Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Amigo on 05 January 2011, 20:20:31
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We're a small firm & only run old trucks, our newest two are 53 plates, one bought new, my old Globetrotter is a V reg & much as i love it it's on it's last legs. Captain Kirk has run up intergalactic miles in it & Spock borrowed it in his lunch break!!! Anyway today i was told to apply for my digi card..06 reg upwards? My gaffer plays his cards close to his chest & would say no more. I've been online & ordered the relative forms. I phoned him a few minutes ago & "fished " for more info. All i got was we've lined up a huge ongoing container work contract with a big shipping firm & i'm one of four drivers he's cherry picked for the contract & he will let me know the rest when i get back from Millom tomorrow.
You can't get a promotion as a truck driver but you can get the cream! 8-)
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Good news by the sound of it Guy. Particularily as small hauliers must be really feeling the pain with the cost of fuel these days. ;)
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Hope the news is as good as it sounds to be :y
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Seems like an exciting development is taking place for you Guy. 8-) 8-) Great news! :y :y :y :y
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Sounds good, hope it goes well.
Lets hope its not milk containers and the new fleet are small electric vehicles ;D
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Fingers crossed its good news :y
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OOH!!! you are going to learn to hate the digicard!!!!
its a bastard of a thing, from the first day you use it you will be getting demerits, the software is atrocious, be warned it counts 1 second as a minute so the best advice I can give is do not run to your 4.5 hours as you would on a tacho, just rund max 4.15 and take your break then, do not try and do a 15 folloewd by a 30 it will not like it, unless you do a 20 and a 50 you will get it wrong!! mine is due for renewal in march and im seriuosly thinking about not doing it!! :-X
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sounds promising :y
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Sounds good, hope it goes well.
Lets hope its not milk containers and the new fleet are small electric vehicles ;D
Hello Mr. Gumby. I used to be a Milkman, a sadly dying trade now. Before that as a lad i used to drive anything from 3 wheel electric floats to Bedford CF's. I was only 12 or 13 then but it allowed the Milky to do his bookwork while i drove.
This was in the 70's in rural sussex. Never get away with such things nowadays! 8-)
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We're a small firm & only run old trucks, our newest two are 53 plates, one bought new, my old Globetrotter is a V reg & much as i love it it's on it's last legs. Captain Kirk has run up intergalactic miles in it & Spock borrowed it in his lunch break!!! Anyway today i was told to apply for my digi card..06 reg upwards? My gaffer plays his cards close to his chest & would say no more. I've been online & ordered the relative forms. I phoned him a few minutes ago & "fished " for more info. All i got was we've lined up a huge ongoing container work contract with a big shipping firm & i'm one of four drivers he's cherry picked for the contract & he will let me know the rest when i get back from Millom tomorrow.
You can't get a promotion as a truck driver but you can get the cream! 8-)
:P Will you still talk to us when you`re a 'top-link' driver! ;)
Monsieur un pilote d'élite! :y
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Good news by the sound of it Guy. Particularily as small hauliers must be really feeling the pain with the cost of fuel these days. ;)
:P Would that be one under 5' 2" ? :D
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Good news by the sound of it Guy. Particularily as small hauliers must be really feeling the pain with the cost of fuel these days. ;)
:P Would that be one under 5' 2" ? :D
;D ;D ;D
Congrats Amigo - assuming it turns out to be what you're hoping for :)
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Nice one Guy :y It's always nice to get a new unit. My last 2 years at DFDS I got cherry picked for a new contract and given a brand new (253 km on the clock IIRC) FH16 520, lovely bit of kit it was too! Was never a fan of pulling skelly's though, they can be very fidgety with nothing on.
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Hope it all works out great :)
The digital tacho's are based on a design spec that was agreed in the 80s..... hence why they are slow and rubbish :-X
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We're a small firm & only run old trucks, our newest two are 53 plates, one bought new, my old Globetrotter is a V reg & much as i love it it's on it's last legs. Captain Kirk has run up intergalactic miles in it & Spock borrowed it in his lunch break!!! Anyway today i was told to apply for my digi card..06 reg upwards? My gaffer plays his cards close to his chest & would say no more. I've been online & ordered the relative forms. I phoned him a few minutes ago & "fished " for more info. All i got was we've lined up a huge ongoing container work contract with a big shipping firm & i'm one of four drivers he's cherry picked for the contract & he will let me know the rest when i get back from Millom tomorrow.
