[bryce's-mummy]

An opportunity came up for DH to earn some extra $$$ (as DH is not being paid over this two weeks due to Xmas shut down of his workplace). A friend of a friend told him that if DH helped him move house this weekend then he would pay DH $200. DH has his truck licence and this guy needed a houseful of furniture moved from Adelaide to Melbourne. About an 8 hour straight run. DH would be driving the truck which this bloke was hiring (and fuelling) and his mate (not the one moving but the mutual friend) would also come along to help (but can't drive the truck so that would be up to my DH only). DH was told to get down to the south of the city this morning so that he could help load the truck. We live up north so it took over an hour and a half for DH to get there (his car also broke down in the meanwhile). He was then under the impression that he would be loading the truck and leaving by around midday, expecting to arrive in Melbourne around 8pm where he would spend the night and then help unload in the morning and then leave around midday tomorrow, to get home in the later hours of tomorrow night.

DH called me at 7pm tonight and he told me that he was still at this blokes house! He said that this bloke was not organised and they spent all day loading the truck and packing up his house! He then told me that he would be still driving tonight!!! So he was up early this morning, worked all day loading a truck full of furniture in 44 degree heat and then was planning on driving the 8 hour journey overnight tonight! Not sure if this matters but DH has NEVER driven to Melbourne and in fact has only ever been there once before. I told him he was mad to do that for only $200. Yes it's $200 which for us helps somewhat with rent and is a lot of money but he can't be expected to do all of that for only $200!! And he had to go out and (in order to legally drive a truck) had to buy a log book which cost him $20 so really it's only $180 he's 'earning'.

So I asked him when he was planning to sleep (estimating he would arrive in Melbourne around 4am) and he said when he got there! I asked him who was going to unload the truck if he was sleeping and he said his mate and this bloke (who supposedly is following them up in his car). Yeah, right! But then he's planning on getting home late tomorrow night still (or the early hours of Sunday morning)- and he does also go back to work at 6am Monday morning.

I am worried that he shouldn't be driving a truck when he will be tired, both tonight and tomorrow (especially in this heat that we've had) and I am annoyed that he isn't being paid much for it. I worked out that its more than 24 hours of work!

Do I have a right to be annoyed? Would you agree with this? While I am enjoying the peace around here and the kids and I are spending some nice time together without the stress that's usually present here, I can't help but be worried and annoyed at the whole situation. Problem is- DH wouldn't speak up even if he did agree with me.

EFS

This post has been edited by bryce's-mummy: 06/01/2013, 09:31 AM

[howdo]

That's a crap amount to get for loading and driving a truck to Melbourne. It's crap money for driving to Melbourne! And it's idiotic to be driving at night unless you've had a nap during the day.

I would not agree at all.

[bluedragon]

There's no way I would want my DH driving that distance at that time of night with that little sleep. No matter how much money he's getting, his life is more important!

Also $200 is not much for the amount of work he's doing, even if they left on time! This friend of a friend is taking advantage if you ask me.

[*lightning]

If he wants to help out his friend then that's up to him but if he is looking at it as a job, yes he is being paid crap money for it.

[bryce's-mummy]

Well now it's past midnight and I'm worried and upset and don't know if I should call or not.

[bryce's-mummy]

If he wants to help out his friend then that's up to him but if he is looking at it as a job, yes he is being paid crap money for it.

If it were HIS friend then I may at least understand where he is coming from. But it's not his friend. He has never met the bloke. Just a friend of his mates. In fact- I don't even know who the hell it is (I don't even have his name!!!) I have no idea whereabouts in Melbourne he is going or anything!

This post has been edited by bryce's-mummy: 05/01/2013, 12:08 AM

[wenchwitch]

In terms of helping out a mate then I would have no problem with it. As an opportunity to earn $180 it is appalling.

[bluedragon]

Can you contact the friend who is accompanying him? I'd be wanting to ring DH if it was me but wouldn't want him answering his phone or generally distracting him if he's on the road.

What about a text to say to give you a ring if they stop for a break? They can't do Adelaide to Melbourne without at least stopping for fuel.

[Bazinga]

I wonder what are the regulations in regards to sleep/driving hours. Surely it would be an OHS issue as he's been awake for so long.

[bryce's-mummy]

Can you contact the friend who is accompanying him? I'd be wanting to ring DH if it was me but wouldn't want him answering his phone or generally distracting him if he's on the road.

What about a text to say to give you a ring if they stop for a break? They can't do Adelaide to Melbourne without at least stopping for fuel.

I just called and spoke to his mate in the car. Dh said he doesn't want to talk to me and that he'll call me in the morning. I'm not surprised. He thinks I overreact all the time- he can't see why I'm so upset with it.