The grumpy thread

[Mr H Sceptre]

I'm staying well out of it because I'm not really that bothered- still plenty of good threads IMO; but it must be proper shit to be one of the people who set-up/run this forum.

 

Talk about getting a smack in the mouth for doing something for other people to enjoy.

 

 

[maxpower]

Fucking transport systems. OF ALL KINDS.

 

1) Huddersfield station only has about 55 parking spaces. That's bad enough, but they have 11 reserved for season-ticket holders (fair enough), another dozen for staff (GR9 PR for the train operators, who also happen to be the same company that operate most of the buses in the area!), and another 20 or so for no apparent reason- it just says "RESERVED SPACE- only authorised vehicles".

 

2) The train from Sheffield to Huddersfield 35 miles or so) takes over an hour and only runs 3-4 times per day, so I couldn't make myself go there and park last night (and then have to go back there in the train). Otherwise, you have to change at Leeds and spend the best part of two hours. Getting to Northampton (100 miles away) is considerably faster...(only because that train goes to London). In fact, going to Peterborough via Doncaster was only marginally slower (the train from Donny to Pboro also happens to go to London- what a fucking coincidence).

 

3) The A628 is a country road that's just got an A before its number. In the whole journey from the A61, there wasn't ONE sign displaying the distance to Huddersfield. It would have been much faster to go the roundabout way on the motorway, but I hadn't known that.

 

3) NCP operate the station carpark. They have all the infrastructure in place to sell parking in advance, but choose not to. They don't have anyone based there, either.

 

4) So, after being gridlocked on the way to the big village that is Huddersfield (it literally took me 80 minutes from Sheffield), there's no way to park at the station so I end up parking in a place that's unattended most of the time, thereby both negating the idea of parking away from the space in the dodgy disused DIY place near my flat AND making me pay twenty quid for the privilege. Look out for a thread on Sunday/Monday entitled "burnt out, blown up Scorpio for sale". Could've parked in Wythenshawe and saved myself the bloody train ticket, too. Of course, the moment I got there it started raining, and I didn't have a brolly with me as "it'll only be walks through closed spaces".

 

5) The train was late. Only 6 minutes late, mind, but if I had been 5 minutes late, it would've been time for a new ticket ("you're just on a CHEAP ticket m8, init?"- no, you muppet, sixteen quid is not cheap for a 40 mile journey). No kind of compensation available either, as it's "close enough on time". Was it NC who said you can get compo anyway?

 

6) Got to the airport, had to go from the miserable shithole that is Terminal 3. The covered walkways had been closed for refurb and you had to walk on the street. In a rare moment of luck, at least it'd stopped raining by now.

 

7) Having paid extra to fly on Air Farce as opposed to Easydeath et al, I am told that "we can't check your luggage through, because you're on a separate ticket. You have to pick it up in Paris, and then re-check it to Prague". Well, YOU HAVE A WHOLE WEBSITE THAT MAKES A POINT OF EASY CONNECTIONS, THROUGH CHECKIN AND THE LIKE, and doesn't mention inability to do it on a through ticket!

 

To add insult to injury, they wouldn't honour my frequent flyer card for lounge access (= free water, coffee and biccies) because "this flight is operated by FlyMAYbe". Yes, but again you have an entire minisite devoted to Flybe-operted flights that makes no fucking mention of that. On top of it, the Costafortune coffee past security is closed for refurb, and there is no other place to get a caffeine fix.

 

I fully expect to end the day either injured in a minor accident running between terminals (I get my bad luck in frequent, small doses, so I like to think that I'm an unlikely candidate for a full-on plane crash), or arrested after punching a French policeman in the face for having refused to let me cross the border because "zis Greque carte d identite zas no av dat d expiration" (just like all the other ones, then!).

 

And the bloody AS server doesn't even let me post this!!! That alone would be worth of a separate grump!

 

Luxo that has got to be one of if not THEE most iconic grumps i have ever read on here for a long while

i stand in my kitchen and applaud you sir! makes me feel a happy bastard now

[Father Ted]

dESIRE TO hIT p3OPLE OVER THE hED WITH A cRIKIT BAT IS GETTIMNG mORE PRONOUNCED.

[Negative Creep]

5) The train was late. Only 6 minutes late, mind, but if I had been 5 minutes late, it would've been time for a new ticket ("you're just on a CHEAP ticket m8, init?"- no, you muppet, sixteen quid is not cheap for a 40 mile journey). No kind of compensation available either, as it's "close enough on time". Was it NC who said you can get compo anyway?

 

 

Depends on the company but generally it's for delays over an hour on journeys that are supposed to take over an hour. However with the actual checking system not currently in place for many companies, I'd say your chances are ok right now...............

[Cavcraft]

Its been bought by B&Q, most of the stores are staying open, but some are closing.

