Long distance lorry driver - AMA

[firsttimedad79]

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

@Akire

How often would you stop on a 15h day? What radio stations do you enjoy?

I'd have about 90 mins through the day. Can take it as a maximum of 4 breaks. One of 15 then one of 30 repeated in that order. Or just 2 45 mins :)

@Goodbye2020Hello2021

I’ve loved reading your replies! Thanks OP! Safe driving!

Your welcome, thanks for taking an interest :)

When I was little I thought driving a lorry must be the best job ever: you're so peaceful up there by yourself with no parent/teacher/boss following you around shouting at you. I never thought about driving as a potential career choice because the world of work was very gender-segregated in those days (80s) and I just assumed that women weren't allowed to be drivers.

So - is it as peaceful and hassle-free as it looks? I'm thinking the answer must be yes, based on earlier mentions of solitude and radio. And how many women drivers do you know, and what ages are they?

Have you ever broken down on the road?

How long do you have to wait for recovery usually?

@Charlottejbt

When I was little I thought driving a lorry must be the best job ever: you're so peaceful up there by yourself with no parent/teacher/boss following you around shouting at you. I never thought about driving as a potential career choice because the world of work was very gender-segregated in those days (80s) and I just assumed that women weren't allowed to be drivers.

So - is it as peaceful and hassle-free as it looks? I'm thinking the answer must be yes, based on earlier mentions of solitude and radio. And how many women drivers do you know, and what ages are they?

It is what you make it. It can be stressful at times like any job but I love it!

I know young and older ladies driving so it's not just a young persons game :)

@Akire

How often would you stop on a 15h day? What radio stations do you enjoy?

And forgot to say I listen to absolute radio :)

@Demitri

Have you ever broken down on the road?

How long do you have to wait for recovery usually?

Not broken down on the road yet, but had tyres and stuff done. Tyres can be a few hours of being sat waiting!

OP he calls that one 'Chorley FM - coming in your ears'...
the Chester one has a turntable. He took me to look at it ...

When we are shopping in M&S he gets recognised.. as he is quite unique. All extras eg we got some Easter eggs this year and a big hamper this Christmas is always M&S. which is nice...

Do you do refrigerator stuff. When he was working general haulage he said he would avoid parking up next to one as they are so noisy at night.
He now drives the double deckers with the lifts inside.

OP of you are out in the car and you see one of your branded wagons to you tell your wife 'I've driven that'

And do you have a favourite make of tractor unit. I can't remember which one he doesn't like... he says the dashboard was designed by a committee.. I thinks it's Scania or Daf

@InTheShadowOfTheMushroomCloud

OP he calls that one 'Chorley FM - coming in your ears'... the Chester one has a turntable. He took me to look at it ...

When we are shopping in M&S he gets recognised.. as he is quite unique. All extras eg we got some Easter eggs this year and a big hamper this Christmas is always M&S. which is nice...

Do you do refrigerator stuff. When he was working general haulage he said he would avoid parking up next to one as they are so noisy at night.
He now drives the double deckers with the lifts inside.

I've done fridges and double deckers in the past. But yes he's right, unless you can sleep through it it's a nightmare parking next to one. It's basically a Diesel engine firing every so often!

@InTheShadowOfTheMushroomCloud

OP of you are out in the car and you see one of your branded wagons to you tell your wife 'I've driven that'

And do you have a favourite make of tractor unit. I can't remember which one he doesn't like... he says the dashboard was designed by a committee.. I thinks it's Scania or Daf

Probably a DAF he doesn't like. If I see my unit on the road I'd be on holiday as mine doesn't get used at the weekends. But yes I'd point it out lol

Thanks for the reply, OP. This thread is fascinating. I see lorry drivers every day but never really knew anything about them.

@Charlottejbt

Thanks for the reply, OP. This thread is fascinating. I see lorry drivers every day but never really knew anything about them.

Your welcome :) glad to give some insight :)

@Charlottejbt

Thanks for the reply, OP. This thread is fascinating. I see lorry drivers every day but never really knew anything about them.

I am very respectful and give them lots of space to pull out.

And I don't drive at 50 miles an hour in the inside lane of the motor way

Do international (as in, in and around Europe) drivers get paid more than just domestic/UK trucking? And if so, is that something you'd like to do - more long-haul driving around Europe?

And just to add I love this thread! So fascinating. Thanks OP!

When you are in roadworks on the motorway that are 50mph average speed do you still sit at 56mph? I always set my cruise control to 54mph but find HGV's are normally going faster, is this because you know you can do 56mph and not get a ticket?

Also I use the M62 a lot and find HGV's will quite often keep up with me doing 70mph+ on the big downhill bits, is this because they will be 'freewheeling'?

Thank you for this. It’s really interesting.

My partner is a tramper and it has certainly given me a whole new respect for drivers when I am driving. I am much more aware of the challenges they face.

I am also much more aware of driver hours, types of trucks and ADR!

Thank you OP and other truckers for keeping the country moving

@LarsErickssong

When you are in roadworks on the motorway that are 50mph average speed do you still sit at 56mph? I always set my cruise control to 54mph but find HGV's are normally going faster, is this because you know you can do 56mph and not get a ticket?

From what my partner has told me part of this will be because car Speedo’s aren’t accurate and are normally about 3mph out

I'm loving this thread. Thanks for starting it OP!

Are the ice road truckers really in drugs?!

Would you ever like to give ice road trucking a shot (possible drugs aside obviously) - like getting teleported to Winnipeg to try? Or would you fancy giving lorry driving on some of the most dangerous roads (think it's a Nat Geo show) a try (with the guarantee you'd not come to any harm!)?

I don't know how to say this without sounding goady but I'm genuinely not..

When 2 lorries drive side by side for ages is it just that one of you wants to get in front? I mean it always strikes me as pointless.. you won't gain much? I always wonder if there's a reason I don't know of.

I think you do a great job btw.. since the pandemic I've realised we need you!

This is really interesting — thanks, OP. I’ve often passed lorries parked at night in a layby with lights on in the cabs and wondered what kinds of lives the drivers led, as it looked lonely and slightly glamorous in a seedy sort of way...

What got you into driving? Do you think it requires a specific solitary personality type? Does it affect the way you drive your car when off-duty? What are you thinking about during all those hours of driving?

Sorry another.... where do you all stop overnight? Service stations I get, but anywhere else? Presuming you can't just stop in lay-bys?

Is there much interaction between drivers and depot staff? My DH works in a warehouse for a subcontractor of a major food/clothing and homeware retailer. He has a few drivers he's friendly with (mainly the ones for whom his warehouse is the home port as it were ).
@InTheShadowOfTheMushroomCloud does your DH work for a company with a purple logo?