L for London, Liverpool, Limerick

Feature

In the L class.

For the final years of his career in long-haul transport, Burkhard Meissl was given a truck that probably won't make it easy for him to leave the business.


Burki, whose full name is Burkhard Meissl and whose 50s are already some years behind him, has been driving for A.Ebner Transporte for 13 years and always on a fairly similar route. 47 times a year he heads to England, Scotland or Ireland on Friday evening and  47 times a year he returns home on Wednesday evenings, sometimes a few hours earlier, sometimes a little later.

His weekend always consists of Thursday and Friday, otherwise this route wouldn't be possible. Burki is relaxed about never being at home on the "real weekend", especially since for a long time his wife has scheduled her weekends for Thursdays and Fridays. If she does have time off, she just comes with him.


An outstanding truck.

Burki has already driven one different model or another, most recently an Actros. After the first round trip, his first few thousand kilometres in the new Actros L, he's beaming from ear to ear and doesn't want to miss the opportunity to start his new vehicle up for a photo tour, even on his Thursday off.

A.Ebner Internationale Transporte GmbH is based in Thalgau, Salzburg. Managing Director Johann Reissinger knew just how to keep his driver happy, even in the final years of his professional career. The Actros L that he has brought into the fleet is an outstanding truck, especially when it comes to creating a working environment much appreciated by long-serving drivers, whose routes often involve many challenges.


When asked about the differences from the previous model, Burki is particularly impressed by the feel, features, comfort and freedom of movement. In addition to the already generous storage compartments above the windscreen, he has had a wall unit installed above the bed, where all the things he always has with him are carefully stowed away in their place.

No compromises: This also applies to comfort and technology in the Actros L. Released as 1853, it also easy on the gas even when fully loaded, and skimps on diesel consumption even when new.

The Actros L is scheduled to drive to the island every week for around six years. Up till then, it and Burki will travel to England, Ireland or Scotland around 300 more times. For Burki, this means: "The best comes last."



Photos: Marco Dittrich

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