ATW Trainee Conductor

metalmickey · 23 Mar 2016

I have just seen that ATW are advertising for a trainee conductor in Holyhead and in Chester. I live in South Wales, well over 3 hours travel away, I can't relocate due to family being settled and other commitments. Does anyone know if it's viable to stay in digs near to the station that you would be based at and go home on your days off. I'm even willing to live in a van, which I have done in the past and again go home on my days off. Would ATW allow this and does anyone know any others who have done anything like this previously or currently, thanks for any replies or advice.

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tiptoptaff · 23 Mar 2016

In a word - no. You will have to show at your interview that you would be willing and able to relocate. Simple as that unfortunately.

metalmickey · 23 Mar 2016

Thanks for the reply, will have to wait for the next lot vacancies in south wales

kelv · 23 Mar 2016

I've just seen this vacancy & emailed them regarding the '6 month ruling,' I applied in October which would be within the 6 months if I got the application in on last couple of days (unless it closed early) but sat the tests in November which is the date that they use, so they have informed me that I am unable to apply this time.

I know they state that they are unable to give any feedback when you apply & sit tests etc but surely if you were given some kind of indication of how you did in your tests then it could save a lot of time for them during recruitment i.e. you could have 'bombed out' massively or could have attained a score that saw you only just miss out on going through to the next stage based on the number of applicants that scored higher.. possibly even by just 1 place.

Disappointed that I can't apply for this.

red2005 · 23 Mar 2016

metalmickey said:
I have just seen that ATW are advertising for a trainee conductor in Holyhead and in Chester. I live in South Wales, well over 3 hours travel away, I can't relocate due to family being settled and other commitments. Does anyone know if it's viable to stay in digs near to the station that you would be based at and go home on your days off. I'm even willing to live in a van, which I have done in the past and again go home on my days off. Would ATW allow this and does anyone know any others who have done anything like this previously or currently, thanks for any replies or advice.

To put it bluntly you've got more chance of getting the preverbial from a rocking horse suggesting that to them......they'd only be thinking this guy is going to want to transfer back towards home at the first opportunity.

When you need to relocate for a job with these you need to promote longevity.

TeaTrain · 23 Mar 2016

Indeed what red2005 said. I am a Holyhead guard and I can tell you now the depot is desperate. They are defenitly looking for commitment more than ever I would presume.

They wont consider you unless you relocate. And I had to stress it multiple times that I was willing to do so before they finally accepted my written statement.

Dai_Llama · 23 Mar 2016

I was chatting to one of the guards on the Holyhead to Cardiff service on Sunday and he told me there was a new vacancy coming up for the Holyhead depot. He was proven right by today's news.

dalesrail · 24 Mar 2016

Does anybody know what the recruiment process is for ATW after the initial application? Is there a GBT or SCAAT? Also be intersted in other information such as the number of links, routes signed, shifts, Sunday working etc...Thanks.

kelv · 24 Mar 2016

Code:

dalesrail said:
Does anybody know what the recruiment process is for ATW after the initial application? Is there a GBT or SCAAT? Also be intersted in other information such as the number of links, routes signed, shifts, Sunday working etc...Thanks.

SHL test, numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning.

this is from an email in october ....

The process is in 5 stages:-

Stage 1 Online assessments

Stage 2 Telephone interviews

Stage 3 Interview

Stage 4 Medical

Stage 5 Start

Stage 1 - Online Testing

Firstly, we would like you to complete some online testing. You will be asked to complete 2 online tests which have been specifically chosen as an indicator of the skills and aptitudes required by the successful post holder.

General Ability Test
Safe Concentration & Attention Test (think it was group bourdon but using letters)

you can practice tests via this link
https://www.cebglobal.com/shldirect/en/practice-tests/

TeaTrain · 25 Mar 2016

If its for Holyhead you will work a four day week. The routes you will learn are:

Holyhead-Chester
LLandudno Junction-Llandudno
Llandudno-Blaenau Ffestiniog (Conwy Valley Line)
Chester- Manchester Piccadilly
Manchester Piccadilly - Manchester Airport.
Chester- Crewe

Traction will be 150, 158, 175, Class 67/ Dvt + stock.

