Completely agree with regards to how drivers are treated. I was Tramping on tankers, really enjoyed it but I started to see change in how we were treated and also how we as drivers were viewed by the public, they despised us! Definitely not paid enough for the hours I did back then but I was extremely lucky to get a job working Freight trains and got out of the road haulage industry all together. Sadly, HGV driving it is not a job I would recommend to anyone and that makes me sad to say. All the best .
I agree. In used to love the idea of trucking, my dad did it, it was always fun in the 80s, still not much in the way of pay, but then you were respected, other people helped you out, you helped them out.. it was great. Now it's just turned into a mugs game. I lost all love for it really.
I am on of the lucky few. I do tramping for a small family firm based up in Sunderland. My pay by far ain't the best but he looks after us. This is the longest job I have had just over 19 months. I started as an inexperienced driver who got my license through the boot camp training as I am an ex con I only been out of prison for 2 years at the time. I also have stage 2A Colon Cancer which the boss allows me to take time off fully paid to get my treatment. My car had broken down one weekend on the A19. He came and recovered me back to his yard on our day off. Took a look at my car. Diagnosed the issue and sent me along to euro car parts in his car for a clutch kit and then he changed my clutch. That car later failed an MOT as it was 22 years old. He offered to pay to get it through a new MOT or help me to get a replacement car. I got a replacement. I mentioned I'm an ex con, well, in September 2022. During Steve wright's last afternoon show. I got arrested in his wagon for road rage. I had only been working for him for 6 weeks at time. But I didn't lose my job. Nor did I had to beg for it. Just told me to calm down and be more careful as I am currently on a 6 months sentence suspended for 2 years and got 9 points. He also leaves it down to me which way I go when I am on the road. Although, he does advise me which route to take from time to time. But ultimately he leaves it upto me as we as drivers can see what the road conditions are like and any restrictions.
Wow, yeah you're one of the lucky few mate. As for road rage, the idiots on the road are just unreal these days and it's getting worse! Another reason why I gave up. All the best mate 👍
Just to say , your not hiding your past and that's a huge thing.... Also your boss is helping you out in alot of was.... Hope he doesn't turn it like me ex boss..... He was same helpful and also helped out in other ways financially....... Hours were cut wages stayed same..... Was using my own van for his business ect. He had control over me. I was in a position where I couldn't pay back anything except keep working and been used. I'm not saying your boss is like this at all. But all bosses are greedy, just watch ya back chap.
Best of luck to you, sir. We all make mistakes in life. You've paid for yours and deserve a chance to get on with your life. You're not afraid of hard work and your boss seems a decent bloke. Sounds like a good situation. Wishing you good mental and physical health and safety on the road. Bless you. 😊
Perhaps I’m fortunate, I drive a class 1 car transporter for BCA and don’t have any real complaints on the whole, but a lot of it is thanks to our union.
Agree 1000% I packed in class 1 years ago. Best thing I ever did insane hours, no respect shitty pay and for what? And then they wonder why there are no drivers.....🤣
You are a very brave man to step out the 'box' & place your own health above your job. Full, full respect to you sir. May I continue to follow your vlogs?
All the best mate! I just walked out of my class 1 job too. Doing 14 hours most days and it’s not a life, life’s too short you need to focus on yourself and working these stupid hours isn’t good for anyone. I saw you at Milton Keynes Amazon a few weeks back but didn’t come up to you as it must be frustrating at times when people are always coming up to you. Anyway, all the best!
Ah you should have said hello mate, I'll always have a quick chat 👍 Cheers though. Don't blame you mate and you're absolutely right. I work to live not live to work..14 hours is awful. Very few other jobs expect those long hours and the few that do are usually crap jobs anyway or well paid
Well done darren , im a trucker. A fair play too you for getting out to do something else you like an enjoy .. I will subscribe an follow your new an exciting path in life .. well done bud
Darren, you've extended your life significantly by stopping truck driving, congratulations! You could put together a little health package for truckers!