You can't get a promotion as a truck driver but you can get the cream! 8-)
Not always the case. The company I used to work for had a driver who had lots of good ideas about how to expand the business and make it more profitable. He was made a director, and then managing director.He built the company up from running 4 trucks to running approx 130 trucks in 5 different depots around the country.
When the owners ran the company into financial trouble a couple of years ago it ended up in the hands of the administrators.
He (Dave Watson) had a chat with his bank, and then bought the company from the administrators. So all the trucks which used to run in Milbank Trucks livery can now be seen in David Watson Transport livery. :y
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Come on Guy, don't keep us in suspense! :P
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Come on Guy, don't keep us in suspense! :P
We're all in suspenders mate. He was in a meeting with said client when i got back today. He might know more tomorrow if not later next week. He was shrugging his shoulders & laughing at me the tinker, he knows it winds me up not knowing, & i can't make a fuss as he's one of the few people i would'nt want to be on the wrong side of. So i'll have to execise a little patience & bore you all with it next week! Guy. ::)
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Come on Guy, don't keep us in suspense! :P
We're all in suspenders mate.
:oOMG....what kind of a company do you work-for, Guy?!?! :P
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Come on Guy, don't keep us in suspense! :P
We're all in suspenders mate.
:oOMG....what kind of a company do you work-for, Guy?!?! :P
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvvMdCTA_os :-*
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Come on Guy, don't keep us in suspense! :P
We're all in suspenders mate.
:oOMG....what kind of a company do you work-for, Guy?!?! :P
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGLmiWfoJx8
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OOH!!! you are going to learn to hate the digicard!!!!
its a blank of a thing, from the first day you use it you will be getting demerits, the software is atrocious, be warned it counts 1 second as a minute so the best advice I can give is do not run to your 4.5 hours as you would on a tacho, just rund max 4.15 and take your break then, do not try and do a 15 folloewd by a 30 it will not like it, unless you do a 20 and a 50 you will get it wrong!! mine is due for renewal in march and im seriuosly thinking about not doing it!! :-X
Total pain in the ass.
Mind and carry plenty spare paper for it you can get fined if you run out if commisoner want's lots of printouts.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvvMdCTA_os :-*
[smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]Hahahahaha......I love it! ;D
The pink angora-sweater reminded me of 'Babs' the taxi driver in 'The League of Gentlemen'........
"....nipples like Bullets" ;D
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvvMdCTA_os :-*
[smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]Hahahahaha......I love it! ;D
The pink angora-sweater reminded me of 'Babs' the taxi driver in 'The League of Gentlemen'........
"....nipples like Bullets" ;D
Scammell wheel nuts in this case. ;D
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Trying to get info out of my gaffer is like trying to half a pound of butter up a hedgehogs arse with a hot needle but with alot of weeping, wailing & gnashing of teeth...it really is a struggle...two 55 plate Renault Premiums have arrived. Yes i know they're not the most loved trucks among drivers as they're pretty basic spec but at least they run the Volvo 450's not the old 420DCi's with the knock through box. These have already been allocated, both to drivers who's units are even more fubarred than mine. More units are imminent & he said i can stay in mine til my new one arrives.....i don't do cab hopping... no more info on the new contract. ::)
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Talk about blood and stone Guy ;D ;D
Premiums..... :-X :-X :-X At least they have the better drive train!
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hope the upcoming change is as good as you think it'll be mate. fingers crossed :y
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Good on ya Guy! If your gaffer doesnt/wont put you through a digi-card course then contact VOSA and ask them to walk you through it. Do not be put off talking to VOSA, they really are there to help us too you know, and they do want to help. I have had to go to them over the last couple of years because of cowboys and they did really help me out regards hours etc. and all this without them asking who the employer was. The digi-card is a pain, but once you get the workings of it your day is easier, plus because of the way it works your always guaranteed to get some overtime out of the shift lol! Good Luck!
