What's it really like?

Tucker9037:
Excellent reply, very informative. I’m the same I find it difficult to work in a environment full of back stabbers etc. being on your own on the road really appeals to me. On average what should I expect to take home per week for a weeks work staying out?

My mate is on caravans and takes home £550 a week after tax including £100 night out money. He leaves home 6am Monday morning and gets back after Friday teatime. Does between 55 and 65hrs a week.

Stanley Mitchell:
A mate of mine is a postie who fancied changing careers, he already had his Class one via the TA, so was half way there [he said] :wink:

He came out with me for ONE day, and completely changed his mind, he could not get his head around the “go go go” mentality of the job, he thought it was ; do a bit, have a coffee, do a bit, have a kip ect ect ect :blush:

He admitted that he had been at the RM far too long, and was just not up to the job of being a proper driver [his words] :open_mouth:

He is nearly 60 now, and still talks about giving it a go, but didn’t last two mins on the agency on his two week break some years ago, as it was a “■■■■ take” [his words] :unamused:
[/quote]

Part of the problem really, no one walks into an easy number in reality, most if not all on here will have started with a right crap job in some aspect and possibly worked there way to where they are today or onto an easier run with there first company etc etc. if people expect cream from just passing/little experience etc then generally there in lies a pitfall straight away. Generally you get out what you put in in any aspect of a job in any industry!

Tucker been in the same boat as you was a postie for 10 years. Left in April to drive class 2. There is no prospect of getting full time driving work in Royal mail even though there is a recruitment drive on. I have not regretted leaving. Working on yer own, no cleeks, no lapsing, decent ot rates, bit longer days but they fly past.

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I decided a few years ago to give driving a go, but with only having a car/7.5 licence, I needed to be earning, so I took a job (first of all on a van for a month or 2, then going full on, onto the 7.5s. Multidrop, stressful back breaking, spending far too much time in Central London. After I passed my class 2, I stayed as I was, but doing a bit of Class 2 work here and there, usually covering holidays.

I passed my class 1 a few months later, but was relatively happy where I was, and a couple of months later, a mate of mine left, for a job on class 2 that originally had my name on it, until they found out I only had 6 months of doing odd days here and there as experience.

But true to his word, when Steve left, he told the TM that the only class 2 driver on the books, that’d do a decent job and keep the motor straight was me. So I got made up to full time class 2 driver.

My biggest regret is that I stuck at it.

Contrary to what you might hear, despite not having driven an artic for over 2 years, I got set on by a reputable company really close to home, who had just had a new TM, and wanted to reduce agency costs.

As I was rusty, I was given sole access to the company trainer, for what was initially 2 days, but this could have been extended if I wasn’t confident enough to get down the road.

After a day and a half, I was pretty much reversed out! We’d done pretty much every scenario a few time over, and down the road I went.

Best decision I ever made. Can’t believe I stuck at class 2 for so long with that licence burning a hole in my pocket.

I was never on a starter rate, was given my own truck straight away. We run absolutely 100% legal. I work 5 days and including my night out money, I take home about £650 a week.

In all honesty, if they didn’t let other drivers use my motor when I’m not in it (and I know that’s pretty much impossible) I’d say it’s a dream job. You manage your own hours, they never expect you to work daft hours, don’t even give you a run that’d take you into a 15 without asking first. I’ve just had my first brand spanking new unit. Just let them know if you’re going to be late getting to a drop, regardless of the reason. (Mate of mine called in the other day to say he was going to be late, as he’d suddenly gone all tired, and was going to get his head down for an hour, they were absolutely fine with that)

Hardest thing to adjust to for me, was not chasing around like a maniac. I’d be going off my head if I was sat on a bay waiting 2 hours for 6 pallets to be tipped. Then one day the penny dropped, I was earning a tenner an hour to do nothing.

If it’s what you want to do, give it a whirl, I don’t regret it for a minute.

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Winseer:
I have been trying to get away from C2 days for years now. I put up with it in the 90’s, because I was younger and still learning then.
I don’t want to have to be an old dog learning new tricks now though. Night time artic driving is what I’m most experienced at, good at, and actually find rewarding doing.
“Getting upset with everyone else around you” is too stressful for me to ever consider taking a “Day job” again, but with C2 work - you’re expected to be in urban areas all the time, having to avoid daft members of the public as well - which just pumps up the stress even more. Some find “Motorway Driving at Night” boring or “not for them”. It’s all about one’s personal comfort zone. Find out what works for you - by trying on as many hats as you can find to GIVE that try - and work your way into that niche that suits you best.

