From The Seat Of The Cab: Recent Episodes
Nigel Williams
A question from a listener made me think!New comers to the industry are choosing the 360° excavator and wondering why they can't get work as a fresh out the box red carded op with no experience, but who told them it was the entry level machine? Why didn't anyone stop them from wasting money on a card that is as far away from the bare minimum as you could get.Do the trainers and test centres have a moral and ethical duty to engage them in actual careers advice?
I really don't understand the logic behind people thinking that a 360 excavator is any kind of entry level machine in the construction industry?
Am I wrong? Are protected NCBs the reason premiums are spiking? Is it unreasonable to charge others for the misfortunes of a few who have paid a little extra to protect their NCBs?
How much is time worth? The answer is complex but it's not beyond the wit of man to figure out that unless you are engaged in income generation then paying other people to do menial tasks for you is wasting money!
The "auditor" side of social media is awash with drone flying go-pro wearing sausage jockeys that are making a nuisance of themselves and creating conflict for clicks, likes and shares.Tell me what you think fromtheseatofthecab@gmail.com and Nigel Williams on Facebook and LinkedIn
Sir Howard Davies thinks the house price situation isn't as bad as everyone is making out, is he wrong?
Buyer beware! Always trust your gut and don't sign up until you are 100% satisfied in what you are being offered!
Society failed to value the beating heart of our lives, the trades that build stuff, make stuff and fix stuff and they keep hand wringing the "need for diversity" as the solution. Bunk!Reality check time folk, valuing trades and respecting them would go miles further than bleating on about how many black, gays an women we need on site!
The slowing down of the demolition side of construction is a consequence of economic climate in my opinion.
Can we continue the industrial house building programme in the UK?Where are the public transport links?
Rail and tube strikes will backfire and cost tgd unions any support that they once had!
Being responsible and taking accountability makes us who we are. At my age, it's just another day, and if there's work, I'll take it, but what does the audience think of working on your birthday? For me it's because the money will be much more beneficial over the Christmas break when I can enjoy it more than nursing a hangover and dossing tge day away.
Storms are wreaking havoc around the UK these last few days. Join me as I talk about my thoughts on why so many towns and cities are suffering.
So Vistry grp, who sat on their hands tight lipped and mouths zipped when subbies were getting hit with white diesel costs over red are demanding 10% price reductions from subbies, yay 🤔
A bit of extreme honesty and a peek into my private life and the situation surrounding my arrival and my departure from this amazing house in Melton Mowbray.
My social media is plugged up with tilt rotators in high-speed montage to Europop and dance music, content creators and showcase pages need to get more of the industry and the work we do on show, the digger sporting a tilty was new viewing on socials in 2017/18 but it's old hat now and with thousands of hours of them at work it's kind of boring, no sorry telling of what they're doing or the work we're going to see during a high-speed montage of operation.
Basically I'm having a whine and a moan because creators have become lazy in churning out the same content with a new soundtrack.
Long live the vintage plant and machinery, but if owners don't show it, people won't see it and these wonderful little shows disappear from sight and become a mere memory.
Interest rates went up and now people who overstretched themselves are feeling the pinch!
The scariest 9 words according to Ronald Reagan "I'm from the government and I'm here to help" they're not the answer, company level mentoring and dare I suggest a collaboration of companies to create a training scheme with a mentor to teach people? Sadly it all comes down to money, and no one wants to pay!
Bit of sociopolitical commentary and how the US has gone rogue destroying European prosperity.
Some YouTube on a bank holiday lunch time yielded some thoughts on the industries we have lost, skills that have died out through the loss of those industries.What are our children and grand children going to be doing in this country if we continue to dismantle the core industries that founded our great nation?
An evening chat about work ethics and the lack of motivation in some sectors of the construction industry while I'm on night shift.
Sorry for the road noise and jangly keys but I think better when I'm driving 🤪A very personal thing for me and I will try my best to be the rock in stormy waters and the beacon of light in your dark times.
A question asked on LinkedIn gave me pause for thought and I thought we could rummage around the thoughts on "where do you see yourself in 5yrs time"?
My thoughts on humanoid recognition systems and some questions about the necessity of them on certain items of plant over a standard visual thumbs up safety aid.Tell me what you think!
