Next year I will be applying for an LGV C+E driving job with Tuffnells or the like.
I have recently passed my LGV CE and due to redundancy due to take place by the early part of next year, I am somewhat priviledged to have a good 5 or 6 months notice effectively. (I am currently part-time employed outside of the industry, and weekend LGV C)
The problem I will face in getting a fulltime C+E job (I am assuming) will be the fact that I have nil-years-driving-experience, although I do have 12 months LGV C driving experience, which I am hoping will go some way to secure a C+E job.
I have heard that Tuffnells (not too far from where I live) do take on newly qualified C+E drivers where opportunities are advertised. Is this correct?
I am aware that General Haulage work is a tough business, especially on days, on multi-drop - One of the main reasons for me taking my C+E.
Could someone please just give me a few heads-up on what it is like to work for Tuffnells or Citylink and such like.
What are the TM’s like? Is there sick pay? Is there holiday pay?
I’m not afraid of hard graft, but with zero C+E driving experience, I am thinking that I am going to have to take whatever C+E work I can get at this stage.
I have read this forum for articles on Tuffnells, and they’re really not that good(!) but my aim is simply to get this all important 12 months driving experience so I can move on to something better for me as and when opportunities arise.
That said, I am also read to believe that a lot of Tuffnells C+E drivers DO stick it out and enjoy that work, so I’m keen to learn the truth really. Is it all that bad?
May be an idea go in on the agency first, good way to get your foot in the door,I think nearly all the big parcel firms work this way ,loads of full time drivers at our place have come off the agency .Quite a few have not got any experience . .
Thanks for the replies.
Animal - That’s Saxmachine, and he has emailed me about this and helped. Thank you.
This is probably the wrong place now for such an additional question, and I might need to publish it elsewhere on the forum, but…
How do people find working multi-drop? I mean, 70-80 drops a day with an 18 tonner must be bloody hard work… I just imagine, not only the amount of DROPS, but each drop having to try and PARK!
This must be a nightmare task. How do you cope with that?
done multi drop pal not on that scale though as it was pallets of stuff id say its all about geting to know your given area some will prob be tiny parcels and you can probably park up the rd an run to delivery place on foot id imagine im sure you will get the hang of it pal best of luck buddy
also id apply to every firm you can think of ud be surprised at who take on new lads esl took me on with zero experience on class 1 but i had 3 yrs class 2 experience previous so even though u only got class 2 experience at the mo it shows you can drive lgv u just need a break to prove yourself good luck pal
If you are going for a C+E job you will probably find it is interdepot trunking or 2 or 3 bulk collections.
It is normally the Carry & Deliver Drivers who do the proper graft, but many companies now use smaller vans for that. As you will see in my 1976 Diary, you can park in one place and do 7 or 8 drops with a sack barrow.
cliffton 27:
done multi drop pal not on that scale though as it was pallets of stuff id say its all about geting to know your given area some will prob be tiny parcels and you can probably park up the rd an run to delivery place on foot id imagine im sure you will get the hang of it pal best of luck buddy
also id apply to every firm you can think of ud be surprised at who take on new lads esl took me on with zero experience on class 1 but i had 3 yrs class 2 experience previous so even though u only got class 2 experience at the mo it shows you can drive lgv u just need a break to prove yourself good luck pal
Yes thanks mate.
I’ve heard Robert Wiseman also take on rookies and that would mean that I wouldn’t have to travel too far for work.
I have done up to about 40 drops a day in an 18t. It is exactly as nasty as it sounds, however it depends on where its going.
You can get rid of 10-15 drops an hour easily if its all industrial estates, even if its pallets. But if its home deliveries you can get stuck on 3, even 2 or 1 an hour.
Parking generally isn’t an issue as you’ve got a job to do, you just do your best and try to not block anyone in if you can help it, if you can’t then whack the 4-ways on and hope for the best.
If you work for one place for more than a few weeks you’ll soon get to know the route, as you will end up going to the same places again and again.
If I were you though, I’d probably go somewhere else unless you love parcel work. As you’ve said, Wiseman take newbies, so does Norbert’s at some depots, even Stobart. Or try your local small hauliers?
Agency is going to be the best way to get experience though.