' Idling ' the only concern.

Celgar · Post by **Celgar** » 13 Jun 2020, 22:39

I'm not a DOM so don't know the full story but I get the impression there is currently a big focus and pressure on reducing ' Idling '. This is in terms of data retrieved from Trimble on vans that have it fitted and not data from the PDAs. At one time our DO was nearly bottom of the list on Trimble data but we are apparently top in our area at the moment. Not all our vans have it fitted of course. Nevertheless I was asked the other day why my van was stationary for five minutes on one day. It was because a customer wanted to talk and I won't be rude to people. I haven't been questioned on this issue before so it makes me wonder if there is more pressure on this issue.

robbertwhitton · Post by **robbertwhitton** » 13 Jun 2020, 23:01

My god,what has this job become?I would be far too embarrassed to even ask such a question,but then we aren’t surprised are we that there is the culture out there alive and well that is summed up by just such a question,once again no doubt rounds failing up and down the country,and even more than is actually recorded under many a corrupt managed office,and this is there stance,priceless!,

twoloops · Post by **twoloops** » 14 Jun 2020, 04:45

Midweek I was sneakily asked by my lino while my partner was on annual leave, if he spends time taking with customers, I work my time & he's more than happy to stay out & finish off, I can leave him with an hours work & it can takes him three! Fair play it boosts his hours & I think he enjoys the chat & time on his own. I was then told by a mate, lino was asking about his partners working habits who also claims a bit, be careful out there.

Post by **wacko74** » 14 Jun 2020, 07:08

twoloops wrote:Midweek I was sneakily asked by my lino while my partner was on annual leave, if he spends time taking with customers, I work my time & he's more than happy to stay out & finish off, I can leave him with an hours work & it can takes him three! Fair play it boosts his hours & I think he enjoys the chat & time on his own. I was then told by a mate, lino was asking about his partners working habits who also claims a bit, be careful out there.

It's not 'fair play' at all, it's piss takers like this that are costing the business money and putting everyone's jobs at risk.

If everyone just did the job properly, i.e. not come in early run and around OR drag it out and take the piss, then this job would be a lot easier for everyone and we'd all be under far less scrutiny.

As for idling, yes, our manage has specifically mentioned to not leave vans idling a couple of times this week, so there does appear to be a drive from above targeting this particular issue.

Jpro747 · Post by **Jpro747** » 14 Jun 2020, 08:37

They should be fitted in ALL vans not just some. It’s not fair that some get away with not having them fitted and can go about their day worry free, ragging the van around and leaving the engine running all day, while others are being watched all the time if you accidentally brake or accelerate too hard you get a talking to the next day.

Post by **97gaz** » 14 Jun 2020, 09:24

Celgar wrote: Not all our vans have it fitted of course..

We had about half our vans fitted with it and about two years ago we were told all vans in the fleet had to have it and we had to organise days were a private contractor could come in and fit them all. The new vans have it fitted but don't have the module on the dash.

cpsteve · Post by **cpsteve** » 14 Jun 2020, 10:13

Just turn the engine of if you need to talk on the phone or with someone cutting costs this way can only be good, stop start should be on the vans to prevent this. As for talking and pottering about no problem but do not claim ot that is asking for trouble and taking the p.

Post by **SpacePhoenix** » 14 Jun 2020, 10:40

It's probably not physically possible but what about retrofitting all the vans with the system that turns the engine off when they're stationary? A good few cars have it, I believe it's called something like "Eco Mode"

Post by **eastie** » 14 Jun 2020, 10:46

im always stopping on my round with the van with 3 busy train crossing gates on my round and not calculated into my walk time either

Post by **panzer4** » 14 Jun 2020, 10:56

Trimble monitors everything the driver does and the GPS plots your position ,be careful when in a speed zone because the information can be used to do you for speeding

Cafcant · Post by **Cafcant** » 14 Jun 2020, 11:38

We were told one of the reason RM are so concerned about idling is because of the amount of Rollaways we have had this year, you can’t leave it in gear if the engines running, makes sense to me.

NewPostieUK · Post by **NewPostieUK** » 14 Jun 2020, 11:57

Celgar wrote: It was because a customer wanted to talk and I won't be rude to people.

You don't consider it rude to keep the engine running while talking to someone?

Seymour Buts · Post by **Seymour Buts** » 14 Jun 2020, 12:05

Cafcant wrote:We were told one of the reason RM are so concerned about idling is because of the amount of Rollaways we have had this year, you can’t leave it in gear if the engines running, makes sense to me.

This. Plus, it's really not good for the enviroment to leave a van idling for 5 - 10 minutes for no reason. It's fair enough if you ask me, just switch off if you have a customer asking you about summat.

Post by **ihatedogs** » 14 Jun 2020, 19:58

Quick question for delivery staff. If you take half your break whilst on delivery, presumably in the van, are you not allowed to have the engine running to keep yourselves warm in winter?

glenfiddich · Post by **glenfiddich** » 14 Jun 2020, 20:39

ihatedogs wrote:Quick question for delivery staff. If you take half your break whilst on delivery, presumably in the van, are you not allowed to have the engine running to keep yourselves warm in winter?

I do and last week I spilt my drink on my trousers so turned engine on and used the heater to dry myself I haven't been pulled into office yet but some others in the same section have for speeding and idling