The Result of a Speculative CV

[tonka236]

Right before we get to the pictures…Yes I did strap the loads. We even had a discussion about rules and regs of curtainsiders on the first couple of days on the job, which resulted in the preverbal being taken but hey I like my licence being clean.
Following the posts enquiring about the chance of getting work soon after passing I thought I would start a thread about how I’m getting on some short 8months after hearing those magical words.

Let’s get into it…About a two months ago I sent a speculative CV to the company just on the off chance that in the near future there might be a vacancy. Then two weeks ago I had a reply saying that there were positions becoming available on class 2 multidrop. Now yeah I have a class 1 plastic in my pocket but experience is experience and in my eyes I still as much as a newbie now as I have been during the training.
If I’m honest I think in thirty years I will still class myself as a newbie simple because there is always something new that I won’t have come across previously.
So with not hearing anything from the many many CV’s I had sent out I got back on agency and a couple of days on …

So anyway I managed to get a chance to go down and see the depot and just calm any problems I had. They looked a decent firm, nice kit, good characters and … … well the other thing was good as well.
With it being bank holiday on Monday (3rd May) I was in on the Tuesday for a nice little run down to Daventry with a full load on the rigid. After tipping it was a simple run back to Wednesbury for a reload to Stoke on Trent. If all days are like this then I’m on a winner.

The rest of the deliveries and collections during the week passed without major incidents…just getting misplaced a couple of times, but hey I’m not lost just exploring…haha.

On Thursday I had gotten bored of tootling along in the rigid with it being underpowered (topping out at 40mph was not cool). So on getting back to the yard I defected the truck. If I’m honest I had mixed feelings, It was my first week and as the newbie I expected the rubbish and the banter to come my way. Was it something I was doing wrong?
Apparently I’m the only one to have noticed this…perhaps IT IS me then?

Saw some shocking news this morning as I was scoffing down the brekkie and checking emails…MikeC…say it isn’t so? I will just take a second to wish you all the best in whatever you go on to do, and thank you for the diaries that you have done.
I came in today and the first thing I’m told is that the rigid has been in for a check up over the weekend and the result…mechanical issue. (Now please forgive my lack of knowledge) When the accelerator goes into the engine, a nut just behind had begun to sheer off so it was restricting the range of movement of the accelerator and as such the power was limited.
YAY it wasn’t me at fault…phew!!!

So on to today…’Do you have a digi card?’ Without thinking ‘YES’ ‘Right got an emergency, need a collection from Bilston and then straight back here.’
So that is four days in the new job and a promotion and pay raise I’m loving this more and more =)
(With it being a rush I forgot all about taking pictures). Got back to the yard and drop the truck in a bay for one of the other drivers to take. I spot mine parked up in the corner of the yard.
I get the POD’s and it’s off to couple up and then into Birmingham. Get there and a quick phone call see’s me being reloaded and running back to base.
Get there and it’s a quick ‘make a pig’s ear out of the reverse’ (but eventually I get there) session and park up.

The TM soon comes out…’Got a local collection for you’ Now there is local (between us drivers) and then there is LOCAL (the other kind). Thankfully though it is local…just go left left and left again and it is on the right.
Pull back the curtains and it is just a matter of jump…well carefully getting into the bunk and waiting.


Eventually I’m loaded and curtains redone and a short drive back to the yard. I quickly get told to park it in the yard and they will shunt it around afterwards, as I’m in early tomorrow.

Now in answer to the original point…can you get work soon after passing/is work out there?
Short answer: YES
Long answer: It is, but simply because you have a licence to drive whatever class, then don’t just limit yourself to that type of vehicle. Experience is a huge bonus and something that is hard to put a price on. Have an open approach and one that is a will do attitude and it will be hard to go wrong.
If that company is not hiring, there is nothing wrong with a speculative CV. Who knows a driver might have quit two minutes before hand and the TM is looking for a driver for that all important load.
From a personal point of view it had been a strange month, vans…rigids…artics. The only thing missing was 7.5t’s. But I’ve loved every minute and learnt and continue to learn so much each day.

[rog]

I enjoyed that diary

[49er]

Very well wrtten tonka, also it makes a good read…

[wheel_nut]

Yeah, it is all experience,

Is that a sleeper pod on that Transit van?

