Thursday, April 26, 2007

I am now sat in a yard at Haltwhistle on the A69 Saturday morning on my wifes Birthday,top marks for the shityest bit of route planning this side of kicking horse pass,no wonder drivers just come and go willy nilly.It all started when I was sent down to Cardiff from Stirling - nice run - finished at 20:30 Thursday night to get to Cardiff forr 08:00 the next day,had to reduce to get there in time.From Cardiff it was over to Witney,got there at 14:20 pulled my card to be able to start at 02:00 to get up to Glasgow at 11:00 - following this so far? - this meant three things -

1. I would be running back in on Saturday
2. I would be driving through the night after a long day on Thursday
3. I would have two reduced rests on the trot

Now as Jo works on a Saturday,this causes a problem as we need to get cover to look after the girls,now at short notice this is not possible,I have told them that I have no problem working weekends but where possible could it be a Sunday rather than a Saturday.The fact that some people at work seem to get more weekend work than others also causes me problems as I know for a fact that some drivers REFUSE to work Saturdays or Sundays , I don't mind but after a week away the least they could do is give a little notice but more to the point ask first if it's OK.Now the company line is that it's in your contract to be able to work Saturdays and if you don't then money will be deducted from your wages if you havent hit 54 hours during the week - well blow me down as I had worked too many hours the last bank holiday one and a half hours were taken from my wages to be paid at a later date - why plan me to work overtime when you don't even bloody pay me when I do.

Now as for the driving through the night - trying to park up outside a factory in the middle of the day and getting a good rest is impossible add to this the tierdness from the previous day and you wonder why drivers fall asleep at the wheel,I was driving past Preston at 05:00 SURELY the run could of taken up by someone else who maybe did'nt have 54 hours in that week,or who did'nt need to find a baby sitter,or who's wifes birthday it was'nt or who had'nt been out all week or who was dead from fatigue at the wheel.Now don't get me wrong when the going gets tough the tough get going,but a little thought in the planning goes a long way to keeping drivers happy and in a job - I was ready tell them shove the job its just not worth killing yourself for especialy when you might not even get paid for the hours you work.

Now sat in a field waiting for my load because it's not even loaded just puts the iceing on the cake - why dont people put a Saturday working rota in place that everybody knows who MAY be needed to work that week,and those greedy drivers like me who want overtime could offer to cover drivers who don't,but more importantly both the planners and the drivers know where they stand rather than getting a nice surprise,ah bollocks to it I am sure it will happen again.

Got back at 14:00 in a fine mood may I add,Jo and the girls were waiting when I got back,a quick trip round Asda then home. Jessica has just passed her mile swiming test and Emily has got a silver merit certificate at school.I had been doing well this year at buying cards and flowers for Jo (Valentines and Christmas) but this years Birthday fell flat on its arse due to working,but there was still a good pile of cards for her to open with the girls help.

The Three Sisters seeds have started to grow , but I missed the small print on the site and think I should of staggered the planting as the cheeky beans look like they will dwarf the other crops - stupid fat fool that I am.

well done Jessica
	The cards from Jos family all came the same day and they are now on display in the house above the fire - she has asked that I cook up a Chinese feast for her and a massive cream cake - her wish is my command....

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