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Page 14
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Rikki Chequer, community manager of TruckNet UK, reports on current hot topics at the driver forum.
First, a little bit of back-slapping for TruckNet UK. Last week the site signed up its 6,000th member (registration is not compulsory to use the website but allows access to more areas).
Recording over half a million page views a month, TruckNet UK continues to grow and is the biggest provider of online discussion for our industry.
Among the topics that have caused much debate this week is an owner-driver's experiences of trying to run his own truck. He gives his costs and his income for the year and concludes: "Believe me, I wish someone had shown me these figures before I took the plunge." Essential reading for anyone thinking of starting up on their own. It's not all doom and gloom, however, as other ownerdrivers posting on the topic showed how a profit can be made.
The smoking ban continues to cause discussion; a recent BBC article has smokers up in arms, saying it realistically means they cannot smoke at all while driving now. Other users of the website interpret the article in a different way. Check out We cannot smoke while driving AT ALL now" in the Professional Drivers forum.
Are companies making it too hard on new drivers? Recent test graduates relate their horror stories of being given the most difficult drops, tight reverses and a multitude of other problems while still trying to get to grips with driving an LGV. Do companies allow new drivers enough time to learn?
Can a driver get a green card to live and drive in the US? One forum user claims his firm can achieve this, but many drivers who work in the US— or who have done so in the past — dispute this. It's an interesting discussion that will rumble on for quite a while.
In the Family and Health Matters forum, two of our long-term members relate their stories of suddenly becoming quite seriously ill. Both are off work at the moment and use TruckNet UK, not only to keep up with the comings and goings of the industry but also to stay in touch with friends and hopefully gain a little support.
From all of us at TruckNet toJB and Biggus, get well soon fellas.