drivers, a claim that would wind other drivers up who were doing the same job.
Large companies such as Stobart, Wincanton, DHL, XPO ( incl Christian Salveston & TND prior to buy outs) C. Butts ( Morrison’s ) Ceva, it’s driver rivalry, same job average same pay, the companies they work for however undercut each other to secure work
Norfolkinclue1:
UKtramp:
Its just business and all businesses do the very same thing. The supermarkets took all the business away from the corner shops but no one hates them, the supermarkets all undercut each other or worse, they price fix. Car manufacturers do it all the time. Stobart is not to blame for the state that this industry is in, the drivers have played as much of a part as anyone else for allowing this to get to where it is now.Utter rubbish.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
why would it be utter rubbish?
its a well known fact that supermarkets move into a town and devestate the local economy to the effect that your local butcher,fishmonger,baker etc will be down the pan and employed by them on the shop floor within a few years.
i saw it happen for years in scotland,and see it happening here in n.i. although its 30 years behind the times.
car manufacturers fix prices to market levels and locations,the ferries price fix especially n the irish routes,and since time began,hgv drivers have bit each others bums and taken a royal shafting with or without the help of the unions destroying theis occupations.
i owned a petrol station untill about 18 years ago and at the time the trade retailers newspapers came round with the news that teso decided to operate their fuel stations at a 40 million per year loss.1 reason was they could recoup by adding 1p onto a tin of beans,and 2.so that the revenue wouldnt go to tesco and the rest.so im afraid its you thats talking pish.
my 2cents worth…I worked on the drag fleet out o Carlisle when proper ties were worn (clip on came in at later time ) any way it was the warehousing that was the main business the motors were a way to a means so to speak. example CMB Carlisle to burton o t with load of cans ,then back empty. or pick up night shift drag (Saturday early morning)with a load o empty cans for lisburn ccsb ,ferry iirc had to be one with the high deck so Carlisle-cairnryan -larne-lisburn 7am boat I seem to mind then unload ,back to larne empty wait until the 6pm? boat back to cairnryan and park up !!! run back to Carlisle ,might do a couple o loads from CMB to depot then home. as a side note I remember the new warehouse at burton when they sent about 20 of us down one Saturday morning to start to stock it with cans…you went up the side, alongside the tracks door opened you swung in unloaded another door opened and away you went well the motor burned out on the out door (I was second in )…well use the chain to open the door ehhhhh no chain was an extra so they didn’t have one fitted …still remember the fun of reversing all the way out and back round ,iirc the railway sent someone to watch no one reversed onto the tracks.
Grumpy Dad:
Stobart drivers were at one time self confessed “Chauffeur’s” not drivers, a claim that would wind other drivers up who were doing the same job.
Errr Chauffeur/driver…What’s the difference??
When I worked for the Belgians I was a chauffeur, the firm I work for in the UK now I’m a driver.
Still do basically the same job, drive a ■■■■ truck. 
robroy:
Grumpy Dad:
Stobart drivers were at one time self confessed “Chauffeur’s” not drivers, a claim that would wind other drivers up who were doing the same job.Errr Chauffeur/driver…What’s the difference??
When I worked for the Belgians I was a chauffeur, the firm I work for in the UK now I’m a driver.
Still do basically the same job, drive a [zb] truck.
Not exactly sure, think it could have been something along the lines of it sounding better, as in they thought they were a better class of driver, they were at the time ( mid 80’s ) the nationally recognised haulier. But as said today they do the same job for approx the same pay.
muckles:
Norfolkinclue1:
UKtramp:
Its just business and all businesses do the very same thing. The supermarkets took all the business away from the corner shops but no one hates them, the supermarkets all undercut each other or worse, they price fix. Car manufacturers do it all the time. Stobart is not to blame for the state that this industry is in, the drivers have played as much of a part as anyone else for allowing this to get to where it is now.Utter rubbish.
So are you saying that Supermarkets have been a good thing for the small shops and haven’t tried to gain market share and driving them out of business by using loss leader to get customers through their doors?
Or they haven’t put undue pressure on their suppliers, including hauliers, to reduce their prices if they want to keep their contracts with the Supermarket chain?
So are you saying Stobart’s are the only large company that has taken work from other companies by undercutting them?
Are you saying all the problems in the Haulage industry are the sole responsibility of Stobart’s and the like of Turners, Wincanton, XPO, Downton etc, haven’t also reduced Drivers terms and conditions in their efforts to reduce costs, increase profits and undercut their rivals?