Whilst we talk about mental health and the acceptance of trans people in our work places, a conversation I had with a young man really made me think and raise an interesting question, should plant hire outfits that offer operated services be offering a holiday pay incentive for reliable and conscientious operators to keep their high standards and give newer operators something to aspire to?
The court of public opinion surrounding pictures posted on social media without context.
Just my thoughts on what we think and how plan B might work out should the construction industry suddenly stop in the event of a recession biting hard!
Marketing is often seen as frivolous spends as we go into recession, people think they can save money cutting back, but they're cutting back their exposure to potential customers looking for better and more efficient solutions, cost effective strategies to get their jobs done!
Lots of construction industry lay offs, quick chat about what I'm seeing across the industry.
What's my favourite machine to operate? A frequent question I'm asked on site and everyone is always shocked by my answer, an ADT of course, easiest money you'll ever earn, reward for effort says ADT is bang for your buck the best machines out there 😍😍😍
There doesn't seem to be much to be happy about and we're being squeezed in all directions and it's tough to stay positive in these turbulent times.
If you hire machinery then it's your job to actually know what you're doing with it and to put it to work!
Could companies promote healthy living and and a fitter workforce through subsidised canteens and gym memberships for staff, could it help staff retention and improved mental health?
Join me as I explore my thoughts and talk about why I think it's a garbage idea to start off in plant hire by blagging and lying to get a seat.
I had the hump about attitudes surrounding the personal responsibility of self employed subcontractors.
My advice that gets dished out on the regular to lads who are thinking about getting off an ADT and onto a set of tracks.
You can buy a ticket, not just for the bus, not just for the train but operate heavy plant and equipment 🤯😱🤯
The skills crossover between many machines are the similar applications in alternative industries, farming and forestry are crossover industries in my opinion and it was a message from Matt Saunders on LinkedIn that posed the question for the potential, I hope I gave insight into this topic with my own special twist.
Going above and beyond the call of duty used to be quite common, today it's rare if it happens at all on site!
I suppose this is the follow up to the little plastic cards saga and a walk through my thoughts on the catastrophe.
My thoughts on the humble plastic card and the fallacy being perpetuated in the industry.
Pet hates, I may take some heat for this but I'm right, there is no argument except for arguing for the sake of it.
A chat about an email asking me to explain better the human element of industry and why automation wins out.
The rampant fuel costs are exacerbating the day to day living expenses and inflation rates that we are seeing.
A quick chat about being a gun for hire and the need for a more professional attitude towards cleanliness, we seem to go from one extreme to another in terms of polished to a high gloss or a rubbish skip on tracks or tyres.
Preparation to move and what you need to think about to prepare yourself for the next adventure in plant hire.
Personal level mentorship gives invaluable access to a wealth of life knowledge and experience. Can we bring this from my head to the wider world?
We need new operators and senior operators need to get on board with that fact and not gripe from the sidelines 🤬🤬🤬
Lots of discussion around freshly ticketed operators getting a seat, agencies seem to be the go to venue, with lying and blagging their way into a machine as the modus operandi, it's not acceptable, the machines we drive can kill in an instant!
So you're newly qualified, why are the seasoned veterans so against you lifting if you're qualified to do so?
Join me for the first ever live interview with the Queen of the levers Ms Lana Edwards.
The catastrophe of government subsidised living and intervention combined with societal decay has brought us this cascade of failures, join me for a two part rant and ramble discussing the problems and challenges.
My take on the shit show I'm watching unfold across social media concerning the promotion of and self promotion of women in construction.
Bought a caravan for a young fella, it's tiring trying to get them to sort themselves out.
But is a military alliance detrimental to the political advantages afforded my nation in regaining our own national sovereignty?
CPA stars of the future award winner Jim Baraclough, recognised as National Plant Operative of the year 2021, well done fella, be proud of where you have gotten and that the sky is the only limit in this life.
Industry and the economy in the hands of midwits who are holding society hostage at this point.
I hope the driver was OK and that those responsible for the circumstances are held accountable.
Apologies for popping the top firstly, but I hope this helps to explain my position further.
What does the reality of racial consciousness look like? What is the reason behind the desire to politicise race and ethnicity? Will the law of unintended consequences reap all that an I'll wind has sown?
It's not that I don't care, I do, but if you expect me to care on your behalf then grow up you child!
