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Trainee drivers Freighliner HH
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Scaramanga
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Surely from a recruitment point of view it would be a lot easier for FL to enforce the 45 min from depot rule instead of this seemingly national relocation based one?
Im guessing that they've filled the assessment slots by the amount on here who have been invited but dont know why they said they would notify those successful by 18th Aug. Wont count my chickens, or lack of, until then!
Im guessing that they've filled the assessment slots by the amount on here who have been invited but dont know why they said they would notify those successful by 18th Aug. Wont count my chickens, or lack of, until then!
Why do you think there is a total lack of qualified drivers applying for these posts?
In the latest ASLEF journal there is a big advert for qualified drivers for heavy haul.
Only for qualified freight drivers though!
Good place for it on the back cover.
I know I said it was for qualified drivers lol.
This is pure speculation but I would hazard a guess that freightliner are hoping to get a lot of qualified drivers in and the trainee positions are a backup if they don't get enough?
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The reason for the trainees is simply because there are no qualified drivers applying for any of the depots. The externals must also remember they have the competition with the internal HH staff who failed first time around and are now able to sit it again, some only parts, so I would say they have the edge and what doesn't get filled will go to external.
Fair enough I just saw the ad for qualified's on the back of the ASLEF journal, which kind of said to me that the trainee advert was a backup if they didnt get enough interest. I presume there are a lot of internals going for it?
This is mine and a veiw shared by many of my colleges on heavy haul . HH are struggling to recruit qualified freight drivers anymore, so they are having to recruit and train up passenger drivers at great expense. It is therefore cheaper to train someone up off the street for 18k, rather than a passenger driver for 46k. Sadly with HH , it's always about saving money
flhh66555
Member
I would just like to make a point about location. now this is only my opinion and not backed up by any info I have received. Doncaster depot is a satellite depot to Ferrybridge. a lot a ferry drivers want to move there and find it difficult for reasons unknown to me. thus the reason drivers have left to GBRf Doncaster (not just money). I don't want to upset anyone but I would not plan on Doncaster depot. As for qualified drivers applying I just don't think the job appeals to that many. see my post 165. its not what everyone thinks it is.
and I agree with sirles about money saving.
and I agree with sirles about money saving.
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Remember lots have jumped ship to TOCS and FOCS too, a pay deal is due in October, that will be just be one big scrap! Even then I don't think that will attract the drivers. Even if they do get a pay rise, I just can't see a rest day working agreement coming into play.
flhh66555
Member
agreed, I do think a decent pay deal is possible but rest day agreement always be same
GB did get there's banked, now I believe you can get it monthly. HH ain't had an agreement in 10 year so why would they give one now, I ain't sure how it would actually work as every driver starts there contract at different times so it would all become quite confusing with say a rest day calculator and such.
Quickthorn
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Hmm, I'm starting to wonder what I'm applying for..
Thanks for that. Is Ferrybridge a better prospect, do you think? I could probably do that in 40 mins. Other than that, all the other depots are out of range and I'd have to relocate.
Your other post (165) was a great insight into the job. Personally, a lot of that doesn't worry me too much, as I do an outdoor manual job now (but no shifts). It did make me wonder: what % of your time do you spend actually driving a train?
Thanks for that. Is Ferrybridge a better prospect, do you think? I could probably do that in 40 mins. Other than that, all the other depots are out of range and I'd have to relocate.
Your other post (165) was a great insight into the job. Personally, a lot of that doesn't worry me too much, as I do an outdoor manual job now (but no shifts). It did make me wonder: what % of your time do you spend actually driving a train?
Lincoln_biker
Member
Where is ferrybridge? I can't find it on the Freightliner depot map! LB
Quickthorn
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Near Wakefield
http://www.freightliner.co.uk/en/network/
Under "freightliner Heavy haul", click Locations.
flhh66555
Member
Hmm, I'm starting to wonder what I'm applying for..
Thanks for that. Is Ferrybridge a better prospect, do you think? I could probably do that in 40 mins. Other than that, all the other depots are out of range and I'd have to relocate.
