Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Essex_Andy on 24 July 2007, 17:05:57
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Well I passed my C+E test yesterday and I'm somewhat stuck as to finding employment?
Had a job today but in a nutshell the unit I was due to drive from Basildon to Heathrow terminal 5 was a shite box to say the least...no 1st or 5th gear and the suspension wouldnt raise and the air pressure just about cleared the red on the dials.
Replacement unit was probably the smallest scania unit I have seen..I think a LWB Transit would be bigger......seriously doubted it could safely drag a 45foot curtain side rammed full with building stuff......I was told by the foreman that I was all set and ready...only for a HUGE bang as the trailer dropped off the 5th wheel and down on to its wound up legs.
I decided to call it a day with this firm as I had been there for 3 hours since 0545hrs and only driven about 6 miles.
So back to the main point....any recommendations who I should approach for work....either working my rest days or starting in a full-time position.
I need a salary of at least £27,750 to improve my present circumstances.
Thanks folks
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Amigov6 is a wagon driver,he should be able to give you some advice regarding all things to do with trucks, even down to the size of his yorkie bar. ;D WELL DONE TO YOU FOR PASS and good luck. :y
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Good luck with finding a position and well done on the pass.
Your first company sounds like a right outfit!
I would suggest looking in the local papers job sections under the Drivers / Delivery section. I live near Heathrow and would gladly keep an eye out for you if you like if that is any good. I guess that sort of work would be more plentiful in this area?
There is a big transport company called Saints which is very near to Heathrow, there is also another company in Hayes called Collins Road Services and another called All port. Search for their websites and get in touch on the off chance - you may strike lucky!
As I say, good luck.
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Ooops forgot to say I live in Essex.
And the depot is at Basildon in Essex, not the Basildon near Henley
Thanks anyway guys. :y
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Talk to an agency. All my full time jobs spurred off from agency temping. Gives the firm a chance to try you out before they buy, so to speak.
27.5k+ from HGV? I think you need toi get a top job there mate or do a LOT of hours!
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eddie stobart, you get a shiny big green and gold one
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My 'main' plan is to get experience driving on my rest days then jack in the prison end of the year.
That is unless something else pops up.
Just had a call from an agency that 'reckon' as a newbie I can earn £500 to £600 a week
I know just words but have to see
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Ooops forgot to say I live in Essex.
And the depot is at Basildon in Essex, not the Basildon near Henley
Thanks anyway guys. :y
Congratulations on passing your test :y
On the job side ever thought of self employment? i know that half of my relatives are now self employed. Work for a Stone merchant in the docks near purfleet as sub contractors on about 200 - 250 per Day delivering in the local area, was thinking of doing it myselfe, but i`m a bit to old now.
I know the initial outlay might be a bit much but in the long run its the best way to earn your money,
Other than that there are loads of Transport firms in Battlesbridge the other side of wickford, did my Transport course there when i left the Army. They were allways looking for drivers :y
Wish you the best of luck with yor search :y :y
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Congrats on passing your test..Well done.. :y
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You could try Tesco main depot at Cheshunt. Not far depending on where in Essex you are. I knew an hgv mechanic who used to work for them and the pay was very good.
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get yourself down to purfleet nad chat to the container guys, they all know which is the best company to driver for in that area!!
nd there is usually a couple of signs around asking for relief drivers, container work is a good way to learn the trade properly, If you really want a boring deadend low paid job then by allmeans go and try Tesco, but i wouldnt recomend it!! horses for courses tho!!
Omegatoy
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:yCongrats on your upgrade Andy. You'll have to go to uni soon if the test gets much pickier!
Steer clear of the firm you mentioned, although small firms can be ok. Be prepared to do "nights out" unless you do day runs or shunting but it wo'nt earn you much. Continental or ferry work on trailers is graft. You're either stripping out tilts (foreign lace-up canvas side trailers) which involves alot of multi-drop work and you're responsible for load security And if your load's on a curtain sider it will be a euro or tautliner which has 3 posts per side with timbers in between, so it's a pain. Also with multi drop work remember if each drop only wants 3 or 4 pallets they're probably a small co. that would be hard to get a rigid in.
