#13

They will all be automated within 20 years

#15

As long as you don’t mind working ridiculous hours then yes, it is.

I was going to do it a couple of years back, got my Class 2 (rigid lorry) licence but before I got round to doing the one to drive artics I got a job in a transport office instead, so just have to deal with 100 of the miserable bastards on a daily basis instead. Might still do it at some point in the future.

No idea how so many of them manage to do a 15 hour day, have 9 hours off and repeat 4 or 5 times a week though.

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#16

Not sure we can trust smee with a tank

#17

They seem to kill a lot of people don’t they.

#18

I don’t think I’ve ever met one ‘in the wild’ now you mention it…

#19

Unless it’s a Tommy Tank that is!

#20

The space shuttle was smaller than many planes, so maybe spaceship first, then planes

#21

Thanks for the input. With collaboration like this I’m confident we can get this process nailed.

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#22

Good article that. I thought that it was a bit surprising that they didn’t mention automation and the impending obsolescence of the occupation though.

#23

ringer lol

#24

Yeah, I was expecting it to head in that direction, like that competition is the last stand of the “true” drivers etc.

#25

It’s also an amazing tribute to the power of unions and workers collectivising for their own benefit.

#26

My old man always told me to respect lorry drivers because a) they’re the best drivers on the road and b) if you fuck 'em up they’ve got to go down through loads of gears and because of point a) they don’t deserve that.

Couple of my mates Dads were lorry drivers and they’re both sound.

So yeah lorry drivers - like 'em.

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#27

Our next door neighbour is a long distance lorry driver. I hardly see him but he seems a nice chap. He’s very quietly spoken and polite, which isn’t what I expected of a lorry driver.

#28

Is that correct?

I was certain they can only work a limited number of hours a week and that it was strictly enforced.

#29
#30

I guess they can’t sit on DiS all day (one would hope)

#31

I think I’d like the solitary long drives. I think I’d hate the occasional moments where you navigate through town and city centres and have to pull off ridiculous manouvres and reverses and three point turns. I’m sure you become fairly laissez-faire about it with experience

#32

Yeah, 3 x 15 hour days with 9 hour rests between is perfectly legal. Could then go and do a couple of 13 hour days after that too.

Their working, driving and rest hours are all strictly regulated - but that’s not to say it stops them from working ridiculous hours each day/week.

I won’t bore you with details, but if you’re interested here’s a bit of bedtime reading:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/drivers-hours-goods-vehicles/1-eu-and-aetr-rules-on-drivers-hours

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#33

The one lorry driver I know has problems with his knees. Years of driving meant all the ligaments in his knees are weak and he has been warned from doing rigorous exercise.

Bit worried something like that is a thing for office workers too