[jennie]

Thanks Tonka only passed last month so have bin putting my name about and heard nothing wont let my heart drop will just wait for that desperate call can u help and say of course i can glad to see that sticking in there helps well done jx

[wheel_nut]

Nip Pop & Bob

The van reminded me of a story of inexperience and learning to check and listen to instructions. I had not long passed my HGV and was driving a 4 wheeler TK for a very dodgy outfit near Selby. One day the boss picked me up from home in his Jag and took me to Selby to pick up a hire vehicle. It was from Colliers Van Hire and it was (shock horror) a van, a transit luton van.

Just nip up to Thorp Arch, (home of the British Library, the open Prison and Moores Furniture) then bob over to Runcorn and see Bruce, there should be a load back. The instruction were vague, Collect some pallets at Denys Fisher Toys (spirograph and etch a sketch fame) Tell them it is waste plastic you want, pop that over to Bruce. They are waiting for it.

Selby to Wetherby… Hello Mate. I have come to collect some waste plastic for Runcorn. Hang on I will ring them, right go down the yard behind that building and the forkie will meet you there. I was soon loaded with 5 polybins and a scrap of paper torn out of of a scruffy notebook, it said 5 polybins waste plastic. Haulier: Collier.

Runcorn here I come. Still felt like a proper trucker as I nipped over to Runcorn, or was that bobbed over? The load wasn’t heavy although these bins filled the body and I made good time, eventually reaching Astmoor Trading Estate just after lunch. I was told to back straight in and they would tip me. The look of horror on the forklift drivers face is still with me as he realised my waste plastic was just that, waste plastic bags, broken toys, pieces of broken etch a sketch screens and spirograph wheels.

WTF is this? I am waiting for some polypropylene pellets. Why have you brought this crap?

Then this Bruce came out and started shouting. I shouted back, told him the story, he told me his. He recovered the waste plastic pellets from Wetherby and made small components for Denys Fisher Toys. As it was I had to take all this crap to the local tip and then called my boss. Just pop the van back to Colliers. I will pick you up

It taught me then to question things when I loaded and to check the load if I could. It probably taught my boss to give detailed instructions in future.

[m4rky]

Nice one tonka236 its great to see you getting on

BTW - love the pink trailer

[farnboroughboy11]

Great read mate, It gives good hope to new drivers struggling to find work. Ive recently found HGV work aswell passing in November. I think im gonna do one of these threads aswell once i get settled in. good job

[tonka236]

Right, first thing blooming first…

m4rky:
BTW - love the pink trailer

It is NOT pink…it is Salmon in colour

[tonka236]

Wheel Nut:
Is that a sleeper pod on that Transit van?

Fraid not fella…if it was I would have been up there.

49er:
Very well wrtten tonka, also it makes a good read…

ROG:
I enjoyed that diary

Many thanks. I figured it might help that one person who was thinking if it was all worth the stress and hassle of getting the licence in the first place.
I hope people read it as a newbie still learning the ropes. I still make mistakes and set high standards for myself in all aspects of the driving, which i sometimes do not hit.

Jennie:
Thanks Tonka only passed last month so have bin putting my name about and heard nothing wont let my heart drop will just wait for that desperate call can u help and say of course i can glad to see that sticking in there helps well done jx

Jennie I could do the old thing of saying that dont worry about it your time will come, but if your like me, when you hear that your thinking ‘Why isnt that time now?’ But in all seriousness it will happen, its a question of not letting any knock backs getting you down. Argueing your corner if there is a potential chance of getting on. The more you can put yourself out there the greater the chance of hearing those words…‘We have a load and no driver, can you help?’
Dont get me wrong different areas of the UK have different percentages of getting that first start. But the ultimate thing is to be persistant.

FarnboroughBoy11:
Ive recently found HGV work aswell passing in November

That is excellent news fella. Someone buy that man a drink.

The ‘Calling’ of the Mother ship.