“Quality of Life” at work is more important than "earning a few pence per hour more for this job than that job. :bulb:

As someone who has done night trucking class 1 for the last 4 years I couldn’t do nights anymore going from Man to LHR with a stop in at BHX on the way back, Just tied of it. Luckly tho landed this day job class2 same pay. No brainer really

Dbhoy:
Tucker been in the same boat as you was a postie for 10 years. Left in April to drive class 2. There is no prospect of getting full time driving work in Royal mail even though there is a recruitment drive on. I have not regretted leaving. Working on yer own, no cleeks, no lapsing, decent ot rates, bit longer days but they fly past.

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Wow you didn’t stay to collect your shares? I have applied and had a interview for the driver career path, still waiting on word back of the outcome but I’m not holding my breath. If I don’t get the job I’ll be waiting until October to lift my shares then probably leave and try my hand at class 1 x Channel.

As most above you have to be open minded and not too critical at first , done it all my life ,in most continents , back as o/d on Europe , see 2-3 Uk trucks if lucky a week so there not much evening social life , a few words with drivers from the east they not such a bad lot , I cannot bring myself to run in uk all week it drives me insane , but that’s me !
Parking is the only real issue have no room for all the trucks on the road because guys driving them can’t afford to use the restaurants so they all shutting , if Merkel and Junker what all this mobile slave labour from the east they should at least give good grants for the routiers and provide free good facilities , My favourite time is good music in cab and fantastic scenery , and yes some weekends you can end up near a beach even with the digi card !!!

PaulNowak:
I decided a few years ago to give driving a go, but with only having a car/7.5 licence, I needed to be earning, so I took a job (first of all on a van for a month or 2, then going full on, onto the 7.5s. Multidrop, stressful back breaking, spending far too much time in Central London. After I passed my class 2, I stayed as I was, but doing a bit of Class 2 work here and there, usually covering holidays.

I passed my class 1 a few months later, but was relatively happy where I was, and a couple of months later, a mate of mine left, for a job on class 2 that originally had my name on it, until they found out I only had 6 months of doing odd days here and there as experience.

But true to his word, when Steve left, he told the TM that the only class 2 driver on the books, that’d do a decent job and keep the motor straight was me. So I got made up to full time class 2 driver.

My biggest regret is that I stuck at it.

Contrary to what you might hear, despite not having driven an artic for over 2 years, I got set on by a reputable company really close to home, who had just had a new TM, and wanted to reduce agency costs.

As I was rusty, I was given sole access to the company trainer, for what was initially 2 days, but this could have been extended if I wasn’t confident enough to get down the road.

After a day and a half, I was pretty much reversed out! We’d done pretty much every scenario a few time over, and down the road I went.

Best decision I ever made. Can’t believe I stuck at class 2 for so long with that licence burning a hole in my pocket.

I was never on a starter rate, was given my own truck straight away. We run absolutely 100% legal. I work 5 days and including my night out money, I take home about £650 a week.

In all honesty, if they didn’t let other drivers use my motor when I’m not in it (and I know that’s pretty much impossible) I’d say it’s a dream job. You manage your own hours, they never expect you to work daft hours, don’t even give you a run that’d take you into a 15 without asking first. I’ve just had my first brand spanking new unit. Just let them know if you’re going to be late getting to a drop, regardless of the reason. (Mate of mine called in the other day to say he was going to be late, as he’d suddenly gone all tired, and was going to get his head down for an hour, they were absolutely fine with that)

Hardest thing to adjust to for me, was not chasing around like a maniac. I’d be going off my head if I was sat on a bay waiting 2 hours for 6 pallets to be tipped. Then one day the penny dropped, I was earning a tenner an hour to do nothing.

If it’s what you want to do, give it a whirl, I don’t regret it for a minute.

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Thats it mate, ive my licence here and i dont want it going to waste either. i think i’ll dabble on a bit of part time driving here and there to see how it goes first, can agencies take you on as a part time driver as in my spare time off from my full time job?

I only ever did one day on agency, got my job offer while I was at it, and took it. At the end of a day, you can tell an agency when you’re available, but if you’re a bit too choosy, you won’t be high up the list of drivers they call in.

I’d also suggest you do as much driving as you can, just to hone your skills.

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Bear in mind the WTD regs. You should (by rights) declare all your working hours on your card. If you had a bump and had been found to be doing two jobs, I really wouldn’t want to be in your shoes.

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PaulNowak:
I only ever did one day on agency, got my job offer while I was at it, and took it. At the end of a day, you can tell an agency when you’re available, but if you’re a bit too choosy, you won’t be high up the list of drivers they call in.

I’d also suggest you do as much driving as you can, just to hone your skills.