 

Aye, the lady said something like 32 stores had been bought by B&Q, 30 odd by B&M and the rest were to close.

 

D.W sorry chief, I thought you were still there.

[Lankytim]

Being treated like a second class citizen.

 

I understand that as an LGV driver I'm nothing more than working class scum but yesterday really offended me. I was having a coffee in the kitchen at work when one of the directors tried to move me on telling me that there's a tea urn in the "workers" jack leg cabin (I don't want to get sued by Port****in so I'm not mentioning the brand name). When I informed the little jumped up prick that I don't really drink tea he tried to explain to me that the facilities would be "more to my taste", i.e faded centerfolds from the Sport pinned to the wall and lots of old copies of Nuts to read.

 

Fucking wanker.

 

I doubt I'll ever be asked back there after I decided to do a Rosa Parks and refused to move until my break was over.

 

I remember them days! Atleast a few years ago as an LGV driver you could tell them to FOAD and there was pretty much nothing they could do about it as there was such a shortage of drivers. You would also be on much more money than 99% of the other employees there too, including many directors if it was a smallish outfit. How times have changed!

 

I have some bad news for you, if you are thinking of leaving the profession IT DON'T GET ANY BETTER ON THE OUTSIDE.

 

Just a thought in this particular case though- you could argue that the Director was talking to you about work, hence interrupting your legally enforcable break away from the work environment. Sorry guv, gotta start my 45 min break all over again .

[Father Ted]

Not being funny though, compared with B&Q I have always found Focus DIY to be a bit crap.

But then Smiths Do-It-All was better than B&Q IMHO and didnt they become Homebase ( or was that Texas?)

[Cavcraft]

I agree Ted, it was a bit lame compared to others but it's just sad that another big employer closes its doors and more jobs go by the wayside. B&Q must be urinating in their longjohns as that's another competitor gone.

Such is life I suppose, but less jobs for people and less competition for the 'big' companies isn't too clever in my eyes.

 

I bet they shut because of lazy greedy wagon drivers, they're all the same that lot

[Louise2cv]

Not being funny though, compared with B&Q I have always found Focus DIY to be a bit crap.

But then Smiths Do-It-All was better than B&Q IMHO and didnt they become Homebase ( or was that Texas?)

 

I'd totally forgotten about Texas!

 

I *think* Do-It-All became Focus-do-it-all then Focus didn't it? Texas to Homebase, maybe?

 

I reckon we'll have another empty unit in Bangor as Focus is right over the road from B&Q and just up from Homebargains. Shame.

[dollywobbler]

Texas did indeed become Homebase. I was working at one at the time. Fortunately I was never given one of the shocking Homebase uniforms to wear for some reason. Quite enjoyed that job actually...

 

The Focus thing is a pain. They are crap, but it's the only chain DIY store we've got anywhere near us. Now they're going to shut it down and Asda are taking over the building. We don't really need another supermarket - do Asda do DIY?

[Angrydicky]

do Asda do DIY?

 

Yes - a small section, paint brushes, paint, screwdrivers etc.

[oldford]

People will steal anything these days. I had some items in my back yard of sentimental value that I was using as a garden centre piece, a sort of rockery without too many rocks, but with a very Autoshite theme.

 

The aforementioned items were a pair of rusty Cortina wings and a door, all with bits cut out of them which had been there since 2003, they were nicely seasoned and just beginning to dissolve into the soil.

 

Damn the high scrap metal prices, I hope that the theiving gits cut themselves on the rusty metal and get a painful dose of blood poisoning.

[Father Ted]

Not being funny though, compared with B&Q I have always found Focus DIY to be a bit crap.

But then Smiths Do-It-All was better than B&Q IMHO and didnt they become Homebase ( or was that Texas?)

 

I'd totally forgotten about Texas!

 

I *think* Do-It-All became Focus-do-it-all then Focus didn't it? Texas to Homebase, maybe?

 

I reckon we'll have another empty unit in Bangor as Focus is right over the road from B&Q and just up from Homebargains. Shame.

Oh hang on Im thinking o Wickes.

Focus was Ok, still not s good as B&Q, but Wickes is plain shite.

[TimothyClaypole]

Mr. Luxo, assuming you were going to Manchester Airport why goto Huddersfield to park?

 

Add in the train and parking and you could have just parked at the airport after driving the whole of the A628 - I'd drive it anyday country lane that it is over the Woodhead pass.

 

 

Was glad to until Sky Europe went tits up so had to drive to Birmingham and back twice in the past week and get molested for the parking there and extra fuel.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Mr. Luxo, assuming you were going to Manchester Airport why goto Huddersfield to park?

Add in the train and parking and you could have just parked at the airport after driving the whole of the A628 - I'd drive it anyday country lane that it is over the Woodhead pass.

