jay0:
[zb] me I’m gonna stop reading this thread now cos I’m losing the will to live
Why
An old driver told me to quit driving when I was 40, or I’d still be driving at 65 like him, and hate it…he was right, I quit…
Went into a commercial garage in the reception office, half the pay, at first, but…
The first night I got home from my new job I was met on the doorstep by my wife, she was in tears, I thought someone had died ( her mum was ill at the time ) It was the fact that for the first time in our married life, I’d said I’d be home at a given time, and had !
First week I got a phone call mid-week from a mate, did I fancy going to a BBQ the following Sunday afternoon, I forgot myself for a minute, telling him I’d have to see if I was shipping out, only to realise a split second later that of course I could go, I didn’t work week-ends anymore.
We had a social life, at last. The times I’d turn down visits to family and friends because either I finished late, had an early start that morning, or was having an early start the following day, or was always too tired, now I was like a normal person, 5 days a week working 8.30 - 5.30, week-ends off, and I felt better for it.
We managed the pay OK, wasn’t long befor a new job and promotion got me back up to, and above my drivers pay, which enabled me to retire at 57…
Do I regret giving up driving ? No, even then the jobs was not what it had been. Did I miss driving ? No. I got the odd trip to the test station, road testing, and delivering a few vehicles to customers to keep my hand it, but never missed it.
What is amazing is, you’d be surprised what you’re capable of doing apart from lorry driving if you put your mind to it… What’s more amazing is …you get your life, and your family life back… 
All the best in your new job Governor
Fergie47:
What’s more amazing is …you get your life, and your FAMILY LIFE!back…
that my friend is better than winning the lotto! 
money CAN’T buy health and happiness! Bon chance 
jay0:
[zb] me I’m gonna stop reading this thread now cos I’m losing the will to live
I’m with you jayo,but I do understand where they are coming from,I’ve got 19 years to go yet 
Best of luck to you Governor, there is life after hanging up your keys. I hung mine up back in 99 and went in another direction and not looked back. Do I miss driving, NO, its far too complicated nowadays far simpler in the 70,s through the 90,s. You will find time to do the things that you,ve wanted to do but not had the time to do. I,m now semi retired in the US.
I’m seriously considering a move away from driving now! I just have to find a good job somewhere!
Try Scuba diving Governer.Go to the Red Sea on a liveaboard yacht,reef diving and current diving.
Padi advanced is the one to have.
All divers are a great bunch and some social life with them after diving.
Best of luck Governor 
I’m another one that has given up driving, although I do still have to drive a lorry a little, its not on and hours regs and is only a small part of the job (mostly the truck is already on site, or I’m not the operator). I’m now training as a OHL linesman for the repair of the OHL on the railways. I’m away just as much as when I was on the road, but the pay is ALOT more, stay away in hotels paid for by the firm with a decent meal allowance all paid for on the co credit card, plus a van to use at all times.
I can’t see me going back on the road at all, plenty of work on the railways to keep me going to retirement