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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To say we should think of the stranded forigne lorry drivers

83 replies

Plussizejumpsuit · 21/12/2020 08:14

To say I hope we (as a country) look after the foreign lorry drivers caught up in disruption. Just heard on the radio lots of forigne lorry drivers are stranded in the UK and face days in their cabs. I just really feel for them. They do I vital job and this must be shit a few days before Christmas

I heard they had set up lorry parks already but I hope they are provided with plenty of food etc. Unfortunately I'm in the North East as otherwise I'd take some stuff myself! I just really feel for them.

Also just to say I used to work in supermarkets and there's absolutely no need to stockpile only 20% of all goods come through France. Wearhoysr will be well stocked. So as long as people don't panic buy there will be more than enough food for all.

OP posts:

Jumbojem · 21/12/2020 09:24

It was clear what you meant even with the typo, so I also don't understand why someone felt the need to pull you up on it.
I feel terribly sorry for the drivers and hope some sense can be resumed. Agree, this new strain is prob rife now throughout Europe (and in UK beyond the T4 areas).

Newgirls · 21/12/2020 09:25

Very caring of you to think about the drivers. It is rubbish for them. What a mess this all is. I hope it makes some people realise how we should be working with Europe and not against it - sadly this may be too late for that.

mumwon · 21/12/2020 09:26

(the advantages of laptops over phones - thank goodness of else ...)

Original poster

Plussizejumpsuit · 21/12/2020 09:28

@justanotherneighinparadise

What makes someone point out a star gers spelling and grammar online? I am always genuinely curious.

They are trying to tell you they’re cleverer than you.

No?!

It's ok I know not to judge intelligence by spag. And judge worthiness by intelligence. I'm also fairly confident iny intelligence. As I say I'm well educated. I do have a high iq but I'm intelligent to know this isn't a great measure!

Anyway my thread isn't abouty shitty spelling and education! It's about the lorrry drivers. I hope maybe a local charity or something will take them some treats. It must be grim for them.

OP posts:

StCharlotte · 21/12/2020 09:28

I feel desperately sorry for the drivers too. This must be incredibly miserable for them.

thegcatsmother · 21/12/2020 09:30

Manston is being opened up for lorries, and facilities laid on, plus food and drink as per the DT today.

sashh · 21/12/2020 09:34

Is there anything we can do? Can we send food? Arrange accommodation? I know they live in cabs but it's got to be shit to be stuck.

MaskingForIt · 21/12/2020 09:37

I'm dyslexic I wouldn't even notice that but thanks

I’m also dyslexic and trying to read scrambled letters and missing punctuation is very difficult.

Im 35 and my coping mechanisms have served me well as I have a1sy class degree and a distinction in my MA.

Presumably those coping mechanisms are still available to you?

What makes someone point out a star gers spelling and grammar online? I am always genuinely curious.

Because it is so hard to read scrambled text. Spell check exists on all modern devices.

Original poster

Plussizejumpsuit · 21/12/2020 09:47

@MaskingForIt

I'm dyslexic I wouldn't even notice that but thanks

I’m also dyslexic and trying to read scrambled letters and missing punctuation is very difficult.

Im 35 and my coping mechanisms have served me well as I have a1sy class degree and a distinction in my MA.

Presumably those coping mechanisms are still available to you?

What makes someone point out a star gers spelling and grammar online? I am always genuinely curious.

Because it is so hard to read scrambled text. Spell check exists on all modern devices.

What a charmer!

Not that I owe you anything but I did actually explain how misspelled words sneak in there.i don't know what else you want from me.

I'd hope I spend a bit more time checking my professional and uni work than my mumsnet posts! But of course my coping mechanisms are still available. Yet again see my previous answer about misspelled words.

Tbh I find it really odd you're try to derail my thread picking on my spelling. How unpleasant. I'm not engaging any more with you. Have a great day. I hope people show you more kindness tgan you've shown me. Xx

OP posts:

Original poster

Plussizejumpsuit · 21/12/2020 09:47

*than

OP posts:

Original poster

Plussizejumpsuit · 21/12/2020 09:49

@sashh

Is there anything we can do? Can we send food? Arrange accommodation? I know they live in cabs but it's got to be shit to be stuck.

I'm all the way in the North East so feel probs not much but wonder if the road haulage association or maybe a local mutual aid group are doing anything?

