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DB v Freightliner

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Groggy

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any thoughts on the future of drivers for these 2 companies?
i have a start date which is very near now for DB at Peak forest but hearing they are losing lots of work?
also i COULD have a chance of joining FLHH who ive been told have got lots of DBs old work?..........anyone know anything what happening
 
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tiptoptaff

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I have had an indepth discussion with an ex-DB man going to FLHH in the south Wales area recently. Feel free to PM me and i'll tell you what he told me
 

Crazyb

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I was at Freightliner Intermodal for years. I personally wouldn't go to any, but after 31 years driving freight and from Freightliner from 1997 when privatised, I would say Freightliner 100%.

If you want stability, then HH. You could also transfer in to Intermodal at a later date if wanted, if there is one near you.

The problem with freight, the contracts seem to go from one company to the other after so many years, so even going to HH....you could be doing yourself out of a job in years to come, so remember that.

I'm at a TOC now, but I was out with a group of FLT drivers at the weekend, HH are growing, so the rumour as it, and you know what the Amercians are like......they will steamroller over everyone.

The other thing to remember, I don't think DB are 100% pension now, and Freightliner is....That would be a question I would asked. Also, but don't quote me on this, but at HH your just a driver, I think at DB, you will be doing all sorts of jobs under the new newbie contract....If I'm wrong, a driver will put me right.

Good luck with your decsion.
 

sargentsiri

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Having worked along side DB for a few years up at peak i can tell you now Peak bucks the trend 100% for DB. They may be losing work through the country, but Peak is a really busy little hub. With Cemex taking a fair bit but mainly with Breedon (Out of Dowlow Quarry) having upped their number of services almost two fold. Peak will never be in trouble. However, FLHH do have alot out of Tunstead, or Hope works if you go down Earles sidings.

If it was me, id go FL - But that's purely though having to use DB from a customer point of view, they consistently failed to meet our demands.
 

Groggy

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Having worked along side DB for a few years up at peak i can tell you now Peak bucks the trend 100% for DB. They may be losing work through the country, but Peak is a really busy little hub. With Cemex taking a fair bit but mainly with Breedon (Out of Dowlow Quarry) having upped their number of services almost two fold. Peak will never be in trouble. However, FLHH do have alot out of Tunstead, or Hope works if you go down Earles sidings.

If it was me, id go FL - But that's purely though having to use DB from a customer point of view, they consistently failed to meet our demands.
did you work in cemex and havent DB lost the work out of cemex?
how db fail you? was it shortage of drivers? wagons? locos?
 

sargentsiri

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did you work in cemex and havent DB lost the work out of cemex?
how db fail you? was it shortage of drivers? wagons? locos?

I worked at Breedon. I couldn't comment on Cemex work as i'm out of the loop with it now. To be honest the majority of the time they either didn't have the resource to cover our requests, or drivers. BUT - our argument was if you want the work, put resource in place!

I'm now down Tunstead Quarry - FLHH have a very good set up down here for Driver welfare - they look a lot more professional.
 

loco-84

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Hi guys I know it's not the topic but I'm applying for a trainne train driver job with freightliner at tilbury, any info on this company would be greatly appreciated. Cheers
 
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Atishyou

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The problem with freight, the contracts seem to go from one company to the other after so many years, so even going to HH....you could be doing yourself out of a job in years to come, so remember that.

The other thing to remember, I don't think DB are 100% pension now, and Freightliner is....That would be a question I would asked. Also, but don't quote me on this, but at HH your just a driver, I think at DB, you will be doing all sorts of jobs under the new newbie contract....If I'm wrong, a driver will put me right.

You are wrong.

At db, a driver is a driver.

The pension is as it always has been. Although due to the up and down nature of freight, I understand a lot of pensions are short of the balance they need, but that's being discussed at db.

DB just lost a cement contract, but just gained some other contracts.

The new CEO of db seems switched on and a go getter, so things appear to be turning a corner for them.
 

Crazyb

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Hi guys I know it's not the topic but I'm applying for a trainne train driver job with freightliner at tilbury, any info on this company would be greatly appreciated. Cheers
The depot is still in Tilbury Docks, and they get a taxi or staff car to Thames Haven, where most jobs start and finish.

They still go to Rugby, also Wembley, Reading and Ipswich...Loads of passing.

You work a round the clock, but not much weekend work.

The roster is like a passenger roster, but you can be moved off spare turns up to 4 hrs either side orignal sign on time.

You will work for a living.

