Long distance lorry driver - AMA

[firsttimedad79]

Like the title, but boring I know, but ask me anything :)

@UnityUnited

This may sound like a weird question but does litter on the side of motorways and roundabouts annoy you?

Absolutely. It's pure laziness and disgusting. I have a small kitchen bin in the front passenger side footwell for my rubbish. Then the bags go in the big wheelie bins when I stop at places.

It's actually a pet hate for me as people have to put their lives at risk to pick it up from the side of the road.

There are good people though. There is a group on Facebook called truckers cleaning up Britain. There people who will spend their breaks with a black bag cleaning lay-bys. But they shouldn't have to :(

I’m glad you didn’t think it was a bad question. I though it was a problem nobody ever talks about so to learn that there is a Facebook group of truckers picking litter is interesting. It’s wonderful they are doing it but at the same time, they shouldn’t be put in the position where they have to. They sound like absolute legends.

@UnityUnited

I’m glad you didn’t think it was a bad question. I though it was a problem nobody ever talks about so to learn that there is a Facebook group of truckers picking litter is interesting. It’s wonderful they are doing it but at the same time, they shouldn’t be put in the position where they have to. They sound like absolute legends.

They are. To use their breaks to do that is great :)

I’ve just had a look at them and they are truly brilliant. I sometimes think I’m the only person who cares about litter so I am happy to see other people do too. Hopefully, as well as clearing up the lay-bys and verges it will make other people think twice about throwing their litter.

@UnityUnited

I’ve just had a look at them and they are truly brilliant. I sometimes think I’m the only person who cares about litter so I am happy to see other people do too. Hopefully, as well as clearing up the lay-bys and verges it will make other people think twice about throwing their litter.

Unfortunately that won't happen as people are lazy :(

Do you enjoy it?

How much do you earn?

Has it changed since you started doing it?

@Lelophants

Do you enjoy it?

How much do you earn?

Has it changed since you started doing it?

I do enjoy it. It's peaceful.

The wages aren't very good. It's about £650 a week on a normal 5 day week. But that's working roughly 65-70 hours and sleeping in the lorry.

Not much has changed. More the wages are lower and technology is better. Plus the cost. It's about £4K to get your license.

Have you got hairy hands?
For years MN used to suspect trolling by ‘hairy handed truckers’

What is your view in the recent announcement that exports to the EU have fallen by 68% since Brexit?
www.google.com/amp/s/news.sky.com/story/amp/exports-to-the-eu-have-plummeted-by-68-since-brexit-12211169

Have you noticed the effect of this on the roads? Had it affected your own working life?

I gather that in terms of imports lots of big supermarkets/ retailers stacked their depots and warehouses in anticipation of Brexit so maybe imports reflect this?

@RainingBatsAndFrogs

Have you got hairy hands? For years MN used to suspect trolling by ‘hairy handed truckers’

What is your view in the recent announcement that exports to the EU have fallen by 68% since Brexit?
www.google.com/amp/s/news.sky.com/story/amp/exports-to-the-eu-have-plummeted-by-68-since-brexit-12211169

Have you noticed the effect of this on the roads? Had it affected your own working life?

I gather that in terms of imports lots of big supermarkets/ retailers stacked their depots and warehouses in anticipation of Brexit so maybe imports reflect this?

No hairy hands here thankfully!!

To be honest I've not followed much about what's going on with imports and exports as they haven't had a bearing on the things I deliver.

Saying that I was 1 of 10 lorry's that went to the Iams factory in Holland 5 days before Christmas to bring a load of pet food back over! I'm assuming that was in preparation for brexit.

Most of what I do is manufactured in the uk for uk consumption. Either that or building supplies etc.....