Long distance lorry driver - AMA

[firsttimedad79]

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

Strange question but you might know the answer! Do you have any idea (a good guess will do) what the ALL black (absolutely no graphics/signage) double decker coaches are for ... They have blacked out windows too. I saw two closely following each other on the M6 recently.
My guesses:
Music/Band Tour buses (but why would they be on the m6 during Covid times?)
Transporting loads of prisoners... 😂

@1lbperweek

Similar to above question about tickets. Did you pay for your own or did you have a job lined up then employer paid for it?

My husband has his class 2 but hasn’t driven for a couple of years. I always fancied it because when he drove a tipper it sounded like there was loads of sitting around time I could have used to read

Paid for me own :)

It's great for reading time or binge watching Netflix when your on a bay :)

@Goodbye2020Hello2021

Strange question but you might know the answer! Do you have any idea (a good guess will do) what the ALL black (absolutely no graphics/signage) double decker coaches are for ... They have blacked out windows too. I saw two closely following each other on the M6 recently. My guesses: Music/Band Tour buses (but why would they be on the m6 during Covid times?) Transporting loads of prisoners... 😂

Absolutely not a clue lol

Absolutely not a clue lol
😂

It sounds like my dream job!

Bentleys with blacked out windows and short personalised plates fascinate me too... Mine would be ‘GBY1’
I’m a obviously way too nosy.

Have you spotted anyone famous on the roads OP?

Thank you....4K is a lot to find, I’m going to look into it though as it’s a skill I’d like to have, maybe there are schemes around to help with funding training.

@Groundhogdayzz

Thank you....4K is a lot to find, I’m going to look into it though as it’s a skill I’d like to have, maybe there are schemes around to help with funding training.

Mine was pay monthly, so not too bad.

@Goodbye2020Hello2021

Have you spotted anyone famous on the roads OP?

Not yet no, but then I'm usually not looking lol

@1lbperweek

It sounds like my dream job!

It is my dream job too lol

You've alluded to your weight.. do you worry about your health?
I'm a nurse whose diagnosed a fair amount of long distance drivers with diabetes and high blood pressure.
Do you ever get checked out?

You said you've done deliveries for HS2, have you had to do the Safe Urban Drivers course, or the Crossrail course, or any of those? All the drivers I know were moaning about having to spend a day riding a bicycle round London . You're not wrong about tipper drivers by the way, can't stand the way they give zero shits about everyone else around them.

@cptartapp

You've alluded to your weight.. do you worry about your health? I'm a nurse whose diagnosed a fair amount of long distance drivers with diabetes and high blood pressure. Do you ever get checked out?

I avoid the docs like the plague! I do worry about my health though.

I am close to type 2 diabetes. Am about 21st @ 6'3".

This year is my get fit year!

@StartingGrid

You said you've done deliveries for HS2, have you had to do the Safe Urban Drivers course, or the Crossrail course, or any of those? All the drivers I know were moaning about having to spend a day riding a bicycle round London . You're not wrong about tipper drivers by the way, can't stand the way they give zero shits about everyone else around them.

No, I've done the FORS training though which is require to get on site. My truck is kitted out fully for the new London regs with cameras everywhere and full blind spot mirrors!

Do you have to do anything around loading and unloading, or can you just sit in your cab whilst other people sort that out?

I read that in the beginning drivers often have to work in pairs rather than on their own - have you ever had to do that?

Fascinating thread btw - I’ve always wanted to be a lorry driver. We used to listen to a song when I was young about being a trucker - life on the road sounded so romantic!

@cremuel

Do you have to do anything around loading and unloading, or can you just sit in your cab whilst other people sort that out?

I read that in the beginning drivers often have to work in pairs rather than on their own - have you ever had to do that?

Fascinating thread btw - I’ve always wanted to be a lorry driver. We used to listen to a song when I was young about being a trucker - life on the road sounded so romantic!

Depends on the load and the depot. Most places I just have to open the back doors and reverse up to the loading dock.

Side tips involve unloading off the sides so I have to open the curtains and move them around as required.

Aldi and Lidl are lazy sites and require the driver to empty the trailer for them on a loading dock. But thankfully we don't go there often!

Really interesting thread, thanks

I think this is more of a US thing but could and would you consider getting a truck cat to accompany you in your cab on your travels?

Fascinating thank you! Planning my next career move as I approach burnout. Have often thought that lorry driving on my own, in the quiet, sounds like heaven!

I have scared myself stupid driving my 7.5 tonne horse lorry on the motorway when stuck in tramlines. What is the best way to tackle them? Should I just let the wheels drop into them or try and drive along the centre? Thank you

Why do you have 15 hour working days but your max driving time is 10 hours a day?

I remember lorry drivers using CB radio in the 70s/80s, obviously technology has moved on, has anything replaced this?

Do prostitutes hang around the parking lots trying to get drivers interested or have I just been watching too many shitty crime series.

One of DPs acquaintances was a lorry driver for decades and when he retired he couldn't handle it and set up like a lorry cab set up in his shed with the radio etc. Can you imagine missing it to that extent when you retire?

If you hadn't been a lorry driver, what other jobs were you considering?

Why did you become a lorry driver and not a taxi driver?

Is there really good camaraderie at those lorry driver restaurants?

Were you sad that Little Chef closed?

@Goodbye2020Hello2021

Strange question but you might know the answer! Do you have any idea (a good guess will do) what the ALL black (absolutely no graphics/signage) double decker coaches are for ... They have blacked out windows too. I saw two closely following each other on the M6 recently. My guesses: Music/Band Tour buses (but why would they be on the m6 during Covid times?) Transporting loads of prisoners... 😂

DH used to work for a premier league club, and the coaches the players travelled to away games on were like this.