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TruckNet UK community manager Rikki Chequer reports on discussions in a few of the forums.
Page 8
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This week, TruckNet UK users have been discussing the proposal that the government should set a minimum rate for haulage. While many owners see it as a way of stopping stupidly low undercutting, others point out that hauliers are often paid a long way above any likely minimum, and believe that if a minimum was set, then their clients would drop their rates to that level.
It will also come as no surprise that fuel costs are one of the hot topics yet again this week, with operators quoting a rise of up to 3p/lit on last week. More and more operators are asking when is this going to end because their overheads are continuing to soar.
A small fleet operator is using the forums to see if anyone wants his help to become a owner-driver. He is reducing his fleet and offering to provide the buyers of his vehicles with the contacts needed to obtain work. Questioned as to the reasons why he is selling up, he is adamant he is not closing down. He explains he is reducing his fleet solely due to his inability to find decent drivers.
As he says: "The reason, friend, is crap drivers. There are very few available with the professional attitude that I require. Or maybe they think I ask too much of them.
"But I know this. I can, and will, do the job as follows: without ranting and raving at my gaffer; without abusing the customer; without breaking the law; without damaging the truck; without thieving diesel; without lying and misleading people; without holding a gun to my gaffer's head for more money when it's too late to find someone else to do the job; without letting my personal problems interfere with my work; and without blaming everyone else but myself for my personal problems and situation.
"I'm not packing up, me old mate, far from it. I'm going back to earning myself a good living, without all the dead wood that thinks I owe them a living, too."
Other operators who have downsized sympathise, and state that being unable to find good drivers was also their motivation.