Not loving the occasional work of Driver Hire I had started looking on the Jobcentre plus website again. Oddly, all of a sudden, there seemed to be jobs to which I could apply. I did so. The difference it makes to your confidence, having actually done the job is amazing. I applied, saying I’d been driving. Two agencies arranged for me to register. Judging by the agency I was with, I thought I’d get on both of their books, that way between them all, I might be able to get enough work.
I went to the first agency to register. The appointment was for one o’clock. I spent an hour filling in forms. As I was finishing them off (two o’clock) they asked if I could work that night. I said I could. They told me to be at Stobarts for four o’clock!
Good start.
Then to carry on doing evening/ night shifts until next week, have my statutory two days off, then go on to morning/ day shift.
And that was that. I am now working every day at Stobarts.
So, it was two weeks in the wilderness, now I’m having to fight for days off.
Today was my first day off since Wednesday. I’ve been working nights (start at eight o’clock work through until at least eight in the morning). Already I’ve twice worked the legal maximum of a fifteen hour shift. In my first week I worked eighty two hours. Eighty two hours! Count them!
I’ve been swilling coffee, popping caffeine pills and guzzling generic Red Bull. The trouble is, of course, that it takes a few weeks to adjust to sleeping in the day. I’ve been getting about five hours disturbed sleep. I’ve been knackered starting the shift. Even with all the stimulants listed above, by five in the morning, when you are on a long, boring motorway there is no way you can stop from nodding.
I’ve been driving with the heater on cold air, the windows open, freezing for hours and still drifting off. I’ve had to resort to literally slapping myself every few minutes.
Hopefully that is a thing of the past now. I had a glorious three hour kip today, I’m getting to sleep in my own bed tonight (YAY!) so I should be refreshed for tomorrow. After that it should be morning starts. Even if I’m up at ungodly o’clock at least I should be able to sleep at night.
Working for the same firm each time has it’s advantages. I’m getting to know the truck and how to work it, rather than getting in a different vehicle each time and not knowing how to switch things on or work the onboard computer. Also, so far, the work has been easy. Last night was a quick nip to Trafford Park, pick up a trailer and run it down to Essex, get unloaded, drive back. Job done.
That Truck-Nav, let me say in passing, is the best £355 I have ever spent. Pop in the post code and you are away. It tells you when the motorway is about to split, which lane to be in, when there are speed cameras about, what speed you should be doing through average speed cameras, etc, etc. If it was any better I would be out of a job.
Everything I wanted then. A steady driving job, loads of money (I reckon I should be bringing home at least £633 for last week) and out of DHL / Iceland.
The down side is I have no idea how I’m supposed to do anything other than work and sleep. I wanted to do the Ironman Bolton next year but I just don’t know how I can fit in the training. I’ll give it a few weeks, see how it works out. It might seem different on days.
Already I’m getting fatter! 🙁
That’s where I am. Getting there. The Master-plan has been initiated. Finally. Truck driving, then on to petrol tankers, then world domination. And maybe some sleep, now and then. Plan!
Later,
Buck.