The grumpy thread

[Guest]

There's a bit more to it than it appears. The problem is that the Royal Mail is obligated to offer a standard postal service to any location, regardless of profitability - you can send a letter to a farm in the middle of nowhere and the cost for the customer is the same as sending one to a big city.Competition was introduced from private firms, but it isn't on the same terms - private companies can do what they like and can cut out anything they don't consider profitable, so you'll find that large areas of the UK aren't covered by them. For example, privates like TNT can swoop in and offer bulk mailing services and undercut the Royal Mail, do the "easy" postcodes themselves (towns/cities) and fire all the unprofitable stuff out through the normal Royal Mail service.On that basis, how on earth is the Royal Mail expected to be profitable? The private companies should have to play by the same rules.

[ashmicro]

Did someone say Steve Wright? What a twat. Can't believe they pay someone that egotistical and twattish so many pounds to clog up the afternoon radio. He really, really does my head in. To the point that I often plan to be out of the office in the afternoon. He makes me very angry. Radio 2 needs a kick up the arse.

Add Radio 5 to that:Inane "jingles", getting ever longer and more frequentBraindead Victoria DerbyshirePhatboy Nolan foaming at the (large) mouthNicky Campbell pretending he's a proper journalistCokehead Bacon rabbiting on about "The Special Half Hour". Special fucking needs morelike.And Dotun Adebayo is a lazy git - he just gets people to phone in rather than doing any research himself..Thankfully, Rhod Sharpe goes some way to redressing the balance

Danny Baker, however, is a broadcasting god..............

Arse! Forgot about Danny Wankah. Can't stand him either.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Well said Hirst! I bet Royal Mail is in a right old state. It must be 20 years that folk have been bickering over whether or not to privatise it, 20 years of being 'in stasis' without anyone making any sort of serious meduim-long term strategy is gonna bo11ox up any company.

[Mr Lobster]

Good point Hirst and tbh I agree. That you can send a letter to the Outer Hebrides for 38p or whatever is a bargain. Private firms can't / won't be able to offer the same service for the same or even a similar price. I'd be interested as to what the actual cost is to deliver post to the more remote areas of the UK - I'd bet it's quite a lot! Opening the market up to competition caused a lot of problems as it basically left the big courier companies (DHL etc) free to take the most profitable business whilst ignoring the rest.Trouble is, it'll be very difficult to sort all the problems now. They will lose a lot of their more profitable business and end up left with the stuff that isn't economic so in another few years we will end up with the same problem again as they find they need to rationalise their services and make more cuts in order to stem the losses.I'd be more than happy to still use Royal Mail for all our business as the service is generally very good, reasonably fast and pretty reliable in spite of what you hear about post going missing etc. I think though that for the Royal Mail to continue to do what it currently does, prices would have to rise, probably by a considerable amount in some cases.

[Guest]

The way I see it is that the Royal Mail are being pushed into only having unprofitable services, yet somehow are still expected to make a profit. They don't make their fortunes from your gran sending pictures of her dogs to The People's Friend, it's all in the business post. But they're still forced to do a fixed-price national service with one collection/delivery each working day - no one else has to do that.On top of that, contrary to popular belief, no one is really "forced" to use the Royal Mail so they don't have unfair advantages of their own in that respect. I know of a government body that spends about £80 a go on secure mail through a private company (the Royal Mail equivalent costs less than a tenner - someone is getting a hefty backhander there I reckon).The way I think it should be done is to split the Royal Mail in two - a government-funded loss-making national service for general post and a business service which operates under the same flexibility as the private companies. I reckon if they were allowed to operate under the same rules as the rest, they'd give them a right kicking.

[Cavcraft]

If we're going to move onto dreary sitcoms (like NPLH), here's something only the Autoshite crew will be able to answer (as it isn't on IMCDB and I can't remember myself):"Bread" featured a character who owned a thoroughly square van with a rainbow painted on the side - what sort of van was it?

Was it an Austin JU? I recall the series vaguely, set in Pete M's city I think and had characters such as Lucian 'ah mam, worrabout me rabbits' Boswell and the rather lovely Nerys Hughes?

[Mr_Bo11ox]

No way, it was defo a transit, Fred will tell us for sure.