OP posts:

FrothyB · 21/12/2020 09:51

The drivers for the most part will be fine. If you're going to feel sorry for them, feel sorry for them that they are now not going to be able to be at home with their families for Christmas, as they get precious little time off as it is. If things open back up on the 22nd, even if they are some of the first trucks across, it will take them 3 days to get home and their important celebration day is the 24th.

The drivers from Poland and Romania, who will make up the vast majority of those waiting to get through the tunnel are away for weeks at a time, up to 6 weeks without going home, which is then only for a couple of days before heading out again. Britain is also one of the milder places to have to come in the Winter, so even if it seems cold to us it won't be that bad for them.

The issue will be they likely aren't getting paid all the while they are not moving. There's a reason we rely so much on foreign haulage and why British drivers don't tend to go very far in Europe anymore, it's simply cheaper to use Central/Eastern European companies because they can pay their drivers so little in comparison.

Some will divert and get the ferries to Belgium or The Netherlands if their companies are willing to pay for it (many won't be).

I could go on about the just in time system and how drivers get fucked because of it, but I shall leave it here before I write a small novel.

PandemicPavolova · 21/12/2020 10:01

They said they don't see anyone, they are alone in their cabs, they isolate anyway... It's ridiculous they have been stopped.

sashh · 21/12/2020 10:48

Some will divert and get the ferries to Belgium or The Netherlands if their companies are willing to pay for it (many won't be).

If their ports stay open, they have already cancelled flights.

nosswith · 21/12/2020 10:55

A valid thought and concern OP. Also the comment by @FrothyB to note the just in time system.

From what I read, it seems that they may be on the move shortly, even though no-one else may be.

Cocomarine · 21/12/2020 11:07

I think it’s a bit odd to say don’t panic because “only” 20% of our imports come from France.

I can’t confirm your 20% number, but 20% = a fuck of a lot.

It’s not just finished items ready for sale that can’t get through, it’s raw materials for items that you think of as “manufactured in Britain” too.

Now, I’m not a scaremongerer, but actually supermarket warehouses are NOT packed to the rafters with weeks worth of food. That isn’t how supply chain works in FMCG in this country. Yes, with Covid and Brexit they’ll be holding more than they probably ever have before - but there will shortages.

I’m not worried - there will be food. You might be buying tinned peas instead of fresh broccoli, but there will be food.

But “only 20%” is a big number.

Biffbaff · 21/12/2020 11:18

This has got to be some sort of practice run for Brexit, hasn't it? Otherwise if countries including our own were so worried about transmission they would have closed borders months ago. I also read it was Dover that closed rather than Calais so isn't the problem on our side?

Willfiasco · 21/12/2020 11:25

@CountessFrog

Why would it only be foreign drivers?

Because UK drivers can drive home. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Facelikearustytractor · 21/12/2020 11:26

Please can we not argue about spelling and grammar? It's a thread on border closures, not an English exam.

I thought it would just be me who thinks Macron is being petty. I do find him to be a wolf in sheep's clothing and some of his policies or ideas are a bit authoritarian.

I really hope they are looked after. It makes me so cross when normal people are caught up in political gameplaying.

OhWhyNot · 21/12/2020 11:29

I feel for the and other workers too possibly stranded here

I’ve been shopping I’m sure many of us have in extra than we would have normally and yes many had a full trolley but that’s normal for Christmas

ferretface · 21/12/2020 11:31

A lot of them park up near our village, the local group is planning on helping if any are stranded, which is heartening :) feel for all of them caught in operation stack and along the M20 though.

Nunoftheother · 21/12/2020 11:36

It can't be much fun for the lorry drivers, but surely they take food and other provisions?

Newgirls · 21/12/2020 12:17

I’d have macron as our leader over ridiculous boris any day

Ifailed · 21/12/2020 12:27

I just hope they are being provided with some sanitary services. I'd imagine it's bad enough holed up in a cab, without having to go to the toilet in some bushes and have nowhere to wash.

LakieLady · 21/12/2020 12:33

@thegcatsmother

Manston is being opened up for lorries, and facilities laid on, plus food and drink as per the DT today.

Good.

Getting stuck anywhere on a journey is horrible, but so close to Christmas, and being stuck in the cab of a lorry, must be hellish. I hope they're being well looked after.

I'm amazed at the distances they travel, too. I was behind a Ukrainian lorry on my way back from Sainsburys the other week.

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