Command economies don't work, anyone paying attention to the failed socialist states already knows this, so why are they trying the same failed model over, be it on a global scale this time?
Asked to opine on the current catastrophe, delivered to you by the Biden administration.
Driving me nuts, bring back meritocracy and voting needs a barrier to entry based on taxes receipts.
Is it fair on the UK population to allow more illegal immigration of unidentified, undocumented and unknown individuals into the UK considering the potential of further lock down restrictions coming as flu season approaches? Join me as I wrestle the subject in my utilitarian fashion.
Thank you Conservative government for proving that your rule is proving to be ridiculous.
Should there be (please forgive me for this 🙏) government regulation to improve the convenience of electric vehicles with approved and regulated charging banks where batteries can simply be swapped as opposed to vehicles needing to be stationary at charge points?
Couldn't be happier right now, my mate had his op and is home safe and sound, success means he will be back in the saddle of a D8 very soon 😁😁😁
Yet again the petty childish and immature men think it OK to denigrate women in construction, its not! Grow up FFS 😠😠😠
Disappointed in a young man who didn't have, in my opinion, the decency to tell me he was off and explain why.
Petty crime and criminality in the real world must be addressed far and above policing thought crimes on the Internet.
The Fauci emails are very relevant to us in the UK and to all countries, the question of sanctions against China for the lab leak and its attempted cover up needs to be explored as does American funding and involvement in the gain of function research with possible sanctions against them for the crimes against humanity!
So Facebook went nuts, the fact checkers were playing whack-a-mole with the ban hammer and if you dared to mention the words "wuhan" "lab" & "leak" you got whacked! 14 months on and the facts and truth comes out, this is a sequence of events that has affected the whole globe and China is to blame, toothless "two stacks Joe" or as I affectionately call him "Beijing Biden" is under the spotlight in a response from the global hegemon, the United States.
Trials and tribulations of using agencies to staff machinery on your sites, what is expected of you as an agency driver and the bare minimum courtesy that should be extended to companies that employ your services.
Is it within our grasp? Has the shortsighted approach of government handouts screwed over generations and has the soul crushing wage cap with minimum wage starved them of opportunity to build capital in order to invest in not just a home but their community?
Chat about a few things including ground rent reforms on leasehold properties, gasoline up from $2.39 to $9.98 per gallon and the insanity of UK politics.
Been a manic few days, lots of miles driven and I'm teaching myself to drive a dozer all over again 😊😊😊
Can you say good things about your company culture, the environment that helps people achieve higher results and encourages cooperation?
Quick chat rummaging around the escape from hell phenomenon that has been gradually descending on blue cities and states.
The legacy media lies, lies and lies some more, India this time readying for the Mexican wave, sorry, turd wave, they say. The spike in tests correlate to the volume of deaths almost exactly. 1,300,000,000 population and 1,560,000 deaths, that's statistically a margin of error number being sub 1%, can't be arsed to do the maths, the numbers are so minute.
Can the warm hearted reception by a few of the big names in plant hire be considered pulling up the ladder against emerging competition? What about the abolishion of red diesel?
No I don't need the vaccine, it was developed for a strain of the coeph that I've already had and have immunity from.
Bit of a rant over the cost and what seems to be the industry being held to ransom by morons who are in it to make money.
As if I am not clear enough, after getting a few messages on the last episode of my thoughts on life, I thought I should clarify why Oprah is a shit stirring bitch, Meg is a moron and Harry is a hen pecked child.
Hen pecked Harry, Meg & Oprah sit down to call the British institution of the monarchy Racismos 🙄
Oh it's a joy to break up the work with variation but I have pain from physical activities 😭😭😭
As we are rapidly approaching the one year anniversary of "A 2 week lock down to flatten the curve" I am a little demoralised by the current state of affairs and disappointed at the lack of nation preservation shown by our monarchy and so called "Conservative" government, join me as I muse a the potential to change the destiny of the country and the state of play today.
I was sickened by what I heard yesterday, men need to grow up, this vile nastiness has to stop!
Exploring some thoughts and expanding some others on a new YouTube channel I've discovered.
Valentines day is close and it has been extraordinarily commercialised, but this year there's a twist with lock downs and the hardships that 2020 brought to relationships, let us all love and be loved, with hope in my heart I think we can all work towards a more loving and caring society with respect and honour.
