Goodbye buses, hello big trucks!
DRIVERS
Steve made the switch to trucks after many years in a different career. He explains how happy he is with the decision and why he’s impressed with the ‘luxurious’ Actros.
A career change.
Steve Sutherland is fairly new to trucking; he started in October 2018 after leaving behind an 18-year career as a bus driver. He hasn’t looked back since.
Steve now works for haulage company Goldstar, based in Suffolk and his work takes him all over, from Southampton to Swindon, from Derby to West Yorkshire. It certainly offers variety – something he really likes, having worked in the same town for so long.
“The Actros is just really comfortable.”
– Steve Sutherland
The plush Actros.
Working mainly night shifts, Steve cruises along in an Actros – a step up from the buses, “After driving buses for so long, where there’s nothing in the cab apart from the steering wheel, it feels very luxurious,” he says. There are many cab features which he enjoys, including the radio, heater, air conditioning and plush seating, “It’s great having a comfortable seat that I can actually adjust to my body shape.”
Driving through the night can be challenging, however Steve said he adapted pretty quickly and ensures he takes regular breaks to help him stay alert during long shifts. His personal cab essentials include an IPad and Kindle to keep him busy during downtime.
The little things making a big difference.
Listening to the radio whilst working and controlling the temperature of your environment are standard for most drivers, but Steve appreciates the small things, having not had them before. So why the career change after so long? “After 18 years I watched the bus industry going downhill and lots of changes happening which left drivers and passengers unhappy. I couldn’t see much of a future in it,” he explains.
It was then that he took the plunge and obtained his HGV licence, something he doesn’t regret, “The truck industry is more relaxing. Like any job you have good and bad days but the majority of the time it’s fine.”
Photos taken by Steve of the Chelmsford Chieftains Men’s Team and Chelmsford Cobras Women’s Team.
Photos taken by Steve of the Chelmsford Chieftains Men’s Team and Chelmsford Cobras Women’s Team.
Photos taken by Steve of the Chelmsford Chieftains Men’s Team and Chelmsford Cobras Women’s Team.
Photos taken by Steve of the Chelmsford Chieftains Men’s Team and Chelmsford Cobras Women’s Team.
Ice hockey and photography.
It’s not all work and no play – Steve is also a big fan of ice hockey and takes a keen interest in photographing the sport, under the name ‘Ice Cold Photography’.
He supports the Chelmsford Chieftains Men’s Team and Chelmsford Cobras Women’s Team; being on the road often means he can’t attend games in the week, but he still manages to squeeze a few in, “I try to go to as many as I can, the season starts soon and runs through to April – I plan to attend every other weekend.”
Did you switch to trucking?
If you’ve recently had a career change and joined the driving community – we’d love to hear from you! Or maybe you’d like to tell us why you enjoy your job as a truck driver? Share your story below or send a private message.
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