Trainee train drivers wanted...

[GSP]

http://www.easa.europa.eu/agency-measures/docs/opi...

(e) Applicants for a class 1 medical certificate shall be required to have normal fields of vision and normal binocular function.
(f) Applicants who have undergone eye surgery may be assessed as fit subject to satisfactory ophthalmic evaluation.

You can even be a RAF pilot with laser eye surgery, you just have to leave it 12 months before applying.

Train driving must be super special

[KENZ]

GSP said:

No laser eye surgery allowed!

That's interesting given pilots can have it done, and most people with glasses have worse vision.

Dunno does laser eye surgery have a number of side affects, one which affects your sight at night. Anyways, very attractive package..

[dazco]

GSP said:

No laser eye surgery allowed!

That's interesting given pilots can have it done, and most people with glasses have worse vision.

I spotted that. Very odd requirement,

[Lazygraduate]

simoid said:

Double most of the graduate schemes' salaries, after the 12 months training

You're looking at the wrong graduate schemes!

[blippo1984]

Let's assume a grad scheme is 3 years. Average salary for a grad outside of London has got to be between 20k and 25k depending on job role. It could be less. That's 75kish...

This is over 100k plus 31 days holiday plus final salary pension

Bonkers money of you ask me although I have no idea about the skills one would need to drive a train nor indeed the hours and I suppose potential long term progression potential.

Just my ill informed opinion on what is posted here. Nice work if you can get it.

[GSP]

Allegedly if you get more than two suicides while your driving you retired off too, at least that's what my driver friends tell me.

[anonymous-user]

GTO Scott said:

That's the only TOC I've seen with height requirements! Was about to submit my CV but I'm too tall!

For anyone else thinking of it, do it!

If it's the only TOC asking for that is that not heightism ? Have a word with the 'equality' department

What's the justification for it.

[Spanna]

What an opportunity. Would apply but I'm too far from those locations and can't move away in my current position.

If there's any going in the Midlands then I'll apply immediately.

[Stedman]

blippo1984 said:

Let's assume a grad scheme is 3 years. Average salary for a grad outside of London has got to be between 20k and 25k depending on job role. It could be less. That's 75kish...

This is over 100k plus 31 days holiday plus final salary pension

Bonkers money of you ask me although I have no idea about the skills one would need to drive a train nor indeed the hours and I suppose potential long term progression potential.

Just my ill informed opinion on what is posted here. Nice work if you can get it.

It is possible to earn over £75k. Three drivers at my depot did it last year. You know what? They look like crap apparently. And of course, you're really playing with fire IMO as you're opening yourself upto more fatigue which leads to....*drum roll* mistakes. Mistakes on the railway are not funny. It only takes one SPAD (Signal Passed At Danger) to turn you into the cleaner.

2 years at £75k or 10 at £45k? I know which one i'll pick.

[Lazygraduate]

Stedman said:

It is possible to earn over £75k. Three drivers at my depot did it last year. You know what? They look like crap apparently. And of course, you're really playing with fire IMO as you're opening yourself upto more fatigue which leads to....*drum roll* mistakes. Mistakes on the railway are not funny. It only takes one SPAD (Signal Passed At Danger) to turn you into the cleaner.

2 years at £75k or 10 at £45k? I know which one i'll pick.

Read his post again. I think you missed the point of it!

[Stedman]

Lazygraduate said:

Read his post again. I think you missed the point of it!

My post came across a lot less friendly than intended I was just giving an insight in what's possible and what's a good idea. The two are completely different things haha

[wobman]

I'm amazed by all these stories of drivers earning 100k !! There are rules & guidelines regarding hours worked (hidden rules). They dictate maximum hrs worked / maximum breaks between shifts & working 13 days continuous etc
Plus not all companies have rest day working & Sundays are part of the working week ! We have 2am starts on earlies & 2am finishes on lates plus night shifts.
The average toc pays around £40k - £45k only a few pay around £50k such as Virgin and cross country, so I dunno how they can hit £75k !!!!!!

All I can add is don't believe all you read in the papers, plus the condem hate all unions so RMT AND ASLEF are attacked for being strong unions that protects staff conditions !!

[hyperblue]

Aren't these guys being paid more than some airline pilots!?

[anonymous-user]

hyperblue said:

Aren't these guys being paid more than some airline pilots!?

So what, As they day in SP&L If pilots don't like it change it .

I knew of at least one owner driver earning over 100k a year a few years ago, The company directors didn't like it even though he worked like a barsteward, their idea of reward ? Chop the rates

Why should lawyers & pilots earn good money but not plumbers or train drivers?

[croyde]

Owner driver? Can you own your own engine then?

Well I've applied. Doubt I'd get it as my CV is TV cameraman for the past 20 odd years but I was a driver and motorcyclist for the 10 years before and I have driven big farm machinery.

I'm a Londoner too but willing to relocate as I'm sick of the place and everything is too expensive. This could be the kick up the arse I need.

So apart from always fancying being an engine driver and owning a small Hornby set what should I bone up on? or would they prefer a blank page happy to soak up new information

Cheers OP for posting the link up.

[anonymous-user]

Sorry owner driver as in a truck not a train

But now you mention it why not .

I'm sure people own their own planes, boats etc to rent/franchise out

[blippo1984]

Stedman said:

Lazygraduate said:

Read his post again. I think you missed the point of it!

My post came across a lot less friendly than intended I was just giving an insight in what's possible and what's a good idea. The two are completely different things haha

No probs. To be clear I'm not knocking train drivers - just amazed at thecquality of the package.

[Bodie390]

GSP said:

Allegedly if you get more than two suicides while your driving you retired off too, at least that's what my driver friends tell me.

Not true. I've had two suicides and I'm still driving.

It's a great job, take ya time and learn everything twice and you'll fine.

[croyde]

Bodie390 said:

Not true. I've had two suicides and I'm still driving.

It's a great job, take ya time and learn everything twice and you'll fine.

Any advice on what I should read up on if I get an assessment, cheers.

[wobman]

I know loads of driver that have had over 2 fatalitys in the career and are still driving, that's why I said don't beleive what the papers say about the industry.
We have a real mix of drivers some graduates & a few ex teachers, a lot of ex military seems to get into the industry. Most have got to quite high ranks in there previous careers, so the requirement departments look for a type of person that can cope with the job.
You have to be willing to learn new things, be punctual & able to work silly shifts that can vary daily.... Having real world experience & common sence help aswell !
Having a degree doesn't mean you deserve a job as so many people have them so they look at the character profile of the person for this career.