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de eapo
I reached the ripe old age of 56 on September 26 last, and sat and reflected on roughly 30 years in transport. I've covered a few miles in these islands, in good and bad weather (when fogs were fogs), made a lot of friends on my travels, had some nasty moments, and treasure quite a few good memories.
Prominent in my memories was the way that we used to help one another in trouble on the road, from wheel changing, including taking the wheel to pieces, to straightening shifting loads, and always aware that someone might need a hand (especially in winter).
I have been an owneroperator for the past few years, but have found that each succeeding year I am losing the interest I once had in transport. I work hard at it; most times I am up early in the mor
ning, and I still have plenty of energy, but I miss the esprit de corps of transport. I still believe that our image in industry is no better than 30 years ago (could be worse), and that liaison between us, and docks, including warehouses and freight terminals, is pathetic.
I feel guilty sometimes disturbing their numerous tea breaks, and meal tiimes with my load, and greetings of "Nearly dinner time," or "Nearly knocking off time," or just plain "Sorry mate, union meeting, don't know how long we'll be."
I an lucky in a way because I will probably retire in about four years, before I become bloodyminded and apathetic and mercenary — as far as a good day's w6rk is concerned. The country is a dead duck, and one way to get it going again might be to stop importing tea.
I am an avid and regular reader of CM and wonder if other drivers have opinions on the liaison between lorry drivers, and the problem of trying to get vehicles unloaded in a decent turnround time.
FREDERICK G. LAR MAN, Enfield, Middlesex