[Timewaster]

My money is on a CF

[Cavcraft]

Hey, the union offered the P.O a guaranteed three month no strike deal just to fullfil their ( P.O's) agreement to talk about modernisation.The union want to stop: proposed changes of hours, pay cuts, end auomatic overtime if an agreed level of post has reached a certain level and the right to work outside of hours or rounds if wanted.I'd say the latter item especially is pretty sodding crucial as plenty of postmen actually want to start early to finish early and it's us (as there customers if you like) that benefit from that with earlier mail deliveries.If the staff went on a 'work to rule' I'd suggest the majority of customers would not be happy at all and we'll all notice a deterioration in services.If the proposes changes were tried to be forced on me where I work I'd certainly consider all options including strike action.Despite all the old bollocks from the seventies/early eighties not all 'modern' union members want to strike at the drop of the hat because they're only allowed four bog breaks a day or something. The days of just assuming anyone who wants to strike is a bloshy/commie/workshy git should be long since gone but thanks to the gutter press they aren't.Don't you think the workers realise they might lose their jobs? Don't you think they realise how badly run the place is and how e-mails/faxes/etc have seen a drop in profits, just as have big bonuses for the bosses?I honestly don't believe anyone strikes these days just because they want to, or for trivial reasons. These people are trying to stand up for their rights and actually try and protect their jobs and I for one admire them for it.I do wonder if people (not neccessarily directed at anyone on here) would a) be as arsed if it didn't effect them personally and would be happy to stand by and see their bosses cut their hours, cut their money and change shifts etc?That's my two pen'orth anyhow, apologies for the long rant but I feel quite strongly for the postal workers in these dark times.*Ps as a perfectly timed example of how unions do try and do the best and right thing Vauxhalls have today announced that Ellesmere Port and Luton will continue with minimal job losses and the potential for more work in the future. This would done largely with the aid of the union who have secured the deal through a huge amount of hard work and effort and by accepting pay freezes and other conditions.

[FredTransit]

No way, it was defo a transit, Fred will tell us for sure.

Mk1 parcel van. I am not sad. Am I? Am I?

[michiel]

I live in a narrowish street, single 'lane' but two-way traffic with parking bays on both sides. Why is there always someone parked in the middle NEXT TO an empty parking space, because they only need to let someone get out or unload their shopping, which always takes 5 minutes or more? I see this too often, all over town, people blocking empty spaces AND the road/cycle path. Gah!

[Mr Lobster]

I do wonder if people (not neccessarily directed at anyone on here) would a) be as arsed if it didn't effect them personally and would be happy to stand by and see their bosses cut their hours, cut their money and change shifts etc?

a) On the whole, probably not but then people rarely get aggitated enough to do anything unless it has a direct bearing on their life. But thats perhaps saying something about how insular society is now? Had it done to me in the past. It's shit.I'm not neccesarily having a go at the PO. They actually do a pretty good job. It's just that I can't see that going on strike will improve the situation for anyone at all. It needs the management, unions and government to sit down and come up with some sort of resolution. Fuck knows what though.

[Cavcraft]

Fully agree fella.I can only guess that it'll take a bit of bloody mindedness to happen first from both sides before one or both agree to an amendment.

[Guest]

I do wonder if people (not neccessarily directed at anyone on here) would a) be as arsed if it didn't effect them personally and would be happy to stand by and see their bosses cut their hours, cut their money and change shifts etc?

And me. Except our union's fucking useless, except when they want their subs off you. Then they're your bezzy mate.

[Cavcraft]

I have to say our's are bloody great. Bailed me out big time when needed and we might need them even more than ever soon. Very recently they've done masses of graft for our benefit, the rewards of which I hope come to fruition in the next eight days or so.

[Guest]

Our union are utterly useless and I disagree with their ties to the Labour Party, so I opted not to join them.If anyone wants my job, they'll have to fight me for it - alternatively if anyone wants it, it's yours - drop me a PM and I'll give you the address and my login passwords. I've got a fair bit of holiday left if that's any good to you, there's some chocolate peanuts in my desk drawer, help yourself. Anyone? Pay's not great, but there's flexitime. Some nice birds there, until they get fed up and leave like they always do. Free water from the watercooler, it's refreshing and cool. I'll throw in a few of my ties if it'll help. No one?

