The last time I Got treated badly was 11 years ago when working for a large so called blue chip company. I’ve been agency ever since and have always been welcomed by the client and treated well. Starting early doors 5 or 6am, I’ve stuck it on break whenever, then had my kip/real break later in the day when I need it more. I find a nap on the way home more beneficial than a “legal” break when I’m not ready for one.
Never has anyone questioned my breaks. When I did a bit for Stobarts the guys told me I shouldn’t stop between RDCs, but I always did. Nobody said owt.
I’ve always had a simple rule…if I want to stop… I stop.
sammym:
I dont find sitting in a tin box at a factory waiting for someone to knock on my window either a restful or a good way to recuperate.Fresh air in the countryside of north wales which im getting now on the other hand… lovely weather, stunning views and total chill.
Question for those who think you “should” rather than “can if you want” - if during this legit break period forky had rocked up could I have completed my break or would I have had to get out open doors then climb into a fridge and pull around heavy pallets with pump trolley?
Ultimately I’m earning more money, I’m happier and I’m more rested using my method. People can do what’s best for them. The joy of the agency is I know I’m not coming back here - I’ll do my job properly but I’m not disadvantaging myself for them.
If forkie says he will give you a knock when he’s ready why don’t you say give me 45 to have my break or just stop moaning at everything get tipped and park somewhere to finish break off not rocket science. Money’s so great you have to drag the job out oh the joys of salary spent all my week last week doing sweet fa just worked out my hourly rate for week i worked just under 27 per hour
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cheekymonkey:
The last time I Got treated badly was 11 years ago when working for a large so called blue chip company. I’ve been agency ever since and have always been welcomed by the client and treated well. Starting early doors 5 or 6am, I’ve stuck it on break whenever, then had my kip/real break later in the day when I need it more. I find a nap on the way home more beneficial than a “legal” break when I’m not ready for one.
Never has anyone questioned my breaks. When I did a bit for Stobarts the guys told me I shouldn’t stop between RDCs, but I always did. Nobody said owt.
I’ve always had a simple rule…if I want to stop… I stop.
^^^^ this.
If i know that the chances of getting away from a drop point to a “break” point with toilets are slim, any major city these days, then I’ve been know to pull the curtains and stick it on break. If I see the forkie needs curtains moved I’ll do it before going back to the cab, then stop later for the loo & coffee stop funnily enough usually keen to get to the toilet so the mode has been known to be “forgotten”. Don’t take the micky, don’t have infringments, don’t draw attention to myself so don’t have problems.
cheekymonkey:
The last time I Got treated badly was 11 years ago when working for a large so called blue chip company. I’ve been agency ever since and have always been welcomed by the client and treated well. Starting early doors 5 or 6am, I’ve stuck it on break whenever, then had my kip/real break later in the day when I need it more. I find a nap on the way home more beneficial than a “legal” break when I’m not ready for one.
Never has anyone questioned my breaks. When I did a bit for Stobarts the guys told me I shouldn’t stop between RDCs, but I always did. Nobody said owt.
I’ve always had a simple rule…if I want to stop… I stop.
So you can take your break when “detained” in one of their custody suites… 
milodon:
AndrewG:
The exception to that is Portugal groupage where tipping is nearly all handball and consequently longer days…It seems Andrew is routinely specific when it comes to geographic locations, as for example a city in Andalucia, where he once went or a lake in Austria, known to him from a bus trip with the rest of the oap-s from the retirement home.
But when it comes to Portugal, it has in several instances been just “Portugal”, as if it were a small village of 40 inhabitants just a whisker west of Salamanca.
Better brush up on your Google Maps mate! For example you could claim to have delivered sand in Porto and most on here would cheer you on
You might be retired mate and in the oap’s home but im far and away from that age 
You really do talk some crap but as ever its totally 
by me… 
AndrewG:
milodon:
AndrewG:
The exception to that is Portugal groupage where tipping is nearly all handball and consequently longer days…It seems Andrew is routinely specific when it comes to geographic locations, as for example a city in Andalucia, where he once went or a lake in Austria, known to him from a bus trip with the rest of the oap-s from the retirement home.
But when it comes to Portugal, it has in several instances been just “Portugal”, as if it were a small village of 40 inhabitants just a whisker west of Salamanca.
Better brush up on your Google Maps mate! For example you could claim to have delivered sand in Porto and most on here would cheer you on
but im far and away from that age
Rough guess … 14 ?
sammym:
Againts my better judgement I took a shift today. Turned up wagon had very little fuel.Only had a bp fuel card. I didn’t realise how quick it would go through it. Had to google bp garage and was taken 20 miles off route.
