Arriva Rail - London Overground - Trainee Positions

[steviebuk]

Hi SecureID, that’s where I’m at, medical, references and security checks done ✅. Next stage I believe is an offer! Hopefully I will hear back from them this week.

 

[London 10101]

Does anybody know the start dates?

 

[GreenSignal]

Does anybody know the start dates?

Yes..

 

[London 10101]

When if you dont mind answering?

 

[Shylem]

Anyone can tell me what company is better to work for Arriva Londom or MTR crossrail?

Arriva say I can start training in March April.
MTR I am on standby and it wont be until the end of year 2018.

I am close to both Depots Wilesden Junc and Old oak common.

My gut says MTR but I dont want to hang around for almost a year.

Advice pls

 

[baz962]

Anyone can tell me what company is better to work for Arriva Londom or MTR crossrail?

Arriva say I can start training in March April.
MTR I am on standby and it wont be until the end of year 2018.

I am close to both Depots Wilesden Junc and Old oak common.

My gut says MTR but I dont want to hang around for almost a year.

Advice pls

I cant answer mate, but can i ask when was your arriva dmi.

 

[GreenSignal]

Anyone can tell me what company is better to work for Arriva Londom or MTR crossrail?

Arriva say I can start training in March April.
MTR I am on standby and it wont be until the end of year 2018.

I am close to both Depots Wilesden Junc and Old oak common.

My gut says MTR but I dont want to hang around for almost a year.

Advice pls

My advice...

wait for MTR.

 

[daylightatthegrids]

I’d go to whichever starts the course earlier. Once you’re qualified you’ll be free to go wherever you want providing there are vacancies.

 

[GreenSignal]

I’d go to whichever starts the course earlier. Once you’re qualified you’ll be free to go wherever you want providing there are vacancies.

Without 2 years driving experience, the OP won' be going anywhere.
32 months at Arriva before you can apply for MTR.

If the companies were reversed with their start times, would you have asked the same question?

 

[daylightatthegrids]

Without 2 years driving experience, the OP won' be going anywhere.
32 months at Arriva before you can apply for MTR.

If the companies were reversed with their start times, would you have asked the same question?

I didn’t mean the day after you get your key though, but anyway I would still stick with whoever would offer me a course first. So many things could change that I would defitely prefer to secure a place. Both company are doo and under tfl. Same money, same number of routes.

 

[Shylem]

Wk1 RD L L L L L RD
Wk2 RD E E E RD E E
Wk3 E E E RD RD E E
Wk4 L L RD RD RD RD RD
Wk5 RD RD E E E E E
Wk6 L L RD RD L L L
Wk7 L RD L L L L RD
Wk8 RD RD RD RD RD RD RD

Here is a typical 8-week block. You can normally find swaps if needed, although obviously not guaranteed.

This is great info. Can you please tell me what are the start and finish times for E and L shifts. I am assuming there are a variety depending on your train depature time.

Is there parking for drivers that want to drive into work?

 

[Shylem]

Without 2 years driving experience, the OP won' be going anywhere.
32 months at Arriva before you can apply for MTR.

If the companies were reversed with their start times, would you have asked the same question?

No I wouldn't as I would jump at MTR. However this is only because I have superficial info on both companies.

MTR in my mind are on a new venture with new innovative processes. Arriva have peaked and only can maintain or go down in performance. Its just a feeling without knowing first hand facts on driver conditions.

 

[choochoochoo]

Anyone can tell me what company is better to work for Arriva Londom or MTR crossrail?

Arriva say I can start training in March April.
MTR I am on standby and it wont be until the end of year 2018.

I am close to both Depots Wilesden Junc and Old oak common.

My gut says MTR but I dont want to hang around for almost a year.

Advice pls

Did you get a sense of which company felt better during the recruitment stages.

I was in a similar situation with GTR and Chiltern. I decided GTR partly because my recruitment experience with them was better.