Not saying any of that, calm down, and you DD. You can both put your green shirts back in the wardrobe. 
I just thinks it’s pathetic to compare Arkwrights corner shop and it’s demise against supermarkets with what Stobarts did and still do, no where near the same.
The corner shop was always going to die out to a certain degree due to retail demands and many other developments,the supermarkets took on the role of the entire high street, not just a poor ickle corner shop so let’s be accurate instead of all dramatic. Supermarkets and corner shops are two different things, Stobarts and a smaller haulier are not, they both operate in the same sphere and Stobart looked to crush anyone in any way, they were the first, as Rob mentioned in his post.
Now the supermarkets under cut each other as do the haulage industry, no denying that.
Stobarts get the hate probably because they led the way, and still do.
Norfolkinclue1:
muckles:
Norfolkinclue1:
UKtramp:
Its just business and all businesses do the very same thing. The supermarkets took all the business away from the corner shops but no one hates them, the supermarkets all undercut each other or worse, they price fix. Car manufacturers do it all the time. Stobart is not to blame for the state that this industry is in, the drivers have played as much of a part as anyone else for allowing this to get to where it is now.Utter rubbish.
So are you saying that Supermarkets have been a good thing for the small shops and haven’t tried to gain market share and driving them out of business by using loss leader to get customers through their doors?
Or they haven’t put undue pressure on their suppliers, including hauliers, to reduce their prices if they want to keep their contracts with the Supermarket chain?
So are you saying Stobart’s are the only large company that has taken work from other companies by undercutting them?
Are you saying all the problems in the Haulage industry are the sole responsibility of Stobart’s and the like of Turners, Wincanton, XPO, Downton etc, haven’t also reduced Drivers terms and conditions in their efforts to reduce costs, increase profits and undercut their rivals?
Not saying any of that, calm down, and you DD. You can both put your green shirts back in the wardrobe.
I just thinks it’s pathetic to compare Arkwrights corner shop and it’s demise against supermarkets with what Stobarts did and still do, no where near the same.
The corner shop was always going to die out to a certain degree due to retail demands and many other developments,the supermarkets took on the role of the entire high street, not just a poor ickle corner shop so let’s be accurate instead of all dramatic. Supermarkets and corner shops are two different things, Stobarts and a smaller haulier are not, they both operate in the same sphere and Stobart looked to crush anyone in any way, they were the first, as Rob mentioned in his post.
Now the supermarkets under cut each other as do the haulage industry, no denying that.
Stobarts get the hate probably because they led the way, and still do.
I really disagree with you, (How’s that for keeping calm 
)
A Supermarket is to a small shop what a large haulage company is to a small one, they do the same job and compete for the same customers.
The Supermarket uses it’s buying power to undercut the small shop, they also used there considerable power to get planning permission when locals didn’t want them built in certain areas, And they buy out their smaller rivals, think of all the small chains that have been bought out by the big players in the industry and now the biggest growth area are the convenience stores that compete directly with the last of the small independents.
the Large Logistics companies do similar, they offer cut price deals that the small operators can’t compete with, they either buy up rivals or see them go out of business.
I doubt Stobarts started the trend of haulage companies undercutting each other, and they aren’t the only one’s that do it. Like I said in another thread I remember some 20 years ago the haulage company I worked for losing his lucrative contract for a local factory to Securicor Omega. They went in offered who knows what, probably warehousing, lower rates etc, no way a company of only 20 trucks could compete with that.
Dont think its actual hate, its just become trendy and a bit habitual to knock certain companies no matter what kind of different markets theyre in, whether its transport, retail shop chains like supermarkets, jewellery shops, flat pack furniture places ect. Stereotyping is a thing of old…
The bigger you are the smaller the margins for survival
The loss making contract will be subsided by the profit one
It’s like when you see lots of trucks parked up and say to yourself how are they making money
muckles:
I really disagree with you, (How’s that for keeping calm
A Supermarket is to a small shop what a large haulage company is to a small one, they do the same job and compete for the same customers.
