London Midland Platform Assistant/Dispatch

[pitdiver]

I'm not exactly sure what the above post has got to do with working as a dispatcher

The point I was making is there are a number of reasons to pull out of training. Mine was an example.

 

[amateur]

Why did you decide to move from economics (the City?) to trains?

 

[amateur]

The dispatch staff do a very important job, I must admit I don't know how they have the patience to deal with some of the travelling public though...

Regarding the leavers, I've never really worked out myself why people would give up after such a short period of time. A couple on my driving course have apparently left of their own accord, one went for another career, the other I saw with their phone a lot...

Unfortunately, there are often a minority who don't make it through training due to ability and it is that group I really feel for.

Why did you decide to move from economics (the City?) to trains?

 

[Bromley boy]

Why did you decide to move from economics (the City?) to trains?

Despite his username I don’t believe Economist was actually an economist before joining the railway.

Nevertheless, there are most certainly posters on this forum here who have moved from “the city” to trains.

The reasons being work/life balance, plus the city is (unfortunately) full of w*nkers. The railway certainly has its share of those as well, but nowhere near as many.

 

[Thedispatcher]

Where I work the turnover tends to be down to people moving on to other jobs becausethe job is a great foot in the door, and as above widely acknowledged as one of the toughest, least glamourous and most arduous jobs on the railway. But I might be biased...

I would still recommend doing it to anyone. I’ve had the time of my life doing the job and it’s given me an amazing start on the railway.

 

[RLC85]

Has anyone had their interviews yet?

 

[hsharma25]

I had mine today, was scheduled for 11 but got called in around 11:30 as they were running late.
Went really well, i’m pleased with the answers i gave.
They said there is definantly 1 vacancy to fill possibly more arising jan/feb so thats a good sign. Gonna find out after second interview panel which is 3rd Jan so bit of a wait sadly
Did you have yours today??

 

[RLC85]

Mine for scheduled for 9am but called in around 9.30 As was running late aswell.
How come there was interviews January aswell? Interview was almost cancelled today but then was back on again at last minute. Hopefully hear sooner rather than later. Think I’m also pleased with the answers I gave. Second nature as done the job before. So fingers crossed. Interview flew by.

 

[hsharma25]

I think they are certain there will be more vacancies thats why i think they are doing more interviews 3rd Jan. I was told i would hear back few days after that.

 

[RLC85]

That’s fair enough. I still don’t understand this whole talent pool thing.

 

[RLC85]

You from Worcester your self?

 

[hsharma25]

No i live in bham, about 25mile drive so not too far.
From the impression i got today i dont think it will be a talent pool, they seem fairly sure they will need staff by jan/feb time to start training

 

[RLC85]

Hopefully a few vacancies to fill then good luck.

 

[GMCK]

I had mine at 13:00 today- again, I’m relatively happy with the answers I provided and their reactions.

The really hard bit begins now, the wait!

 

[RLC85]

I wonder how many of us was interviewed today.

 

[hsharma25]

Im guessing around 6-7, if they allocated 1 hr slots
That means probably same for 3rd Jan

 

[Sparrow]

Hi all,

Just picked up on this thread. Working in a duel dispatcher role I can hopefully offer advice if anyone needs help.
To answer a few questions above, some people stay in this role for years. I work with people who have 25+ years service as dispatchers others see it as a way in, to move around the company.
You get paid £23k a year for a four day week with the potential for plenty of overtime. I know colleagues who work 5 day weeks and take home around 30k a year so there is the possibility to earn extra if you want to. The job can be cold during the winter months but if you keep busy, and take pride in your platform it can be a nice job. Yes you get the moaners but hey theirs also lots of regulars who stop for a chat and even thank you sometimes.
Drop me a line if anyone's got any questions, happy to help since I know when I started I found it very difficult to find out anything.

 

[RLC85]

Iv know people who still are dispatchers even when I did it before 12 years ago. Think some prefer the role to being a guard or driver. I loved it. Cold weather didn’t bother me. Always get the moaning passengers but it comes as pet of the job. Just hope I make it through the interview

 

[HST1717]

Anyone heard back from their interviews yet for this vacancy?

 

[hsharma25]

Nothing yet

Had my interview 13th Dec and was told i would hear back a few days after the second batch of interview which were 3rd Jan.

Anyone else hear anything back yet??

 

[HST1717]

Yeah I got told around the 5th or 6th we would hear.

 

[hsharma25]

not sure whether to contact HR or give it another day or so

 

[HST1717]

I was thinking exactly the same. I would give it until end of the same then think about contacting HR.

 

[hsharma25]

I know someone who got an email saying he was successful and had been placed into the talent pool.
They told me at the interview that there were 1 or 2 vacancies to fill immediatley, rest of the successful candidates would be placed into talent pool. If we both were unsuccessful i reckon we prob would have heard by now so fingers crossed i guess for some good news

 

[HST1717]

Was they already on the railway? Abit unfair that we ain't been told anything yet. Too scared to ring HR in case it bad news. I supose no news is good

 

[hsharma25]

Not sure

We’ll just have to wait and see i guess

 

[HST1717]

Ate you from Worcester?

 

[hsharma25]

No, from birmingham about 25 miles from worcester stations.

 

[GMCK]

I had a successful email on Friday, presumably they’re going to let everybody know whether they are selected or not?

 

[hsharma25]

Hopefully we hear something soon, i’m fairly sure if i was unsuccessful i would have heard from them by now as they usually just send a generic email, the wait makes me think it could be good news. Gonna wait till tomorrow then ring in the afternoon if still no update