Current climate, drivers hours etc

Current climate, drivers hours etc

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Discussion

chilistrucker

Original Poster:

4,541 posts

158 months

Thursday 19th March 2020
quotequote all
Just wondering how you are all being affected with the current situation?

Are your jobs ok in your sector of the industry?

Always makes me laugh that when in times of need all of a sudden everyone wants/needs the haulage industry and truck drivers. Par for the course I suppose.

Not surprisingly there have now been a relaxation on drivers hours, (for the key sectors) and all London lorry bans are void as are M O T's.

Seen plenty of stuff on social media about,
Now is our time too strike and demand more money, etc.... It has never happened before, and will not now.

The one thing that does annoy me though, is that many places are now refusing outside drivers from using their toilet and washroom facilities. This is a disgrace, and if I'm right is also illegal.

Proof that we are needed, not wanted.


Its Just Adz

15,018 posts

216 months

Thursday 19th March 2020
quotequote all
I've been made redundant today, direct result of what's happening now.

Getragdogleg

9,105 posts

190 months

Thursday 19th March 2020
quotequote all
We are always professional drivers when they want to blame us or use us.

All my work has vanished, we do trade stands to various shows, art gallery moves, exhibitions, and buy and sell shipping containers.

All gone puff in an instant.

The lack of facilities for drivers is criminal anyway, never mind now. Laybys with restrictions, no public toilets and the ones that exist are dodgy cruising spots.

I don't want more money, I want to have some support. I'm fed up of putting in more than I get out. Medicals, cpc, crane tests, forklift tests, paperwork and walk round checks, utter responsibility for everything a dvsa bottom inspector decides is wrong this week.

Weird little things like getting in trouble for a 2 second overspeed when the national limit is 60 and I was doing less than that but more than 90kph which we obey but only because of the EU...

Keep delivering the bog rolls though, the masses must have clean bums.

chilistrucker

Original Poster:

4,541 posts

158 months

Thursday 19th March 2020
quotequote all
Its Just Adz said:
I've been made redundant today, direct result of what's happening now.
Sorry to read this frown

Its Just Adz

15,018 posts

216 months

Thursday 19th March 2020
quotequote all
chilistrucker said:
Sorry to read this frown
Thanks, gutted really as I love that job, but things happen.
Rang a few people and going to chat with a TM on Monday.

chilistrucker

Original Poster:

4,541 posts

158 months

Thursday 19th March 2020
quotequote all
Getragdogleg said:
We are always professional drivers when they want to blame us or use us.

All my work has vanished, we do trade stands to various shows, art gallery moves, exhibitions, and buy and sell shipping containers.

All gone puff in an instant.

The lack of facilities for drivers is criminal anyway, never mind now. Laybys with restrictions, no public toilets and the ones that exist are dodgy cruising spots.

I don't want more money, I want to have some support. I'm fed up of putting in more than I get out. Medicals, cpc, crane tests, forklift tests, paperwork and walk round checks, utter responsibility for everything a dvsa bottom inspector decides is wrong this week.

Weird little things like getting in trouble for a 2 second overspeed when the national limit is 60 and I was doing less than that but more than 90kph which we obey but only because of the EU...

Keep delivering the bog rolls though, the masses must have clean bums.
Nailed it perfectly. This country has always been way behind Western Europe when it comes to facilities and how it treats the professional drivers.

I still have a lot of friends in the tour and expo industry, both truck and tour bus drivers as well as the crews. Sadly every single one of them is now sat at home with no work. I worked for Transam when I toured, I think they have in the region of 120 trucks, and Fly By Nite much the same. All their tour work has now ended, and they are all looking for any traction work they can get as having a 120 trucks parked in the yard is no good to anyone.

The sad thing is much of the industry is along the lines of zero hours contracts, so dark days for many.

Maybe the big ones will ride it out, not so much hope for the smaller firms. I watch on FB a firm that has built a cracking business the last few years on conference and expo type work, (R Jameson.) Steadily built what looks like a decent fleet, knows its business, and has some very well turned out tackle. I just hope firms like this will survive the current situation.

chilistrucker

Original Poster:

4,541 posts

158 months

Thursday 19th March 2020
quotequote all
Its Just Adz said:
chilistrucker said:
Sorry to read this frown
Thanks, gutted really as I love that job, but things happen.
Rang a few people and going to chat with a TM on Monday.
General haulage, or something more niche?

Good luck Monday

Its Just Adz

15,018 posts

216 months

Thursday 19th March 2020
quotequote all
chilistrucker said:
General haulage, or something more niche?

Good luck Monday
Tippers, bit more interesting than general.

Stussy

2,067 posts

71 months

Saturday 21st March 2020
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I’m on ex farm milk tankers running out of scope, so the hours don’t really affect us.
As part of the food chain I’m hoping we don’t get affected at all, I can’t see it tbh. Especially as were coming up to the spring flush when milk production goes crazy.

Chris_P_Duck

48 posts

106 months

Friday 27th March 2020
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I'm sat at home... Usually deliver "beer gas" but after Boris's announcement of last Friday and Monday... I'm now stuck at home and having to speak to the wife.... Lol

smcapstick

67 posts

70 months

Wednesday 1st April 2020
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My rigid had been waiting for an MOT for six weeks. It finally got a slot a week last Wednesday but failed due to a brake imbalance, as a spring broke in one chamber causing it to drag in its way to the station. 20 minute fix... but no retest, as they’ve all been cancelled. Boo.

I’m running on exemption at the moment... but I’d rather it was tested. Bloody virus.