slowlane:
Everyone on here earns serious money though, apart from the few doing it just to keep their eye in. I mean, I doubt you could find many TNUK drivers who would get out of bed for your measly £35-40k.
All money is serious,the only problem is sometimes theres just not enough of it 
albion:
Juddian:
You ever thought of taking up writing a book Juddian with that turn of phrase?
And secondly, have you got a brother…just wonderin’…
Any turn of phrase is the Irish in me albion, my dear and lovely late mother’s side, she too never looked for anyone else when my father died many years before her.
Sadly my brother died many years ago, he too was lucky and found a real soulmate who stood solid beside him during the years the throat cancer tore him apart.
They’ve all been dead many years now cos i was born very late in my parent’s lives, yes i was without a doubt a mistake but none the less loved and cherished and rich in much more important ways than just cash flow.
If anything happened to the lady J, God forbid, i would be as you and my mother and be thankful i had the good years i did.
My dear neighbour has just lost his wife, she was lovely and had a sparkling sense of humour, it’s kicked the arse out of the poor sod.
Many years ago when I was a mere teenager forkie, a driver on for Lloyds of Ludlow came in, just worked part time when they were busy. Nice bloke, but this day he was in a rush, asked why and I can remember thirty + years later what he said, ‘It’s my 50th wedding anniversary today and I need to be back. ( Slight pause). You know she’s as beautiful today as the day I married her’. My forklift was a blur 
It’s all getting very Mills and Boon here Juddian 
Never a week goes by when Drivers somewhere dont have a moan about hours and wages,if you dont like either of them why do they do the job.
Even if your a newbie and find the hours and pay dont suit after a time,GET OUT no good beefing about it after doing the job for years in some cases There again ever since I started in transport back in the late 60s whinging and whining has always been part and parcel of being a Driver
albion:
I’m one of those people who thinks if you do a deal you stick with it and that includes monogamy.
Couldn’t agree more. My dear lady works for herself and is away more than she’s at home. She’s at present in the second week of a three week session up in Scotland. The thought that she’s playing away up there holds as much water as me playing away down here. It’s called trust and I trust her absolutely. If you cannot trust the one you love you have no relationship.
Juddian:
Tried being that long forgotten suitor gentleman to your wife, keeping a vase full of beautiful flowers freshly stocked for her all the time (not just a bloody bunch on valentines day hoping for a rewardlike some dog on heat), telling her every day every time you speak if apart how lovely she is what you think of her and you love her, look after her, make sure she knows she’s secure with you, talk to her for Christs sake do not end up sitting in front of the bloody idiot box in the corner soaking up the state propaganda, when she dresses nicely and puts some lippy and eye shadow on for your return from work do you notice and tell her how fine she looks how proud and lucky you are and unable to take your eyes off her, when out together hold her hand or arm in arm if she prefers, always walking on the traffic side of a pavement, hold doors open for her, open the car door for her offering her a hand or arm for support as she alights in or from the car, just respect her for God’s sake.
Look after a well chosen woman, letting her know, and proving to her every day of your life that she is the most important person in your life, and if she has an ounce of womanhood in her she will repay that in spades.
Oh dear Sammyn, have you re-read your post, i really don’t know where to start, in fact i feel rather sorry for you both.
If it matters lady J was and still is lovely, but she’s of Latin blood so may not come up to your visual standards and our relationship has no basis on wealth nor looks because i’m as far from an oil painting as you could get, if she or i became the visual equivalent of the elephant man/woman then it would make no difference to what is inside.
I looked into her eyes and drowned in them many years ago, i still do, if poverty came through the door then that deep caring attraction and affection would not fly out the window.
Why do you think that women are so pathetic that they need help ‘alighting’ from the car? And why do you think they are so insecure that they need to be told every day how wonderful and amazing they are?
A decent woman wouldn’t put up with this - she’d find it condescending and insulting. In fact, if I had to repeat the same rubbish every day to my partner reading out boyz to men lyrics she’d think me an imbecile and would find it highly embarrassing.
Each to their own I suppose. What works for you wouldn’t work for me - vice versa. But don’t for a second think you are superior to anyone else who has a different approach.
I don’t treat a lady as such because she’s in any way pathetic but because she’s a woman and i try my best to be a gentleman, and the woman i happen to love and trust implicity appreciates being treated as such, some differences between the sexes should be valued and kept and not cast out as so many ‘babies’ have been with the modern bathwater.
As you say each to their own.
No need for the superior jibe old fruit, glass houses and all that.
Rob K:
muckles:
From what I’ve seen affairs take place regardless of what type of work the partner does and how long they’re away, if somebody is being taken for granted by thier partner and they recieve attention from elsewhere they might consider it even if their partner is at home each night, It comes down to the people and the state of their relationship.I respectfully disagree for the reasons I stated in my previous post. If you are home every night then there is far less chance of it happening because for the most part they will feel fulfilled (for the want of a better word) and be content, as that was obviously the whole point of you becoming a couple to begin with, so as to be with each other
. If you’re never there then the likelihood of them feeling bored and lonely increases significantly and their mind starts to wander, wondering what else is out there. Add in some unexpected attention from another bloke and it’s not difficult to see how quickly it would escalate when they have the run of the house for a full week and no-one to ask questions where she’s going at 7pm on a Monday night dolled up to the nines when normally she’d be slouched in front of the telly in her PJs.
Thanks for respectfully disagreeing with me; 
I also respectfully disagree with you.
Having worked in several different working environments many of which had a far higher percentage of women than truck driving, I can tell you it doesn’t take an absent husband for a women to look elsewhere, (or husband partner etc etc, 2018 and all relationships are of equal value).
If a person ignored, unvalued, taken for granted, they might look elsewhere, this is as likely for a couple who see each other everyday as a couple where one is away for lengthy periods, the familiarity breeds boredom as much as somebody not being there and then you have people who were never meant to be together, but got hooked on the initial rush and stayed together out of habit, convenience, expectation until they realised their life wasn’t going in the direction they hoped or something better turns up.
Those who I know and not just truck drivers, with successful relationships and who spend a lot of time away at work seem to make more of an effort with their relationship, they don’t ignore their partner all week and rock up at home on a Friday expecting tea on the table and they don’t then go off on their own all weekend.
Rob K:
The wife being faithful staying at home doing the housework, sorting the kids and making all the meals while the man of the house went out grafting all week was the done thing in the olden days, but we’re in the year 2018 now, not 1918, and times have moved on.
I did say earlier on that women are allowed out un-chaperoned, but then that goes against your argument, either the woman’s at home getting bored or she’s out pursuing her own career and life, you know women can go for a night out in a group and not end up in some ■■■■?
The wife staying at home looking after the house and children was pretty much a middle class ideal, working class women have normally had to go and do some sort of work.
I reckon it’s a case of what works for some doesn’t work for others, I aint maybe as (not criticising here btw J) old school as Juddian with his Mrs, but neither do I treat her like crap nor take her for granted either.
In my personal case if anyone is actually interested
When I met my lass she was a stunning young blonde model type (11 out of 10 range 
), and we just hit it off right away and I couldn’t believe my luck.
I was driving then, she used to come away with me and she knew what she was getting into in terms of time away from each other.
30+ years later (still with her maintained looks btw ) 4 kids a bankruptcy (and me playing Jack the lad when I was younger not proud) with many major negative situations such as losing our business (through little fault of my own tbh), losing brand new home and car etc…AND with kids to bring up through all this, and we’re still together today. …many lesser women would have baled trust me, as I was not in the best of moods at that time, nor easiest to live with…but it kind of bonded us, so something good came out of a crap situation in the end.