Sundays are separate but you do have rostered ones. and if you want one off for sure you have a 'golden ticket' which can be used once. Otherwise you have to get it covered. Its not hard as loads of guys want Sundays. I'm always chucking mine in.

Shifts start from about 4am but can start earlier depending on whats going on. Finishes are no later than 01.30 again providing nothing goes wrong in ctr lol. If your working the last one back to hhd and there is a problem down the line well..you better make yourself another coffee because it can be early morning before you get back.

The only other difference is you prep the stock in the morning and hand the driver the details. We are supposed to do a shunt with a driver but the train is always on the platform ready. I have never had to do it.

Hmmm im not sure what else to say lol. If you have questions I will try answer them.

craigybagel · 25 Mar 2016

Chester is same as Holyhead in terms of 4 day week and Sunday's. 1 big link of fifty something guards. No need to worry about preps or things like that. Earliest start is around 0330, latest finish about 0130.

Routes are:

Chester-Holyhead
Llandudno Junction-Llandudno Town
Chester-Warrington-Manchester Piccadilly-Manchester Airport
Chester-Northwich-Manchester Piccadilly
Chester-Shrewsbury-Wolverhampton-Birmingham New Street-Birmingham International
Wolverhampton-Birmingham via Bescot and Soho or Aston
Chester-Crewe
Crewe-Stafford-Wolverhampton
Crewe-Shrewsbury
Wrexham Central-Bidston

Bescot is a diversion only, I dont believe they've any booked work over it, and they only go Crewe-Wolverhampton on a Sunday.

Traction is 150,153,158,175

TeaTrain · 25 Mar 2016

He he craigy I probably should of wrote out the stations too rather than putting down the codes. Im so used to punching them into the avantix by now!

I will edit my post with the proper names when I get home. Sorry!

craigybagel · 25 Mar 2016

TeaTrain said:
He he craigy I probably should of wrote out the stations too rather than putting down the codes. Im so used to punching them into the avantix by now!

I will edit my post with the proper names when I get home. Sorry!

I used to be the same till I got told off for it

That and I don't sign Bidston so I'm not sure of the code for there anyway :lol:

I've also edited it now to point out some of those routes are only diversionary.

By the way, do Holyhead sign the Airport now? I'd heard LLJ guards were due to learn it but I'd thought it was only Chester guards who signed it for now.

6Gman · 25 Mar 2016

craigybagel said:
By the way, do Holyhead sign the Airport now?

Do Holyhead men know what an airport is?

(Sorry, Junction joke!)

PHILIPE · 25 Mar 2016

craigybagel said:
Chester is same as Holyhead in terms of 4 day week and Sunday's. 1 big link of fifty something guards. No need to worry about preps or things like that. Earliest start is around 0330, latest finish about 0130.

Routes are:

Chester-Holyhead
Llandudno Junction-Llandudno Town
Chester-Manchester Piccadilly-Manchester Airport
Chester-Shrewsbury-Wolverhampton-Birmingham New Street-Birmingham International
Wolverhampton-Birmingham via Bescot and Soho or Aston
Chester-Crewe
Crewe-Stafford-Wolverhampton
Crewe-Shrewsbury
Wrexham Central-Bidston

Bescot is a diversion only, I dont believe they've any booked work over it, and they only go Crewe-Wolverhampton on a Sunday.

Traction is 150,153,158,175

Do they not know Crewe to Shrewsbury ? Just a hunch. Manchester 2 ways ? via Warrington and Northwich ? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

craigybagel · 25 Mar 2016

PHILIPE said:
Do they not know Crewe to Shrewsbury ? Just a hunch. Manchester 2 ways ? via Warrington and Northwich ? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Indeed, I'd already fixed it to add Crewe to Shrewsbury in. You're also correct about Northwich, I'll add that in now.

