Think about workplace stress and the picture conjured up is usually of the stereotypical ‘overburdened’ office worker or maybe a soldier or firefighter who has witnessed horrific events. But it can happen to anyone, even drivers
I’m in my late 50s and have been driving for 37 years. I started on general haulage and was lucky enough to do the Middle East back in the ’80s, then in 1989 I went onto tanker work which I’ve been doing ever since. I’ve spent 28 years with the same company, though it has been taken over a couple of times along the way.
Away from the truck, I live with my lad, who’s 30. One thing I never have to worry about is the bills; about 10 years ago my old fella died and he left me a bagful of money. I knew I’d waste it all if I didn’t watch out, so I bought a big house, a couple of cars and set myself up, everything paid off.
Enough money is left over for me not to have to work much really, but I’m a driver at the end of the day. I’ve plenty of options but that’s just what I do, what I’ve always done.
To be honest, work was getting on my wick a bit. Not the job itself, more the way other drivers were carrying on. We got taken over for the second time by a much bigger company around four years ago and a lot of our drivers have never really taken to things, so every time you go back to the yard they’re all going on about how crap the job is now and how rubbish the new firm is, blah blah blah.
Most of it’s been about pay but also the new company got shot of all our office staff and moved its own people into our yard about three years ago too. It’s just gone downhill ever since, with morale at rock bottom.
The thing is, I’m not bothered what we get paid – I don’t even know what we’re on for a night out. I’ll ring my mate and ask him, write it down on a bit of paper, then a few weeks later I’ll have lost it and have to ring him again!
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 2018 من Truck & Driver.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 2018 من Truck & Driver.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Well forked Daf
Remember, we like to cover all sorts of different trucks here at T&D – like this impressive new CF rigid complete with Moffett Mounty forklift
King of the hill
Moving heavy equipment off road calls for a truck with plenty of power and traction, which is why M&J Plant chose a mighty 6x4 FH16 750
Time Machine 2015-2019
It’s the final part of our series on the history of UK haulage. Let’s look back at those innocent times before that pesky virus turned up
Original and best
There are few trucks which have been customised to the level of the Scania 143, but let’s not forget that the standard product was pretty awesome just as it left the factory, like this rare 420
GOING ALL THE WAY
Simon Rogers got behind the wheel as soon as he was able to, and nearly 30 years later, his company is going from strength to strength, with a striking all-black, top-spec Iveco S-Way 570 the latest addition to the fleet
Abnormal loads
In the distant past, when dinosaurs roamed the planet, truck drivers were a very different breed, made from sterner stuff than us mere mortals
Range change
After a gap of 13 years, Renault trucks have reappeared in the unique colours of MacRitchie Highland Distribution. T&D takes the high road to Inverness to meet owners, Donald and Catriona MacRitchie
Cutting a dash
Freshly showered and munching a healthy egg and cress sarnie in Gloucester North services, Chris has a Foden update
Air we go!
On Saturday 29 May at 6pm, 240 drivers gathered with their trucks at South Mimms Services for a parade to raise vital money for Essex & Hertfordshire Air Ambulance
A Cutt Above
From coal to turf to fencing and loads more, there’s not much the Calcutt fleet hasn’t transported over the years
