Just asking advice really.
Always been interested in trucking but never really followed it through. My current job is office based however I was previously a service engineer and spent a lot of time driving and outdoors.
Seeing as there is a lack of drivers, is it worth a career change? Are there companies willing to take new drivers on? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Depends on your circumstances.
If you're single and don't have kids, go for it. But at a later date you do want a family, it'll be hard meeting people due to the hours you work and if you do meet someone and have kids, be prepared to miss a lot.....bed time stories, scans during pregnancy, trying to get days off for sports days etc.
Everyone is quoting 50k plus.....but you'll be on £10 and hour plus bonuses/night out money to make that sort of wage.....it's the hours you put in that get you the money not the hourly rate. |
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S is a truck driver. He lives that life and its more than just a job its a lifestyle.
The pay being banded about in the media at the moment is utter nonesense. Experienced drivers are earning £12 per hour on average. £25 a night away. Expected to work 65+ hours a week and be away 4/5 nights. Basic holiday entitlement. And basic pension contributions.
If your lucky your employer will provide a truck with an invertor to run 240v appliances like a kettle and microwave. With a fridge etc but many don't... Then there's parking again if your lucky safe parking will be paid for. But thousands of drivers are not provided this and forced to park overnight in laybys or the side of the road risking thier load, diesel and even thier lives all whilst shitting in a carrier bag...... Thats before starting on how they are treated by large companies they deliver too. The DVSA and police constantly stopping them and fining them. The H&S. Other road users.
Like i said he does it as a lifestyle..... Its not for the majority and a lot of people are only seeing £75000 per year and will be in for a shock! Thats if insurance companies will actually insure them. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"S is a truck driver. He lives that life and its more than just a job its a lifestyle.
The pay being banded about in the media at the moment is utter nonesense. Experienced drivers are earning £12 per hour on average. £25 a night away. Expected to work 65+ hours a week and be away 4/5 nights. Basic holiday entitlement. And basic pension contributions.
If your lucky your employer will provide a truck with an invertor to run 240v appliances like a kettle and microwave. With a fridge etc but many don't... Then there's parking again if your lucky safe parking will be paid for. But thousands of drivers are not provided this and forced to park overnight in laybys or the side of the road risking thier load, diesel and even thier lives all whilst shitting in a carrier bag...... Thats before starting on how they are treated by large companies they deliver too. The DVSA and police constantly stopping them and fining them. The H&S. Other road users.
Like i said he does it as a lifestyle..... Its not for the majority and a lot of people are only seeing £75000 per year and will be in for a shock! Thats if insurance companies will actually insure them. "
Spot on, but around Manchester you'd be lucky to see £12ph |
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Thanks for the honesty in your comments. Obviously i'm going to give it quite a lot of thought and research etc before making, lets face it, a major desicion but again thank you for your honesty and comments. |
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"Thanks for the honesty in your comments. Obviously i'm going to give it quite a lot of thought and research etc before making, lets face it, a major desicion but again thank you for your honesty and comments. "
Your better off with a job at Aldi mate |
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By *ENGUYMan
over a year ago
Hull |
"S is a truck driver. He lives that life and its more than just a job its a lifestyle.
The pay being banded about in the media at the moment is utter nonesense. Experienced drivers are earning £12 per hour on average. £25 a night away. Expected to work 65+ hours a week and be away 4/5 nights. Basic holiday entitlement. And basic pension contributions.
If your lucky your employer will provide a truck with an invertor to run 240v appliances like a kettle and microwave. With a fridge etc but many don't... Then there's parking again if your lucky safe parking will be paid for. But thousands of drivers are not provided this and forced to park overnight in laybys or the side of the road risking thier load, diesel and even thier lives all whilst shitting in a carrier bag...... Thats before starting on how they are treated by large companies they deliver too. The DVSA and police constantly stopping them and fining them. The H&S. Other road users.
Like i said he does it as a lifestyle..... Its not for the majority and a lot of people are only seeing £75000 per year and will be in for a shock! Thats if insurance companies will actually insure them. "
That last point has always been a stumbling block. Newly qualified drivers invariably cannot source work, as Insurers will only cover drivers with at least 6 months experience. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Ex partner was a HGV driver. Aside from all that is mentioned above you might just develop a hatred for other drivers and traffic, roadworks and accidents causing delays. And road rage. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I used to work in supply chain and there is a reason drivers are leaving the industry. This has been coming for many years. It’s not something I would recommend |
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