Train to London

[LosingGrip]

I'm in the very early stages of looking at applying to the MET (transferring my application anyway). I'm looking at staying in Dorset (currently Poole, maybe moving to Gillingham area shortly).

From what I've read the shifts tend to me two earlies, two lates and then two nights before rest days (I think four). I clearly don't know where I'll be based (only sent the email today, so might not even be able to transfer it).

Has anyone got any advice on commuting into London? It's only going to be for two years or so, get out of my probation and then apply to a local force (well thats the plan!).

[StevieBee]

Between around 5.30 am and 1.00am (or there abouts) getting into and out of London is not an issue. The frequency of trains does tend to tapper off towards the end of the day. The further out you are, the more expensive it is but houses will be cheaper (sometimes).

If your later shifts end up finishing between 1.30am and 4.00am then you'll not have a train home for a few hours. A night bus network operates by only within the TfL area.

HTH

[LosingGrip]

StevieBee said:

Between around 5.30 am and 1.00am (or there abouts) getting into and out of London is not an issue. The frequency of trains does tend to tapper off towards the end of the day. The further out you are, the more expensive it is but houses will be cheaper (sometimes).

If your later shifts end up finishing between 1.30am and 4.00am then you'll not have a train home for a few hours. A night bus network operates by only within the TfL area.

HTH

Thanks . Remember about the trains being less around 0100 as I got a phone call from my younger sister who missed the last train...cue a drive to London to pick her up :rollseyes:.

Getting to there maybe a problem (but could drive?) for earlies (I believe 0700 start). As could getting home from lates if I'm a little late off. But I believe there are section houses you can stay in.

[valiant]

I'm guessing it's Gillingham Dorset as opposed to Gillingham Kent?

Gillingham (Dorset) and Poole are both 2hrs+ and then you have to add on travel time to the station and travel time to your local nick in London. (It can take an hour to cross London if you've been allocated to an outer borough - do you know which police station you'll be based at?).

First train from Poole gets in at 07.30ish, will that be doable with your early starts? Might have to travel in on the last train and get your head down for a few hours before shift start.

It will get old pretty quickly and it's important to get into the right frame of mind with long commutes so load up the iPad, plenty to listen to and read and accept that the trains will fk up from time to time so have a plan B and check weekend works (especially around bank holidays).

Met Police get free travel within the TfL area so you may only have to pay up the borders but check with the TOC as they may or may not have agreements regarding police travel.

[LosingGrip]

valiant said:

I'm guessing it's Gillingham Dorset as opposed to Gillingham Kent?

Gillingham (Dorset) and Poole are both 2hrs+ and then you have to add on travel time to the station and travel time to your local nick in London. (It can take an hour to cross London if you've been allocated to an outer borough - do you know which police station you'll be based at?).

First train from Poole gets in at 07.30ish, will that be doable with your early starts? Might have to travel in on the last train and get your head down for a few hours before shift start.

It will get old pretty quickly and it's important to get into the right frame of mind with long commutes so load up the iPad, plenty to listen to and read and accept that the trains will fk up from time to time so have a plan B and check weekend works (especially around bank holidays).

Met Police get free travel within the TfL area so you may only have to pay up the borders but check with the TOC as they may or may not have agreements regarding police travel.

Yeah Dorset.

I don't know what station yet, I only sent the email off this afternoon asking to transfer my application from Dorset to them (they might say no, they have a slightly different assessment centre to other forces).

I doubt the 0700 will be possible. I might have to look at staying in the section house for earlies, maybe nights. I don't believe they get free travel anymore, from what I've read its reduced to around £850 a year (taken out of your pay if you want).

[StevieBee]

LosingGrip said:

Getting to there maybe a problem (but could drive?) for earlies (I believe 0700 start). As could getting home from lates if I'm a little late off. But I believe there are section houses you can stay in.

Driving is doable and at the time, you'll be parked before the rush hour kicks in. Depending on where you'll be stationed, you could drive to the furthest TfL station, park there and train the remaining distance.

A buddy of mine was in the MET. Lived in Chelmsford which isn't that far from London but sounds like he had the same deal as you and used to stay in digs (I assume the section houses you mention) one the late ones rather than trek back out.

I think the advantage you have is you'll be able to mix it up a bit. Train a couple of day, drive others....variety is spice of life and all that.

[XJ75]

I get the train into London, for me it's a 40 min train journey in the morning and 25 mins in the evening and it's genuinely the most miserable part of my day. I even get a seat, but almost every day there are signal failures, train faults and a multitude of other issues.

You'll be on the same network as me (South Western Railway), they are truly an embarrassment of an organisation, closely followed by their co-conspirators Network Rail.

