I Was driving into London this morning and the driving standards of rigid tipper drivers and skip driver was like a scene out of mad max ! I’m really ashamed to be called a truck driver if this is the image the public are been given of us ! Why all the rushing about without a care for the safety of others ? are these drivers on some kind of paid by the load job or as the world gone mad I’m surprised the number of cyclists killed in London is so low considering that they seem to be in direct competition with the tippers and skip drivers as to see who can be the most reckless…it’s mind boggling it really is.
London is a chuffing nightmare, particularly if you’re trying to press on & get the job done. I’m not defending any “mad max” driving but I can understand the frustration that builds. Funnily enough I tried to transit London today, in the end I just gave up & went round, you just cannot get anywhere within the inner ring…sounds like a ■■■■■… 
Over the years I’ve known guys throw a sickie when they’ve been told they’re off to London!
Me personally it has never bothered because I reckon London driving is all about mental preparation. I know that I’m gonna get stuck in traffic, I know I need to have eyes in the back of my head, I know that I’m gonna face driving that would have me cursing loudly in any other part of the country, and because I know these things and am prepared I find it easy to remain calm in the face of it all.
I just view central London as a target rich environment for totty spotting, and as for the driving just go with the flow.
the maoster:
Over the years I’ve known guys throw a sickie when they’ve been told they’re off to London!Me personally it has never bothered because I reckon London driving is all about mental preparation. I know that I’m gonna get stuck in traffic, I know I need to have eyes in the back of my head, I know that I’m gonna face driving that would have me cursing loudly in any other part of the country, and because I know these things and am prepared I find it easy to remain calm in the face of it all.
I just view central London as a target rich environment for totty spotting, and as for the driving just go with the LACK OF flow.
FTFY 
I worked up town for 4 years when I was in my early 20’s as a driver for a large insurance company, and i loved every minute of it. Yes you need your wits about you and you need eyes in the back of your head, but i quickly realized it was every man for them selves and quickly worked out that if there was a space, you filled it. It did teach me how to become a good driver though because it kept you on your toes. Ever since driving hgvs, I’ve noticed construction vehicles tend to be lunatics, and their driving horrendous. Even seeing them on the bumpers of cars in the outside lanes of the A13 out of london. Our artic driver used to be a tipper driver but gave it up because of the bad reputation.
■■■■■■■■ to the reputation. The money’s pretty good, no handball, no strapping of loads, nobody asks for your keys at delivery locations, no nights away, start at 06:30 and be home around 17:00, and nobody cares if your cab’s dirty.
Muckaway:
■■■■■■■■ to the reputation. The money’s pretty good, no handball, no strapping of loads, nobody asks for your keys at delivery locations, no nights away, start at 06:30 and be home around 17:00, and nobody cares if your cab’s dirty.
I’ve worked both tippers + skips & always thought them with a clean cab were the dodgy ones !
Muckaway:
■■■■■■■■ to the reputation. The money’s pretty good, no handball, no strapping of loads, nobody asks for your keys at delivery locations, no nights away, start at 06:30 and be home around 17:00, and nobody cares if your cab’s dirty.
My money is very good. Less hours than that. Normally go home early. Always stick to the speed limits. If the load can’t be done before my finish time I don’t do it. Not a tipper or a skip lorry either. I clean my cab cos I don’t want to spend any time in a pig sty lol
Seany:
Muckaway:
■■■■■■■■ to the reputation. The money’s pretty good, no handball, no strapping of loads, nobody asks for your keys at delivery locations, no nights away, start at 06:30 and be home around 17:00, and nobody cares if your cab’s dirty.My money is very good. Less hours than that. Normally go home early. Always stick to the speed limits. If the load can’t be done before my finish time I don’t do it. Not a tipper or a skip lorry either. I clean my cab cos I don’t want to spend any time in a pig sty lol
If you don’t drive tippers, keeping a cab clean should be easy…Unless you do flour, that finds its way in all the time.