If you want to talk to HATOs...
Discussion
...stop off in Sunbury on Thames Tescos. Pretty much every time I go there I'll see them on the petrol station forecourt busy with the important work of drinking coffee or interviewing the staff behind the counter whilst cleverly disguising their essential questioning as chit-chat or walking about with their Jack Bauer style curly wires in their ears looking menacing.
I do hope they're well paid. They've certainly got very expensive looking vehicles parked on the forecourt. Who knows? They might even be able to take a few moments out of their busy schedule to talk to you about their work, as they did with me the other day.
SM
I do hope they're well paid. They've certainly got very expensive looking vehicles parked on the forecourt. Who knows? They might even be able to take a few moments out of their busy schedule to talk to you about their work, as they did with me the other day.
SM
To be honest, I think even the samaritans will have their work cut out trying to deal with you lot and your apparent dislikes of HATO's.
I still think they do a good job, heck I am even considering applying for a position as one. I enjoy helping people which is what their main aim of their role is.
Oh and also you do get to go to supermarkets quite often! I often see them at my Local Sainsburys just off Jct 4 of M3
Perhaps they eat donuts like bib's?
I still think they do a good job, heck I am even considering applying for a position as one. I enjoy helping people which is what their main aim of their role is.
Oh and also you do get to go to supermarkets quite often! I often see them at my Local Sainsburys just off Jct 4 of M3
Perhaps they eat donuts like bib's?I think HATOs are a good idea. I have no issue with them at all.
What I have an issue with is the nuggets, as mentioned previously', who panic break at the first sign of one.
Having driven up the M6 on Monday I can testify that it's a very serious hazard causing some erratic swerves and the like from some real morons, (not me I hasten to add!), but it's the half asleep dimwits behind the wheels of the offending cars that are the culprits, not the HATOs!!
What I have an issue with is the nuggets, as mentioned previously', who panic break at the first sign of one.
Having driven up the M6 on Monday I can testify that it's a very serious hazard causing some erratic swerves and the like from some real morons, (not me I hasten to add!), but it's the half asleep dimwits behind the wheels of the offending cars that are the culprits, not the HATOs!!
SpudGunner said:
To be honest, I think even the samaritans will have their work cut out trying to deal with you lot and your apparent dislikes of HATO's.
Dislike of a HATO's what?I don't mind the idea too much but I'd rather have properly trained policemen on the roads instead. I doubt it would really cost all that much more and you wouldn't get this ridiculous rent-a-cop image you always get when you give ordinary joes a little authority.
SM
Big Rod said:
I think HATOs are a good idea. I have no issue with them at all.
What I have an issue with is the nuggets, as mentioned previously', who panic break at the first sign of one.
Having driven up the M6 on Monday I can testify that it's a very serious hazard causing some erratic swerves and the like from some real morons, (not me I hasten to add!), but it's the half asleep dimwits behind the wheels of the offending cars that are the culprits, not the HATOs!!
What I have an issue with is the nuggets, as mentioned previously', who panic break at the first sign of one.
Having driven up the M6 on Monday I can testify that it's a very serious hazard causing some erratic swerves and the like from some real morons, (not me I hasten to add!), but it's the half asleep dimwits behind the wheels of the offending cars that are the culprits, not the HATOs!!
There is nothing wrong with the majority of HATOs but some think they are above the Law, if you see any skiving report the Reg number to the control room... 3 strikes and they are out!
they have strict guidence of where to take there break etc. and it not in a petrol station forecort.
they have strict guidence of where to take there break etc. and it not in a petrol station forecort.
Edited by stevieb on Wednesday 30th May 15:47
stevieb said:
There is nothing wrong with the majority of HATOs but some think they are above the Law, if you see any skiving report the Reg number to the control room... 3 strikes and they are out!
they have strict guidence of where to take there break etc. and it not in a petrol station forecort.