Got back and was interrogated about it. Also questioned all my stops for breaks etc. I’m fuming - felt like they were insinuating I’d done something wrong.
Im meant to be there tomorrow at 3.30. I won’t let agency down by not showing , as it’s not their fault. But I’ve been told “I need to leave at 3.30 and out the gate”. I’ll be doing very thorough walk around checks.
If that’s normal don’t know how you blokes put up with it. Disgusting way to treat someone. At pub watchig rugby now so it’s not a totally awful day.
Thats par for the course it seems. Thats why Im getting out of it. Its become a rat race. I start driving a road sweeper next Monday.
Well, after all their whining and complaining they asked me if I could work more shifts there this week. No I can’t. I didn’t gob off like I thought I was going to - I decided as the work was okay and the location is good I should leave the door open in case I decide it suits me to go back.
I’ve been at a nice job today - driving a much crappier truck. But I’m treated well. The owner himself loaded the steel. And I’m not interrogated about where I took my break (which was in my cab whilst waiting for a crane to take it off). The best part is that I got to start at 8.30 and finish by 3. Still, get paid for 8 hours so I’m happy. Back there tomorrow - and the owner said he’d make sure I got a good run which is a bonus.
I’m not sure delivering steel is my bag - but the job is okay. The part I don’t like is that I’m not very sure about how to secure it. I’m using straps - but on cpc was told for steel you need chains. It’s mainly tubing and straps seemed to hold it. But if anyone knows more about this feel free to message me or post it on here.
sammym:
Well, after all their whining and complaining they asked me if I could work more shifts there this week. No I can’t. I didn’t gob off like I thought I was going to - I decided as the work was okay and the location is good I should leave the door open in case I decide it suits me to go back.I’ve been at a nice job today - driving a much crappier truck. But I’m treated well. The owner himself loaded the steel. And I’m not interrogated about where I took my break (which was in my cab whilst waiting for a crane to take it off). The best part is that I got to start at 8.30 and finish by 3. Still, get paid for 8 hours so I’m happy. Back there tomorrow - and the owner said he’d make sure I got a good run which is a bonus.
I’m not sure delivering steel is my bag - but the job is okay. The part I don’t like is that I’m not very sure about how to secure it. I’m using straps - but on cpc was told for steel you need chains. It’s mainly tubing and straps seemed to hold it. But if anyone knows more about this feel free to message me or post it on here.
The boss loaded you, then you strapped it.
Firstly if you were unsure you should’ve asked.
Secondly you could have asked “should I use chains?”
Thirdly you could’ve asked " will it be ok if I just strap it?"
Get my point ? You’re new to this, if unsure ask!! Don’t take risks!!! You will not be thought of any less because you have asked a question, especially when it concerns load security!!!
we dont have a hard and fast rule regarding straps or chains. Having said that the steel works themselves usually tell you which is the norm or what they prefer. Tubes are usually strapped, beams chained. If you have a choice, and not sure, ask someone. Bare in mind though chains can damage stuff, so if its thin walled tubes, its got to be straps.
Most places where steel is concerned have all the rules youll ever need regarding strappage/chainage, so after a couple of trips youll get to know.
Remember nobody starts out knowing it all, we all had to learn. Best advice is ask…same as on here, people love to give the benefit of their knowledge!!!
ALSO…Youll find you get treated far better on steel work than stupid shop work. Give this a few days then tell me Im wrong.
Cheers guys.
Truth be told I didn’t strap it. Company owner did whilst I made us both coffees. He loaded it and then said as it was cold and he’d be in office it was only fair he got to get cold as well.
I did check straps - but just remembered from my cpc that it said for steel or metal it must be chains. But thinking about it chains would damage the tubing.
Either way - it was an easy day - with no pressure. Tomorrow I’ll probably strap it myself. Which is fine - I’ll just got a bit ott with number of straps to be sure. As it will be my first work in snow I’ll be taking it safe anyway - I’m sure I’ll be okay but I’ll be very careful tomorrow.
As already said Ask. Sounds like the owner there is a good 'un.
Remember especially with steel tube etc it’s not just “falling off the side” you’re concerned with. It’s what happens when you brake. A sharp stop can be seriously dangerous. The truck stops but the load doesn’t.
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Also, regarding getting treated badly and interrogated about the far end of a ■■■■, as a general rule, if you turn up for a job and the first thing they ask you to do is fill out forms and sign for this and that, then that sort of firm needs you to totally call them all day and let them know about any delay, anything thats out of the ordinary. Your phone is your friend. Call them ask for instructions, what to do next. Its what they want. They dont trust you or anybody else to do the work efficiently, so when the fuel is low call them ask! Im talking here about Stobarts, DHL, Wincanton ect ect.
