Our drivers in daily operation
From the first radio message in the morning to the highest safety standards and meticulous route planning – the control room asked our drivers about their exciting day-to-day work. Experienced cash-in-transit drivers provide insights into the challenges and great responsibility of their job. They explain how carefully every journey is prepared, what risks and special moments the job entails and why they are so passionate about their work.
To protect personal rights and for security reasons, names are not used in the following interview and the terms “interviewer” and “chauffeur” are used instead.
Interviewer: Thank you for taking the time to give us an insight into your day-to-day work. How does a typical day start for you?
Chauffeur: Gladly! My day starts with a short radio message to the control center – that’s the signal that I’m on my way to the company. As soon as I get there, I put on my uniform and get my equipment, including my weapon and the relevant permits. From that moment on, I’m ready for anything that comes my way.
Chauffeur: Oh, yes! There are even more details to consider when traveling abroad. I get all the information from the dispatcher, as well as the transport and customs documents. Then I check every document and the route very carefully – only when everything fits do we set off. You really can’t afford to be careless when driving abroad, because everything depends on the schedule and safety. In high-risk countries, we even have a mobile toilet in the armored car (laughs).
Interviewer: And how do you actually prepare for a trip like this?
Chauffeur: First of all, we get the vehicle keys and weapons from a secure cabinet. From then on, the truck is our responsibility. Then I walk around the vehicle and check everything according to the checklist: Tires, mirrors, windows – everything has to be top notch. If anything is wrong, we report it immediately. Then we get in and check the equipment: seals, labels, straps, everything we need to secure the load. We also check all the systems in the vehicle, such as the alarm system and the radio – nothing is left to chance.
Interviewer: And the loading, is that routine or are there certain guidelines?
Chauffeur: Nothing is routine! We drive into the secure garage to pick up the load. The warehouse has prepared all the consignments in advance and we then check everything: seals, reference numbers, packaging. Every step has to fit so that the load is correctly secured. Only then do we load in the correct order, and when everything is safely stowed away, we can finally set off.
Interviewer: It sounds like you have extremely high safety standards. Is that the case?
Chauffeur: Absolutely. Safety is everything. For us, it’s not just about our personal safety, but also about the load, the vehicle and everyone else on the road. Every move and every detail has to be right – there is simply no room for error.
Interviewer: What’s it like on the road – do you have fixed breaks on longer journeys, or is that also regulated?
Chauffeur: You can’t just stop anywhere, it’s all planned. Breaks and stops have to be approved by the control center – we call it the control room. They give us the locations where we can stop safely – whether it’s just for a driver card change or a complete break. Sometimes this can take a while because we are only allowed to stop in monitored areas, usually near police stations.
Interviewer: And what about refueling? Do you ever have to refuel in an emergency?
Chauffeur: Not really, because our vehicles are prepared every evening – including refueling. We use special diesel, HVO100, which is not available everywhere. That’s why we always do it the day before to avoid wasting time and complications.
Interviewer: How do you pass the time during such a long journey?
Chauffeur: Fortunately, there are always two or three of us on the road, which makes it easier. On the one hand, it’s nice to have company, but of course it also depends on your colleague (laughs). It’s definitely more fun to get through 21-hour days with two people. Of course, there’s also a safety aspect (four-eyes system), and that’s the only way we can take turns driving.
Interviewer: What happens if you encounter unexpected problems along the way, such as traffic or other delays?
Chauffeur: Our plans are made so that we arrive on time. But everyone knows that the road has its own rules. If there are any delays, we immediately inform the head office, which then gives us new instructions if necessary. Flexibility is everything, and every moment really counts – especially communication with the head office so that we find the best route and the customer is satisfied.
From the field: "Safety is everything"
For us, it’s not just about our personal safety, but also about the load, the vehicle and everyone else on the road.
Interviewer: So you don’t have any sleeping berths in the truck, right?
Chauffeur: Exactly, our vehicles have no sleeping facilities because they are special, armored trucks. Every centimeter is used precisely.
Interviewer: Do you stay in hotels then?
Chauffeur: Yes, when it’s a particularly long trip and we can’t return the same day. The company arranges a comfortable hotel near the client so we can get a good night’s rest. By the way, we can’t just park our vehicle anywhere either…
Interviewer: Isn’t it sometimes hard to be away from home for so long?
Chauffeur: Yes, it’s part of the job. It’s not always easy, but we know that it’s part of the job. You have to love this job to accept these aspects.
Interviewer: Is there also something positive about the long journeys, perhaps the new places?
Chauffeur: Sure, it’s great to see different countries and regions. When we drive through France, Austria or Poland, it’s quite an experience. And after a long day, it’s also nice to relax a little and maybe even get to know a new city.
Interviewer: What makes this job so special for you?
Chauffeur: It’s the responsibility: we transport valuable freight and the customers trust us to get them safely to their destination. You have to enjoy planning everything precisely and not allow any mistakes. This job is definitely not for everyone – you need strong nerves and must always be able to rely on the planning and safety measures.
Interviewer: Thank you very much for this exciting insight into your everyday life! It sounds like a challenging but also very fulfilling job.
Chauffeur: Thank you! I hope I was able to give you a good impression. Every step counts, and that’s what makes the job so unique.
Team Helveticor, Dällikon