Yeah. It is in this country. Considering trucks are pretty much needed to keep the country going, you’d think it’d be a lot better, but as always, the government and these companies only care about one thing 💰
@@drivefitnessuk Well I'm in Ireland but it's the very same everywhere. It's probably one of the toughest jobs on mental health out there, and then expected to do it for what amounts to little more than minimum wage when all is factored in. But it wasn't really about the money for me, it was the complete lack of respect. I'm 46, gave up trucking after just 8 years and now back in college and almost finished my bachelors degree to become a health and safety professional. I'd happily advise anyone to stay well away from truck driving. There are far easier ways to make a living
@@joeduffy3309 totally agree with that mate, there really is.. when you think about it, workers delivering pizza or stacking shelves earn just as much as truck drivers and go home after 8 hours.. it's a sad state
Shame to be losing your trucking vlogs Daz always enjoyed them, but you have to do what’s right for you, your health, your family and your wellbeing! I’ll keep subscribed and follow you on your new journey! All the very best to you going forward, keep up the good work and most of all keep safe! 👍🙂
Dear Darren 🥺Ahh ,you are someone who should be learning people to drive and you and Jay were a great team. I’m sorry you were treated so poorly. By the way the work at the health amazing weight loss well done.a.ok xx
Absolutely chuffed for you, Daz. Gutted to lose your trucking content which, over the years, has been one of the better and more entertaining channels out there. But as a fellow active guy, I totally get the reasons for it, and will continue to follow your journey with interest 🙏
I drove trucks for over 20+ years, I've been a driving assessor and I've been a hgv driving instructor! But 10 years ago really started to hate the whole industry and Jack it in, never driving a truck since best thing I ever done never regretted a single moment...
Good luck to you buddy, I was a trucker for over 20yrs and the best thing that happened to me was having my hgv taken off me as I had glaucoma in my right eye, so went into plant on the adt on quarrys, I’m retired now but still do a bit for my old boss when he has holidays to cover, you seem like you have your head screwed on the right way buddy, gunna miss your vids I enjoyed them and your banter was ace, good luck for the future , whatever you decide, I’ll still watch your vids, take care buddy.
Well that was a shock for sure mate. I shall still be checking you out now and again to see what you're up to with the channel and can only wish you all the very best with everything you do. As an experienced and professional driver, your leaving is our industry's loss. Take care mate and all the very best.
Hi Darren, Thank you for the many hours of entertainment that your channel has provided over the weeks, months and years. Thank you also for sharing your story and congratulations on your weight loss programme. You're away from truck driving now so its a new chapter in your life and i hope you're very happy with this decission. In life, you have to do the things that you want to do and not what other people would like you to do so good luck with your new venture.....Take care Darren and Thanks again for everything....
Congratulations on all your achievements mate .Got to say I agree with your statement about truck driving did it for many years got treated pretty bad by most companies
You will be back in 12 months. We all hate the job but somehow it’s in our veins 🤷♂️ all the best in the new venture but see you on the M6 within 12 months 😂👍👍
I left the industry in 2011, i did 22 years on general haulage. I'd had enough, even back then i noticed the job getting worse. I noticed it more because i worked for the same firm all that time, they weren't a bad firm, but the job and the company altered. Good luck in the future, you've done the right thing.
I retired early it’s not a good industry to be in these days and I wouldn’t advise anyone to go into it. If your thinking about it remember the cost of getting that licence is Hugh so think carefully ask other drivers there option and I say this because to spend that much money and six months to a year you don’t like it or your relationship suffers this is something you should think about. However I wish anyone brave enough the very best.
1st of all daz...thank you so much for all the videos you have posted....by yourself or with Pete and will....you have given us so many laughs 😃...I totally understand what you said in this video 😮...so all the very best in your new venture...I will miss your trucking vlogs....take care...and can I say TA TA FOR NOW 😊😊😊😊
Well done for a brave career change, good for you mate. Nobody should put with such crap from companies. Always enjoyed your videos and will continue to watch 👍
Glad you’re doing something you enjoy mate, as an ex driver and someone who has struggled with his weight for years (well my nickname is Tiny) I enjoy watching your videos, I’ll stick around as it’s your personality that keeps me watching, I did loose a lot of weight but due to health problems (a story for another day) and needing a knee replacement, my weight has gone up more than I’d like, so I enjoy picking up your hints and tips, I wish you success in your new journey.
