Sorry guys going get some flack here,I’ve driven for stobarts a few times now and I don’t get why everyone slates them,the trucks and trailers are mint,the controllers and planners are helpful and even polite!! I ran a load to dartford Asda one Sunday and when I informed the planners I was being delayed (by 3 hrs) they made sure my load at britvic beckford was loaded and paperwork was sorted so I could make it back within my hours,they just asked to be kept informed and if I thought I was cutting it close to let them know cracking attitude and got back to stoke with 7 minutes to spare 
although the yard at hanchurch is flipping chocka block all the time an a bit tight for this newbie ha ha love it might get on full time if I can 
Mainly I think it’s seen as “cool” to diss Stobarts, there’s a lot of jealousy around success…
That’ll be your biggest mistake, 
getting on full time! 
however if you require irlams new number 
look up red lorries.com 
Its Bricvic at Becton , and Asda at Dirtford ( pun intended ) is nortorious for long tips , back in my genaral haulage days it was norm to be held up by more than 3 hours there , I once sat under the canopy side for over 4 hours before being pulled , and there was still 3 in front of me
Anyways yes , Stobarts aint that bad
Its not the kit or the success, its more to do with stobbies screwing the prices right down so that other smaller companies cant compete with them as most cant afford to run trucks around at a loss.
It depends on who your planner is. It makes or breaks the job.
As for them undercutting, They don’t. They are always slap bang in the middle when they quote.
I know a subby with a number of lorries in Stobarts colours. He does very well out of it, and so do his drivers.
I won’t quote the rates, I would be told that i’m full of [zb] by those that know everything about [zb] all.
good job if you can stay awake
most days 15 hours 
crap job and wouldnt work for them again, 9 months of my life i wont get back 
Aurri:
Its not the kit or the success, its more to do with stobbies screwing the prices right down so that other smaller companies cant compete with them as most cant afford to run trucks around at a loss.
Think they have become the scape goat for this, it wasn’t just Stobarts that were/are doing it, all the industry is doing it and have been for a long time.
Henrys cat:
Aurri:
Its not the kit or the success, its more to do with stobbies screwing the prices right down so that other smaller companies cant compete with them as most cant afford to run trucks around at a loss.Think they have become the scape goat for this, it wasn’t just Stobarts that were/are doing it, all the industry is doing it and have been for a long time.
Exactly, its called business. Drivers slag Stobarts, yet buy their shopping in a large out of town supermarket. Supermarkets have put many small shops out of business.
Same can be said of petrol stations. Where do you buy fuel? Little independent forecourt or large cheaper forecourt, probably at same out of town supermarket.
Its the same with car manufacturers, electrical retail stores etc etc…
iam happy with how they fit into my life,its nice easy unstressful ■■■■ easy work,
wages are ■■■■■■■■■ vs £110 a shift
the depot is just round the corner,
but if i want to travel 80 mile round trip , i can be on another £20 a shift - now is it worth it ?
It isnt as that bad. good days and bad. Wages are average, especially for the easy work.
Planners can be a pain, but arn’t most of them?
i’m sure there are better jobs and i’m sure there are worse.
most of the haters are bitter ex employees (which is fair enough) or people jumping on the bandwagon or quoting something they heard off a mate down the pub. Or more likely think that the crap they hear in waiting rooms is all true.
And yes, there is a rumour that some drivers are on the telly, but they are the minority, most of us are just blokes trying to earn a living same as every one else.
dirty hands:
got back to stoke with 7 minutes to spare
Where was the load destined for after being taken back to Stoke ?
And yes, that yard is tight, especially if you have to drop it in the middle
Are we on about the yard at Stoke that Irlams had? (Can’t remember who had the yard before them?) Wasn’t tight last time I went in, jeez you guys need the turning circle of a container ship
Norfolknewbie:
Are we on about the yard at Stoke that Irlams had? (Can’t remember who had the yard before them?) Wasn’t tight last time I went in, jeez you guys need the turning circle of a container ship
p and o crap drivers all the bays are marked out properly!
Fatboy slimslow:
Norfolknewbie:
Are we on about the yard at Stoke that Irlams had? (Can’t remember who had the yard before them?) Wasn’t tight last time I went in, jeez you guys need the turning circle of a container shipp and o
P&O very apt. That yard was a nightmare in those days…
limeyphil:
It depends on who your planner is. It makes or breaks the job.
As for them undercutting, They don’t. They are always slap bang in the middle when they quote.
I know a subby with a number of lorries in Stobarts colours. He does very well out of it, and so do his drivers.
I won’t quote the rates, I would be told that i’m full of [zb] by those that know everything about [zb] all.
during busy periods I have subbied for stobarts and was paid £500 per day,was a very happy bunny as ofton did very little mileage
Norfolknewbie:
Are we on about the yard at Stoke that Irlams had? (Can’t remember who had the yard before them?) Wasn’t tight last time I went in, jeez you guys need the turning circle of a container ship
The OP has stated that he’s a newbie and has only driven a few times. Doing Stobart work from Stoke I imagine it’s all RDC and inter depot trailer swapping work. Most of the other depots Stoke go to like Appleton, Trafford, Carlisle etc have much easier parking bays than those in the middle at Stoke and at some RDCs you can almost straighten up before you back in.
Give the guy a break, I’m sure he’ll be up to your high standards one day.
Nope, Carlisle have the tightest MARKED out bays!
Norfolknewbie:
Are we on about the yard at Stoke that Irlams had? (Can’t remember who had the yard before them?) Wasn’t tight last time I went in, jeez you guys need the turning circle of a container ship
“Just give me forty acres and I’ll turn this rig around!”