I'd try and get some real life views of people that do a similar journey on a daily basis, it's really not fun. I'm fortunate that I can get away with rolling in up to 30 minutes late on an almost daily basis, but in your role that might not be possible.

[craigjm]

I think you would have to be crazy to consider it. You are looking at 6 hours of travelling a day and that’s when everything works as it should never mind days when you are required to work over. If you really want to move to the met you really need to be much closer to London IMO

[StevieBee]

LosingGrip said:

Yeah Dorset.

Ah - I was thinking Kent! As above...that is one long commute!

[W124Bob]

I have no knowledge of London or the MET, but as an ex train driver who worked 24/7 for 40 odd years DON'T DO IT. The shorter your commute the easier the day will be, think of the days when it all goes wrong and you'll be glad of the shortest travelling home time possible. Used to use taxis home sometimes, £12 home from central Manchester in 10 mins if the day had been particularly bad . Like 6 hours Brum to Manchester and I've still got to get the train onto the depot, think about what your worst day could be then add a s××t journey home!

[LosingGrip]

Thanks all . All stuff to think about. I'm thinking that comutting every day isn't possible...might have to be stay there during shifts and come back on rest days.

[craigjm]

LosingGrip said:

Thanks all . All stuff to think about. I'm thinking that comutting every day isn't possible...might have to be stay there during shifts and come back on rest days.

Consider the impact on home life being away 4-5 nights a week will have every week. Why can’t you just move closer if you really want to work in the met

[Robertj21a]

LosingGrip said:

Thanks all . All stuff to think about. I'm thinking that comutting every day isn't possible...might have to be stay there during shifts and come back on rest days.

Commuting every day just isn't going to work in practice (well, not past the first few weeks anyway). Looks like you'll have to stay up there much of the time.

[bearman3784]

Are you already in a force but transferring? Or applying to the police for the first time? You have to have lived in London for at least 3 years if the latter anyway

Edit: Scrap that looks like they must have really recently lifted that condition as I was looking last month!

Edited by bearman3784 on Wednesday 7th November 21:04

[fizzwheel]

LosingGrip said:

Thanks all . All stuff to think about. I'm thinking that comutting every day isn't possible...might have to be stay there during shifts and come back on rest days.

Also depending on what time you travel on it is very busy.

Its typically 3 coaches to Salisbury, where it joins another 6 or 9. I travel on that route now and again and I have seen it full and standing by he time it gets to Andover. I've seen people not able to physically get on at Basingstoke and also I saw one poor lady not able to get off it at Basingstoke.

Coming home in the evenings is just as bad and if I get on at Basingstoke I sometimes more often than not struggle to get a seat until Andover or sometimes Salisbury.

Dont under estimate just how draining that can be... also read the "Annoying things people do on trains" thread... I guess if you are working shifts and can avoid the peak time trains it wont be as bad,

[LosingGrip]

craigjm said:

Consider the impact on home life being away 4-5 nights a week will have every week. Why can’t you just move closer if you really want to work in the met

I'm fairly lucky in that I love at home with parents still, and I do have a girlfriend but due to work we only see each other once or twice a week. The shifts should mean we get to see each other more .

bearman3784 said:

Are you already in a force but transferring? Or applying to the police for the first time? You have to have lived in London for at least 3 years if the latter anyway

Edit: Scrap that looks like they must have really recently lifted that condition as I was looking last month!

Edited by bearman3784 on Wednesday 7th November 21:04

Yeah removed it at the start of the week. Got an application with Dorset at the moment, but waiting for a final interview which could be late next year early 2020. Just waiting to hear back the the MET HR department if they will take my SEARCH assessment result.

[Jakg]

LosingGrip said:

I'm fairly lucky in that I love at home with parents still

I wouldn't put that on the application form.

[craigjm]

Jakg said:

LosingGrip said:

I'm fairly lucky in that I love at home with parents still

I wouldn't put that on the application form.

[LosingGrip]

Jakg said:

I wouldn't put that on the application form.

Ha! Lucky as in no real commitments here.

[megaphone]

bearman3784 said:

Are you already in a force but transferring? Or applying to the police for the first time? You have to have lived in London for at least 3 years if the latter anyway

Edit: Scrap that looks like they must have really recently lifted that condition as I was looking last month!

Edited by bearman3784 on Wednesday 7th November 21:04

Yes they lifted that condition last week, Commissioner Dick was on the news explaining they need to recruit more officers and are looking outside London.

That said I suspect they will still look at location, I expect the OPs location will not go down well in the recruitment process. What happens if there is a major incident in London, they call in all available officers at short notice, the OP is stuck in Dorset.