The Supermarket uses it’s buying power to undercut the small shop, they also used there considerable power to get planning permission when locals didn’t want them built in certain areas, And they buy out their smaller rivals, think of all the small chains that have been bought out by the big players in the industry and now the biggest growth area are the convenience stores that compete directly with the last of the small independents.
the Large Logistics companies do similar, they offer cut price deals that the small operators can’t compete with, they either buy up rivals or see them go out of business.I doubt Stobarts started the trend of haulage companies undercutting each other, and they aren’t the only one’s that do it. Like I said in another thread I remember some 20 years ago the haulage company I worked for losing his lucrative contract for a local factory to Securicor Omega. They went in offered who knows what, probably warehousing, lower rates etc, no way a company of only 20 trucks could compete with that.
Right that’s it, I’m going to disagree with you, there, I’ve said it, we are now arguing and I too am equally calm ( mainly due to the mighty Leeds United winning and my possession of a nice glass of Rioja, proper class me 
)
I do not in any way agree that the corner shop and a supermarket compete, as I said before I say they decimated the high street, not the local shop. They took on the roll of the butchers, the fishmongers, the petrol station, the qualified pharmacy, the diy shop and the clothing outlet. Now I’m not sure where you were dragged up Muckles but where I was dragged up my corner shop didn’t cover those.
So there sir, I put it to you that I am indeed correct. I await your response with gauntlet in hand, I have no plans for sunrise.
Norfolkinclue1:
muckles:
I really disagree with you, (How’s that for keeping calm
A Supermarket is to a small shop what a large haulage company is to a small one, they do the same job and compete for the same customers.
The Supermarket uses it’s buying power to undercut the small shop, they also used there considerable power to get planning permission when locals didn’t want them built in certain areas, And they buy out their smaller rivals, think of all the small chains that have been bought out by the big players in the industry and now the biggest growth area are the convenience stores that compete directly with the last of the small independents.
the Large Logistics companies do similar, they offer cut price deals that the small operators can’t compete with, they either buy up rivals or see them go out of business.I doubt Stobarts started the trend of haulage companies undercutting each other, and they aren’t the only one’s that do it. Like I said in another thread I remember some 20 years ago the haulage company I worked for losing his lucrative contract for a local factory to Securicor Omega. They went in offered who knows what, probably warehousing, lower rates etc, no way a company of only 20 trucks could compete with that.
Right that’s it, I’m going to disagree with you, there, I’ve said it, we are now arguing and I too am equally calm ( mainly due to the mighty Leeds United winning and my possession of a nice glass of Rioja, proper class me
I do not in any way agree that the corner shop and a supermarket compete, as I said before I say they decimated the high street, not the local shop. They took on the roll of the butchers, the fishmongers, the petrol station, the qualified pharmacy, the diy shop and the clothing outlet. Now I’m not sure where you were dragged up Muckles but where I was dragged up my corner shop didn’t cover those.
So there sir, I put it to you that I am indeed correct. I await your response with gauntlet in hand, I have no plans for sunrise.
I like your style,
Well Sir! I believe I said small shops not corner shops, I mentioned convenience stores in relation to the recent growth area for the supermarket chains, you know where they take over an old pub and turn it into a store, these are competing directly with your corner shop, including being able to match the opening times.
I have posted a picture of myself in my normal work attire, so you can see I’m a man of honour and not a Stobart driver.
muckles:
Norfolkinclue1:
muckles:
I really disagree with you, (How’s that for keeping calm
A Supermarket is to a small shop what a large haulage company is to a small one, they do the same job and compete for the same customers.
The Supermarket uses it’s buying power to undercut the small shop, they also used there considerable power to get planning permission when locals didn’t want them built in certain areas, And they buy out their smaller rivals, think of all the small chains that have been bought out by the big players in the industry and now the biggest growth area are the convenience stores that compete directly with the last of the small independents.
the Large Logistics companies do similar, they offer cut price deals that the small operators can’t compete with, they either buy up rivals or see them go out of business.I doubt Stobarts started the trend of haulage companies undercutting each other, and they aren’t the only one’s that do it. Like I said in another thread I remember some 20 years ago the haulage company I worked for losing his lucrative contract for a local factory to Securicor Omega. They went in offered who knows what, probably warehousing, lower rates etc, no way a company of only 20 trucks could compete with that.
Right that’s it, I’m going to disagree with you, there, I’ve said it, we are now arguing and I too am equally calm ( mainly due to the mighty Leeds United winning and my possession of a nice glass of Rioja, proper class me
I do not in any way agree that the corner shop and a supermarket compete, as I said before I say they decimated the high street, not the local shop. They took on the roll of the butchers, the fishmongers, the petrol station, the qualified pharmacy, the diy shop and the clothing outlet. Now I’m not sure where you were dragged up Muckles but where I was dragged up my corner shop didn’t cover those.