Such a shame companies treat people like you the way they did as they didn't know how lucky they were having a professional driver like you but their loss,good luck with the future daz and I'll still keep subscribed for sure👊👍
I for one Daz will stay subscribed massive loss to the HGV industry but you got out to enjoy life health and sanity buddy stay safe out look forward to seeing you soon 👍
Sad to see you go mate; you were one of the most laid back and relaxed drivers that I watch on this youtube thingy! Best of luck in the next stage of your life, i hope it all works out well for you! All the best 👍👍👍
I did a bit of class 2 and class 1 work. Nearly 3 years ago I did class 1 work and left after just six shifts because the pay and conditions were bad. They constantly put pressure on me to speed. One incident I had was when I arrived for my shift, the supervisor told me the checks had been done on the HGV I was allocated. I decided to check the HGV and found the dog clip had not been inserted. I was working nights for £12 an hour driving double decker trailors, 44T artics etc. The final straw was when a manager spoke to me like I was a piece of rubbish. I just didn't turn up for the 7th shift. I keep getting emails enticing me for HGV work but they get promptly deleted. No wonder there is a shortage of HGV drivers when they get paid rubbish and treated like so. I don't want to drive an HGV ever again.
Being fit and healthy definitely makes a happier person!!! I totally understand and respect your decision to quit the industry…. I suppose I am lucky with my present position driving a fifth wheel for a labour agency here in the Netherlands supplying supermarkets…. great colleagues, good atmosphere, challenging tight manouevring (love it!!) and enough (around 1/3 of the working hrs!!) loading/unloading to keep me fit!!…. I feel sorry for you the way things went!! Keep it up,I’ll stil be following your channel…. I realy do hope you find a job that makes you happy!!!! Greetings,Henk,the Netherlands.
Good luck, thanks for your previous blogs, was surprised you went to work for the big O, but best out of it. Hope all goes well for you and your family.
Fair play. 100% agree with what you say. I've only been in the trucking industry for a few years and it still baffles me how and why hard working individuals are treated like dirt in this industry. Even how nasty drivers are to each others. Best of luck with your new endeavours 👍
I retired 5yrs this August and I’ve drove everything from tippers to fridges wide loads and ended up finishing on containers and I can sympathise with your sentiments about getting treated like shit and your right your not paid for that and it doesn’t matter where you go in the end their all the same , if you can make a go of what your doing now good luck to you you’ve took a very brave decision and I commend you for doing that trucking is a lonely life especially if you do nights out, I hope it’s a case of jumping into the dark and finding your light well done bud
Hi buddy it's Philip hope you are well and getting fit nice to see you doing some work outs at the gym.you are still very funny.sorry to here about your trucking.dont for get a break is as good as a rest and don't forget the good times the good memories when you were out on the road.hope to see you trucking next year buddy good health and good luck for the future Phil 👍🍀🇬🇧 👈
Good for you mate, if I could get out of driving trucks altogether I would. I consider myself lucky that my current job only involves the wagons occasionally, and some weeks not at all. I would have been in touch with the traffic commissioner regarding the low bridge, especially if it involved passing a prohibition sign. A quick email would do it, and it would go a long way should there be any future incidents with the same bridge.
Thanks for your healt advice Darren... I am a trucker and would love if you started your new videos on how us trucker can stay mentally and physically fit.. I find drinking 2 litres of water a day great for my head and may God bless you on your future.. Tommy from Ireland 🇮🇪
Cheers Jono, I’ve enjoyed your channel brought back memories oh when I was an hgv class 1 driver in the UK and yes you are right you get treated like sh1t but you met good guys. Best of luck for the future
Ive been in the haulage industry for 30yrs (mechanic) seen so many drivers over the years health go downhill due to being an HGV driver. Most companies don't give a monkey's towards to them sadly. Good luck for the future lad. ❤
Cheers mate! .. I'll probably get a letter from the government in a few years saying "come back to being an hgv driver".. my reply will be "do something to make it better then" lol
All the Best . . . I loved watching your Trucking Exploits . . . You did not deserve to be treated like Faeces 💩💩 . . . I will remain subscribed to see where your healthier & fitter lifestyle leads you, Good Sir ! All the Best for your Future . . . 'Onwards ➡️ & Upwards ⬆️' ! Regards, Roger.