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Come on Guy, don't keep us in suspense! :P
We're all in suspenders mate.
:oOMG....what kind of a company do you work-for, Guy?!?! :P
drivers agm??
(http://i1045.photobucket.com/albums/b460/tapper888/midgets.jpg)
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sounds like there are good news :y
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Well he does have to DRAG a load lol 8-) Boom! Tish!
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Good on ya Guy! If your gaffer doesnt/wont put you through a digi-card course then contact VOSA and ask them to walk you through it. Do not be put off talking to VOSA, they really are there to help us too you know, and they do want to help. I have had to go to them over the last couple of years because of cowboys and they did really help me out regards hours etc. and all this without them asking who the employer was. The digi-card is a pain, but once you get the workings of it your day is easier, plus because of the way it works your always guaranteed to get some overtime out of the shift lol! Good Luck!
We've had the digi card talk via our compulsory so many hours a year NVQ/CPC but i can't remember any of it as i was trying to stay awake!....A bit like the 5 yearly ADR refresher.
I'm only a truck driver. No wonder young folk have no interest, it'll be a Uni course soon!!! ::)
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I know what your saying Guy, lol! I only get paid from the neck down lol!
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Good stuff Guy, photos of the new beast when you get it :y
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Fingers crossed its all good news Guy, i remember well the first new truck i bought when i had my own haulage company, 62Ks worth of Foden with Cat 425 engine, picked it up from the factory in Sandbach and had a grin from ear to ear, times were tough back then, 1988, god knows how tough it must be for small hauliers nowadays, as much as i miss being out on the road, i really don't miss worrying about fuel costs and rates!! :-/
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Had a look inside one of the new (55plate) motors today. All seemed well, lots of room, nice high bunk etc. then saw the gear lever. Oh dear. Looked down, no clutch pedal. You can semi auto them ie push forward to change up or back to change down & there is a split on each gear or you can knock it left again for the full slush puppy box. How can i call myself a real; trucker now? I prefer the 4 on 4 or 3on 3 range change with a split boxes, crashboxes, or even an Eaton twin split at a push but no clutch pedal?
I'm turning into a luddite...we fear change...gearchange. ::)
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Had a look inside one of the new (55plate) motors today. All seemed well, lots of room, nice high bunk etc. then saw the gear lever. Oh dear. Looked down, no clutch pedal. You can semi auto them ie push forward to change up or back to change down & there is a split on each gear or you can knock it left again for the full slush puppy box. How can i call myself a real; trucker now? I prefer the 4 on 4 or 3on 3 range change with a split boxes, crashboxes, or even an Eaton twin split at a push but no clutch pedal?
I'm turning into a luddite...we fear change...gearchange. ::)
You`ll be telling us next, that when you statrted driving lorries; all the drivers wore leather 'chaps' and looked like Stanley Baker! ;D
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When I took my Class 2 back in nineteen hundred and.............
NONE of the F88 Volvos we used had easy clutches, in fact my left calf is bigger than my right one even now cos it was so hard to push in!!
And the hours were "relaxed" more then too, Police were friendly towards us, and fuel was less than £2 a gallon....................
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When I watched Eddie Stobart Trucks on C5 other month, believe 95% of their fleet are autos now! Only a handful were manuals.
I guess they are brilliant in heavy traffic its fully auto?
What was it Guy, a Volvo? Thought your trip thingy was for 06 plate onwards?
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Guy i drive an automatic Volvo and love it..No more thinking ahead when approaching roundabouts about your gears and in Europe when your looking for your delivery point it makes it easier to concentrate on finding your way..
Digi card is also better when you get used to it..Don't do over 4h.27m drive though or you will end up with more printouts than you care to imagine..