Your the lowest paid freight driver

Its a good step in the door, if you get a job and you can move on like most ex trainees have over the last year !!!
 

loco-84

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The depot is still in Tilbury Docks, and they get a taxi or staff car to Thames Haven, where most jobs start and finish.

They still go to Rugby, also Wembley, Reading and Ipswich...Loads of passing.

You work a round the clock, but not much weekend work.

The roster is like a passenger roster, but you can be moved off spare turns up to 4 hrs either side orignal sign on time.

You will work for a living.

Your the lowest paid freight driver

Its a good step in the door, if you get a job and you can move on like most ex trainees have over the last year !!!
Thanks for the information mate .
Have a lot of people left the company in the last year?
 

Crazyb

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Thanks for the information mate .
Have a lot of people left the company in the last year?
Quite a few from Ipswich, around 15 I reckon in the last year. There are more retirements coming up at both locations. There was around 5 ex trainees that left, one went to East Mids, the rest went to GA. Better conditions and travel for their family, also better conditions.
I wouldn't knock Freightliner, but you will work hard, but you do go to some places.
When the company first took over in 95/96, your couldn't of asked for more, now most people are leaving.
As for security of the job, at Intermodal, I don't think you have nothing to worry.

For the guy saying about 58k at HH, believe it when you see it, but I have heard rumours, but not that much. If they put everyone on the same wages, it would be a big jump for Intermodal men, and I can't see that when Intermodal are only on 46k.
 

GB

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Is it not the case that HH are 40 hours a week where IM are 35 hours?
 

loco-84

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Quite a few from Ipswich, around 15 I reckon in the last year. There are more retirements coming up at both locations. There was around 5 ex trainees that left, one went to East Mids, the rest went to GA. Better conditions and travel for their family, also better conditions.
I wouldn't knock Freightliner, but you will work hard, but you do go to some places.
When the company first took over in 95/96, your couldn't of asked for more, now most people are leaving.
As for security of the job, at Intermodal, I don't think you have nothing to worry.

For the guy saying about 58k at HH, believe it when you see it, but I have heard rumours, but not that much. If they put everyone on the same wages, it would be a big jump for Intermodal men, and I can't see that when Intermodal are only on 46k.
Thanks for that mate, looking for a career change and always fancied a job train driving so will see how it goes.
 

Crazyb

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Don't get me wrong, if you get in, then take it....I can't remember the trainees wages, its early or late 20's....Once passed out, you move to about 38k ish.....after a year...... full wage.

Not sure how long the training is, but you have to road learn, so it could take a good year on rubbish money.
 

mr double 77

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Is there a Freightliner HH driver who could pm me regarding the job, as I have a interview on the 22nd may in regards to leaving DB and joining them, and help appreciated thanks
 

OhMe

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Don't get me wrong, if you get in, then take it....I can't remember the trainees wages, its early or late 20's....Once passed out, you move to about 38k ish.....after a year...... full wage.

Not sure how long the training is, but you have to road learn, so it could take a good year on rubbish money.

£38k rubbish money?? Wow, show me where I can.....
 

Groggy

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Is there a Freightliner HH driver who could pm me regarding the job, as I have a interview on the 22nd may in regards to leaving DB and joining them, and help appreciated thanks
hi mate...is DB not good to work for if your after getting out?
 

Suraggu

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From my experience personally and knowing the experience of others, between those two companies Freightliner would be the one to choose.

Its very much like a extended family in some parts, all get treated exactly the same, respecting contract T&C's.
 
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mr double 77

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I hope your right, as DB Cargo are a laughing stock at the minute, only my personal experience, however I can’t be too far wide considering how much work we’ve lost, the management is shocking, you will only see them if and hopefully never when you’ve messed up, however at times like this, man management would be appreciated but they just don’t seem bothered, freightliner look the business may be silly but look at there wagons, we have Wagons with EWS still on them branding is everything, and if that looks ****e then what does it say regarding the rest of the business model, to a customer !! Answer unprofessional
 

sargentsiri

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I hope your right, as DB Cargo are a laughing stock at the minute, only my personal experience, however I can’t be too far wide considering how much work we’ve lost, the management is shocking, you will only see them if and hopefully never when you’ve messed up, however at times like this, man management would be appreciated but they just don’t seem bothered, freightliner look the business may be silly but look at there wagons, we have Wagons with EWS still on them branding is everything, and if that looks ****e then what does it say regarding the rest of the business model, to a customer !! Answer unprofessional

This guy has hit the nail on the head!
 
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