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spot on Paul, i have drove fuel tankers for the TA but i know a lot of companies aren’t particularly fussed on ex army drivers, that said i will jump on an agency list and try get some more experience in the big bad world

PaulNowak:
I decided a few years ago to give driving a go, but with only having a car/7.5 licence, I needed to be earning, so I took a job (first of all on a van for a month or 2, then going full on, onto the 7.5s. Multidrop, stressful back breaking, spending far too much time in Central London. After I passed my class 2, I stayed as I was, but doing a bit of Class 2 work here and there, usually covering holidays.

I passed my class 1 a few months later, but was relatively happy where I was, and a couple of months later, a mate of mine left, for a job on class 2 that originally had my name on it, until they found out I only had 6 months of doing odd days here and there as experience.

But true to his word, when Steve left, he told the TM that the only class 2 driver on the books, that’d do a decent job and keep the motor straight was me. So I got made up to full time class 2 driver.

My biggest regret is that I stuck at it.

Contrary to what you might hear, despite not having driven an artic for over 2 years, I got set on by a reputable company really close to home, who had just had a new TM, and wanted to reduce agency costs.

As I was rusty, I was given sole access to the company trainer, for what was initially 2 days, but this could have been extended if I wasn’t confident enough to get down the road.

After a day and a half, I was pretty much reversed out! We’d done pretty much every scenario a few time over, and down the road I went.

Best decision I ever made. Can’t believe I stuck at class 2 for so long with that licence burning a hole in my pocket.

I was never on a starter rate, was given my own truck straight away. We run absolutely 100% legal. I work 5 days and including my night out money, I take home about £650 a week.

In all honesty, if they didn’t let other drivers use my motor when I’m not in it (and I know that’s pretty much impossible) I’d say it’s a dream job. You manage your own hours, they never expect you to work daft hours, don’t even give you a run that’d take you into a 15 without asking first. I’ve just had my first brand spanking new unit. Just let them know if you’re going to be late getting to a drop, regardless of the reason. (Mate of mine called in the other day to say he was going to be late, as he’d suddenly gone all tired, and was going to get his head down for an hour, they were absolutely fine with that)

Hardest thing to adjust to for me, was not chasing around like a maniac. I’d be going off my head if I was sat on a bay waiting 2 hours for 6 pallets to be tipped. Then one day the penny dropped, I was earning a tenner an hour to do nothing.

If it’s what you want to do, give it a whirl, I don’t regret it for a minute.

What a load of bolloxs

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peter s:

PaulNowak:
I decided a few years ago to give driving a go, but with only having a car/7.5 licence, I needed to be earning, so I took a job (first of all on a van for a month or 2, then going full on, onto the 7.5s. Multidrop, stressful back breaking, spending far too much time in Central London. After I passed my class 2, I stayed as I was, but doing a bit of Class 2 work here and there, usually covering holidays.

I passed my class 1 a few months later, but was relatively happy where I was, and a couple of months later, a mate of mine left, for a job on class 2 that originally had my name on it, until they found out I only had 6 months of doing odd days here and there as experience.

But true to his word, when Steve left, he told the TM that the only class 2 driver on the books, that’d do a decent job and keep the motor straight was me. So I got made up to full time class 2 driver.

My biggest regret is that I stuck at it.

Contrary to what you might hear, despite not having driven an artic for over 2 years, I got set on by a reputable company really close to home, who had just had a new TM, and wanted to reduce agency costs.

As I was rusty, I was given sole access to the company trainer, for what was initially 2 days, but this could have been extended if I wasn’t confident enough to get down the road.

After a day and a half, I was pretty much reversed out! We’d done pretty much every scenario a few time over, and down the road I went.

Best decision I ever made. Can’t believe I stuck at class 2 for so long with that licence burning a hole in my pocket.

I was never on a starter rate, was given my own truck straight away. We run absolutely 100% legal. I work 5 days and including my night out money, I take home about £650 a week.

In all honesty, if they didn’t let other drivers use my motor when I’m not in it (and I know that’s pretty much impossible) I’d say it’s a dream job. You manage your own hours, they never expect you to work daft hours, don’t even give you a run that’d take you into a 15 without asking first. I’ve just had my first brand spanking new unit. Just let them know if you’re going to be late getting to a drop, regardless of the reason. (Mate of mine called in the other day to say he was going to be late, as he’d suddenly gone all tired, and was going to get his head down for an hour, they were absolutely fine with that)

Hardest thing to adjust to for me, was not chasing around like a maniac. I’d be going off my head if I was sat on a bay waiting 2 hours for 6 pallets to be tipped. Then one day the penny dropped, I was earning a tenner an hour to do nothing.

If it’s what you want to do, give it a whirl, I don’t regret it for a minute.