Your other post (165) was a great insight into the job. Personally, a lot of that doesn't worry me too much, as I do an outdoor manual job now (but no shifts). It did make me wonder: what % of your time do you spend actually driving a train?
depends. honest. one week 95% another 5%. As for ferry I think we have four training for four vacancies.
today I started at 2:45. Three jobs. First to back one away into sudforth lane No2 slot. then 03:52 to 08:00 Ferry-Drax-Sudforth-Engine to Midland Road an van to ferry. then 11:20 to 1400. Ferry-York Yard south
engine to mid Road van to ferry. 4 hrs 26 actual driving in a 11:45 diagram.
Ferry post code is WF11 8RA if that helps
Putting all the moaning to one side, becoming a train driver is a fantastic job , very rewarding and does pay very good money. I know many of us train drivers on here moan about the job, but that's just what train drivers do. I want to leave hh simply because after driving freight trains for 20 years, I'm bored and need a change, its as simple as that. But any of you out there who have never worked in the industry, driving trains is a great job . if you can handle the shift work which can be difficult at times, you will have a wonderful career
NI 271
Member
It's what everyone does, no matter where they work. There's blokes at our place who do nothing but slag it off, the money's ok, but no better than that, but if it, or the job, is so bad, why not do one? The majority of those who slag the place off most have been there over 20 years...think that demonstrates how bad they really think it is.
I'm in Crewe on the 28th. Fingers crossed. I hadn't given freight too much thought until recently, but driving a loco with 30 trucks trailing behind it must be more fun (or at least more challenging) than piddling around on a 153?
Cherry_Picker
Established Member
Yes, until you get looped to let the 153 overtake you.
Good luck to all those who have tests.
NI 271
Member
Yes, until you get looped to let the 153 overtake you.
Everyone's in such a rush!!
The longer I'm at work, the less time Ive got to spend with the wife and kids...
Flyboy
Member
Hi JAMBO, sorry to be so late with my reply to your post. You're absolutely right about making sacrifices but one must always keep a level head and consider the degree of severity of such sacrifices, especially career-changing individuals in their 30s or 40s who have financial commitments. Although Freight was my initial goal when I first seriously considered moving into the railway industry in 2008, my first selection opportunity was with FTPE. They stated that their 'training' salary of just under £19k was applicable for 12 months; this was indeed a large salary reduction for me and therefore a big sacrifice to make, but I thought about it very carefully and considered the short-term pain to be well worth the long-term gain at what I judge to be an above average TOC. At the end of 12 months this increased to over £40k and then to over £43k when qualified.
So that was the reason behind my question about the length of training at FLHH and how long the £18k salary would apply, 12 months would be okay but 24 months (as was suggested) would be to big a stretch for me personally.
However, that's all largely irrelevant now; I looked into FLHH a little deeper, including some of the very informative posts on here from existing drivers, and saw quite clearly that they're not the company they once were, so I didn't bother applying.
Thanks for your input JAMBO.
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Good luck to those who have heard back and been invited to an interview day.
Unfortunately I've still not heard back from this or the DRS application. Its a shame they don't offer feedback as Id really like to know what it is Im doing wrong. I to have points on my licence so it could be something to do with that?
Unfortunately I've still not heard back from this or the DRS application. Its a shame they don't offer feedback as Id really like to know what it is Im doing wrong. I to have points on my licence so it could be something to do with that?
daddy_badger
Member
ooh I'm one of that 2-3k , not heard either.
For how many available positions?
C_M
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- 1 Aug 2013
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Don't read too much into the numbers chaps. You'd never apply for anything if you knew those things before you started. Apart from the fact 2000-3000 is basically a guess.
Scaramanga
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I was told by a HH DM at Bristol that they need 15 'in the South' but didnt know how they would be divvied up between depots.
choochoochoo
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Got an invite to assessment too.
About the additional test paperwork they sent, does anybody who knows the internals who did the assessment know if they got asked these things or was it just the other booklet.
Also does anyone know if the structured interview is also on the initial stage assessment day or is this the same as the 'criterion based' interview they mention in the letter and will take place at another time in september.
Good luck to all applying.
About the additional test paperwork they sent, does anybody who knows the internals who did the assessment know if they got asked these things or was it just the other booklet.
Also does anyone know if the structured interview is also on the initial stage assessment day or is this the same as the 'criterion based' interview they mention in the letter and will take place at another time in september.
Good luck to all applying.
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