[pogweasel]

There are some days when I really do wish I worked in a (possibly) shit job (probably in the 1970's). I do as a general rule support those who are being generally dicked over in life, as it is crap to see things slide. But please spare a thought for those of us out here who are unfortunately saddled with having to live the Thatcherite dream. Be your own boss! Life is what you make it!! Well, unionised postmen, I haven't seen a penny in 12 weeks, so how would you deal with that? Totally sucks donkey balls, I tell thee. I wouldn't mind if you could earn some phat dollar in my job, but not only do you get turned over by arseholes not paying you, those who do want to bloody haggle over it. Put it this way, I was called the other day to do a job.... 10 acres of survey, with a mega-tight deadline. Wasn't a tight spec, but there's still work involved, at LEAST a day on site plus a day of drawing, so I says to her £450+vat..... comes back 10 mins later someone can do it for £320 all in. HOW. HOW THE FRICK CAN ANYONE DO THIS???It's a two-handed job on site, so there's £60 burned right away on paying a helping Herbert, then all the bloody insurances, then the equipment & fuel costs.... Out of that £450 if I got £250 in my sky rocket for 2 days work I would be OK, but seems there is some twunt locally who is either an idiot working for pence or can take some really big hits.... boils my piss....

[whitevanman]

There are some days when I really do wish I worked in a (possibly) shit job (probably in the 1970's). I do as a general rule support those who are being generally dicked over in life, as it is crap to see things slide. But please spare a thought for those of us out here who are unfortunately saddled with having to live the Thatcherite dream. Be your own boss! Life is what you make it!! Well, unionised postmen, I haven't seen a penny in 12 weeks, so how would you deal with that? Totally sucks donkey balls, I tell thee. I wouldn't mind if you could earn some phat dollar in my job, but not only do you get turned over by arseholes not paying you, those who do want to bloody haggle over it. Put it this way, I was called the other day to do a job.... 10 acres of survey, with a mega-tight deadline. Wasn't a tight spec, but there's still work involved, at LEAST a day on site plus a day of drawing, so I says to her £450+vat..... comes back 10 mins later someone can do it for £320 all in. HOW. HOW THE FRICK CAN ANYONE DO THIS???It's a two-handed job on site, so there's £60 burned right away on paying a helping Herbert, then all the bloody insurances, then the equipment & fuel costs.... Out of that £450 if I got £250 in my sky rocket for 2 days work I would be OK, but seems there is some twunt locally who is either an idiot working for pence or can take some really big hits.... boils my piss....

Aye been there just gave up on it last year............now looking for a cushy job to fill in for the winter until my other cushy job starts again as for unions...........Fuck em all...I'll explain later.....got to go and remove some RSJ's now

[RedSparrow]

Bloody Banks - I know they're in trouble, but they have now resorted to pinching my money as well. Just going through my statement on line and found two payments that shouldn't be there.

 

One for an insurance (with them) that was replaced a few months ago by another insurance (with them). What a surprise, because the direct debit is only a few pence different and they are taken about two weeks apart I hadn't noticed them continuing to take the old one as well as the new one.

 

The other one maked as a card payment, for card protection, again this appears to be for a card protection insurance with them, that I'm not aware I've ever signed up to. (Does it protect me against them?) I have rung the contact centre to firstly be told that their system is down so they can't access the direct debit info, then put through to card payments to be told that I need to speak to somebody else, on Monday.

 

Still I'm only about £100 down, thank goodness for the 0.1% interest they are currently paying on my savings. I suppose this means a morning or afternoon off work to go in and argue with them, again.

I have had similar from Twatwest. It appears they 'upgraded' my account to advantage gold without telling me. And charge £12.50 a month for a load of shit like holiday insurance which I never even knew about (I don't get back statements, just check things occasionally online).

Today I am writing them a letter saying I want all the money back with interest within 28 days or I'll close my account.

Grumpy banking update - VICTORY!

 

The letter I sent seems to have had the desired effect. They are paying the money back in £25.90 installments a month and they have made my account free again.

Result. I advise you all to do the same if you have had similar problems.

[sporty-shite]

There are some days when I really do wish I worked in a (possibly) shit job (probably in the 1970's). I do as a general rule support those who are being generally dicked over in life, as it is crap to see things slide. But please spare a thought for those of us out here who are unfortunately saddled with having to live the Thatcherite dream. Be your own boss! Life is what you make it!! Well, unionised postmen, I haven't seen a penny in 12 weeks, so how would you deal with that? Totally sucks donkey balls, I tell thee. I wouldn't mind if you could earn some phat dollar in my job, but not only do you get turned over by arseholes not paying you, those who do want to bloody haggle over it. Put it this way, I was called the other day to do a job.... 10 acres of survey, with a mega-tight deadline. Wasn't a tight spec, but there's still work involved, at LEAST a day on site plus a day of drawing, so I says to her £450+vat..... comes back 10 mins later someone can do it for £320 all in. HOW. HOW THE FRICK CAN ANYONE DO THIS???It's a two-handed job on site, so there's £60 burned right away on paying a helping Herbert, then all the bloody insurances, then the equipment & fuel costs.... Out of that £450 if I got £250 in my sky rocket for 2 days work I would be OK, but seems there is some twunt locally who is either an idiot working for pence or can take some really big hits.... boils my piss....