On the other hand if it`s a company who just chuck you the keys and some delivery notes…well they maybe expect a more professional job and rather expect you to just get on with it. You can still tell them your new though and they might cut you some slack.
sammym:
blue estate:
Just remind them it’s your licence not theirsand you’ll take all required brakes etc
Apparently it’s “company policy to only take breaks when being unloaded” have asked them to get their transport manager to put that in writing for me.
Apart from their attitude it was a great job. No surprise they need agency drivers with that attitude. Great trucks, great runs, [zb] people.
Just report them to vosa and the TC with photographic evidence. Just hate the cowboys in this industry.
nick2008:
Harry Monk:
nick2008:
A break is where the driver is able to recouperate as long as YOUR not doing ANY work you can be asked to have your break anywhere.I said pretty much the same earlier in the thread, but the fact remains that if I am automatically deducted 45 minutes pay during my shift then I will spend that 45 minutes at a place of my choosing, not that of the agency or the client.
As I also said earlier, what I do in practice depends entirely on the general attitude of the client.
I know Harry but some just can’t distinguish between the break and rest .
I was always the same as you but then if it was a cross dock load you could understand that the load was being split for onward delivery so where you had drivers having breaks on the way up it caused delays on the onward loading.
Always took my breaks after the 1st part of the journey was done
Never take your break on a bay unless it’s card out manual entry and truck doesn’t move. Did that once at a chemical place and they loaded me in 25 minutes. Weren’t happy I sat there for another 20, and I agree with them too. If I’d taken card out done a manual 15 and if necessary nipped round the corner for the other 30 would have been no problem. Rarely does one go up to a 45 break which must be taken at a customers premises, and very risky if you do.
Franglais:
As already said Ask. Sounds like the owner there is a good 'un.
Remember especially with steel tube etc it’s not just “falling off the side” you’re concerned with. It’s what happens when you brake. A sharp stop can be seriously dangerous. The truck stops but the load doesn’t.Sent from my GT-S7275R using Tapatalk
Yep, def take note of this, get the tubes flush against the headboard to reduce forward movement in case you do have to brake sharply. Obviously load distribution will have to be considered so you don’t overload axles, but if they’re all the same length and the length of the platform, then hard against the headboard.
Sand Fisher:
Never take your break on a bay unless it’s card out manual entry and truck doesn’t move. Did that once at a chemical place and they loaded me in 25 minutes. Weren’t happy I sat there for another 20, and I agree with them too. If I’d taken card out done a manual 15 and if necessary nipped round the corner for the other 30 would have been no problem. Rarely does one go up to a 45 break which must be taken at a customers premises, and very risky if you do.
Perhaps I’ve misunderstood but what’s this about taking your card out when on break?
.
Harry Monk:
Sand Fisher:
Never take your break on a bay unless it’s card out manual entry and truck doesn’t move. Did that once at a chemical place and they loaded me in 25 minutes. Weren’t happy I sat there for another 20, and I agree with them too. If I’d taken card out done a manual 15 and if necessary nipped round the corner for the other 30 would have been no problem. Rarely does one go up to a 45 break which must be taken at a customers premises, and very risky if you do.Perhaps I’ve misunderstood but what’s this about taking your card out when on break?
Tescos RDC a classic. You go on a bay, you have to take your keys to booking in and you don’t know how long you’re gonna be there. You might need a break and technically you’d be on some kind of POA.
So set card to other work, eject card. On return say 38 minutes later if you needed a 30 min break do a manual entry for four minutes other work, a break for 30 and a manual for four minutes other work. The truck has not moved so you are not driving without a card. I ran this post Vosa and they said it wasn’t illegal though had never been tested in the courts.
So far as I am concerned I am accurately accounting for my time.
Like you I do agency. The reason I do this is I don’t want so and so client coming back and saying “Ah he took excessive breaks” or whatever. I also of course don’t have the keys so can’t operate the tacho. Interestingly Vosa said the time walking to/from the booking in office was other work. Another reason to do it.
Sand Fisher:
Never take your break on a bay unless it’s card out manual entry and truck doesn’t move. Did that once at a chemical place and they loaded me in 25 minutes. Weren’t happy I sat there for another 20, and I agree with them too. If I’d taken card out done a manual 15 and if necessary nipped round the corner for the other 30 would have been no problem. Rarely does one go up to a 45 break which must be taken at a customers premises, and very risky if you do.
Seriously? You are making life rather difficult for yourself there. What was wrong with pulling away after 25 minutes and then having a 30 minute break around the corner? The result would have been exactly the same as your proposed method of taking the card out and adding manual entries with the added bonus of not appearing on the radar of some officious DVSA/Police chappy who’s interest would undoubtedly be aroused by you removing your card mid shift.