Just had the agency on the phone, apparently Brakes are saying I’m considerably slower than their drivers and I’ve been “under observation”
O.k. so I’ve had a couple of ■■■■-ups, like the other night I was well and truly behind because I got lost trying to find my collection (the depot it was at) then got “directions” to somewhere I’ve been a few times and following them lost me an hour because I was sent north on the m1 when I should’ve gone south (the time taken to get up to the next junction and back down again), I should’ve just gone my way (obviously).
But, generally, I cant see any way of getting it done any faster for example;
A regular run I’ve been doing is grantham to hemsworth to bilsthorpe to grantham
Onto A1 north (all of half a mile from Brakes’ yard) on the limiter (52) all the way to J38 then 50 all the way to hemsworth town centre which is mostly single carriageway.
Get tipped and back out to A1, on limiter all the way down to the A57 then 50 down the A614 and A617 to yearsly’s in bilsthorpe to collect backload.
Down A617 to Newark (bit of a slow road but it’s about the best route from there) and onto A1, back on limiter all the way back to grantham.
I do this in about 5 and a half hours, not enough driving time to need a 45- have a 15min on the bay at each stop so no stopping for breaks. I really cant see any quicker way
Other run I’ve done a few times recently is thorpe industrial estate (off M25 j13), I went A1 to hatfield tunnel then across on the A414 iirc and M25, on limiter nearly all the way - How on earth can you go any quicker?
Am I missing something here!? I’m not even being a good boy and sticking to the limits f.f.s! I guess my face just doesn’t fit round there
darkseeker:
Just had the agency on the phone, apparently Brakes are saying I’m considerably slower than their drivers and I’ve been “under observation”
The standard response to that, cockups aside is “Are they doing it legally?” then point out that unlike their drivers you observe speed limits and don’t tip on break. That’s usually plenty enough to ensure you get no more trouble. I once had it at RB when one guy in the office said he could do 3x Driffield to Boroughbridge X-ship loads. I simply turned round to him and said “was that legally?” The subject was never raised again and I continued to do two complete runs and a changeover at York.
the thorpe job, i went in one night and had to wait 4 hrs for load, when i got there they wernt happy,but i explained why and they were fine,are you waiting for load wheras there drivers are going straight away .
i did a fair bit out of grantham and never really got any grief, the odd our driver do it a hour quicker,but also the odd what are you doing back already.
few years ago so maybe things have changed and there now looking for a scapegoat for there ■■■■-ups,just do the best you can ,thats all you can do
Maybe their drivers put it on break whilst tipping, tell me when is the last time you seen a brakes wagon in a layby. I cant recall seeing one and that usually tells me the drivers are using a crafty tricks. I’ll give yeah another example when is the last time you seen a warburtons in a layby?
Oh i just read the thread proper you’re are also using crafty tricks. Well i dont really know how they’re doing the quick lap times. Just keep your head down it might blow over, what’s the difference in times?
ady1:
the thorpe job, i went in one night and had to wait 4 hrs for load, when i got there they wernt happy,but i explained why and they were fine,are you waiting for load wheras there drivers are going straight away .
i did a fair bit out of grantham and never really got any grief, the odd our driver do it a hour quicker,but also the odd what are you doing back already.
few years ago so maybe things have changed and there now looking for a scapegoat for there ■■■■-ups,just do the best you can ,thats all you can do
No, I don’t normally have to wait long - apparently this is to do with their trackers so I can only assume they know how long I’m on a bay, can’t get me head around it to be honest. At least I can start shouting about undue pressure if I put their “decker” on its side tonight
Thorpe’s a ■■■■ place to get sent! Any idea where their place in Manchester is?
■■■■ it, I’m just gonna carry on as I have been for a week or two more and tell that particular agency where to go - nothing good’s ever come from them
merc0447:
Maybe their drivers put it on break whilst tipping, tell me when is the last time you seen a brakes wagon in a layby. I cant recall seeing one and that usually tells me the drivers are using a crafty tricks. I’ll give yeah another example when is the last time you seen a warburtons in a layby?
Oh i just read the thread proper you’re are also using crafty tricks. Well i dont really know how they’re doing the quick lap times. Just keep your head down it might blow over, what’s the difference in times?
Believe it or not, I was dragged into an office and told under no uncertain terms that I was to have breaks on bays I log handing keys etc in as other work then put it on break and hope I can squeeze one in, bit of a sorry way to be going on though - especially with it being night trunks.
merc0447:
Maybe their drivers put it on break whilst tipping, tell me when is the last time you seen a brakes wagon in a layby. I cant recall seeing one and that usually tells me the drivers are using a crafty tricks. I’ll give yeah another example when is the last time you seen a warburtons in a layby?
Oh i just read the thread proper you’re are also using crafty tricks. Well i dont really know how they’re doing the quick lap times. Just keep your head down it might blow over, what’s the difference in times?
Believe it or not, I was dragged into an office and told under no uncertain terms that I was to have breaks on bays :? I log handing keys etc in as other work then put it on break and hope I can squeeze one in, bit of a sorry way to be going on though - especially with it being night trunks.