True a lot of drivers have chosen the wrong woman and been bit on the arse, and have bitter opinions because of it, (and naturally so)
On the other hand as an example to the contrary, me and 6 schoolmates (only 2 of us drivers) went on a re.union to Prague a few years ago. Most were on their second, third, and more marriages, the only two in the same relationship were me and another life long tramper believe it or not, maybe it’s the absence that works for some and not for others…who knows.
As for one member’s theory…, I have some bloody good lifelong mates who do not pull their punches when it comes to us talking to each other, and even though I’m a 101% sure my Mrs is not (or never has) played away, and I trust her implicitly, I know that my friends would sure as hell tell me if that was the case…fact.
Just realised…wtf has all this cack to do with ‘‘Wages’’
robroy:
Just realised…wtf has all this cack to do with ‘‘Wages’’
Its that RobK again, lit the blue touch paper and retired to watch the bleedin fireworks 
Juddian:
robroy:
Just realised…wtf has all this cack to do with ‘‘Wages’’Its that RobK again, lit the blue touch paper and retired to watch the bleedin fireworks
I couldn’t possiblly comment Juddian.
I daren’t
Juddian:
No, you know perfectly well that i wasn’t referring to '‘internet sourced take aways’, as i stated in that post.As for being dolled up to the 9’s and off out for rumpy pumpy because a husband/partner/love?/father/main breadwinner is stuck out earning a crust in the best way they know how, well i wonder why these painted soul-less unfaithful witches of betrayal couldn’t be arsed to keep themselves attractive for their husbands?
Or does that only apply with this type during the fishing expedition for the walking wallet, soon as the ring slides up the finger everything changes
Is that a euphemism? I don’t remember that part being in Mills & Boon.
and the war paint and feminine attire gets put back in the wardrobe until required for attracting a more suitable bet?
A partnership takes effort from both, and i am in no way excusing the fools of men who when they do have some free time of work they can’t wait to get to the pub or footy/golf or whatever their excuse to be single blokes again is, neglecting their loves and falling through the door at 2am ■■■■■■ as a parrot is not going to a enthuse or inspire the most fine examples of womanhood.
Yes I agree. But then on the other hand it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the bloke wants some time ‘off’ to go to the pub/footy after doing 70 hours working away all week living out of a tin box. It’s not difficult to see how quickly cracks can appear in a marriage/relationship when a tramper is being pulled one way by his wife wanting him to do family stuff and be dragged round Ikea, and being pulled the other way wanting to chill out with some beers watching the footy in his limited time off before having to do it all again.
We are talking about partnerships here, where each appreciates the other and treats them as well as they did during the courtship rituals for all their lives together.
Tried being that long forgotten suitor gentleman to your wife, keeping a vase full of beautiful flowers freshly stocked for her all the time (not just a bloody bunch on valentines day hoping for a reward
I don’t know which planet this Utopian paradise exists on but it sure as hell isn’t planet Earth! There might have been some elements of the above to be found back in the 1940s when you started courting but in the year 2018 the only things that are important to a woman are 1. how many friends and followers they have on Facebook and Snapchat, 2. posting as many pics as possible on Instagram to generate maximum ego inflation from “you’re gorgeous hun” replies from random stranger followers, and 3. how many right swipes they can get on Tinder. If I gave my OH a vase of freshly cuts flowers ever day she’d think I’d lost the [zb]ing plot.
If that’s what’s important to a woman, I may not be a woman after all! Not on FB, snapchat, tinder (shudders at the very thought), and insta is pictures of dogs and my garden.
You do have some strange ideas Rob,
albion:
If that’s what’s important to a woman, I may not be a woman after all! Not on FB, snapchat, tinder (shudders at the very thought), and insta is pictures of dogs and my garden.You do have some strange ideas Rob,
You’ve replied to my post from the admin panel !
