I flash anything towing, along with PSVs/LGVs of all descriptions, (7.5t, C, C+E, bus, coach). I sometimes even flash in the little Renault Clios with P plates, just to help em out.
The problem is that my company is F*****ng paranoid and we have to leave a four second gap between us and the vehicle in front. By the time you have gotten to a three second gap, two artics have filled the gap! They don’t seem to understand that we are all professional drivers and we can figure out that a fully laden vehicle will take longer to stop than a unit running solo.
What I am saying here is that it may not be the “Steering Wheel Attendants” that are giving you the problem. It could well be the desk jockeys who are giving them the orders, despite not knowing what the inside of a truck actually looks like.
I havn’t used a Cb since I was about seven, so I cant help you with that.
Lonewolf Yorks:
…Flashing in. I seem to wait in vain for a flash to tell me I’m safely clear of the wagon I’ve overtaken…
I thought that you are called proffesional driver that should [zb] know the lenght of his bloody truck
Hope not to meet you OTR
Unfortunately the type of driver I am, meets the type of driver you are, “OTR” everyday, your selfish inconsiderate “I’m ok so [zb] you” type of attitude has become more and more prevelant over the years. There are a lot of “drivers” today who are genuinely convinced that they, “know the length of his bloody truck” …but go on to prove they know jack[zb] after they nearly force you into the hard shoulder and they are one degree up on the “■■■■■■■■■ scale” to the smartarses who display the type of attitude on the road that you have outlined.
It also has alot to do with the mistaken perchieved belief that theres a certain ‘hiararchy’ on the road which as most of us know is complete BS!
This affliction is usually displayed by some of the ‘bigger wagons’ on the road.
I only drive a 26 ton 3 axle rigid but il flash anyone in, even 7.5’s and vans with trailers. I do it becuase im courteous and 99% of the time down this end of the country, folk will show their appreciation with the indicator routine. I like a flash in so as not to maybe offend the driver ive just passed by coming in even slightly to early even though i know the length of the truck, his idea of a safe margin maybe differant to mine and it works both ways. If i dont get a flash, il stay out there even longer just to make sure ‘he’s happy’.
And after another few weeks back in the game I am seeing a curious phenomenon.
It may be that having been away for 5 years I am noticing things that have crept up on other members of the profession.
The flashing in thing, at one time I would have got a flash 99% of the time, I would say that was down to about 66% now
And I’m definitely noticing a 2 tier thing. There seems to be this ‘distribution’ setup for want of a better description where lads go in at whatever time, do a regular run and spend a lot of time in an RDC. And then there are a few outposts of the earlier style what appears to be called tramping nowadays.
This style attracts the older or more competent driver while the distribution setup is the norm. Standards have definitely dropped.
I’m sorry if this insults anyone but thats the way I see it.
Lonewolf Yorks:
…Flashing in. I seem to wait in vain for a flash to tell me I’m safely clear of the wagon I’ve overtaken…
I thought that you are called proffesional driver that should [zb] know the lenght of his bloody truck
Hope not to meet you OTR
Most drivers do know their length, i look on it as a courtesy to flash someone in.
Then again theres not much of that on the roads anymore.
Me too Also the reference by the OP about foriegn gits driving forklifts is an easy answer, they could probably only get them due to the ■■■■ poor wages on offer.
robroy: Unfortunately the type of driver I am, meets the type of driver you are, “OTR” everyday, your selfish inconsiderate “I’m ok so [zb] you” type of attitude has become more and more prevelant over the years. There are a lot of “drivers” today who are genuinely convinced that they, “know the length of his bloody truck” …but go on to prove they know jack[zb] after they nearly force you into the hard shoulder and they are one degree up on the “■■■■■■■■■ scale” to the smartarses who display the type of attitude on the road that you have outlined.
grumpybum:
I look on flashing in as the lorry being overtaken signalling that they are happy with the space and for you to come back in. This is not something that can be known by the overtaker - they may require more room due to load, brake efficiency etc. It’s not just a case of knowing how long your truck is - but it takes a professional driver to consider that …
Lonewolf Yorks:
And after another few weeks back in the game I am seeing a curious phenomenon.