After an excellent start to the morning which sees an addition to the tonka236 household (pictures won’t be posted on here I’m afraid as I don’t want people bleeting on about it and kidding around) and it’s off to work for an early start down to Daventry. A usual quite run down and with having been here a week previously I knew precisely where I was going…it makes a change eh?
After arriving and having a good natter with the security guy it’s into the ‘Goods In’ office. One problem though they don’t open for another 15 minutes, so back into the seat and plan the route down to the second drop.
Eventually they open up and then I lose a bit of time. Apparently a packing list is required (never had to give them one before) so I end up walking a marathon distance between the office and truck trying to find the information required.
At the end of it all, it is decided that the sheets I had given in about 15 minutes before would suffice.
Right so I’m told to park it on ‘Bay…13’. Now I’m not superstitious but I should have known something was up there and then.
As I pull up I check out the bay…hmmm nice and tight. There is a trailer to one side and a foreign truck on the other, not a problem. However, on the other side of yard (smack bang opposite) is a couple of container trucks. Right where I would be swinging the unit round into…great(!)
Eventually with a few shunts it goes in…and having learnt from previous experience I open the rear doors BEFORE I park it on the bay.
Then another swift walk down and drop off the keys, why? I don’t know but apparently you have to.

Eventually I’m tipped and then pull forward and shut the doors. Then I’m off down to a little place in Barton Latimer, yep the big ‘M’. Delivering…

Yeah that is right…CRISPS. This is my own personal mistake, because for the rest of the ride down I’m now starving, grrrrr!
Eventually I arrive and it’s into the delivery check office (on the left) who informs me that the calling board is actually out of use.

Therefore a little board comes out of the gate house once in a while with a number on which relates to the load and yada yada yada…So after a slow thought and a few snores I’m eventually in the yard. Then its just a matter of waiting for a bay to become available.

I’m soon under the canopy and pulling the curtains and by the time I’ve done that I’m redoing them back up. They were actually quick at tipping us. Pull forward into the waiting bay and into the office I tootle. Now there were some characters in there and a fair bit of banter. Shame that away from the drivers it was as plain and drab as…well a plain drab thing. The most exciting thing was a strange noise coming from a hot coffee machine. After re-appearing some 60mins and 98yawns later is now a call to the boss and point out that I will run back to Corley Services and re-ring and see what is about for collection. It turns out I’m running back to one of our more regular clients, with the knowledge of the roads coming I know of the better way into their yard. The other way provides little room to swing a cat let alone an artic.

Soon I’m loaded and another call see’s me picking up a single pallet from a yard close to the depot.
Must admit I do like this picture as it brings home my progression from van to full out class 1.

Back at the yard I drop the trailer and pick up another to run down the road to the Pallet Track Hub. A while afterwards and I’m still sat in the queue inside the mother ship. It’s like a bee hive. Having got to the front of the line and all of a sudden there is a swarm of people around the truck…For a moment I’m wondering if the local chav’s have upped their game.

Anybody remember that programme Derren Brown did with predicting the lotto numbers?
He could have a field day here.

It turned out to be a full 13hour shift today which was nice to get over and done with even better with 6 hours driving.
From a personal point of view, my reversing is getting better especially when I’m backing into a tight bay. But, open space and I go mad. Only I can do that.

[jennie]

Thanks for encouraging words and keep up this blog really enjoying reading it jx

[punchy]

Yep keep it going Tonka trying to take all rules nd regs in at mo, but this post spurs you on and oh, the piccies help too Punchy

[tonka236]

Time for a little update. I’ve been back to distribution centres and had fun parking on the bays and I seem to be improving each time. From taking a couple of shunts to get it in one go…and then remembering I hadn’t opened the doors.


Focus at Tamworth brought about a load of fun outside of the truck. This guy was doing a merry dance with the airlines to untangle them. If only I was quick enough to get the video on my phone.

Whilst I was there an international event came rolling into town…Worlds Weakest Man, oh sorry Worlds Strongest Man. I was going to tell him to lift with his knee’s but he seemed to have the technique down.


In all seriousness, I got chatting to one of their own drivers who tells me (don’t know if its true or not) that last year they were losing so much money they were having to let people go so now they have decided to number each bay and each trailer will be assigned to its own bay and yada yada. Personally it seems good on paper…

The next day sees be being the odd one out. I have to drop at the back of a warehouse and this is what is in front of me (the truck on the left is on an hour break, which makes me happy)

So I decide to have a game of hide and seek with the truck. I think I should have phoned the Guinness World Record people for the shortest game ever…

Eventually I get round to my drop and I’m refused for being too early. I ring the boss to inform them but there isn’t anyone in the office. Oh, how you have to love times like this(!)

