Wow, this forum is full of experienced voices. Thank you very much to everyone who has responded - it’s actually reassuring to hear such extreme contrast in the range of experience here. It seems to depend on five factors:
- Reputation (A key point of discussion in this thread seems to be the period of time and actions required to build and secure this.)
- Location (Honestly seems like pot luck but I imagine it’s better around cities, ports, rail hubs etc.)
- Attitude (It seems crucial to maintain a relationship with your recruiter where you make it plain that you will not be played for a fool, but in exchange you will not mess about and will be straight with them too.)
- Season (Thank you Conor for your explanation of the seasonal work cycle!)
- Life circumstances (Alternate income, partner’s work, financial commitments, debt.)
You’ve given me a lot to think about. Thank you.
Carryfast:
How was it that I still got lumbered with the crap to the point of being taken off a decent distance bulk pallet delivery job that the customer wanted me to stay on, for yet more 7.5t and building delivery zb.I finally told them they were avin a larf and walked away.There were no calls please come back.
Oh, now I wonder why that could possibly be…*strokes chin while maniacally laughing *
switchlogic:
Carryfast:
How was it that I still got lumbered with the crap to the point of being taken off a decent distance bulk pallet delivery job that the customer wanted me to stay on, for yet more 7.5t and building delivery zb.I finally told them they were avin a larf and walked away.There were no calls please come back.
Oh, now I wonder why that could possibly be…*strokes chin while maniacally laughing *
You did read the bit in red.
In my experience how financially desperate anyone was never entered into the face fits pecking order bs that infests the job whether agency or employed.Usually the more mortgaged to the hilt they were the more God given right to the best work they thought they had and were given. 
Carryfast:
switchlogic:
Carryfast:
How was it that I still got lumbered with the crap to the point of being taken off a decent distance bulk pallet delivery job that the customer wanted me to stay on, for yet more 7.5t and building delivery zb.I finally told them they were avin a larf and walked away.There were no calls please come back.
Oh, now I wonder why that could possibly be…*strokes chin while maniacally laughing *
You did read the bit in red.
In my experience how financially desperate anyone was never entered into the face fits pecking order bs that infests the job whether agency or employed.Usually the more mortgaged to the hilt they were the more God given right to the best work they thought they had and were given.
… continues maniacally laughing
switchlogic:
… continues maniacally laughing
Feel free to see maniacal humour in the fact that agencies don’t generally allocate work on the basis of asking which drivers are most financially insecure and vice versa. 
Carryfast:
switchlogic:
… continues maniacally laughing
Feel free to see maniacal humour in the fact that agencies don’t generally allocate work on the basis of asking which drivers are most financially insecure and vice versa.
There’s humour in everything old bean, you just don’t see it. You would hate me for many reasons I’m sure but if we worked together mainly because my face has generally fitted everywhere I’ve worked. And often for a reason to be fair
I’d hire Switchy…
As soon as he showed up at the gate.
I’d set the scrapyard dog on CF.
switchlogic:
Carryfast:
Feel free to see maniacal humour in the fact that agencies don’t generally allocate work on the basis of asking which drivers are most financially insecure and vice versa.
There’s humour in everything old bean, you just don’t see it. You would hate me for many reasons I’m sure but if we worked together mainly because my face has generally fitted
So we’re agreed face fits matters in the allocation of zb v decent work whether agency or employed.Not how much reserve cash each driver has in the bank which was my point.
Ironically this could only have been written on merit obviously not because my ‘face fitted’ anywhere.
Nor would I have wanted to be allocated any job because my ‘face fitted’.Which is probably why not long after that I ended up with a written warning for refusing to be involved in loading unloading duties within the hub system and I’m actually more proud of that letter.Added to the other safe driving record commendations that I’ve also got stored away somewhere. 
I would hate to work for UPS.
adam277:
I would hate to work for UPS.
