Right now its a bit sticky with the work situation, but, on the whole I really like the job. I’m 55 and have only been driving full time for 16 months, so, in a way I’ll never get blase` about it. After being stuck in a factory for 25 years its’ a bit like time off for good behavior. When I finally kicked the factory job into touch I more than doubled my salary so no worries there, I also like to think that my job is a little more secure than some (but am definitely not being cocky about it 'cos job today don’t mean job tommorow). Before I bit the bullet and went full time I did quite a variety of agency work, and apart from new year to Easter I never really had to hustle too much and in any case, had my day job money to fall back on. So, really, I’ve no regrets. Once out the yard you’re your own boss, and while its no bed of roses at times, most of the time it’s ok. As long as you get you’re work done and stay legal it’s fairly flexible.
I think though, at this moment in time, I’d look good and hard at my money before I invested in an hgv driving course especially as now you have to do the driver cpc(to think I resented having to do the class2 first!). That said, if you’re determined and shop around and negotiate a bit, in these bad times you might get quite a good deal? You pay your money and take your choice. Also, the bad times won’t last forever (only seem that way), and when things pick up again you’ll be ready to go.
Whatever you choose to do, the best of luck with it, there’ll be times when you wondered what you were thinking of, and there’ll be times when you’ll swap with nobody. Get your experience, be flexible with agencies(they’re not all ■■■■■■■■■■ refuse nothing within reason, and you’ll find the work you like best, so, when you look at a full time job, you’ll have some idea of whats involved.
Have just remembered how good it is to enjoy the satisfyingly silent ambiance & to have nobody whinge/bleat/moan after a culprit quacks one off in the office.
However, since I’m ‘outsize’ for a Cider bottle neck, it’s a pest having to park-up for a tiddle…
berewic:
A couple of drivers on my old firm, Cavewood, stayed in their cabs and died when that Townsend ferry went over in Zeebrugge 1987. When they found their bodies they were unrecognisable due to they had bloated to twice their normal size.They thought they were smart, I thought they were stupid.
Now they’re dead, been dead 22yrs.
I was enjoying this thread till this one.
I’m the same as most. I enjoy the jobs that let you get on with it. After all, as a driver, you usually know routes and roads better than most. Its the desk jockey’s that very often spoil things as they ‘think’ they are above you in the scheme of things. 
Its when you jack the job, leave the truck in some back and beyond place and just give them a few clues as to where it is. Soon winds them up.
When i was on days i loved travelling around this country of ours and seeing places that looked just as bad as everywhere else.Im happy as long as my CD player is working the radio can get boring.Having a gab on the CB keeps you awake,phone calls from the office are a pain in the arris.Being on nights is better not as many nuggets on the road ,and best of all no phone calls from the office.I would rather be behind the wheel than being in a factory or office seeing the same old faces everyday.I like being a trucker 
all jobs have their bad sides but i love this job 
It is funny that we have just had this discussion in the pub. My mate was asking about driving and he works in demolition at the moment. Earlier in the week he had been out for a curry and ended up with several visits to the conveniences. His boss was asking why he kept stopping his machine and told him to go home without pay if he was ill. His reply was that he wasn’t ill, he just needed a crap & was threatened with the sack.
That is the best part of this job, you can crap on everyone and get away with it 