So there sir, I put it to you that I am indeed correct. I await your response with gauntlet in hand, I have no plans for sunrise.
Well Sir! I believe I said small shops not corner shops, I mentioned convenience stores in relation to the recent growth area for the supermarket chains, you know where they take over an old pub and turn it into a store, these are competing directly with your corner shop, including being able to match the opening times.
I have posted a picture of myself in my normal work attire, so you can see I’m a man of honour and not a Stobart driver.
I see your point but I still don’t wholly agree however I bow to the quality of your taylor, those cuffs are inspirational.
To be fair though, I’ll be finishing this bottle and taking in a fine malt nightcap so sunrise can go whistle, you can consider this a close call.
Norfolkinclue1:
muckles:
Norfolkinclue1:
muckles:
I really disagree with you, (How’s that for keeping calm
A Supermarket is to a small shop what a large haulage company is to a small one, they do the same job and compete for the same customers.
The Supermarket uses it’s buying power to undercut the small shop, they also used there considerable power to get planning permission when locals didn’t want them built in certain areas, And they buy out their smaller rivals, think of all the small chains that have been bought out by the big players in the industry and now the biggest growth area are the convenience stores that compete directly with the last of the small independents.
the Large Logistics companies do similar, they offer cut price deals that the small operators can’t compete with, they either buy up rivals or see them go out of business.I doubt Stobarts started the trend of haulage companies undercutting each other, and they aren’t the only one’s that do it. Like I said in another thread I remember some 20 years ago the haulage company I worked for losing his lucrative contract for a local factory to Securicor Omega. They went in offered who knows what, probably warehousing, lower rates etc, no way a company of only 20 trucks could compete with that.
Right that’s it, I’m going to disagree with you, there, I’ve said it, we are now arguing and I too am equally calm ( mainly due to the mighty Leeds United winning and my possession of a nice glass of Rioja, proper class me
I do not in any way agree that the corner shop and a supermarket compete, as I said before I say they decimated the high street, not the local shop. They took on the roll of the butchers, the fishmongers, the petrol station, the qualified pharmacy, the diy shop and the clothing outlet. Now I’m not sure where you were dragged up Muckles but where I was dragged up my corner shop didn’t cover those.
So there sir, I put it to you that I am indeed correct. I await your response with gauntlet in hand, I have no plans for sunrise.
Well Sir! I believe I said small shops not corner shops, I mentioned convenience stores in relation to the recent growth area for the supermarket chains, you know where they take over an old pub and turn it into a store, these are competing directly with your corner shop, including being able to match the opening times.
I have posted a picture of myself in my normal work attire, so you can see I’m a man of honour and not a Stobart driver.
I see your point but I still don’t wholly agree however I bow to the quality of your taylor, those cuffs are inspirational.
To be fair though, I’ll be finishing this bottle and taking in a fine malt nightcap so sunrise can go whistle, you can consider this a close call.
That’s a relief my last Duel didn’t go too well.
They are also taking on homebase in the new year,lot of homebase drivers are up in arms about it,mainly because they have had it cushy for years and stobart won’t let them get away with it any longer,they will bleat about it and probably threaten to leave but i reckon they will accept their fate in the end.
I think most of the hatred comes from the tv show. The show is just cringeworthy! And the spotters, that does not help.
I worked for stobarts for a year as a forkie, the pay back then was 11.63 per hr, t+1.3 for over 37.5 hrs and double for Sunday’s. So I can’t complain, for what little I did I was paid well. I left for a class 1 job at Swains, big mistake! At my time of life and financial position, I don’t want long hours, family time is more important to me and I don’t need the money. I am now thankfully out of it. I now work as a forkie and occasional shunter and it suits me I start at 18:00 on the dot and I finish at 03:00. If all the work isn’t done, not my problem. I doubt that I will ever return to the road, I’ve done my time and the stupid 15 hr nights that go with it, my health mental and physical has improved, I have no stress. Would I return to stobarts? Possibly in the future but never as a driver. The local depot to me is closing down and moving from bardon to donington to a new super hub which will be semi automated, so less need of forklift drivers, but I have a job there if I so choose. I’m happy doing what I do now, maybe in the future management will ■■■■ me off? But for now I can’t see myself returning.
