Seems as though I've ruffled a few feathers here, so I shall try and explain...
My subsidised fuel was the result of me working extra hours, finding a return load off my own back, and generally getting off my ass and earning my money. Maybe the companies I worked for did lose out here and there, but I'd bet my last penny that ninety nine per cent of truckers wouldn't say no to earning a few quid over and above their wages. Maybe it was slightly naughty, but again, how many of you guys can honestly say you've never added a mile here and there onto your fuel expense sheets? Or maybe added a pound here and there to your overnight parking charges or your hotel bills? Or stuck an hour onto a job sheet?
In my world, we earned as much as we possibly could wherever and whenever we could...there was always a little job that could be done for a few quid in the pocket. We all knew it could never be classed as regular income, and often we knew it wouldn't (or couldn't) last, so the old saying applied...''make hay whilst the sun shines''. I've worked for companies where the management were as much into making a few quid extra as we were, and I've often done a little job on the side for managers when asked to do so...would you turn down the chance for a few bob in your pocket for a few hours work? Of course you wouldn't...money was as hard to come by back then as it is now, and if there was a chance of some coming my way, then I was always in the line.
An extra few bob in the pocket helped pay for my petrol when I used to run big fast cars, but I worked for every penny of it. If there was an hour or two added to my weekly time sheets, then they were worked for, not just stuck on for good measure.
So when you were tucked up in a nice warm bed at night, I and many like me were out there in all weathers earning our little bit extra as best we could.
Rich