Well that'll be easy. I'll wander over there three times tomorrow and get three "strikes". lol.they have strict guidence of where to take there break etc. and it not in a petrol station forecort.
Edited by stevieb on Wednesday 30th May 15:47
SM
stevieb said:
There is nothing wrong with the majority of HATOs but some think they are above the Law, if you see any skiving report the Reg number to the control room... 3 strikes and they are out!
they have strict guidence of where to take there break etc. and it not in a petrol station forecort.
HATOs are allowed two paid breaks of 15 mins and one UNPAID break of 30 mins per shift. There is guidance as to how far off network they should go.they have strict guidence of where to take there break etc. and it not in a petrol station forecort.
How do you know if they're skiving or on an authorized break? And how do you know they haven't been told to park up due to faulty comms. or some other reason, such as Police pursuit or TPAC? Even a fire alarm at the control room would mean coming off the network.
stevieb said:
I work for the company who run the HATOs and they would be less than happy about this..
Never heard the Highways Agency referred to as the "company" before... 
Vaux said:
stevieb said:
There is nothing wrong with the majority of HATOs but some think they are above the Law, if you see any skiving report the Reg number to the control room... 3 strikes and they are out!
they have strict guidence of where to take there break etc. and it not in a petrol station forecort.
HATOs are allowed two paid breaks of 15 mins and one UNPAID break of 30 mins per shift. There is guidance as to how far off network they should go.they have strict guidence of where to take there break etc. and it not in a petrol station forecort.
How do you know if they're skiving or on an authorized break? And how do you know they haven't been told to park up due to faulty comms. or some other reason, such as Police pursuit or TPAC? Even a fire alarm at the control room would mean coming off the network.
stevieb said:
I work for the company who run the HATOs and they would be less than happy about this..
Never heard the Highways Agency referred to as the "company" before... They can be regularly seen parked up at the Tesco just of the M42 on the A34 Shirly junction. But it is normally lunch time when they are there so they probably just popped in to buy some lunch and they are about 500m from the junction. Ideal really.
Having broken down on the M6 a HATO patrol came and checked all was ok within a few mins, and that I was going to be collected and then moved on. They came across as friendly and profesional. They certainly came in useful when a lorry load of wood ended up all over the M6. 5 of them turned up and had 2 lanes open in about 10 mins. Many hands and all that.
Having broken down on the M6 a HATO patrol came and checked all was ok within a few mins, and that I was going to be collected and then moved on. They came across as friendly and profesional. They certainly came in useful when a lorry load of wood ended up all over the M6. 5 of them turned up and had 2 lanes open in about 10 mins. Many hands and all that.
stevieb said:
The highways agency contract that work out the the Private sector.
We're talking about different groups here. HATOs are HA employees (civil servants). Now the ISU dudes (drive round in the big Transits), they are subcontractors (TMC) to a subcontractor (MAC).In Area 10 (North West) the Managing Agent Contractor (MAC) is Atkins and the Term Maintenenace Contractor (TMC) is AmeyMouchel. But I think the contract's been awarded to another company from 2008.
SpudGunner said:
To be honest, I think even the samaritans will have their work cut out trying to deal with you lot and your apparent dislikes of HATO's.
I still think they do a good job, heck I am even considering applying for a position as one. I enjoy helping people which is what their main aim of their role is.
Oh and also you do get to go to supermarkets quite often! I often see them at my Local Sainsburys just off Jct 4 of M3 Perhaps they eat donuts like bib's?
Same here, I think they do a good job too, some people just seem to hate them for no reason at all, normally because they have no idea.I still think they do a good job, heck I am even considering applying for a position as one. I enjoy helping people which is what their main aim of their role is.
Oh and also you do get to go to supermarkets quite often! I often see them at my Local Sainsburys just off Jct 4 of M3
Perhaps they eat donuts like bib's?How can they be blamed for making people slow down, the only reason people brake is cause they were going to fast, funny how they get blamed for other peoples mistakes.
Keep up the good work guys
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