Actually one of the better run parcels operations in my limited experience. Did a fair amount for them at Virginia, fair few trunks into Europe, Paris esp
Carryfast:
So we’re agreed face fits matters in the allocation of zb v decent work whether agency or employed.Not how much reserve cash each driver has in the bank which was my point.
Of course, that’s true of every area of life. Even down to which shop you go to. No idea where this idea about how much driver has in bank is a factor. Why would a boss know what your bank balance is
switchlogic:
adam277:
I would hate to work for UPS.
Actually one of the better run parcels operations in my limited experience. Did a fair amount for them at Virginia, fair few trunks into Europe, Paris esp
Trunks are usually a different game.
The parcel part of their business with vans and 7.5t lorries though…
youtube.com/watch?v=HkPatmQFLXU
I know this is USA training but my god… They look like they micro manage so much just to ensure you can deliver as many parcels as humanely possible.
switchlogic:
adam277:
I would hate to work for UPS.
Actually one of the better run parcels operations in my limited experience. Did a fair amount for them at Virginia, fair few trunks into Europe, Paris esp
Yep the old Seabourne’s Euro trunkers weren’t very happy about their runs being subbed out.At least what wasn’t sent by plane.Mostly they ended up doing UK direct trunks ( uk line haul) as opposed to international.
While we were ‘demoted’ to ‘feeders’ which is how we eventually ended up working as warehouse labourers on the hub sort for much of a shift 
which at least their ‘line haul’ job status got them out of on the occasions when they had to go to the hub.
Luckily I’m probably one of the only ones who could claim to still be a ‘trunk driver’ but who was eventually made a feeder driver when the Scotch changeover I’d been doing since the early 90’s ended.
But who ended my days back doing ‘line haul’ ( direct trunking ) luckily because of an operation which combined our depot’s with Luton’s traffic needing a drawbar outfit running up to Dewsbury direct.
But too late to save my back.The damage was done.But at least I ended my days in the job driving the type of outfit I’d always wanted to from day 1 I can at least thank them for that.
Also obviously none of that because my face fitted and the difference between our two respective paths in the job being all about right/wrong place at the right/wrong time and as you’ve admitted yourself your face fitted.
Unfortunately have to agree with adam227 but really wish that I didn’t. 
adam277:
switchlogic:
adam277:
I would hate to work for UPS.
Actually one of the better run parcels operations in my limited experience. Did a fair amount for them at Virginia, fair few trunks into Europe, Paris esp
Trunks are usually a different game.
There’s a big difference between ‘trunks’ ( line haul ) v Feeders.Most class 1 jobs are actually Feeder jobs not line haul.
Feeder is mostly/all about hub system work in which the driver is expected to handball trailer loads of freight during the sort at the hub obviously to reduce the workload and requirement for warehouse staff.For those who think that POA is an easy earner be careful what you wish for.
youtube.com/watch?v=WwTzcoF7AOM
Tipping the trailer is easier than loading it.POA yeah right.
youtube.com/watch?v=ufpx6TUCzuI
Carryfast:
Also obviously none of that because my face fitted and the difference between our two respective paths in the job being all about right/wrong place at the right/wrong time and as you’ve admitted yourself your face fitted.
The only difference between you and me is you’re desperate to feel like the odd one out and I’m not. And the only difference in the job between us job wise I was happy to make crazy (to some) leaps in the dark and you won’t. Each to their own
Just to note it may sound it but it’s not me being big headed! I did nothing special, I don’t have any skills others don’t, I just have a personality that is always restless forcing me to leap into dark
switchlogic:
mainly because my face has generally fitted everywhere I’ve worked.
Does that include Virginia Transport UK division, old bean?
I knew a ‘feeder’ guy for UPS doing feeder work I think it was called.
He basically went to Rexel Senate in Dagenham twice a day. Then to a fishing supplies place in Burnham on Crouch.
Never did any loading or unloading although he was like 70.
I might be completely wrong about that though.
Seemed like he was on a good number though.
