Having made the mistake of working for them twice, i would rather have my balls in a vice than go back. my opinion only.
toby1234abc:
the nodding donkey , which depot of Gregory`s did you work at ? How were you treated by the planners , and their booking of a re-load , when you are still tipping four or five drops , then miss the booking time for the re-load , then blame the driver ?
Trailers with no internals , no support after office hours or speak to the night staff , who do not what is going on ? Doing locals in the morning , using up work and drive time for a long run up North for a 6 am booking the next day , with running out of secure parking as they are full by 18.00 .
Pay or night out money missing ?
I worked for Turners, from a small yard/satellite depot, on a milk contract. Gregorski took over that contract, by massively undercutting Turners’ offer, and then trying g desperately to run it on a short and frayed shoestring… Part of this plan was to offer the drivers a new Gregorski contract, which was so risible, that nobody would entertain it. Gregorski didn’t like that they had to TUpE uz over, and tried every dirty trick in the book to get the drivers to resign, so as not to have to pay them redundancy money…
I handed in my notice when I found a better job, but in that short time it is to date the only company where I have come close to lamping the ■■■■ in charge, after he winked at me, whilst intimating that I should be able to get back to the yard, even if I was more than an hour away from base and out of hours.
Also, when I worked for Savilles, they subbed a few units to run trailers for Gregorski from Bristol. These runs were ridiculous, planned for 14.55 hours, and you were told to get back to the Bristol depot no matter what, because the next driver needed the trailer/load. Some of our drivers run over, some pulled into ASDA Cribbs Causeway with minutes to spare (getting abuse for it, be ause the Gregorski driver had to come and get the trailer). We were all supposed to do it on a rota basis, but funnily enough, after I explained how I felt about Gregorski to a planner, in earshot of the full office, I was never asked to do so 
Like I said, I would not ■■■■ on them if they were on fire.
The biggest thing that bothers me genuinely is the lack of fridge. Does seem strange as they are a feature of the Actros where ordered.
I have asked Dee and she said that new trucks probably will have them.
Thejpmshow:
The biggest thing that bothers me genuinely is the lack of fridge. Does seem strange as they are a feature of the Actros where ordered.I have asked Dee and she said that new trucks probably will have them.
But the chances of you getting a new wagon as a newbie are probably zero you’ll probably get Jenkos old ■■■■■
Oh yeah without a doubt they are not gonna give me a new one by far
Thejpmshow:
The biggest thing that bothers me genuinely is the lack of fridge. Does seem strange as they are a feature of the Actros where ordered.I have asked Dee and she said that new trucks probably will have them.
If your biggest concern is the lack of a fridge, you’re going to be in for a shock.
To be honest, if you see how some if the drivers treat their trucks, I dont blame Keedwell’s for not specing the fridge.
I can always leave
Thejpmshow:
I can always leave
I fear you may be counting your chickens before they have hatched.
Meaning what exactly
the nodding donkey:
You are entitled to your opinion Harry. You also used to sub for Gregory…
Personally, I would not ■■■■ on Gregory if they where on fire, and I could ■■■■ petrol. And I worked for Gregory, as an employee…
I did sub for Gregory’s but that isn’t really relevant as I drove my own truck, not one of theirs, although I understand that all of their employed trampers drive trucks which are fitted with fridges.
Most of the trucks I drive now on the agency don’t have fridges but that’s not really an issue on day work as I can take in a packed lunch every day. If a haulier expects a driver to spend a considerable proportion of the week away from home, then giving him the means to take fresh food away with him isn’t really an indulgence on their part given the tiny amount of money saved by deleting fridges from new vehicles.
Harry Monk:
the nodding donkey:
You are entitled to your opinion Harry. You also used to sub for Gregory…
Personally, I would not ■■■■ on Gregory if they where on fire, and I could ■■■■ petrol. And I worked for Gregory, as an employee…I did sub for Gregory’s but that isn’t really relevant as I drove my own truck, not one of theirs, although I understand that all of their employed trampers drive trucks which are fitted with fridges.
Most of the trucks I drive now on the agency don’t have fridges but that’s not really an issue on day work as I can take in a packed lunch every day. If a haulier expects a driver to spend a considerable proportion of the week away from home, then giving him the means to take fresh food away with him isn’t really an indulgence on their part given the tiny amount of money saved by deleting fridges from new vehicles.
That’s a fair point, but where is the line? 10 years ago the provision of a built in fridge in a fleet motor would have laughed at. 20 years ago, a (working) night heater was considered a bit of a luxury, 30 years ago an air suspended seat was unheard of, and 40 years ago you be lucky if you were given a plank to put across the seats 
Is a company stinchy, if they dont spec a microwave? A coffee maker?
I wouldn’t call a company a cowboy firm, because they dont fit fridges. I would, if they expect their drivers to run bend. And Keedwell may not provide a fridge, but they pay for (and encourage drivers to use) truckstops.
They pushed the boat out on their new mercs and specced fridges apparently
44T:
They pushed the boat out on their new mercs and specced fridges apparently
Interesting. I’ve spoken to a few drivers who drive them, mainly about the new mirrorless set up (which leaves much to be desired…). They didnt mention anything about a fridge. I wonder if Keedwells are going to try to retain (good) drivers, rather than rely on the merry go round that has been going on so long. I do know that Keedwell are not constantly advertising for drivers, unlike almost all the other (bigger) companies in South Wales. Owen’s for example, is permanently advertising, both under their own name, and through agencies.
the nodding donkey:
44T:
They pushed the boat out on their new mercs and specced fridges apparentlyInteresting. I’ve spoken to a few drivers who drive them, mainly about the new mirrorless set up (which leaves much to be desired…). They didnt mention anything about a fridge. I wonder if Keedwells are going to try to retain (good) drivers, rather than rely on the merry go round that has been going on so long. I do know that Keedwell are not constantly advertising for drivers, unlike almost all the other (bigger) companies in South Wales. Owen’s for example, is permanently advertising, both under their own name, and through agencies.
There are some jobs at Goole for Trampers and Night Men, its in Turners old yard at Hensall. - Norman Lewis Tankers
the nodding donkey:
Thejpmshow:
The biggest thing that bothers me genuinely is the lack of fridge. Does seem strange as they are a feature of the Actros where ordered.I have asked Dee and she said that new trucks probably will have them.
If your biggest concern is the lack of a fridge, you’re going to be in for a shock.
To be honest, if you see how some if the drivers treat their trucks, I dont blame Keedwell’s for not specing the fridge.
^^^ + 1…they ming if not kept clean, and the clean up costs money… 
Nearly two pages about, a company that doesn’t put fridges in a truck, and the snowflake trampers ar’ent happy, As some of older types say, in my day, lucky if you had a seat,…as for a fridge in tut cab, didn’t even have one at home…
Good morning all
I’m hopefully going to start with RT Keedwell in the next couple weeks as a tramper out of Highbridge but just reading all this about redundancies ? How can they take people on but make people redundant at the same time I’m very confused!
truckerjay:
Good morning allI’m hopefully going to start with RT Keedwell in the next couple weeks as a tramper out of Highbridge but just reading all this about redundancies ? How can they take people on but make people redundant at the same time I’m very confused!
The few times I’ve been there for an assessment / chat I get the impression they don’t know their arse from their elbow
I had a former colleague went there and he was done after a couple of months. 4o4o tramper and they kept messing him around etc
Better paid more organised jobs out there