Trainee train drivers wanted...

[itcaptainslow]

Interesting letter in the ASLEF journal this month, which offers the opinion that driver training is becoming rushed. Hand in hand with this, it also states the selection of candidates is becoming compromised by “model answers” etc being readily available on the internet and the job now attracting those who are coming solely for the money (something which I agree with-far too many drivers now are focused purely on how much coin they can put in their pockets rather than taking pride in what they do).

Food for thought...

[CharlieH89]

Interview next week for a depot train driver vacancy.

[wobman]

There are big recruitment drives at present with TPE at various depots & TFW at some depots.
Good look to the successful candidates who are already on the way to bring drivers

[Chicken Chaser]

I think I might have another go at it. I pulled out at the Psychometric testing last time as the depot was just out of the hour. There's one about 45 mins away from me available so its probably my best opportunity to do so.

[MitchT]

Regarding this "depot within an hour" thing...

What, officially, is an hour? An hour on Google maps? An hour best case scenario? An hour average case scenario? An hour worst case scenario? I can get to plenty of places in an hour at certain times of day, but at another time of day it may take nearer two hours.

For example, the Leeds Freightliner depot is 37 minutes from my home right now, according to Google Maps. But I know from my experience of reality that it would actually be 60-120 minutes unless I were working shifts that enabled me to commute after 8pm / before 6am.

Edited by MitchT on Thursday 21st November 23:12

[Chicken Chaser]

I think it's under usual circumstances. My current commute usually takes me between 45 and 50 mins but then I work shifts outside of rush hour. At rush hour I'm at the mercy of traffic and has taken over an hour.

[CharlieH89]

It won't be very often you will be commuting to work at 0700 or 1700 when you work on the railway.

[valiant]

And the fact that you could move to the other end of the country after you pass out and no one would give a fig as long as you turn up in time.

[340600]

I'd love to apply for the trainee driver job with TfW but it's based out of Crewe which is over an hour from me. Shrewsbury on the other hand is 25 minutes, is it worth applying anyway and hope for the best, or better to wait for vacancies at a local depot?

[jaybarts]

340600 said:

I'd love to apply for the trainee driver job with TfW but it's based out of Crewe which is over an hour from me. Shrewsbury on the other hand is 25 minutes, is it worth applying anyway and hope for the best, or better to wait for vacancies at a local depot?

You’ve got nothing to lose by applying, better to have your name in the hat than wait for a hat that may never appear!

I applied for as many positions as I could and it worked for me.

[Gareth1974]

GBRf

https://careers-gbrailfreight.icims.com/jobs/1573/...

[wobman]

340600 said:

I'd love to apply for the trainee driver job with TfW but it's based out of Crewe which is over an hour from me. Shrewsbury on the other hand is 25 minutes, is it worth applying anyway and hope for the best, or better to wait for vacancies at a local depot?

It's best applying to any depot you can get to within the hour, as you can always move to another even within your training period

[itcaptainslow]

wobman said:

340600 said:

I'd love to apply for the trainee driver job with TfW but it's based out of Crewe which is over an hour from me. Shrewsbury on the other hand is 25 minutes, is it worth applying anyway and hope for the best, or better to wait for vacancies at a local depot?

It's best applying to any depot you can get to within the hour, as you can always move to another even within your training period

Not strictly true (TOC dependant obviously); some depots may be over subscribed with a waiting list to go there. Not unknown to take ten plus years to make it to the depot of your choice. Some companies won’t let you apply to move depots until you’ve done X number of years (usually 2-3) as a qualified driver.

If you apply to a depot, be prepared to work there for the long haul. Don’t take the job, then bh & moan you have to travel an hour and a half per day to get to work, especially at 0330.

[CharlieH89]

Interview done.
770 applicants down to 12 for 1 vacancy.

[CharlieH89]

Assessment passed.

[Chicken Chaser]

CharlieH89 said:

Assessment passed.

Great work

[Stedman]

CharlieH89 said:

Assessment passed.

Nice one.

[CharlieH89]

Cheers. Hopefully hear some good news in the coming week and not the words ‘talent pool’

[CharlieH89]

CharlieH89 said:

Interview done.
770 applicants down to 12 for 1 vacancy.

Got offered the job earlier

[valiant]

Well done and a great start for the new year.

The iron road awaits you!


Get yourself a decent alarm clock. You’ll be needing it...