The Coeph coeph has shon a light through the holes in our system, its flaws, its failings. My question is this, what do we do now in the post covid setting? What opportunities will be left, what will become of our once beloved high Street economies and what enterprises might spring up. Join me for a ramble on what we do now?
It helps, oh does it help, the weather, the ground, the men and machines, keeping track of your day to day life on site helps plan and prepare for the future.
So the secretary of state for treasury got $800,000 for a 40 minute speech, legacy media both attacked, spread lies to defame Wall Street Bets and then when they realised that people are happy hedfe fund management is going skint they colluded with them to make back their $20,000,000,000 losses with bare faced lie that was easily disproven at source.
Regular listeners will know I hold no punches and say it like it is, but it has come at quite a psychological cost as I watch some of the so called "big brains" glad handing themselves with much back slapping at the ruination of the Western world.
CNBC recommend the wearing of not 1, not 2 but 3 masks now and in Forbes it is reported by Rob Hart that the CCP are "rolling out anal swabs" to test for the coeph. At this point they're just taking the piss and seeing how far they can run with it.
Bit of a run down on what I do to set the track sag as per specification set out in the handbook.
Progress in technology has been rapid and developing the latest and greatest gadgets and gizmos has brought some game changing equipment to the construction industry. But it is the uptake of these technologies that is slow on site, join me for a chat about why I think its so slow and explore the thoughts behind it.
Just my little take on working away from home now that I've seen so many talk about maybe having to travel away from home to earn an honest crust.
On a gloomy Wednesday its pissing rain, no working but I'm going to use this time to figure out some wiring for some new LED lights on the back and out the side. Bit of a ramble about what and how I'm going to do this.
A little chat to answer a question from a young guy today regarding parking up over winter and cold climate running.
Just wanted to wish everyone a happy new year and hope that the start back was as good for you as it was for me.
I'm a fan of GPS machine control but there are down sides to the tech and there are problems that are never openly talked about, such a shame as it might help companies with building systems and procedures to help alleviate the time consuming and costly problems that can arise.
On my life I've never seen such sights!! I hope this fella feels guilty when his money goes in the bank 💷🤬🤬🤬
I've been thinking about many things over the years and this winter UNICEF has stepped up the bar to help feed hungry children across the UK, the world's 6th largest economy (only up until coeph coeph came along!!!), but there are many reasons why our country has gone square shaped, government intervention and prohibition within our economy is the main one that stands out right now. I've also dived into my thoughts on welfare, the removal of personal responsibility and consequences of giving people free money and how I feel that it has been detrimental to encouraging young people to make better life choices.
For some reason it's hard to get folks to just do their jobs, so now we have got to devise a new system and protocol to ensure today's episode does not happen again.
Been on a downer lately, the self doubt and feeling of being beat down have taken their toll on me, an exploration of my thoughts on where I am in my head and the talking to I had to give myself last night.
Having received a picture of a graffiti memorial to my nephew who died tragically aged 24, I had a wander through my thoughts and decided to share.
The potential of watching America slide into becoming a banana Republic is disturbing, the partisan hackery is insane. Democracy must be restored and this lunacy must never be allowed to happen again!
My ramble on academics who are dumb as rocks and why I think equality is a bad idea when proposed by these people.
Uncomfortable topic, no one wants to know the gory details of how bad it gets, hash tags are no substitute for real well meaning friendships.
Rant and a ramble over comments made on a social media post regarding women in construction, I swear a lot, I'm not happy to have to state the obvious but it needs an honest and blunt expression of where it's going wrong.
Ramble an chat about the winner of the head torch and the potential to be a victim of our own success.
Diving into the thoughts on the operator shortage and what I think we can do to fix it.
You gotta be in it to win it, a brand new out of my own pocket Energizer head torch, join me for details on how to win this prize.
Come and join me in the cab for a chat about machine checks and what I look for on my walk around the machine.
My morning pre-start checks, come join me for a quick walk and talk as we fire the big Volvo EC380 into life.
My thoughts on a young man working with us driving a tractor and bowser, he's going to have a very successful career in construction in my honest opinion.
Bit of a ranty exploration of thoughts around pay and a quick update of the coeph coeph, deep dive while loading dump trucks and chewing the fat.
The Rona, where are we, who is defending us, my own questions on the situation as I see it.