Know precisely what you mean, there. I gave up on life as a self employed courier / light haulage contractor last year, after struggling to find work at anything like decent rates. The final straw was taking a phone call from an aluminium stockholder customer who used to use me to do deliveries to rural Wales where they didn't/couldn't send their wagons. It was a 120 mile trip (one way) which I charged at a reasonable quid a mile. He phoned to see if I could do it ant cheaper, because he "had a bloke who'd do it for fifty quid on the back of another load". Bearing in mind it was a van full, and he wouldn't get anything else on, I can only wager he was working for peanuts, in a shitter of a van running on cherry. My piss still boils now!

[MrDuke]

I never, ever thought that I'd actually be happy with a low-end public-sector job. My employers stopped giving out permanent contracts long ago (mine was one of the last) and I've gone from being embarrassed about my 'career' to being incredibly smug about it. No job is 100% safe anymore, but mine will be one of the last to go, and for that reason I'm happy to live off a pathetically small salary.

[AXrescuer]

I'm totally pissed off............ with me! Body is failing, mind seems to be in a world of its own and everything I try to do is going pear-shaped. Wife has given up on me, the kids have disowned the 'miserable old bugger' and the dog keeps shitting in my car port.48 years old and it's all going Pete Tong!

[whitevanman]

I'm totally pissed off............ with me! Body is failing, mind seems to be in a world of its own and everything I try to do is going pear-shaped. Wife has given up on me, the kids have disowned the 'miserable old bugger' and the dog keeps shitting in my car port.48 years old and it's all going Pete Tong!

tell me about it !!!!!

[AXrescuer]

I like the odd tipple but can't drink enough to make it worthwhile!

[whitevanman]

I'm totally pissed off............ with me! Body is failing, mind seems to be in a world of its own and everything I try to do is going pear-shaped. Wife has given up on me, the kids have disowned the 'miserable old bugger' and the dog keeps shitting in my car port.48 years old and it's all going Pete Tong!

tell me about it !!!!!

Have you not discovered the wonders of alcohol? I find at least half a bottle of gin a day (diluted to taste with tonic) makes everything seem that much better. (and all that quinine means I'm less susceptible to malaria)

I find a daily dose off 3 bottles of Dog in the pub, and a botle of Lager at home does it for me...............I still forget things........but at least I can get up and work in the morning

[Guest]

Learner drivers, if you're going to sit there doing 30mph in a 60mph causing an enormous queue of traffic and your instructor is just going to happily accept it: get a new instructor. My old instructor would have gone mental if I pulled a stunt like that.

[seth]

Children.Had to put up with a massive screaming fit a little earlier when leaving Grandma's house. Reason being car related. We'd ended up there for dinner in two cars as I had some stuff to take over and Mrs Seth was on her way home from work. Small person throws a serious tantrum when its time to go. "I WANT TO GO IN THE EM GEE BEE" We were all tired, the car seat was in the Hillman so she had to make do with the Rootes product resulting in kicking, screaming, shouting etc. Ho hum.Had to hide a wry smile at a 4 year old screaming "I WANT THE MGB" at the top of her lungs though.

[r.welfare]

I'm beginning to experience strops from our 14 month old. Your experience doesn't bode well, Seth...Hirst - with you on that. I was part of a huge queue behind a learner driver the other day, on a busy, tricky single-carriageway A-road, slap bang in rush hour. Why the hell the instructor thought this was a good idea is beyond me. The poor student was obviously unnerved as the Fiesta was all over the road, at between 25 and 35mph.

[trigger]

This channel 4 ident really makes my piss boil

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P35FAdGVvw

 

I know this might seem a bit of a strange rant but you see it's filmed at my work, I drive the cranes towards the end of the film although they do only carry one container not 5 like the video

 

Anyway why does it have to come on just as i get home from work or about to leave to go to work and even sometimes when i walking into my mess room for my break whilst at work, I'm fuckin sick of place, why would i want to see it again on tele every 5 minutes!

 

Only the other day i found myself lobbing my hard hat at the tv in the messroom after a crap 3 hour driving stint and seeing that come on!.

[Milford Cubicle]

You come across as a very angry man trigger.I remember being encouraged to keep up with traffic flow when learning to drive, and to get up to speed as quickly as possible but not in an aggressive way.Unfortunately most people are just dawdlers.