Hi mate, i remember stopping for a break at beaconsfield services last year when you reversed in next to me (im sure you was driving for BM at the time) and we had a full on conversation...i had no idea who you was until i came accross your videos on here haha. Needless to say I've been a watcher ever since! Good luck in your next chapter mate.
Thanks John!! I remember meeting up with you on that day 👍.. I'm really enjoying what I do now, getting a big kick out of helping people! I mean, i still like trucks and it will always be a part of me, but as for working them, i just lost the love for it i guess
You’re right about the transport industry, being treated like a second class citizen isn’t nice and it doesn’t bring out the best in you either. I find people in the office to be arrogant and rude when they speak to me and you reply with the same, you have probably saved your life by walking away and i mean that , well done you I have 3 more years to go before retirement and I will be gone hopefully enjoying a well earned retirement.
Great channel mate i am coming towards the end of my working days and how glad will i be when i hang the keys up. My old fella now 77 drove till he was 72 health goosed treated like shite.thats not fir me thank you,our plans are already in place we bought and live on our narrowboat and travelling around at 4mph max helps you realise wat a twat of a job trucking is ie be here at stupid o clock,nine hours off,driving flat out whilst absolutely knackered the list goes on. I went down the route your taking a while back both me n the wife were weight watchers of the year at our local place i soon learnt that its a lifestyle change that you need to keep on top of and once you have got it theres no going back,being healthy tops the lot both mentally and physically,sadly truck lifestyle is useless for this.stay safe mate in whatever you do next and you never know you may be walking down a towpath near us one day and see us just tootling along at say 2mph without a care in the world( or a fookin traffic jam😂)
I absolutely love narrow boats!! We were going to buy one to live on, but we decided to do it a similar way to you and have it as a retirement treat.. With trucking, I'm sure there are decent small family run firms out there, but sadly you can't get a job with them because nobody wants to leave.. And you're right, you can't look after your health as a driver.. I just got up at 7:30 this morning... and every morning this week.. because my sleep pattern is back to normal, I feel great in the mornings (post coffee).. even simple things like that, people don't realise how it screws them up.
Fair play to you for seeing the light and getting fitter before you start to get issues with your health - I no longer drive trucks' or buses' due to a breakdown in my health & retired early because of it, but like you and others' have said the way your treated especially the hours' long and very unsocial I was doing a bit of agency and starting on a Saturday and Sunday morning at 3am my body clock was shot to pieces'.
Cheers! .. yeah, it's not good. I don't miss it to be honest. And I'm enjoying getting up at 6 each morning, having a coffee, taking my time and getting stuff done that i never had a chance to before.
Haven't come across you before Darren, but have subscribed after watching this video. It takes a lot to walk away from that sort of industry and do something completely different. Congratulations on changing physically and mentally for the better 👏
Im right with you buddy, no one has any respect for a truck driver including your own family. All I ever got was berated by people who weren't fit to wipe my boots.
Same as you : overworked and underpaid , I am ready now for city bus driving, going in circles . Wilk see. Better paid by the hours and we need more public transport.
cant belive anyone can sack you for... you know... following the rules.. but is part of the reason I trust no one, make sure any requests people have of me has some sort of written record (both the normal and the asinine). a habit thats saved me from being thrown under the bus, regreatably more than once. Always enjoy ya videos and will miss the truck stuff. As a new pass now stuck looking for a chance (work trained me but now have no work and need make drivers redundant), though admitidly not completly convinced I want to dive in, especially having to change company, had convince myself I could stay with these guys and always fall back into warehouse if it wasnt for me. now I have to go all in, in and industry that as far as I can tell is increasingly toxic to drivers. as nice and encouraging as works drivers are, and your videos kept the interest going. Amoung others such as luke :) though I will still be following.. while I was SLOWLY getting my weight under controll, with corvid and the forced career change out of something I loved kinda knocked the motivation and its spiraled more than I should be comfortable with. its time to change
Thanks Gaz, sorry to hear about the work mate! I did it for ten years and at times it was honestly the best job in the world, I lost the love for it a couple of years ago if I'm honest. Doing RU-vid content was really the only part of it I enjoyed. That's why I'm going to carry on and hopefully help a few people along the way. 👍
Your weight loss is great. I drive a transit bus in florida usa. Got my weight down from 230lbs to 140lbs and run marathons but hate driving all day. Wish i get fired so i can run and lift all day instead lol.
