Hey all
Last time I was on the forum I had just handed in my notice at my class 2 employer and then been let down with a promised class 1 job and ended up signing up on the agency. I first joined Riverside Recruitment at Carlisle who were a complete waste of time, totally unprofessional, messed me around and then I never heard from them again.
Next stop for me was The Best Connection in Carlisle and they have been brilliant from the word go. Told them about my class 1 experience whilst being double manned with my father and plus told them about the class 2 work I had already done and they were really positive and got me started the very next day.
For a while I was on a permanent class 2 position driving bin wagons which was fine as a money earner with lots of over time but my manager at the agency kept pushing to find me class 1 work.
You may remember that I’m 23 years old and have held my class 1 license less than a year. However, this said, he managed to get me a one off shift at ATL in Carlisle which was a run down to Manchester to collect food packaging to be brought back to ■■■■■■■ for Nestle at Dalston.
As I said this was a one off shift but I enjoyed it and it went to plan 
Anyway just last Thursday my manager at TBC managed to persuade CEVA to give me an assessment drive along with older more experienced drivers for some new full time positions that have come up on a new contract at a British Gypsum site in Kirkby Thore.
The pressure was on as the guys there said they normally look for two years experience minimum and were only giving me a shot because my manager had said I was good driver and deserved a chance. So I went along for the site induction that lasted a full day with lots of health and safety paper work and then the 1 hour assessment drive at the end of the day.
I was bricking it as I really didn’t want to mess up and the company had had many bad experiences with agency drivers from Riverside Recruitment causing LOADS of expensive damage to trucks (hence why they were now using The Best Connection Agency).
The drive included dual carriageway, motorway, town and country road driving and to top it off the assessor asked me to do a blindside reverse when we returned to the factory (the older guys didn’t get this so I’m assuming he really wanted to test me as a newbie before taking me on). I managed it with one shunt which as far as I’m concerned is a total miracle!! The only comment he made was that I didnt check my left mirror enough when passing lay-bys but otherwise it was a good drive!(I think he was expecting the worst of me).
So… I got offered a position 
I was over the moon! The pay is good and its a foot in the door now to build up my class 1 driving hours! I passed the assessment on Thursday and started work there at 0500am on Friday.
I was told on Thursday it would be a run to Leeds and back but on arrival I was told it had changed to a trip to Glasgow to do a delivery, then go swap trailers at Bellshill and deliver to the same customer again before returning home with the empty trailer. The delivery times for the customer for both loads were between 0800-1400. I delivered the first load at 08.15 and by the time I had gone and changed trailer had my 45min break I was queuing outside the customers place again just after 12 midday. I got finished back at base for 1800. Was really chuffed the day had gone to plan without me having to ring the office once!
Heres a few pics of the truck I was driving and the place I delivered to. I have to admit I bricked it when I saw the reverse I had to do. I’m sure it looks straight forward enough for you old timers haha but for a newbie it was not a pleasant sight. I watched the guy before me also from CEVA do it in one… but with him sticking around to bank me back and with a very understanding customer I got it in ok … oh and on top of that this was my first experience of curtain siders (I found Luke Vernons Top Tips Vid very useful so ty Luke).
Seriously, all the drivers Ive met have been really understanding and helpful, giving me tips and encouragement. Would have found it way more stressful if they had been short tempered with me etc. So thanks those guys!
Tomorrow I am back there again doing night trunking this week Looking forward to it although I am feeling nervous… I think its mostly to do with changing my body clock and working through the night but I’m sure it’ll be fine. I plan on trying to do some kind of a newbie driver video but ill have to see what happens.
Anyway, just thought id share and heres hoping all continues as it has started!
Cheers
Jay
