Just use the bloody army already?

StrongCoffeAvalanche · 2021-09-30T10:58:25+00:00

Sorry if there's already been a post on this. But Boris says he has the army on standby.... but we're already in crisis!!??? Use them! Hurry up!! AIBU to think this??

Akire · 30/09/2021 12:01

I feel same, the we have tankers for army to use but no need worry as the army isn’t going be driving it’s civilians. As if that makes it less or crisis. Not a driver myself but it’s obviously causing problems for lots of people.

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 30/09/2021 12:10

They need training don't they? To learn how to refill a petrol station. That's what the news keeps saying, that they are being trained on how to do it and this will take until the end of the week.

ApolloandDaphne · 30/09/2021 12:14

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut

They need training don't they? To learn how to refill a petrol station. That's what the news keeps saying, that they are being trained on how to do it and this will take until the end of the week.

I was just coming to say this. Plus they need to get the people in the right places, their tankers filled to be clear about where they are going. It can't just happen instantly. They also need to be able to do it safely.

Suitcaseseverywhere · 30/09/2021 12:15

Have you any idea how stretched the army currently is? And how long it takes to train the people?

ApolloandDaphne · 30/09/2021 12:16

I imagine it is a logistical nightmare.

MsMoody · 30/09/2021 12:16

Is it the army's job to sort out Boris's cock-ups?

FairyAtTheBottomOfTheGarden · 30/09/2021 12:20

BBC Radio Berkshire was reporting yesterday that the army were going to be helping out from today. Haven't seen any yet though, just lots of empty garages or ones with ridiculously long queues.

smallybells · 30/09/2021 12:26

I love the MN thinking that the army is all sat dressed up in barracks chomping at the bit to start driving fuel tankers around and managing petrol stations 😂

It requires logistics, training, man power etc. They're on standby as they are a last resort - at the moment fuel is still being delivered (then bought up by idiots exacerbating the issue), when the whole supply chain falls then they get involved.

Motherofcats007 · 30/09/2021 12:37

It’s not like they have their day jobs to do right…. Like… protecting the country… but yes let’s just call them up for everything

elbea · 30/09/2021 12:38

The army are currently training 150 soldiers to transport fuel. It will make absolutely no difference when there is 8,000 petrol stations in the UK.

JasonMomoasgirlfriend · 30/09/2021 12:39

How bad is it? Doesn't seem to be an issue where I live but I've not heard much on TV either.

What do they need the army to do? Why can't the petrol stations just put a cap on how much fuel people can buy? Get an employee to actually do the filling up or something

londonrach · 30/09/2021 12:40

No issue where I am with petrol so wonder if they stepped the army down as not needed now

Empressofthemundane · 30/09/2021 12:42

Isn’t the point that the army is the one pool of people who already have people within it with the capability to safely drive HGVs with flammable liquids? An absolutely crucial skill to keep a defence force going.

Since we are not at war or under attack, surely they could be available quite quickly?

mummyh2016 · 30/09/2021 12:43

DH works in the HGV industry, he told me last night there shouldn't be an issue relating to fuel tanker drivers, due to the high wages they can demand there are actually more tanker drivers than jobs available and there are actual waiting lists for people after tanker driver jobs. He doesn't understand where all this has come from, he says yes there is a shortage of class 1/class 2 HGV drivers and the DVLA have actually written to all drivers with these licenses asking them if they don't work in the industry to consider returning to it and basically you can choose your hours etc - this is definitely true as I've seen a copy of the letter his colleague received yesterday. But considering all of these tanker drivers I don't understand why the army even need to be involved

Empressofthemundane · 30/09/2021 12:43

Agree putting a limit on how much each person can buy would really help.

Empressofthemundane · 30/09/2021 12:44

Interesting info @mummyh2016

wombat1a · 30/09/2021 12:53

Perhaps the army is asking to be involved because they own their own fleet of tankers so it's 'extra' tankers on the road. I would imagine they must have some way of getting fuel to whereever their landrovers and tanks are?

randomchap · 30/09/2021 13:00

Maybe instead of using the army to deliver fuel, we could have a few stationed at each petrol station turning people away who have more than half a tank already. Dissuade the panic buyers and those topping up just in case and keeping the capacity for people who actually need fuel.

Suitcaseseverywhere · 30/09/2021 13:04

The army are not asking to be involved.

TakeYourFinalPosition · 30/09/2021 13:36

The army are currently training 150 soldiers to transport fuel. It will make absolutely no difference when there is 8,000 petrol stations in the UK.

This.

just put a cap on how much fuel people can buy

I can’t speak for everywhere, but locally, it’s people topping up tiny amounts constantly that’s causing the issues. There seems to be loads of people putting in a fiver a day so they’re always on a full tank and don’t risk running out, and that’s killing supply.

PlanDeRaccordement · 30/09/2021 13:40

@Empressofthemundane

Isn’t the point that the army is the one pool of people who already have people within it with the capability to safely drive HGVs with flammable liquids? An absolutely crucial skill to keep a defence force going.

Since we are not at war or under attack, surely they could be available quite quickly?

Nah, that is usually contracted out to defence logistics supply contractors.

BananaPB · 30/09/2021 13:41

Apparently not many army personnel are qualified to drive oil tankers. Boris thinks using the army makes him look serious and tough when it's really proof that he's lost control

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 30/09/2021 13:45

I think ban the filling of multiple Jerry cans. Allow people to fill one as they may have run out and broken down.

But don't allow people to fill their car and then a bunch of cans in the boot. It's one only. You'll still get some people keep coming back but most won't queue for an hour for the sake of one Jerry can.

wink1970 · 30/09/2021 13:48

I would imagine the Royal Engineers & Royal Logistics Corp are already engaged elsewhere in the world doing soldier-ing.....

hellcatspangle · 30/09/2021 13:48

Our garages are almost back to normal today, some have a couple of pumps closed but no queues or closed forecourts.