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Rikki Chequer, TruckNet UK community manager, talks local jobs for local hauliers.
Page 9
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One of the forum users has started a thread under the subject 'local jobs for local hauliers'. His post argues against what he perceives as a rise in hauliers from 'out of the area' working from Felixstowe Docks. He adds that Felixstowe hauliers are struggling enough with the downturn in imports through the docks without firms that have rarely been seen on the quayside queuing up for the remaining work.
A few drivers agree, but most point out that container logistics is not that simple, and a container truck could find itself at any dock in the country. Some also point out that this attitude goes both ways, and if a Felixstowe haulier picks up a box at the docks bound for Liverpool, he should either drop it at every county border for a company in that area to take onwards, or when he gets to Liverpool, he should return empty to Suffolk.
One driver equates the argument to stepping back to A, B, and C operators' licences, and having a man with a red flag walking in front of the vehicle. But while the argument does have many obvious flaws, at least it reveals the depth of feeling that exists in a number of sectors of the industry.
There has been a great deal of reaction to the Chancellor's pre-Budget Report on the forums. Owner-drivers and small operators are not impressed — most of them describing it as a "kick in the painful bits" for hauliers, and equating Mr Darling with Dick Turpin.
In the 'Old Timer's' forum, some great photos and articles have cropped up about Robsons Road Haulage. Many drivers remember its tidy fleet in the colours of Holston Beer, with trucks including Scania Centurions. This is a topic that raises fond memories for yours truly especially, since I used to live near the firm's yard in Deptford and remember it well.
Finally, a driver relates a tale of woe after finding seven illegal immigrants in his trailer, even though he and the French police had checked the trailer after suspecting it had been tampered with. They didn't find anything, but UK immigration did. The driver is now £700 poorer and his boss is down £2,450.