TeaTrain · 26 Mar 2016

Yeh we have to sign it now. We will be route learning it over the next few weeks.

No need for sorry XD I know what one is but I cant speak for everyone XD. You can replace "airport" with "work" and its still as funny. But then junction and holyhead get it cushy anyway in my opinion.

craigybagel · 26 Mar 2016

TeaTrain said:
Yeh we have to sign it now. We will be route learning it over the next few weeks.

No need for sorry XD I know what one is but I cant speak for everyone XD. You can replace "airport" with "work" and its still as funny. But then junction and holyhead get it cushy anyway in my opinion.

LLJ conductors have nights to be fair, although any time I've spoken to them they seem to enjoy that shift! I know until recently you could be waiting years to get a transfer in to that depot. I wouldn't feel bad, I'd say with all the loco and stock work you have, and the "social issues" that come up working down the coast, I'd say HHD and LLJ more than earn their keep - naming no names, but I could think of several more cushy depots then yours

dalesrail · 26 Mar 2016

Thanks for the info. Most helpful

TeaTrain · 26 Mar 2016

Oh yeh I wasnt implying we dont do any work XD just its hard to imagine sometimes Im actually working. I consider myself very lucky.

I mean compared to say chester who has to sign all the routes we do and more besides the branch we are lucky. But like you say we work the stock etc so it balances out eventually.

I prefer the night shifts as I only work lates pretty much. And they just reduced the number of vacancy lines again so its even more difficult to transfer there now!

TDK · 28 Mar 2016

craigybagel said:
LLJ conductors have nights to be fair, although any time I've spoken to them they seem to enjoy that shift! I know until recently you could be waiting years to get a transfer in to that depot. I wouldn't feel bad, I'd say with all the loco and stock work you have, and the "social issues" that come up working down the coast, I'd say HHD and LLJ more than earn their keep - naming no names, but I could think of several more cushy depots then yours

They only have one night now and I think it's a Saturday, week days is alternative transport back from HHD

craigybagel · 28 Mar 2016

TDK said:
They only have one night now and I think it's a Saturday, week days is alternative transport back from HHD

Cheers, didn't know they'd changed it. I take it the Chester driver diagram they work into Holyhead with is still the same?

TDK · 29 Mar 2016

craigybagel said:
Cheers, didn't know they'd changed it. I take it the Chester driver diagram they work into Holyhead with is still the same?

It is but during the week I believe a HHD guard works the train in the morning

KP1978 · 2 May 2016

I've completed the online test and amwaiting to hear back. Thought id ask a couple of questions here.
1. Does anyone have an idea of a typical Holyhead conductor rota/roster?
2. The fully qualified conductor salary is 28k but ive been told the likely wage would be more (commision+overtime), is this correct and if so what is a realistic figure?
Thanks in advance.

Dai_Llama · 2 May 2016

KP1978 said:
I've completed the online test and amwaiting to hear back. Thought id ask a couple of questions here.
1. Does anyone have an idea of a typical Holyhead conductor rota/roster?
2. The fully qualified conductor salary is 28k but ive been told the likely wage would be more (commision+overtime), is this correct and if so what is a realistic figure?
Thanks in advance.

1. You work on average four days a week and every three weeks you get five days off. Early starts and early finishes mixed in with late starts and late finishes. Can work a few days then get a few off. Your rest days are set in stone so planning for the year is more or less possible

2. Think salary in training is just over 22k but after training / 6 month probation period its just over 30k without commission and overtime. You get 4% on every ticket sold on board and you get that paid twice a year. There's as much overtime as you want as there are vacancies and people are always willing to sacrifice their designated Sunday shifts.

craigybagel · 2 May 2016

KP1978 said:
I've completed the online test and amwaiting to hear back. Thought id ask a couple of questions here.
1. Does anyone have an idea of a typical Holyhead conductor rota/roster?
2. The fully qualified conductor salary is 28k but ive been told the likely wage would be more (commision+overtime), is this correct and if so what is a realistic figure?
Thanks in advance.

