Treat the Driver as an Ally
Page 15
Page 16
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
W[TAT was, undoubtedly, one of the " star turns " at the Gettogether Luncheon organized by this journal, and held last week, was the talk by a trunk-service driver. Several people remarked to us after the event that they had never known a more appreciative audience, and while he was speaking, except for occasional bursts of spontaneous applause, there was silence. It was not so much what he said, although this was interesting enough in itself, as the underlying motive and the manner in which a representative of the driving ttaternity could "put across his views, with equanimity and a dignified sense-of his position, before some 500 of the leading experts -on road transport in this country. This gesture has probably done more to raise the status of drivers in the opinions of those present than could any number of written words.
We have always held the view, and have stated this on frequent occasions, that the man at the wheel should receive more consideration. In some haulage concerns, and particularly amongst ancillary operators, he is considered to count for a great deal. It must be remembered that he often has under his direct control not only an extremely valuable piece of mechanism, frequently representing thousands of pounds, but also loads sometimes of even greater value, and especially now, when many of the materials and articles carried are munitions of war. • Pay Attention to the Driver's Suggestions The driver can do a great deal to help his transport manager, by brining to the notice of the latter methods and means by which improvements in various directions can be attained. -The conscientious and well-trained man ,becomes almost one with his vehicle, not in the purely mechanical sense but in knowing its strength or wealsness. He can detect almost immediately any alteration in the running of his engine or in the hum of its gearbox and back axle, and thus can often obviate further damage and possible biyakdown by performing some small roadside attention or, where the trouble be too serious, for this, by an immediate report. He, also, is in a better,position than anyone else to exercise that economy in rubber The Man at the Wheel is and fuel, for which a constant demand is being made by the Important Link Between Ministers and others.
Vehicle and Operator Any efforts in this direc tion may, however, be nullified, so far as their value to transport is concerned, if due attention be not paid to them. Nothing discourages a man more than to put forward a good suggestion and have little or no attention paid to it,or sometimes to be told that his job is to drive and to stick to that without poking his nose into other people's business. However, not Many transport managers Or depot foremen are so foolish as to adopt this policy. With some concerns the drivers are encouraged to aid the general efficiency of the organization, and are suitably rewarded where this be merited. Meetings between the driving and operating sides are often held, and Where this plan has been adopted it has proved well worth while.
Drivers' Comfort Must be Considered While on this 'subject of the driver's position we may refer to certain points which were raised by the speaker to whom we have referred. He asked for more attention to be paid to the comfort of the commercial-vehicle driver, emphasizing the need far this by pointing out thatthis class of driver is longer at. the wheel than any other, and, consequentlyi should Yeceive more consideration in this direction. Far too often his comfort is a secondary matter in designing a vehicle. He is cramped into a little box, has to sit on a hard seat, is made hot at one side and cold at the other, whilst to mount and dismount demand the agility of an acrobat. As one well-,known engineer said to us after the luncheon, -he had always felt that • too little attention was paid to the driver's com'fort, and that the loss of a little loading space would be amply repaid by efficiency and contentmentif this space could be given to him.
• So far as feeding and accommodation on the road are concerned, we shall have more to say upon these matters after making further investigations as to the present position. It is apparent that there has been a certain amount of improvement in individual establishments, but a great deal still remains to be done, and there appears to be no general supervision. Many cafés are not yet taking advantage of the additional facilities which have been provided by the Ministry of Food, whilst a few places have become almost notorious amongst drivers as being centres for the activities of those 'thieves who are so constantly raiding loads of rationed goods and other materials which are in urgent demand and short supply.
A Step Towards Co-operation VEW outstanding events in the commercial' vehicle manufacturing and operating industry —if we may be allowed to class them as one in this manner—have equalled in success "The C.M." Get-together Luncheon, which we held last week. Resulting from an idea which occurred to us less than three months ago,_ it quickly developed, despite a few criticisms from those who did not fully understand its objects, and whereas we had originally thought of an attendance of about 200, we were almost overwhelmed with requests for tickets, and it was only limitations of space which forced us to ration the number when it bid fair greatly to exceed 500. • So far, not a single criticism of any, sort has reached us, beyond one or two from concerns which, owing to this necessary restriction, could not, unfortunately, be invited to bring more of • their friends or even themselves to participate. We shall probably have more of this form of, some what flattering, complaint. To those who feel aggrieved we can tender only our regrets, and give a promise that. we wilt endeavour to do better on the next occasion. This time was really the tryout of an idea new to our industry, and it has certainly opened the way to better co-operation in future between all the many interests covered by this journal. 'The opportunity which was afforded to operators and manufacturers, officials of a 'variety of associa tions, members of the Services, highly pladd civil servants, fuel and oil suppliers, agents and dealers in vehicles and accessories, and others, to meet and discuss their various problems and exchange views, both before and after the luncheon proper, has undoubtedly proved of great interest and value, as has been emphasized in many communications which we have received. The talks given on rubber, producer gas, vehicle maintenance, etc., have been described as very much to the point, and the institution of a time limit on every speaker was hailed as an idea which could well be adopted at many other meetings at which important people whose time is of value have to remain idle, whilst remarks, often of almost unendurable length and little merit, are hurled at them. One comment was that those of us who are engaged in civilian jobs appreciate a short break occasionally to give us an opportunity of meeting business friends and hearing the latest news concerning them and their work. Another was to the effect that the weakness of the whole motor movement is due to the lack of cohesion amongst its votaries, and that this is to some extent due to that not unnatural, tendency of some of the secretaries of diverse organizations to Magnify differences, instead of stressing the objects that they all have in common, and which could be attained by a united front. One writer described the function as a most inspiring event and truly an epic gathering. , It appears, therefore, that what has been done is to help in no small measure towards the achievement of that co-operation for which we have been asking in this journal for many years.