BIGGLES: WHAT you said is so true and yet i can state here two of the experiences i have had, the first is about how good the camardirere was
in the 1980,s i wasparked up waiting for the boat from sally lines in ostende and due to the wonderful road surface i managed to get a flat
and this just before the boat started to load. the only guys to help me this time were from GB ,and we managed to catch the boat .
THE second time i was in HELSINKI and due tothe dockworkers in all of FINNLAND going on strike ihad to wait until the next day for a boat,
IT was winter so ithought that i would run the heater for a little while, I put it on and left it running for2-3hrs turned it off,and then tried to start the lorry.no chance the batteries were flat, as it was the only ones tohelp me here where some RUSSIAN drivers we got the lorry running and the asked me what fuel i had in the tank,when i said from GERMANY they said go and get some winter fuel in as the TEMPERTURE was ----25 and dropping, so off i went FINNISH WINTER FUEL is for temp down to–43.c
and on returning i tried to give them money but they refused so i empteyed my food box some what and gave them the majority as i was going out on the boat next day ,
THE VAST MAJORITY OF DRIVERS FROM THOSE COUNTRYS OUTSIDE
THE EU WILL ALL WAYS STOP AND HELP MORE OFTEN THAN NOT;
You can sit in a UK Truckstop and everyone will ignore you!!!
You sit in a European Truckstop at a table where there may be three other nationalities … none of you speak the others language but often the four of you will sit there and have a ‘conversation’ and a few beers that takes up the whole evening!! Camarderie is still alive over the water thankfully… the industry is killing itself in this country
I can’t understand the problem with Eastern Europeans■■?
BUT there is one thing I have noticed and I don’t care who I offend!!
Every time this issue raises its ugly head, it is the UK drivers who raise their voices the loudest!! The European drivers have normally met Eastern Europeans across the water and not got a problem with them.
Perhaps the UK drivers need to get out more
Totally agree, and i hate to think what these boards will be like in 2007 when Bulgaria and Romania join the EU and will legally be able to come here and work 
You can sit in a UK Truckstop and everyone will ignore you!!!
You sit in a European Truckstop at a table where there may be three other nationalities … none of you speak the others language but often the four of you will sit there and have a ‘conversation’ and a few beers that takes up the whole evening!! Camarderie is still alive over the water thankfully… the industry is killing itself in this country
Again i totally agree, hence the reason i recently changed jobs doing alot more EU the UK 
I think i speak with a bit of authority on this subject of Bulgarians…i am married to one…have mixed extensively with them…and i can honestly say i havnt met a bad one yet…of course there are bad eggs in every basket…but as far as drivers are concerned…they rank amongst the best.
things are a bit easier today than what they used to be…for a start a driver had to work internally for 2 years before he was let loose in europe…it was part of his training…he also had to learn about the mechanics and workings of his vehicle…he had to work in the depot workshops…stripping down engines and repairing the vehicles and trailers…so in my mind they are truly professional…
if you find yourself in trouble with your vehicle…they will be the first to stop and help…unlike our british counterparts…unless you happen to be a middle easter.
they earn what to them is a good wage for international work…150 dollars a month…i dont know what it is today… i do know that because of the talk of low wages the german authorities ask for proof of wages from their bosses to make sure they are not being exploited…although this is of course open to abuse from the said employers…
i dont understand why british drivers are so afraid of an eastern bloc driver…they should try and be a bit more friendly towards them and realise that they are doing the same job as we are…and is it really about the drivers…Willy Betz is a success story…look at how big he has become in such a short time…and its not just about cutting rates…there are many hauliers in this country who do that…stobart…exel logistics…wincanton…frigoscania…to name a few…so its here on our own doorstep…always has been…always will be…so stop ■■■■■■■■…and be grateful you have a job…and a social security system in place in case you dont…