Dai_Llama said:
1. You work on average four days a week and every three weeks you get five days off. Early starts and early finishes mixed in with late starts and late finishes. Can work a few days then get a few off. Your rest days are set in stone so planning for the year is more or less possible

2. Think salary in training is just over 22k but after training / 6 month probation period its just over 30k without commission and overtime. You get 4% on every ticket sold on board and you get that paid twice a year. There's as much overtime as you want as there are vacancies and people are always willing to sacrifice their designated Sunday shifts.

1: Unless HHD do things differently to other depots, it's not an average of 4 days a week, it's just 4 days. Week 1 you get Monday&Tuesday off, Week 2 Wednesday&Thursday and Week 3 Friday&Saturday - which ties back into your Week 1 so you get a 5 day weekend. As stated previously, you're rostered 1 Sunday in 3 on top of that - if you work it, it's overtime at time + 1/3, if you can get someone else to do it then you get the day off.

2. Current salary as per the advertisement up today for the Carmarthen vacancy is £30680. Add on commission, sundays and rest day work and the skies the limit. I took more than a drivers basic salary last year, although I did have to work hard for it. Some depots are better than others for commission, I'm sure Tea Train can give you a good idea of what it's like on the coast.

KP1978 · 2 May 2016

Thank you both really appreciated.
Another atw question. Im led to believe that atw do not like conductors/guards applying for driver positions. Is there any truth to this at all?
Again thanks in advance.

TeaTrain · 3 May 2016

Hello sorry for answering late in here I have been off for a few days and got the notification late tonight.

So to answer your questions...pretty much what craigybagel said lol. The description of rest day pattern and salary is bang on. You get 1 golden ticket a year to guarantee throwing in the Sunday. I almost always get my Sundays covered as I would rather be in the local having a roast lol.

As for commission well..It varies a lot. Most of the early shifts is where the money is at and considering I only do lates I don't see much. I don't care for the commission or tickets personally. Its not worth grief from pax especially over such small fares at night time. there is no BTP and no help available. It averages out if you just follow your shift pattern without swapping all the time. Our top guys n gals can get about 1500 in 6 months sometimes hitting 2k. I will never see anywhere near that working lates and I am happy. It all depends on you.

But mostly its how much you actually go through and do tickets. Some people go through after every station others do not. You will learn which stations have the barriers on etc.

As Craigy said. The skies the limit because I also have known guards in Holyhead reaching driver basic wage.

To answer your questions of guards becoming drivers no there is no truth in it. I personally think the people who are making those statements are the ones who keep getting knocked back. Rather than find a fault elsewhere take a look at your own application and find out where your going wrong.

There has just been a few guards and barrier staff getting driver jobs and I have received nothing but feedback and help in my pursuit to being a Driver. You will get knocked back if you apply within 2 years of being a guard though. After 2 years you can apply within the same ATW.

Hmmm I think thats it for now! Let me know if there is anything else.

KP1978 · 3 May 2016

Superb Tea Train, superb. Thanks for the info. What are the actual hours within the rota? Do they progress i.e. begin on earlies then last day lates? You mention you only do lates, do you therefore swap shifts or just request later shifts?

craigybagel · 3 May 2016

There's a trainee driver course just started at Chester and several of the trainees are ex guards. The 2 most recent trainees at Shrewsbury and 3 at Crewe were ex guards, and I believe the same is true of the last trainee driver at Holyhead? It's by no means a guarantee, but its not a barrier either.

If you want to do lates you'll probably get people snapping your arm off for a swap! Most people myself included prefer earlies. Less drunks + more commission! Even if at my own depot it can involve 2am alarm clocks.....

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