 

It's a 'mental accounting' thing. I HAT airport parking. At least when you pay to park in a train station in a town centre (even in a shitty little town), you pay for renting relatively prime real estate- I can do that. Paying the same amount of money to park in a field? Not so much. Paying more and having to board a BUS to do it? Not in this lifetime! At least the train doesn't go through roundabouts.

 

Of course, in hindsight and under the circumstances, you are completely right- it would have been the right thing to do. I would just feel shit about it for days to come. No change from how I feel now, then.

[Angrydicky]

but Wickes is plain shite.

 

Everytime I go in Wickes I get chased by maniacs in forklifts who keep trying to run me over.

[TimothyClaypole]

I didn't see your earlier cheap airport parking thread.

 

Cheaper still to park at my mum and dad's 30 seconds off Junction 37 of the M1 and pay my dad to take you there.

[eddyramrod]

I have some bad news for you, if you are thinking of leaving the profession IT DON'T GET ANY BETTER ON THE OUTSIDE

 

+1. Hourly rate might go up, if you're lucky, but you're unlikely to step up the skills ladder as your professionalism and experience is worth, as Tommy Lee Jones said, "precisely dick." And even if your hourly rate does go up, chances are you won't be forced to work huge illegal hours as you are now, so your actual pay will drop anyway. And even leaving the country doesn't help, the recession is all over the place. I'm trying to get work here, and considering all kinds of things I wouldn't in UK, but still getting nothing.

 

How has this situation arisen, where someone spends considerable time, effort and money to get a professional qualification, one that has to be renewed at regular intervals and significant expense; yet from the day he announces his ambition, is treated as the lowest form of life you could wish to scrape off your shoe? If we were talking about politicians or some such I could understand it, but take all HGV drivers off the roads of Britain for one day and see what happens. No deliveries, of anything, to anywhere. At all. No fire engines either. Announce at 0900, riots in Tesco by 1500, worldwide news coverage of the destruction by 1800. So how are these vital members of the community treated? Paid buttons, rampantly over-regulated, presumed guilty at every turn, workspace invaded daily by increasing numbers of increasingly-incompetent amateurs, every one of whom is convinced he/she can do better (while on the phone, slapping the kids in the back/etc). Grump? I could go on in this vein for days!

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

I didn't see your earlier cheap airport parking thread.

 

Cheaper still to park at my mum and dad's 30 seconds off Junction 37 of the M1 and pay my dad to take you there.

 

I would DEFINITELY have taken you up on that offer- not so much for saving money, as for knowing that the car is somewhere safe.

[cobblers]

MUTHA Cobblers has had her Ka sat on the drive for months since I gave her my MX5 to pay for my board. MOT ran out so I told her to wap it in for a test to see what it wants, and then I'd see about fixing it. If it was bad, it would hit ebay.

 

She mentioned to the garage (Who also sell shit cars) when dropping it off that she was wanting rid.

 

 

Que SUPR HARSH MOT and hilariously massive quotes to fix problems, then an offer to buy it off her.

 

 

Written on the fail sheet are quote to fix stuff. Rear light problem (indicator interferes with taillight operation etc, obvious bad earth and common problem) Quote was "approx £180". I fixed it in 10 seconds by pulling the connector on and off a few times.

It apparently needs welding, which they quoted £200 for. It's been a year since I aimed a mig at it and I replaced a lot more than I needed to and wapped a load of waxoyl about the place, so I'd be surprised if it wants much.

All the tyres are shite - They are legal but not great. I've got stacks of them up the side of the house so put off swapping them. They advised for these, but at £58 a corner. I have put new tyres on these for £21 fitted. Part worns are 12 quid.

Advisory is "Boot lock stiff to operate". WTF were they going in the boot for on an MOT?

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

I fully expect to end the day either injured in a minor accident running between terminals (I get my bad luck in frequent, small doses, so I like to think that I'm an unlikely candidate for a full-on plane crash), or arrested after punching a French policeman in the face for having refused to let me cross the border because "zis Greque carte d identite zas no av dat d expiration" (just like all the other ones, then!).

 

 

Well, I was almost proved right. The end result is less dramatic than the hospital or prison cell, but it's more expensive as I'm staying in a hotel. Which conveniently brings us to my latest grump:

 

If you tell me "you can stay at mine next time you come to town", and I say "that sounds gr9, what do you think about 24.05?" and you say you'll be home and even ask for my flight details, don't act bloody surprised when I actually do arrive. Ideally, try to avoid asking me to meet you the following day, because, guess what, park benches are not that comfortable!

 

Thank goodness I've been here a few times before and remembered a half-decent hotel that's right next to the airport bus stop. Unfortunately, while it's clean, modern and convenient without being expensive, it's owned by the Czech MoD and the bed isn't much softer than a park bench, plus check-out is at 10 (ideal when you need to wake up early to support the war effort- not that they've ever bothered fighting an actual war! )

[CreepingJesus]

Grump? I could go on in this vein for days!