Now I would refuse to leave the bay at every opertunity stating that you were told by ■■? to take your breaks on their bay and didn’t want to get into trouble, but will happily move in another 25 minutes
I wouldn’t worry about losing your job, because it sounds like a job from hell anyway…I am sure VOSA will be more than happy to hear about this sort of thing.
merc0447:
Maybe their drivers put it on break whilst tipping, tell me when is the last time you seen a brakes wagon in a layby. I cant recall seeing one and that usually tells me the drivers are using a crafty tricks. I’ll give yeah another example when is the last time you seen a warburtons in a layby?
Not necessarily anything to worry about, many a time I would take a break in a customers premises where they had a tea machine, a toilet and a quiet corner of the yard.
But Warburtons would not set anyone on unless they were on medication or just about to have a nervous breakdown in Gilberdyke, and my mate worked for 3663 in Banbury and was run ragged
merc0447:
Maybe their drivers put it on break whilst tipping, tell me when is the last time you seen a brakes wagon in a layby. I cant recall seeing one and that usually tells me the drivers are using a crafty tricks. I’ll give yeah another example when is the last time you seen a warburtons in a layby?
Not necessarily anything to worry about, many a time I would take a break in a customers premises where they had a tea machine, a toilet and a quiet corner of the yard.
But Warburtons would not set anyone on unless they were on medication or just about to have a nervous breakdown in Gilberdyke, and my mate worked for 3663 in Banbury and was run ragged
Ah 3663 Banbury! if that isn’t the are end of the universe, it’s only a small frt away!
ady1:
the thorpe job, i went in one night and had to wait 4 hrs for load, when i got there they wernt happy,but i explained why and they were fine,are you waiting for load wheras there drivers are going straight away .
i did a fair bit out of grantham and never really got any grief, the odd our driver do it a hour quicker,but also the odd what are you doing back already.
few years ago so maybe things have changed and there now looking for a scapegoat for there ■■■■-ups,just do the best you can ,thats all you can do
No, I don’t normally have to wait long - apparently this is to do with their trackers so I can only assume they know how long I’m on a bay, can’t get me head around it to be honest. At least I can start shouting about undue pressure if I put their “decker” on its side tonight
Thorpe’s a [zb] place to get sent! Any idea where their place in Manchester is?
[zb] it, I’m just gonna carry on as I have been for a week or two more and tell that particular agency where to go - nothing good’s ever come from them
manchester no,only did a few on a night thorpe,yate peterlee.99% of the time i was on days doing services[think it was welcome breaks[fleet,membury,burton wood], cant remember any real hassle but as i said it was a while ago[t.o was portacabin by truck wash in those days if i remember right],so while ago.
but ive seen it at our place, some drivers do zb all and get a pat on the back for it,others never stop and get kicked from pillar to post, as you say depends if your face fits,
as old timer said to me once-THEY CAN TAKE YOU JOB AWAY BOY,BUT NOT YOUR LICENSE,
From personal experience, Brakes at Grantham really are a bunch of zb’s. They never complained about me going to slow, but there were constant complaints about my driving, even if I knew I had been having a really slow day, I mean that stupid computer system they have that gives a readout of when you changed gear and how you reved, and how hard you braked, I know some days I took it really slow and gentle, got back and the zb driver trainer (R***) would give me a report back saying harsh braking and over revving.
The last day I went there I know that they lied to the agency saying I had harsh braked etc etc 17times, because they never downloaded my card, silly twunts.
Out of all the TM’s in the office the only nice guy is the one with the bald head, can’t remember his name, the rest are moaning whingy complaining zb’s who just seem to love finding something to whinge about. If your going there for experience then just drive gentle, expect to be treated like zb and plan to get away from there as soon as possible.
Oh and if you think Grantham is bad, don’t go to Bilsthorpe for a day on Multidrop
Ohh btw if you want to go in the staff shop just tell the bird your a temp-to-perm and you can buy all sorts of stuff for virtually nothing, avoid meat unless its still frozen though as experience has found it mostly to be off. Also, when I did Hemsworth - Bilstorpe I was getting back to Grantham from hemsworth around 6pm and didn’t need to be at Bilsthorpe till 9? was plenty of time for a leisurely break in the canteen, meal for £1 or £1.25 and then saunter up the road and still be there early, something not right if your rushing or maybe they changed the timings.
darkseeker:
Just had the agency on the phone, apparently Brakes are saying I’m considerably slower than their drivers and I’ve been “under observation”.
If you honestly believe you’ve done nothing to warrant their accusations, tell them, ‘b____cks’! Throwing your keys at a Traffic Clerk or TM re-iterates the point! They’re not worth losing any sleep over!
Lycanthrope:
The last day I went there I know that they lied to the agency saying I had harsh braked etc etc 17times, because they never downloaded my card, silly twunts.
Why would they need to? Its the vehicles telematics that give that information, nothing to do with your digi card.
Only the older vehicles with analogue tachos are fitted with the telematics, and you have a seperate telematics card to insert for that, the newer ones they get the information off your digi card.
Currys get telematics from my Digi-card and have commented occasionaly about things, not like Brakes who make stuff up.
for example;
.
you’re are also using crafty tricks. Well i dont really know how they’re doing the quick lap times. Just keep your head down it might blow over, what’s the difference in times?
Thorpe’s a ■■■■ place to get sent! Any idea where their place in Manchester is?
I log handing keys etc in as other work then put it on break and hope I can squeeze one in, bit of a sorry way to be going on though - especially with it being night trunks.
