Conor:
Except that in haulage all that happens is the guy who did 10 days work in 6 gets given another 4 days work but no extra money.
Yes, there seems to be a complete inability to understand the Law of Supply and Demand among many drivers.
I remember when gross weights went up from 32.5 tonnes to 38 tonnes, the owner drivers I knew were rubbing their hands with glee because they thought the rates would shoot up. I said “no they won’t, they’ll go down”. What happened? They went down. The more units of something that can be produced in a given time, the less that thing becomes worth.
Conor:
Except that in haulage all that happens is the guy who did 10 days work in 6 gets given another 4 days work but no extra money.
Yes, there seems to be a complete inability to understand the Law of Supply and Demand among many drivers.
I remember when gross weights went up from 32.5 tonnes to 38 tonnes, the owner drivers I knew were rubbing their hands with glee because they thought the rates would shoot up. I said “no they won’t, they’ll go down”. What happened? They went down. The more units of something that can be produced in a given time, the less that thing becomes worth.
GCSE standard economics, innit?
That’s very true. I knew a bloke that used to bring apples back from italy every week. he extended a tilt to 50’ when we all ran at 40’. it stuck out like a sore thumb. He didn’t charge any more, he thought it would guarantee him the work.
The work was always guaranteed. people need to eat.
When there’s people that will do more for less, then we will never move forward.
i’m a greedy [zb], i don’t do owt for nowt.
trubster:
Problem is if the 50 mph trial goes ahead, you will get the hero’s doing 56, then trying to overtake others doing 50.
As much as I don’t particularly rate the overall standards of HGV driving these days, SURELY no one would be daft enough to attempt such an overtake on an SC
Have you not been on the A15 A16 A17 or A52■■?
Whacky Races.
I use those roads all the time.
I have put in a request for a ‘Sugar Beat’ Spec truck
They have excellent brakes, handle far better than any other truck on the road and seem to have a system built in that allows them to overtake into on coming traffic.
I have told my gaffer that I could save at least 10 -15 minutes on Boston to Kings Lynn and beyond
nothing ever changes , 25 years ago we had a nice steady job . buxton to swanscombe , tip , back empty and reload and the rate was very good ( payed on percentage ). fleet expanded and new young drivers set on . next thing was " can you save me a local when i get back ". thrashing the motors , tipping on breaks ,and eating their food going up the m1 . all their motors were bolloxed in 12 months , not to count the never ending relines , clutches and gearboxes . the gaffer finally got the message and stopped second loads . why did they do all this work…. 8 quid a day !!
Like I said, drivers always have been and always will be their own worst enemy, The job is such much less stressful when you drive legally and guess what, you get the same amount done.
I agree their are stretches of road (the A303 comes to mind) that an increase would be justified, an overall rise on all SC’s would be a bad idea 40 is good it allows easier overtaking and less carnage when things go wrong.
