The right stuff?
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Irefer to your feature The Right Stuff (23-29 June). I wonder if the "plenty of graduates" looking for jobs in road transport management know what life is like for transport managers who are not lucky enough to work for one of the "elite" companies.
At the more mundane end of the market they could be tempted by the pay (unlikely to be more than the average driver), and certainly less than the starting salary of the trainees you mention. What about the hours? Better allow for about 50-60 a week, but remember you are on a salary so no overtime.
There is always the driver and the customer to remind you that you have no idea of how to do the job, and you already have an WV licence just in case you have to do the job yourself.
There are always the job prospects, though. The near certainty that sometime during your career— regardless of how well, honestly and conscientiously you do your job—you will end up in court because one or more of your staff have failed to be as professionally competent as you. And after all, as any driver will tell you, it is the responsibility you carry that gives you more pay than them. At the dizzy heights of transport manager you will find the only way is up to something like a double glazing salesman.
It could be the perks that tempt you; the company will provide you with overalls should you need to do a spot of mechanics or driving, and if you're lucky you can have every third Saturday off.
But the boss will have a cheery word of consolation for you as he drives off on holiday in his new car: "I don't know why I run these lorries, all this worry and we don't make any money. Oh!, and by the way, you won't mind staying on this week to lock up the yard, will you?"
You will do it because you are a professional and the only reward is to know you have done it well.
You have been warned.
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