Also what stops you taking the arriva role and leaving for mtr part way through your training ? You'll then have a headstart on rules and some idea on traction too.

Be selfish. Don't feel like you owe the TOCs anything. You're just a disposable asset to them. There is no loyalty.

 

[Shylem]

I had already completed all stages with MTR, so with Arriva, I went right through to the final interview stage as both company set identical standards. The depots are adjacent to each other, Old common oak and Willesden Junction respectively. MTR sub contract their recruitment drive and a lot slicker and organised compared to Arriva the very opposite from previous experiences, however I don't want to judge the company sole on this.

 

[iphone76]

Be selfish. Don't feel like you owe the TOCs anything. You're just a disposable asset to them. There is no loyalty.

I work for MTR and I think they are a great company to work for. I certainly don't feel like a disposable asset to them. (Even though I may be).

 

[Val3ntine]

Hopefully a driver from both companies will be able to advise you of the terms and conditions of both companies. It’s that reason alone that should steer you in the direction of which company to go for as a driver and more so when you become qualified and may want to move to other companies in the future

 

[baz962]

I had already completed all stages with MTR, so with Arriva, I went right through to the final interview stage as both company set identical standards. The depots are adjacent to each other, Old common oak and Willesden Junction respectively. MTR sub contract their recruitment drive and a lot slicker and organised compared to Arriva the very opposite from previous experiences, however I don't want to judge the company sole on this.

What about the recruitment at arriva concerned you

 

[choochoochoo]

I had already completed all stages with MTR, so with Arriva, I went right through to the final interview stage as both company set identical standards. The depots are adjacent to each other, Old common oak and Willesden Junction respectively. MTR sub contract their recruitment drive and a lot slicker and organised compared to Arriva the very opposite from previous experiences, however I don't want to judge the company sole on this.

Definitely don't make your decision solely on the recruitment experience. However, did you find one DMI more friendly and welcoming than the other ? After all, these are the managers you'll be working for. Remember an interview is a 2-way process, you have to decide equally whether the company is right for you as much as they are deciding whether you're right for them.

 

[choochoochoo]

What about the recruitment at arriva concerned you

apart from the fact it takes forever for them to process applications and keep people updated ?

 

[Shylem]

MTR are very friendly and warm, Arriva too, however once qualified, however I like to look of the roster for Arriva. looks good out of 56 days you only work 32 and have the rest as RD, do drivers really require that much rest lol?

 

[baz962]

apart from the fact it takes forever for them to process applications and keep people updated ?

Are you joking lol i applied november, and have had dmi, just waiting on results, gtr took took 5 months to get to the same place, arriva been v quick upto now.

 

[Tron81]

Anyone still waiting to hear back from the initial application?

 

[Lem]

Anyone still waiting to hear back from the initial application?

I am.

 

[RV83]

I haven' heard anything back either

 

[Shylem]

I have inside contact, 6k applicants applied so its a very lengthy process on my first attempt it took 8 months for me to get a response and was given a weeks notice to attend. Advice is start getting prepared regardless

 

[steviebuk]

Are you joking lol i applied november, and have had dmi, just waiting on results, gtr took took 5 months to get to the same place, arriva been v quick upto now.

I’m the same applied November got a call today to say they have put a contract in the post. It’s been a very quick process I can’t fault ARL. Just looking forward to starting now.

 

[baz962]

I’m the same applied November got a call today to say they have put a contract in the post. It’s been a very quick process I can’t fault ARL. Just looking forward to starting now.

Yea we spoke private message lol. You starting april.

 

[steviebuk]

Yea we spoke private message lol. You starting april.

I don’t know the start date until I get the contract offer through the post mate.

 

[CatchMeIfUCan]

Anyone still waiting to hear back from the initial application?

Not heard anything. Just a generic acknowledgement email that they’ve received my application.

 

[Tron81]

Thanks for the responses, was starting to think if I missed a follow up email....