To Class 1 or not to Class 1, that is the question?
Discussion
Hi folks,
I'm after your opinions one on my situation if I may?
I currently work for a national food distribution company, I do multi dropping. It's a cushty little number, I live less than 2 miles from the depot, earn a not entirely unreasonable £25k-ish a year and work around 45 hours a week. I am home every day but I do work every other Saturday.
The thing is I'm itching to go for my Class 1, the idea of driving 'proper' wagons really appeals to me as well as the higher earning potential. What worries me though is that to earn serious money I would have to have nights out or weeks away. Whilst I am OK with this, I don't think the boss would be keen.
So, what would you do?
I'm after your opinions one on my situation if I may?
I currently work for a national food distribution company, I do multi dropping. It's a cushty little number, I live less than 2 miles from the depot, earn a not entirely unreasonable £25k-ish a year and work around 45 hours a week. I am home every day but I do work every other Saturday.
The thing is I'm itching to go for my Class 1, the idea of driving 'proper' wagons really appeals to me as well as the higher earning potential. What worries me though is that to earn serious money I would have to have nights out or weeks away. Whilst I am OK with this, I don't think the boss would be keen.
So, what would you do?
NickM450 said:
Hi folks,
I'm after your opinions one on my situation if I may?
I currently work for a national food distribution company, I do multi dropping. It's a cushty little number, I live less than 2 miles from the depot, earn a not entirely unreasonable £25k-ish a year and work around 45 hours a week. I am home every day but I do work every other Saturday.
The thing is I'm itching to go for my Class 1, the idea of driving 'proper' wagons really appeals to me as well as the higher earning potential. What worries me though is that to earn serious money I would have to have nights out or weeks away. Whilst I am OK with this, I don't think the boss would be keen.
So, what would you do?
Its a tough one really, all depends on what you really want?I'm after your opinions one on my situation if I may?
I currently work for a national food distribution company, I do multi dropping. It's a cushty little number, I live less than 2 miles from the depot, earn a not entirely unreasonable £25k-ish a year and work around 45 hours a week. I am home every day but I do work every other Saturday.
The thing is I'm itching to go for my Class 1, the idea of driving 'proper' wagons really appeals to me as well as the higher earning potential. What worries me though is that to earn serious money I would have to have nights out or weeks away. Whilst I am OK with this, I don't think the boss would be keen.
So, what would you do?
The job you have now sounds like a cushy number and for a decent enough wage considering your hours and that your home everynight. Alot of it will depend on who you work for.
Would the company you currently work for give you class 1 work if and when you get the licence? Also does that sort of work for them involve nights out? If it does they definetly seem like your best first option so as you can get a taste for it and see if it would suit you long term.
There are so many different types of jobs and working shifts these days you really have to make sure you can try and pick the one that is right for you, (and the boss.)
Days, nights, 4 on 4 off, 5 on 3 off, tramping, european, the list just goes on and on.
With regards to the class 1 thing, if its really itching you that much and you've got the money then go and do it. I was the same, and did it 20 years ago when i was 23. Tbh i havn't looked back, 99% of the time i've loved it and been to some cracking places and seen some amazing things and i have no wish to change my job, (providing the docs give me my licence back.)
You're not going to know if the night out thing suits you or not until you've actually done it. It has pros and cons like most things but can just become a way of life if it suits you? It suits me, but i guess thats because i've done nights out from the very start which also makes it abit easier doing the long periods away from home that i do on the tour work, anything from 4 days too, 4 months in 1 go :0
The being away though, just makes me appreciate alot more what i have when i'm at home
HTH.
They're right , get your test and try it as and when you have time . Clock will always be ticking towards the 2 yr mark , and with a bit of creativity on your CV you'll give yourself enough experience to sit tight until the right job comes along .
My operation works 4 and 4 , only 3 nights out at max ,then 5 at home , unless the fan gets covered but that's all part of trucking .Best shift possible IMHO , almost feels like part time . Go for your test then make your choices ,best of luck .
My operation works 4 and 4 , only 3 nights out at max ,then 5 at home , unless the fan gets covered but that's all part of trucking .Best shift possible IMHO , almost feels like part time . Go for your test then make your choices ,best of luck .
"mummy, is daddy really dead?"
"no dear, he's in Liverpool waiting for the boat"
Little wagon driver joke for you.
Unless you're sure it's the life you want, then no. Because it does become your life. Most drivers I know (though not all) leave the house on Sunday/Monday and get back six days later. If your missus doesn't like the idea, the reality won't change her mind. Most drivers have at least one failed marriage, as few women are happy to live alone most of the week. If you have or plan to have children then it's definitely no, in the blink of an eye the best years have gone and you've missed them.
My cousin and I got into wagon driving around the same time. I got out, he didn't. He's on failed marriage number three and watches his children grow up via Facebook. He loves the job and couldn't imagine doing anything else. Make of that what you will.
"no dear, he's in Liverpool waiting for the boat"
Little wagon driver joke for you.
Unless you're sure it's the life you want, then no. Because it does become your life. Most drivers I know (though not all) leave the house on Sunday/Monday and get back six days later. If your missus doesn't like the idea, the reality won't change her mind. Most drivers have at least one failed marriage, as few women are happy to live alone most of the week. If you have or plan to have children then it's definitely no, in the blink of an eye the best years have gone and you've missed them.
My cousin and I got into wagon driving around the same time. I got out, he didn't. He's on failed marriage number three and watches his children grow up via Facebook. He loves the job and couldn't imagine doing anything else. Make of that what you will.
I don't get the whole tramping thing for extra money, I earn the same if not more money than our trampers because I clock more hours getting home every day. Yeah, they might get night out money but they only get to clock 10hrs a day before they run out of work but I easily get 12/13 because I have to drive home. It makes sense if you live in a caravan and keep every penny that you earn, but what's the point of living in a tin can if you're throwing money at bricks and mortar somewhere.
Go tramping if you get to travel to the corners of Europe doing something you love, don't do it delivering pallets to an RDC in Birmingham
Go tramping if you get to travel to the corners of Europe doing something you love, don't do it delivering pallets to an RDC in Birmingham
Thank you very much for the replies chaps. Looks like I'll have to keep thinking about it, I don't think the idea of weeks or more away is going to work, being home every evening is nice and I would like to continue doing that. 4 on 4 off sounds interesting though, I wonder if I could push that idea through management 
The firm I work for have plenty of drivers waiting in line to get on the Class 1 wagons so that wouldn't work. As for failed marriages, I've already got one of those, nothing to do with wagons driving though, don;t fancy another failure mind.
More research is in order........ mind you, I wonder of my firm would fit proper air horns to our rigids? After all, that's the main reason I want to do CLass 1
The firm I work for have plenty of drivers waiting in line to get on the Class 1 wagons so that wouldn't work. As for failed marriages, I've already got one of those, nothing to do with wagons driving though, don;t fancy another failure mind.
More research is in order........ mind you, I wonder of my firm would fit proper air horns to our rigids? After all, that's the main reason I want to do CLass 1
the place i do a bit for between tours have a few lads on the 4 on 4 off shift. my mate does it, and loves it, averages 2-3 nights out per 4 on.
the extended long time away is not for everyone, its all about trying to find what suits you best. it works for me as the kids have grown up now, and on decent tours the mrs gets to pop out now and then when it suits
plus the money is alright
the extended long time away is not for everyone, its all about trying to find what suits you best. it works for me as the kids have grown up now, and on decent tours the mrs gets to pop out now and then when it suits
plus the money is alright Gassing Station | Commercial Break | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff