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Trainee drivers Freighliner HH

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ToastLaser

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Joined
22 Oct 2013
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11
Location
York
Hi, just to let you know about Doncaster, strictly speaking is not a depot, it's a signing on point, most of the time you will sign on at Ferrybridge.

Thanks, that was one of the questions I had :)

Any info on what routes they sign?
 
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RailUK Forums

class 9

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Joined
18 Nov 2010
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948
There is absolutely no real planning for route knowledge from the **** poor rostering/planning office.
It will depend on your mentors route knowledge.
Most donny drivers will go to Immingham, possibly Hull, the local power stations, Ratcliffe near Nottingham.
There is ballast work too,HOBC/TRT trains, quite often up the ECML.
You might end up with a reasonable route card, but on the other you might not.
Also bear in mind you won't just be driving, you'll be shunting, train preparing, taxi driving,and doing minor repairs on wagons
Oh, there's also loads of 11hr+ shifts starting in the early hours eg 0150 - 1340.
Lastly you don't get next weeks rosters till Friday teatime.
It's a good job though.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
There is absolutely no real planning for route knowledge from the **** poor rostering/planning office.
It will depend on your mentors route knowledge.
Most donny drivers will go to Immingham, possibly Hull, the local power stations and Ratcliffe near Nottingham.
There is ballast work too,HOBC/TRT trains, quite often up the ECML.
You might end up with a reasonable route card, but on the other you might not.
Also bear in mind you won't just be driving, you'll be shunting, train preparing, taxi driving,and doing minor repairs on wagons
Oh, there's also loads of 11hr+ shifts starting in the early hours eg 0150 - 1340.
Lastly you don't get next weeks rosters till Friday teatime.
It's a good job though.
 

siw8158

Member
Joined
30 Oct 2011
Messages
36
Great News!

Anyone else heard anything back?

I was offered a position at Toton, subject to medical!

Obviously delighted, raring to go now. Not sure when medical will be just want to get it out of the way and contract signed.

Guessing it will be a January start as was suggested in the interview and judging by the comment above looks like it will be the 4th.

Best of luck to anyone waiting to hear back.


Did they call or send you a letter or email!

Take it you'll be in the January intake then.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Looks like some letters have gone out from Crewe for the last batch.

Just been offered a medical!:D
 

NinjaJihad

Member
Joined
25 Jul 2013
Messages
51
Hi siw8158, sorry I didn't reply to you earlier it was a phonecall I received. Congrats on being offered a position, I've also been booked in for a medical. Have you heard what depot you will be based at?
 

siw8158

Member
Joined
30 Oct 2011
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36
NinjaJihad

Evening.

Not had the phonecall (that I'm aware of) but having been told by the interviewer I was a main contender and Joe receiving an invite to go for a medical, i'm putting 2&2 together for this letter basically a job offer being conditional on the medical.

Medical in 12 days in Birmingham.

Incidentally, it'll be up the Erewash at Toton!

Keep us/me posted!

Hope to see you there!

Si
 

Rocombe11

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Joined
12 Jun 2013
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102
Just had a letter from FL saying that I was unsuccessful this time, but that they would like to keep my aplication on file should any subsequent suitable posts arise in the future (talent pool?). Anyone else had the same? Has anyone received a outright rejection?
 
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gammyleg

New Member
Joined
3 Nov 2013
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Location
West Yorkshire
Same letter that dropped through my door Rocombe.

Closure on 3 months of tests and anticipation.

congrats to all those who got through.

I got through to the final interviews and that is no mean feat.

I wonder if my stages one and two are worth any currency at other toc's?
 

NinjaJihad

Member
Joined
25 Jul 2013
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51
Sorry to hear that guys.

@gammyleg I'm sure some companies will accept the passes, may even be worth sending a speculative application stating you have passed the assessments to the likes of Colas or other companies that have ongoing recruitment. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
 

pauljiffy

New Member
Joined
4 Nov 2013
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Just had a letter from FL saying that I was unsuccessful this time, but that they would like to keep my aplication on file should any subsequent suitable posts arise in the future (talent pool?). Anyone else had the same? Has anyone received a outright rejection?
Hey Rocombe,
Sorry to hear about that. Im still waiting for a letter!! When did you have your interview at Leeds? Mine was 24th September!!
 

Rocombe11

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12 Jun 2013
Messages
102
Hey Rocombe,
Sorry to hear about that. Im still waiting for a letter!! When did you have your interview at Leeds? Mine was 24th September!!

Mine was the first week of interviews-it was a loooonnngggg 5 week wait for no thanks-should've known really, but hope and all.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Same letter that dropped through my door Rocombe.

Closure on 3 months of tests and anticipation.

congrats to all those who got through.

I got through to the final interviews and that is no mean feat.

I wonder if my stages one and two are worth any currency at other toc's?

Mine have got me an interview with Colas:D
 

gammyleg

New Member
Joined
3 Nov 2013
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3
Location
West Yorkshire
I heard of colas but are they just a southern company as i live up 't' north

i am going to send my cv and a covering letter to all the other tocs stating i have stage one and two.
 

Rocombe11

Member
Joined
12 Jun 2013
Messages
102
I heard of colas but are they just a southern company as i live up 't' north

i am going to send my cv and a covering letter to all the other tocs stating i have stage one and two.

DB Schenker have another ad out, but mainly in the south, Peterbrough is the furthest north I think, have a look at their website.
 

Phatdan

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Joined
7 Aug 2013
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65
Hey guys . Does anyone on here currently work for freightliner ?
Just wanted to get an idea on perks I.e holiday allowance , wages so on .
Thanks
 

WesternAccent

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Joined
13 Sep 2013
Messages
6
Hey guys . Does anyone on here currently work for freightliner ?
Just wanted to get an idea on perks I.e holiday allowance , wages so on .
Thanks

Any information would be great, also are there any travel perks on the railways for new starters?
 

ballast rat

Member
Joined
24 Oct 2013
Messages
35
Hey guys . Does anyone on here currently work for freightliner ?
Just wanted to get an idea on perks I.e holiday allowance , wages so on .
Thanks

I do. There aren't many perks as such. Holiday entitlement is circa 32 days, but this is currently being negotiated with a new pay deal for £52k in return for commiting to work some rest days.
Final salary pension scheme, you contribute 10% and the company contributes 16%

Any information would be great, also are there any travel perks on the railways for new starters?

There are no travel perks.
 
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Fergie87

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7 Aug 2013
Messages
40
Location
Gravesend
I do. There aren't many perks as such. Holiday entitlement is circa 32 days, but this is currently being negotiated with a new pay deal for £52k in return for commiting to work some rest days.
Final salary pension scheme, you contribute 10% and the company contributes 16%



There are no travel perks.

Thanks for the info I read on the ASLEF website that a new deal was being negotiated but couldn't find any information. The one question I have is how does overtime work? I have been told that it is not paid monthly as you would expect but instead a cheque is given at the end of the year. Is this correct? Also is overtime paid at more than the usual rate?

This is probably something that I should have asked in my DM interview but I don't really like discussing financial things as I am worried it could be misconstrued as being greedy.

Thanks
 

ballast rat

Member
Joined
24 Oct 2013
Messages
35
Thanks for the info I read on the ASLEF website that a new deal was being negotiated but couldn't find any information. The one question I have is how does overtime work? I have been told that it is not paid monthly as you would expect but instead a cheque is given at the end of the year. Is this correct? Also is overtime paid at more than the usual rate?

This is probably something that I should have asked in my DM interview but I don't really like discussing financial things as I am worried it could be misconstrued as being greedy.

Thanks

I 'think' overtime is paid at flat rate, but I could be wrong. Any overtime is paid as a 'happy cheque' at the end of the financial year. This is usually when people go and buy new cars/houses/holidays etc!

The reason LG was in the interview is to answer questions relating to pay and terms etc. You should've asked whatever you wanted, they wouldn't be offended.

Also, we're paid 4 weekly, which means 13 payday a year. I like this because it means there's always one payday in the year where it's all disposable as most direct debits and mortgage payments are pcm!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
There is also some child care voucher scheme called busy bees iirc, but I'm not sure on the details of that. All the info you need will be in the handbook which I imagine you'll be given in the first few days.
 
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Fergie87

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Joined
7 Aug 2013
Messages
40
Location
Gravesend
I 'think' overtime is paid at flat rate, but I could be wrong. Any overtime is paid as a 'happy cheque' at the end of the financial year. This is usually when people go and buy new cars/houses/holidays etc!

The reason LG was in the interview is to answer questions relating to pay and terms etc. You should've asked whatever you wanted, they wouldn't be offended.

Also, we're paid 4 weekly, which means 13 payday a year. I like this because it means there's always one payday in the year where it's all disposable as most direct debits and mortgage payments are pcm!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
There is also some child care voucher scheme called busy bees iirc, but I'm not sure on the details of that. All the info you need will be in the handbook which I imagine you'll be given in the first few days.

Thanks for the info it's a great help and child are vouchers would be brilliant.
 

flhh66555

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Joined
24 May 2013
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31
Location
Pontefract
At the Moment the holiday entitlement is 36 days, the move to reduce this to 32 (and other things in the pay deal) was voted out. not sure about the 52k deal its a new one on me, unless you mean the first offer which was purely a volunteer basis only. there are some perks, with freight you get more chance of a flyer (home early) and the best perk is not having to deal with joe public. as for overtime it is paid at an enhanced rate. but be aware any overtime worked is NOT guaranteed to be paid.
 

F1Fan

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Joined
10 Apr 2013
Messages
41
At the Moment the holiday entitlement is 36 days, the move to reduce this to 32

Interesting. I'm one of the new trainees and my contract states 28 days inc the 8 days bank holidays. Are us newbies on worse contracts????
 

class 9

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18 Nov 2010
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There is a lot of incorrect information being banded about, it's 36 days AL, no staff travel(unless you are 'safeguarded') No childcare vouchers. Overtime payed annually above 1568 hrs & goes up in stages ( not a huge rate, I don't think it's even time & quarter, but it is a decent hourly rate.
The 52k that is being mentioned was part of a proposal to commit to work a certain number of RDs, but you had to make yourself available for 50% of all RDs! This was rejected by the union.
Any other questions and I'll try & help.
 

flhh66555

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Joined
24 May 2013
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Location
Pontefract
Can that possibly be done at such a huge company?

unfortunately the size of the company is irrelevant. roster clerks control the overtime. certain depots drivers will work over 35 hours week in week out and walk away with a nice bonus. it is possible tho that due to lack of route knowledge or other circumstances new drivers could be in front and be booked short weeks when work is not available. that's a risk everyone takes when working rest days or overtime at the very beginning of your contract.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Interesting. I'm one of the new trainees and my contract states 28 days inc the 8 days bank holidays. Are us newbies on worse contracts????

I am only guessing but I would imagine this is new starter conditions.
 

TDF

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Joined
15 Aug 2013
Messages
51
what would the attire be for those staring next Monday? Business dress?

I'll be in a shirt and tie, I'm assuming the first day everyone will be in their own gear and we're kitted out with Freightliner uniform from then onwards.
 

JoyDivision

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Joined
1 Oct 2013
Messages
25
Location
England
I've noticed that the postcode given for the first day takes you to a random place nowhere near Basford Hall sidings, where I assume it is - does anybody else know for sure where it is?

I thought it was left out of Crewe station, left down Gresty Road and then the entrance is left after a railway bridge, is this correct?
 
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TDF

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Joined
15 Aug 2013
Messages
51
I've noticed that the postcode given for the first day takes you to a random place nowhere near Basford Hall sidings, where I assume it is - does anybody else know for sure where it is?

I thought it was left out of Crewe station, left down Gresty Road and then the entrance is left after a railway bridge, is this correct?

If I'm overdressed then so be it, I'll just get rid of the tie :)

I haven't even looked into the actual location yet, I've the building when I'm passing through on the train home to Liverpool but never actually been there. Will have to look into that in a bit more detail...

Another thing, who is staying over in the hotel for the 5 weeks until Christmas week?
 
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