 

Ditto. I had sworn to myself I wouldn't have another truck-related grump on here. So I won't.

Well, okay, just a little one, then I'll shut up for a bit.

Heard far too many whispers lately, about agency drivers. Being as A) that's me, and supermarkets is pretty much all I do, that's plenty of whispers. It gets corrosive, sometimes even ugly, 'cos I'm not afraid to state my case, and stand my ground.

I can, and will, do a 15 hour shift if I please. Somehow, I offend the 'regulars' by doing what I'm able to do. I don't refuse runs for entirely spurious reasons, and I put up with all the politics and nonsense.

Why? Because I need the hours to make the money. It's fine for them on £12+ ph to do 8 hrs a day, making up their 40 hour week, and playing the inherent loopholes in the overtime system. I start at £7.50, and I'm under their rate all the way up. I came in from courier work and general haulage, where 13+ hours is the norm, and that's how you earn. No wonder Tesco's drivers are bricking it, thinking they'll be in Eddie's Go-karts this time next year. They won't know what's fucking hit them, poor dears.

[M'coli]

WTF were they going in the boot for on an MOT?

To check the condition of the boot floor and any visible area of the structure within 30cm of seatbelt anchor points and suspension mounts, probably.

[CreepingJesus]

Oh, and there was this conversation the other day, with one of more my level headed agency acquaintances...

 

Keith:"You got your bus license?"

Me:"No, I'll probly get round to it someday."

Keith:"Pity, I was going to ask if you'd double man the tour bus I've bought, over the summer."

Me:"As in, tourist tour bus, or rock'n'roll tour bus?"

Keith:"Yeah, I've a couple of bands lined up, to do the festival circuit"

 

Arse.

[cobblers]

WTF were they going in the boot for on an MOT?

To check the condition of the boot floor and any visible area of the structure within 30cm of seatbelt anchor points and suspension mounts, probably.

Boot floor isn't structural as far as MOT is concerned (but is covered by carpet which is out of bounds to a tester as far as I know) and the struts are also covered with some kind of plastic guff which would make finding corrosion impossible without xray specs or destructive peelage

[autofive]

utube have removed one of my videos after a complaint from bob godfrey

[warren t claim]

utube have removed one of my videos after a complaint from bob godfrey

 

He's renowned for being protective over his creations.

[autofive]

utube have removed one of my videos after a complaint from bob godfrey

 

He's renowned for being protective over his creations.

 

the strange thing is when i put up another bob godfrey animation (the rarely seen '9 to 5' ) a couple of years ago i was contacted by his grandson who asked me to remove it as they were going to start a pay-per-view website. I agreed and removed it, then i asked if the other vid was okay - one song from the oscar winning GREAT animated film - and he replied that was fine, as it was only a short clip. Then tonight i get a snotty tube email, and have to answer a questionaire about copyright infringement before i can access my utube account, no polite email from bob, or grandson, no redress, or right of reply. All of bob's stuff is freely available for download, removing my short clip from utube isnt going to change the world.

 

WTH is Bob Godfrey?

 

a british animated film maker, in fact i would say THE british animated film maker. Think walt disney without the nazi secrets Norm

[scaryoldcortina]

WTF were they going in the boot for on an MOT?

To check the condition of the boot floor and any visible area of the structure within 30cm of seatbelt anchor points and suspension mounts, probably.

Boot floor isn't structural as far as MOT is concerned (but is covered by carpet which is out of bounds to a tester as far as I know) and the struts are also covered with some kind of plastic guff which would make finding corrosion impossible without xray specs or destructive peelage

 

Boot has to open before you even log the test on, if it (or the doors, or bonnet) won't open you refuse to test. Cobblers is spot on about checking for rot in prescribed areas. Boot carpet can be lifted as long as it isn't fixed down. If it is fixed we can press on it to check for crunchyness. Also, the "bounce test" for rear suspension has to be preformed on the boot slam edge not the rear wing (due to complaints about testers "damaging" cars)

 

You think truckers have it bad? Try being a MoT tester. Everyone's an expert and the rules could have been written by Kafka. VOSA can wait around the corner for me to log off a test and pounce....

[scaryoldcortina]

^^^Riiii-iii-ii-iiiight.... Walt was a Nazi like I'm a Greenpeacer. That canard is just another leftie "Looney Tune", Mike, by people who think Neil Armstrong jumped off the Lunar Lander in a sound studio, or that George Bush 2 ordered the Pentagon to blow up the Twin Trade Centers.

 

Or that Hitler had a signed photo of Henry Ford? Oh, wait, that one's true.....