To finish the day, I’m in charge of running down to the hub…with a double decker. First time out with such a trailer and I’m aware of the height difference so a nice gentle run down and I’m feeling pleased with myself

Over the next couple of days I’m back on the rigid doing mainly local drops and collections. This all goes good.
One highlight is the ‘’honour’’ of going to Enfield (however for my own personal satisfaction it is LONDON…period!! ha-ha) with 5 steel coils in the artic. I arrived at the yard in the morning to find them unstrapped. This caused a bit of head banging when I refused to take it until it was strapped.
Lovely ride down and I’m pulling into their yard, when one of their guys comes out. Enquire as to where he wants the coils and I’m told I’m in the wrong yard. So reverse it back out between a car lined street and down to the correct yard…and they are on lunch, at 10:15. It is like I’ve travelled through a different time zone.

Not bad for local work.

Eventually I’m tipped and I run back to Toddington Services at 4hrs 28mins.
For reasons, I won’t repeat on here I had to hand in my notice. The final day consisted of a ‘quick’ load and run from Birmingham up to Nottingham. Needed to leave the yard no later than 06:30 so decide to hedge my bets and get out of there for 06:15. Get up the road (15mintue drive) and I’m waiting for people to arrive and finally I’m starting to be loaded… at 09:45.
A nice uneventful drive up sees me arrive at Nottingham with 20+ tonnes of plastics to be recycled. FLT drive tells me they are only expecting 4 tonnes.
‘’That is all I’ve got on fella, well if don’t count the first 16-odd tonnes’’
Thankfully he had a laugh
Strapped just before unloading

And stacked away in the yard

The only downside is I get a trailer covered in the stuff…grrrrrr

It is a hot day behind the screen

And then I get told to go for a collection in Tipton.
Although I had been here before in a rigid I decided to scope out the route on the way up to tell them I was here.
‘’We need you up here drive’’ the lady tells me
‘’But I’m coming up in that’’
‘’[ZB] I’ve never had one that big before’’
At this point me and the yard guy burst out laughing

Eventually I screw it around the corner and I’m backing up to their doors. Which reminds me, why if you see and artic reversing with lights/audio warning going why would you still decide to cut across the back end of it?
From this collection its then back to another where the Great Britain 2012 Synchronised Team preparations are beginning to heat up.

That is the end of my day and full time work. Looking back I’ve been able to learn so much from, pallet distribution, steel coils, local work, multidrop, artic etc etc. However I feel I have made the correct decision and I’m now back on agency work which is actually great fun and continuing the learning curve.
Yesterday I had the privilege of doing my first shift on steel. Now I know that there has been a few who have come on here bashing it and saying it’s a useless forum. I would like to take a minute to just give a big thank you to the TruckNet posse and their knowledge. If it’s not on the page then ask the question and someone will be along either with the answer or an idea to try and you can learn from. Now as I’ve pointed out I hadn’t done steel before and have that natural awareness of the increased dangers of it. Loved the slider trailer as well, so simple and soooo good.

Anyhooooooo I get away from my point. I turn up the day before hand for an H&S briefing (thanks to the agency for the travel expenses) and turn up the next day and find my truck.
It’s a nice easy day with 6 drops and 2 collections (one was cancelled in the end) and they were very local which is great.


I would this guy’s job. Had a 30min break watching his continuingly drive at the skips…perhaps if he used a ramp he would be more successful

Must have made a good impression as they are looking to book me up for July at the same place.
But for now im off to plan a hike for tomorrow…should the rain stop.

[darkseeker]

dunno wether to thank you or cuss you for this “blog”. I’m looking at having another go at my C+E soon and I think you’ve made my mind up to do it - wether that’s a good thing or not, I’m not sure

Keep it up though fella, I’ve enjoyed reading it.

[tonka236]

darkseeker:
dunno wether to thank you or cuss you for this “blog”.

Usually its the latter I get so you might a well join the groups

darkseeker:
I’m looking at having another go at my C+E soon and I think you’ve made my mind up to do it - wether that’s a good thing or not, I’m not sure

I hear where your coming from. But for all the stress that comes from trying to hear those magical words, it will be worth it when you finish that first shift in the big un.
Its also useful to have, I got taken on as a class 2 driver only. One of the regular class 1 guys was ill and there was a load to be taken…bang (probably not the best choice of words) I had proven myself and i was in for class 1 work for the firm.
Ive been hoping for work for 8months and thinking if i shuld have done another qualification but ultimately yeah it was worth it

[darkseeker]

Cheers tonka, was half joking to be honest. I’ll be going for it late june / july I think, just hope I pass this time as I’d be gutted to spend more money and still not have anything to show for it (perhaps not the best way to look at it).