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What a load of bolloxs

peter s:

peter s:

PaulNowak:
I decided a few years ago to give driving a go, but with only having a car/7.5 licence, I needed to be earning, so I took a job (first of all on a van for a month or 2, then going full on, onto the 7.5s. Multidrop, stressful back breaking, spending far too much time in Central London. After I passed my class 2, I stayed as I was, but doing a bit of Class 2 work here and there, usually covering holidays.

I passed my class 1 a few months later, but was relatively happy where I was, and a couple of months later, a mate of mine left, for a job on class 2 that originally had my name on it, until they found out I only had 6 months of doing odd days here and there as experience.

But true to his word, when Steve left, he told the TM that the only class 2 driver on the books, that’d do a decent job and keep the motor straight was me. So I got made up to full time class 2 driver.

My biggest regret is that I stuck at it.

Contrary to what you might hear, despite not having driven an artic for over 2 years, I got set on by a reputable company really close to home, who had just had a new TM, and wanted to reduce agency costs.

As I was rusty, I was given sole access to the company trainer, for what was initially 2 days, but this could have been extended if I wasn’t confident enough to get down the road.

After a day and a half, I was pretty much reversed out! We’d done pretty much every scenario a few time over, and down the road I went.

Best decision I ever made. Can’t believe I stuck at class 2 for so long with that licence burning a hole in my pocket.

I was never on a starter rate, was given my own truck straight away. We run absolutely 100% legal. I work 5 days and including my night out money, I take home about £650 a week.

In all honesty, if they didn’t let other drivers use my motor when I’m not in it (and I know that’s pretty much impossible) I’d say it’s a dream job. You manage your own hours, they never expect you to work daft hours, don’t even give you a run that’d take you into a 15 without asking first. I’ve just had my first brand spanking new unit. Just let them know if you’re going to be late getting to a drop, regardless of the reason. (Mate of mine called in the other day to say he was going to be late, as he’d suddenly gone all tired, and was going to get his head down for an hour, they were absolutely fine with that)

Hardest thing to adjust to for me, was not chasing around like a maniac. I’d be going off my head if I was sat on a bay waiting 2 hours for 6 pallets to be tipped. Then one day the penny dropped, I was earning a tenner an hour to do nothing.

If it’s what you want to do, give it a whirl, I don’t regret it for a minute.

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What a load of bolloxs

But harsh Peter s. Guys only giving his personal opinion.

I don’t care…the job is not how he described. If I pulled over because I was feeling tired I’d have a sore ■■■■■■■ arse when I got back to the yard…

I can only speak from personal experience.

Let’s say my mate had had an accident, after having rang them to tell them he was feeling a bit ropey. And they’d said they didn’t give a monkeys, he’d be fine, crack on etc etc etc.

It’s not like the fella makes a habit of it. But please yourself what you think. No skin off my nose.

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What’s ■■■■■■■■ about Paul’s post? The fact that he enjoys his job? Or the fact that you hate yours?

Talking of ■■■■■■■■, I am surprised you can see clearly. Do you have a hole in your hard hat at the front?

peter s:
I don’t care…the job is not how he described. If I pulled over because I was feeling tired I’d have a sore [zb] arse when I got back to the yard…

You bloody wouldn’t where i work, so long as the job gets done, the customer is happy and we come back in one piece with no incidents, they’re happy.
If you made a habit of it every day, they’d probably get you to see the company doctor because they take duty of care seriously, but a one off not a word would be said.

Juddian:

peter s:
I don’t care…the job is not how he described. If I pulled over because I was feeling tired I’d have a sore [zb] arse when I got back to the yard…

You bloody wouldn’t where i work, so long as the job gets done, the customer is happy and we come back in one piece with no incidents, they’re happy.
If you made a habit of it every day, they’d probably get you to see the company doctor because they take duty of care seriously, but a one off not a word would be said.

Probably depends the type of work your doing as you say, late for a specific customer could see the company pulled up and subsequently you getting an ear full, but if your on a well run operation that has you planned with a bit of spare time and no mad rush everyday etc then they don’t mind in my experience, your effectively your own boss as long as the work gets done with no issues etc everyone’s happy. As long as your keeping your manager happy who is in turn keeping his boss happy and so on then if its a half decent company you won’t get much hassle.

In most jobs a lot depends on who’s sat in the office and/or at the end of the phone.

Unfortunately, a lot of transport offices contain inexperienced/out of their depth/clueless/out right tossers running the show who, in a high pressure environment, don’t have a great deal of time for keeping the drivers happy. Your merely treated as a tool that there to be used & abused. Big companies often have depots/departments that are considerably better to work for than others, just because of who’s running things.

I work for a big outfit, but thankfully the chaps I work under are competent, respect the fact drivers don’t want to be working daft hours & understand the principal of repaying favours when you do put in a long shift for them, so its a pretty good gig. Everyday though I hear bad stories about how drivers have been hammered elsewhere in the company.