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My unit has'nt arrived yet which is fine as i love my old Gobstopper so will cherish every last day in it. I'm hoping to get a 55 plate so i can stay on paper tacho charts & if the made a manual that would be nice. With paper tachos you can get away with the odd 10 mins here & there which on a London run can be the difference between getting home or parking up for the night 10 mins. from home, (23 tax free) guess i'll have to adjust but i don't like it. Today the old T reg Volvo went, along with a W reg Volvo & my old W reg Scania.
There's rumours of a new yard/workshop across the road which we really could do with. Looks like the Gaffer's cleaning house!!! :-/
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I am parked up tonight..11 mins short without any hold ups of getting back to the yard, so i stopped at a safe place... 1 hours drive in morning, 1 extra night out and a bit extra for working the saturday morning.. I would have only got home and had a few beers tonight anyway so saved a bit of spending and earned instead..Will be nice to be home tomorrow as i've been out 5 nights this week..
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I am parked up tonight..11 mins short without any hold ups of getting back to the yard, so i stopped at a safe place... 1 hours drive in morning, 1 extra night out and a bit extra for working the saturday morning.. I would have only got home and had a few beers tonight anyway so saved a bit of spending and earned instead..Will be nice to be home tomorrow as i've been out 5 nights this week..
Hello mate. I often have to run in on a saturday. I get more done that way as if i'm home i lay in bed half the day anyway just 'cos i can!! We're not out all week, maybe once or twice but two nights out is nearly £200 tax free over a month. Pays another bill & i'm quite cozy in my cab, night heater, fridge, kettle, lappy & dongle...crack on drive :y 8-)
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Guy i drive an automatic Volvo and love it..No more thinking ahead when approaching roundabouts about your gears and in Europe when your looking for your delivery point it makes it easier to concentrate on finding your way..
Digi card is also better when you get used to it..Don't do over 4h.27m drive though or you will end up with more printouts than you care to imagine..
just dont forget when, on the odd occasion your back in a manual that the reason its shuddering on the approach to an island is that you need to dip the clutch.. :D
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Guy i drive an automatic Volvo and love it..No more thinking ahead when approaching roundabouts about your gears and in Europe when your looking for your delivery point it makes it easier to concentrate on finding your way..
Digi card is also better when you get used to it..Don't do over 4h.27m drive though or you will end up with more printouts than you care to imagine..
just dont forget when, on the odd occasion your back in a manual that the reason its shuddering on the approach to an island is that you need to dip the clutch.. :D
I've driven old Leyland Super Comets with crash boxes, Eaton twin splits & the usual range change but auto in a truck? even in semi auto do they hold back when you lift off or engage neutral like an auto car? There is an exhaust break but it seems alien to me. ::)
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Going down hill they go into nuetral, as for normal driving they don't hold back as such unless you have the retarder/exhaust switched on..On my Globetrotter i have 3 different positions but leave it on A for auto unless going down steep hills then adjust to suit..Try the auto Guy, after a few weeks you will love it..You can also drive it in manual too, but for me auto every time..I do tend to try to dip the clutch at times and then realise theres not one there..Bet you will love it after a while..
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Had a look inside one of the new (55plate) motors today. All seemed well, lots of room, nice high bunk etc. then saw the gear lever. Oh dear. Looked down, no clutch pedal. You can semi auto them ie push forward to change up or back to change down & there is a split on each gear or you can knock it left again for the full slush puppy box. How can i call myself a real; trucker now? I prefer the 4 on 4 or 3on 3 range change with a split boxes, crashboxes, or even an Eaton twin split at a push but no clutch pedal?
I'm turning into a luddite...we fear change...gearchange. ::)
You`ll be telling us next, that when you statrted driving lorries; all the drivers wore leather 'chaps' and looked like Stanley Baker! ;D
Lol @ Debs! Hell Drivers
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in every cloud there is a silver lining. so always smile.
good luck in everything 8-) :y
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Lol @ Debs! Hell Drivers
Well remembered......that`s the one! :y
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_HVaRXeiFs&feature=related[/media]
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Typical good old British black and white film and what a cast line up! Another good one to look out for is The Wages of Fear, cant remember what country its set in but has subtitles and a very gripping film