My now long departed dad only gave me two pieces of advice when I started dating lasses; first one was always treat them like a lady and open doors for them as they appreciate things like that and the second one was ; If you expect to get your leg over something every day without getting rejected then you had better buy yourself a motorcycle!
Pete.
Sorry Rob, sorted now!
Father windrush sounds like a smart cookie!
Pat Hasler:
mrginge:
From the BBC:
£28,752 - Average salary hgv in 2017£28,758 - Average UK salary for all jobs in 2017
This is disgusting
I was on over 30k (pounds) a year in 1998 in the UK, I am on $80k a year here and that’s not enough.
That was good money, in 2002 when I finished driving I was on less than half that figure but we managed to live OK on it. Have to live on a lot less nowadays! Never has been a fixed amount though, different firms in different areas carrying different products obviously pay different wages.
Pete.
Andrejs:
I now work for tramper at Stobart.I have plenty 9-12 hours shift.In last 4 month i had just 2 really closed to 15 hours shift.Can you teach me how to need work to get everyday 13 or 15 hours shift??What i do wrong??
you don’t need to do anything the planner will run you to the maximum in my experience , I’ve had them ringing up when I’d parked up at 14 hrs , parked at depot and gone home after 14 hrs as I was apparently wasting time , I could of gone a hour more up road , then got more done the following day , my depot wouldn’t allow split rests but the planner was always on about them .
I find it hard to believe you do 9 hr days tramping , my mate who starts at 7 am on days was going ape ■■■■ after sitting down for his x5 re- heated tea at 11 pm after getting back at 10 pm
I’d get a 13 mon / tues ( I’d turn it into a 15 ) on a regular basis but that was only because they’d want to give you 15 on a Friday which they could ■■■■ right off
,
what work do you do 
dozy:
Andrejs:
I now work for tramper at Stobart.I have plenty 9-12 hours shift.In last 4 month i had just 2 really closed to 15 hours shift.Can you teach me how to need work to get everyday 13 or 15 hours shift??What i do wrong??you don’t need to do anything the planner will run you to the maximum in my experience , I’ve had them ringing up when I’d parked up at 14 hrs , parked at depot and gone home after 14 hrs as I was apparently wasting time , I could of gone a hour more up road , then got more done the following day , my depot wouldn’t allow split rests but the planner was always on about them .
I find it hard to believe you do 9 hr days tramping , my mate who starts at 7 am on days was going ape [zb] after sitting down for his x5 re- heated tea at 11 pm after getting back at 10 pm
I’d get a 13 mon / tues ( I’d turn it into a 15 ) on a regular basis but that was only because they’d want to give you 15 on a Friday which they could [zb] right off
,
what work do you do
I am doing agency tramping and have had several 12 hour days. I have also had several long ones but they have been as much my choice as theirs. I find it ok.
I think they have you down as the yes man who will do it, probably because you always have
dozy:
Andrejs:
I now work for tramper at Stobart.I have plenty 9-12 hours shift.In last 4 month i had just 2 really closed to 15 hours shift.Can you teach me how to need work to get everyday 13 or 15 hours shift??What i do wrong??you don’t need to do anything the planner will run you to the maximum in my experience , I’ve had them ringing up when I’d parked up at 14 hrs , parked at depot and gone home after 14 hrs as I was apparently wasting time , I could of gone a hour more up road , then got more done the following day , my depot wouldn’t allow split rests but the planner was always on about them .
I find it hard to believe you do 9 hr days tramping , my mate who starts at 7 am on days was going ape [zb] after sitting down for his x5 re- heated tea at 11 pm after getting back at 10 pm
I’d get a 13 mon / tues ( I’d turn it into a 15 ) on a regular basis but that was only because they’d want to give you 15 on a Friday which they could [zb] right off
,
what work do you do
That aint the picture my two Stobby tramper mates paint of their jobs doze…, has it occured to you your planner may be just taking the ■■■■ and needs his card marked a bit in no uncertain terms .