Diary of a Transport Planner: The Route Less Sensible

Discover the daily chaos of a UK transport planner juggling routing software, driver updates, and last-minute job changes.

Monday: Telematics Tantrums

Half the trucks showed on the system. The rest decided to ghost me. Sent four WhatsApps, two calls, and a smoke signal to figure out who was where.

Driver Alan said he was "just pulling out" -- timestamps beg to differ. Lesson: Planners trust, but verify.

Tuesday: Job Jenga

Customer moved a full load forward by six hours. Rearranged the entire day like a Tetris master, only for the customer to then delay it till Thursday.

Drivers think I'm mad. They're not wrong. Highlight: Got one load in early.

Felt like winning the lottery.

Wednesday: Software From Hell

Our routing system insists a 44-tonner can do a 7'3" country lane. I told IT. They suggested I "update the firmware." I suggested they try it in person.

Moral: Never trust a system that doesn't drive trucks.

Thursday: The Big Cancellation

Four jobs dropped at 10 a.m. Spent the rest of the day grovelling to other clients to fill the gaps. Eventually patched it all -- barely.

One driver still called me a "digital traffic cone." Charming. Win: Nobody quit today.

Friday: Pub O'Clock

Tied up loose ends. Finished with a full board and no stranded pallets.

Even squeezed in a full lunch break. It won't last, but it was beautiful. Takeaway: Planning is 10% logistics, 90% improvisation.

Final Thoughts

It's a mad job, but the buzz is real.

When the plan finally works, it's like conducting a noisy, diesel-scented orchestra.

Just ignore the off-key trumpet section in layby 5.

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