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148 
A life on the ocean waves
Page 45
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CM spoke to three drivers Alf Buckman, Rick Sayer and Kenny Cudworth
— who, between them, have 90 years of cross-Channel ferry experience in order to gain a customer perspective on 'going over the water'.
Norfolkline scored well on driver facilities, bettering SeaFrance and P&O, and the opportunity to buy vignettes on board was weicomed. Two of the drivers' bosses wouldn't use P&O, citing it as too expensive— price remains a key factor.
Generally, the quality of crossings and boats has improved from earlier days, when drivers had to reverse their trucks on board.
Given the choice, all preferred the ferry to the Channel Tunnel, citing better food, the chance to take a statutory break and — above al—the opportunity to meet, chat with and help professional colleagues.
The management of Operation Stack came in for particular criticism. Drivers resent being held in a motorway queue for hours with no facilities while, they claim, ferries leave the Port of Dover empty.
"If there are three boats in, load the first 300 trucks and move the next to the top of the hill ready. Fill the spaces and sort out the cash afterwards," says Sayer.
The Port of Dover providing little more than McDonald's and Burger King for drivers was another cause for criticism, "I think the port should offer more," reckons Cudworth.