It may be that having been away for 5 years I am noticing things that have crept up on other members of the profession.
The flashing in thing, at one time I would have got a flash 99% of the time, I would say that was down to about 66% now
And I’m definitely noticing a 2 tier thing. There seems to be this ‘distribution’ setup for want of a better description where lads go in at whatever time, do a regular run and spend a lot of time in an RDC. And then there are a few outposts of the earlier style what appears to be called tramping nowadays.
This style attracts the older or more competent driver while the distribution setup is the norm. Standards have definitely dropped.
I’m sorry if this insults anyone but thats the way I see it.
Following redundancy i am back looking for work again…and i will need to buy a car at some point…but no point buying it till i have a job that means i can afford to run it!
I seriously do not want to go down the “distribution” path…have done it in the past and hate it with a passion. Snotty RDC clerks and me do not mix well.
I am looking for a tramping job, preferably on containers, because i find it a less stressful way of working. I would love to get back into European work…although been 11 yrs since i went over the water last…
Definitely 2 types of work, and driver, out there.
Are there any firms left in the UK that pay a decent wage, use decent equipment and let the driver do what they do with the minimum of interference?
Lonewolf Yorks:
3. I thought we had 2 million unemployed. In that case how come just about every forklift driver I’ve had so far has been some foreign [zb]■■
Because the local Brits don’t want to do the job because its a bit of graft. That’s why most of the farm labourers in Lincolnshire are Eastern European.
Lonewolf Yorks:
3. I thought we had 2 million unemployed. In that case how come just about every forklift driver I’ve had so far has been some foreign [zb]■■
Because the local Brits don’t want to do the job because its a bit of graft. That’s why most of the farm labourers in Lincolnshire are Eastern European.
This may be part of the equation but i would prefer to believe it was the poor wage on offer for such jobs that put people off. After all agricultural work has its own minimum wage which is below normal minimum wage!
Lonewolf Yorks:
And after another few weeks back in the game I am seeing a curious phenomenon.
It may be that having been away for 5 years I am noticing things that have crept up on other members of the profession.
The flashing in thing, at one time I would have got a flash 99% of the time, I would say that was down to about 66% now
And I’m definitely noticing a 2 tier thing. There seems to be this ‘distribution’ setup for want of a better description where lads go in at whatever time, do a regular run and spend a lot of time in an RDC. And then there are a few outposts of the earlier style what appears to be called tramping nowadays.
This style attracts the older or more competent driver while the distribution setup is the norm. Standards have definitely dropped.
I’m sorry if this insults anyone but thats the way I see it.
Following redundancy i am back looking for work again…and i will need to buy a car at some point…but no point buying it till i have a job that means i can afford to run it!
I seriously do not want to go down the “distribution” path…have done it in the past and hate it with a passion. Snotty RDC clerks and me do not mix well.
I am looking for a tramping job, preferably on containers, because i find it a less stressful way of working. I would love to get back into European work…although been 11 yrs since i went over the water last…
Definitely 2 types of work, and driver, out there.
Are there any firms left in the UK that pay a decent wage, use decent equipment and let the driver do what they do with the minimum of interference?
Yes I actually jacked trucking in because of the distribution thing. I became a wagon driver to drive, not to sit twiddling my thumbs in some RDC. I also hate that with a passion. I was lucky, I managed to get a tramping job that takes me over the water occasionally too.
I fear that the newer drivers aren’t getting the experience they should have without doing some tramping. Theres more to it than reversing onto a bay at Argos!
I’ve been out of trucks in the UK for 18 months and just got back and found a job, which even pays overtime rates at 1.5 and 2x On my first day down the road I noticed lots of drivers flashing me in, and thanking me for flashing them in, I’m surprised teh OP has noticed the opposite.
I thought using a CB while moving was illegal now and covered by the same rule that stops people using mobiles while driving ,might be wrong though .Our TM wants CB’s but the boss won’t shell out
and they are one degree up on the “■■■■■■■■■ scale” to the smartarses who display the type of attitude on the road that you have outlined.
Also the reference by the OP about foriegn gits driving forklifts is an easy answer, they could probably only get them due to the ■■■■ poor wages on offer.