Well done on the weight loss mate, Will miss the truck vlogs, Consider getting yourself a dog mate.. Perfect that where you was walking and they're always up for joining you on 10k steps. I've got a cockapoo and he's my best mate, Loves going walking any time of the day. Take care of yourself bud
CPC was the final straw for me. Enjoyed it for the first few years but never had a pay rise in 10 years and ever increasing crap to deal with i packed it in after 12 years. Dont miss it one jot. No rest, no life, no fun, no thanks.... and the prats happily blame Brexit for driver shortage. The crap started way before then
I used to be security for an over night HGV parking place on the A1 when i started i honestly thought British truck drivers were a bunch of racist morons with a huge chip on their shoulders, a few months in speaking to so many drivers, i totally understood why most of them are like they are, so many rules and regulations, harassed by the police and vosa while these foreign drivers are getting away with driving death traps, or letting their wifes or even kids drive. Crap pay and companys that treat the drivers like crap. One night a guy came in we had a chat, he parked up, the next afternoon when i got to work his truck was still there, and was surrounded by police, the guy had died in his cab i was the last person to speak to him, i felt awful and i didnt even know the guy, 2 days later his company turned up to take the cab unit away, i spoke to the guys who had come one of them being the guys boss, he was a real arse hole he came across as how dare an employee die and put me out like this. That job was a real eye opener for me, i have nothing but respect for HGV drivers and what they have to put up with, no wonder there's a shortage of drivers with so many leaving the industry.
Sorry to hear, but I understand you very well. some companies treat you like trash. for others they think oh let the driver wait, as if we have nothing more to do. and the hours compared to the wage is also not proportional. We are on the road every day with all those idiots, and have to hear enough nonsense from companies (and then you also have to remain polite, because otherwise you would throw out the name of the company you drive for) I understand your reason and motivation behind this very well. I wish you all the best and much happiness Darren. And I will still watch your flogs buddy, I will not unsubscribe.
I’m sorry what your going though mate I honestly feel for you I’m disgusted how that company sacked you for using your common sense about going under a low bridge some companies are never good at treating there drivers hint why there a driver shortage keep doing what makes you happy mate your a legend along with dazzer aka the foden project
Hi. ( ex euro truck driver ). I spent most of my time doing euro work, was a good place to drive & work. But the whole transport industry has not yet reached Total crap , although very close. Crap pay , nowhere to park, total idiots in offices etc, etc, I even dropped an over weight trailer on the weigh bridge at Felixstowe. As a driver one is taking live threatening judgments all the time yet the pay is nowhere near the level of responsibility we take I miss the challenge of driving a big truck , but the rest , I am so glad I got away from it
Maybe the trick is to tell them what you are prepared to do. If they fire you move onto the next firm till you find one that will let you get away with it.....yes I know easier said than done but worth a try!
Sorry to hear you had such a rough time nate what exactly was it that caused you so much stress if you don't mind my asking? Hope you're doing better pal 👍
@jameswilkinson3281 Was basically the constant pressure you are under, drivers hours, VOSA, boss wanting you to run illegally, never any sleep, loaded overweight, they fudged the weights on the manifest. In the end all got to much, and I had a total nervous breakdown. You simply cannot work the amount of hours, and be under all that pressure 24/7, for instance I now still jump if the phone rings, my own phone, yep, that job ruined me totaly.
It's a pity you got treated like this Darren. I hope your new endeavour is profitable, I'm also into fitness and this gives me a kick to get back in shape. Did you have any sugar addictions? Could be interesting content as to kicking them bad habits.
I always had a sweet tooth as they say, sugar in coffee was killing me, but nothing in specific. My main thing was every time I stopped at a service, I'd buy junk.
Well done chap. I know where your coming from....you refused low bridge route. I refused low loader full of old brick packs...no sides just a net with 15" gap all round. I didn't get sacked but after heated argument I handed my notice in.....that's all gone a bit messy now too. Lorry industry is on its arss now anyway. But I'm enjoying my new adventure It's far better Tobe mentally spun as well as personally feeling better. I wish you all the very best .