Tanker firms often pay more but you work for it and need an ADR(Haz goods). Supermarket distribution ctrs. have good pay packages but can be 4 on 4 off & usually clean licence.
I've tried a few and settled on container work. I only make what you're on as a P.O but it's cheap up here and it suits me. Bear in mind you may have to build up 2 years or so exp before you can pick & choose. You're already used to S**t hours.
It's a bit rough to start with but get's easier in time. Not too up on agency work but you get sent all over and always cab hopping so never settle "into home"
Anyway, it's not bad after a while, pick the bones out of this and feel free to pm me for a shorter answer on anything specific!!! Cheers, Guy. [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]
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Amigov6 is a wagon driver,he should be able to give you some advice regarding all things to do with trucks, even down to the size of his yorkie bar. ;D WELL DONE TO YOU FOR PASS and good luck. :y
:)Alright son? ;D ;D ;D :D :D
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Well I passed my C+E test yesterday and I'm somewhat stuck as to finding employment?
Had a job today but in a nutshell the unit I was due to drive from Basildon to Heathrow terminal 5 was a shite box to say the least...no 1st or 5th gear and the suspension wouldnt raise and the air pressure just about cleared the red on the dials.
Replacement unit was probably the smallest scania unit I have seen..I think a LWB Transit would be bigger......seriously doubted it could safely drag a 45foot curtain side rammed full with building stuff......I was told by the foreman that I was all set and ready...only for a HUGE bang as the trailer dropped off the 5th wheel and down on to its wound up legs.
I decided to call it a day with this firm as I had been there for 3 hours since 0545hrs and only driven about 6 miles.
So back to the main point....any recommendations who I should approach for work....either working my rest days or starting in a full-time position.
I need a salary of at least £27,750 to improve my present circumstances.
Thanks folks
>:(Whoever coupled that up needs a quiet word(off the record) ::)
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well done on passing your test mate..i wanted to go for mine a few years back but had to use the dosh for repairs to the house....
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@Crazydad ....
Was the training course at Stevand Training ?? :)
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Well done on your test mate, I have had my HGV for 20 years now, done lots of things including continental driving.
Bit of advice mate, Always check your rig yourself, never take anyones word on "Its ready to go, check it yourself, if your trailer had come off on your journey, you would be the one on a charge.
Enjoy the driving, well done.
8-) 8-)
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@Crazydad ....
Was the training course at Stevand Training ?? :)
Correct went on the course back in 1980s :y :y
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Dunno what is like in your neck of the woods but here in MK the class1 agy drivers are getting upwards of £15+OT. Mate of mine just got a class 1 draw-bar job working 4 on 4 off 6am-6pm and his basic before overtime and bonus is £31K
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I have a mate who wants a career change. He is an electronics engineer, but is thinking of driving lorries or being a plumber. He is over 40, so his back suggests truck driver but how does the future of that career compare to plumbing, what with people coming in from eastern Europe and the Olympics?
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I have a mate who wants a career change. He is an electronics engineer, but is thinking of driving lorries or being a plumber. He is over 40, so his back suggests truck driver but how does the future of that career compare to plumbing, what with people coming in from eastern Europe and the Olympics?
I too was thinking of a career change i wanted to take the family and come back to the uk, wanted to go back to the south east again just could`nt find a job to compete with the wage that i am on now, and believe me the money i am on is not over the top, it came down to the hours, if your willing to spend the most of your time behind a steering wheel with overnight stops then thats where the money is to be earned.
But be honest who wants to do that. It`s ok if your on your own, and are using it as a stepping stone or to save a few bob, but to do that all your life no thanks, and as i have been here for 27 years you need a lot of bo***cks to just give it up and move away, even if it is better in good old blighty.
And that is just the Job side of things, Housing well how much time have you got, i could write a 500 side essay on how difficult that is
Allow me just one more comment, no matter how bad you think you`ve got it, rest in the fact
(and believe me it`s true) that you are living in the best country in the world, and the people are also the best in the world, take it from someone who knows. [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]
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Cheers guys :)
Will keep you posted :y