It is, but with what I’m assuming is quite an athletic physique it would be normal to have a higher BMI due to muscle content. A colleague of mine had a BMI if around that, but he’s a gym type person and is about as healthy as you can get. That’s why it’s not an accurate measurement of health if you’re at all athletic.
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Freightliner Various Trainee Drivers
- Thread starter Cheggers
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Yes Cheggers, it is classed as overweight but being as there's only three options for physical exercise it really is a catch all that often fails - such as the "healthy" daily calorie intake. I did a charity cycle ride around a lot of the Welsh coast last year and we had a daily intake in excess of 6000 calories per day for that week, and a monstrous mixed grill at the end of it all - in context it really wasn't as unhealthy as it would sound in isolation.
I see a lot of trainee drivers start with us and by the time they've passed out, more often than not the weight has piled on. Often it's the younger ones that fall into that trap. Its a problem as there's no fitness test to pass etc and healthy diet and exercise isn't promoted in anyway shape or form. Even my fellow conductors fall into that trap but not to a massive extent, I do around 10,000 steps just during my work walking up and down the train etc. But maybe it's my background coming from the military l, that stops me from putting too much on. But it's so easy to get into a bad routine with eating shop bought sandwiches etc.
Yes, I was a guard for 16 years and have seen many shapes and sizes at either end of the train over the years. You're correct that nothing beyond lip service is really used to promote healthy living and a healthy lifestyle, despite the evidential effect careers such as these have on someone's life expectancy - perhaps a campaign for earlier retirement dates based on this shifted life expectancy can be the unions next fight?
I'm in this boat too. Though tbh there's always ways these things can be worked out if your employer wants to help you.
Did you email the OPC? As I said before, I did this and found I only need to do the MMI and DMI (or so it seems). It might take a bit of perseverance on your part but they’ll get back to you nonetheless.
It's not directly the question you ask, but I've done Stage 2 and MMI 2.5 years ago and after being successful at the 2 required parts of stage 1 I've been e-mailed to say I'm through to line manager interview and am awaiting a date for the interview, rather than having an invite to stage 2.
Hope this helps
Thank you, yes I have emailed them, awaiting a reply at the moment.
I have been invited to stage two assessments (even though I have done them already) but the DMI is also on the same day as the stage two assessments. I am just waiting to confirm that it is the DMI I need to attend for.
It was the invite to stage 2, or the wording that I was querying regards whether you have to do any of the stage 2 stuff. This is the wording of my email, there's a bit more after but no mention of stage 2 at all in the whole email:
"Thank you for your application for Freightliner. We would like to progress your application to line manager interview and I will therefore pass your details to Freightliner for them to arrange this with you directly."
Yes I understood what you meant, Freightliner management are attending the day (stage two). I see some events (depending on which depot you have applied for) are separate with line manager interview being another date.
Same boat as you Mike, although no response to the two emails I’ve sent since Thursday is a bit frustrating
I've emailed the OPC this morning as the 3 weeks is almost up for me to hear from Freightliner directly - it's a fine line to tread between appearing concerned/keen or impatient 
Good luck to everyone who is sitting Stage 2 tests this week.
Good luck to everyone who is sitting Stage 2 tests this week.
If I were you Mike I'd just go along to the stage 2 day because at least you have a confirmed date so you know when your DMI will happen. Others who are having the DMI only seem to be being kept waiting.
GLENMAYE77
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Is anyone having or had their Stage 2 this week?
delticdeano74
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I'm with you on that!!
Jonathan110
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It was just over two weeks before I got my results email.
I’ve probably got a little while to wait then!
Yesterday by chance whilst at work I bumped into another raiwayman who has done his medical and received his conditional offer for Birmingham. That does wonders for one's confidence about not getting stuffed in a pool when I haven't even done the DMI yet. I'm finding it increasingly difficult to remain positive despite having made it this far 
Yesterday by chance whilst at work I bumped into another raiwayman who has done his medical and received his conditional offer for Birmingham. That does wonders for one's confidence about not getting stuffed in a pool when I haven't even done the DMI yet. I'm finding it increasingly difficult to remain positive despite having made it this far
Unfortunately how it goes. You could both apply on the same day but end up doing the first stage of assessments a few days apart. That can end up being the difference. As you can see here some people who did stage one just a week earlier than others have ended up doing stage two a week later and now have offers. Whereas the ones who started stage one just a week later, some now don’t have stage two till December!
I’ve learnt this myself! I know on this occasion none of us could choose dates, but I’d always advise anyone in future if they can pick dates always go for the one soonest as it can make a huge difference
GLENMAYE77
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It could be naivety on my part but I genuinely think that Freightliner have filled the 1st course with people who applied for depots with the greatest need and from those applicants who needed to do minimal parts of the recruitment process having passed with other operators.
Once the immediate course places had been filled then a more structured process could take place according to depot needs whilst allowing all applicants to complete stage 2. (Hence people having dates in December)
After all the original advert stated courses in 2018 and 2019. Surely there’s only so many trainers and tutor drivers to look after new starters so recruitment will be staggered. No point giving course dates out until the current crop are getting near passing out and the trainers and tutor drivers are available again.
Once the immediate course places had been filled then a more structured process could take place according to depot needs whilst allowing all applicants to complete stage 2. (Hence people having dates in December)
After all the original advert stated courses in 2018 and 2019. Surely there’s only so many trainers and tutor drivers to look after new starters so recruitment will be staggered. No point giving course dates out until the current crop are getting near passing out and the trainers and tutor drivers are available again.
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That seems logical enough, myself I only required to do 2 out of 5 from Stage 1 and none of the tests or MMI in Stage 2, I was hoping that may be the case for myself - we shall see how it all comes out I guess but waiting is an absolute killjoy.
Jonathan110
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At my DMI they stated the first course in November would be for Birmingham and Crewe as they are both really short.
TonyMontana
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I have applied for Birmingham and have stage 2 in December, if Birmingham and Crewe are really short it stands to reason there is must be another course to start in 2019, I have had to do everything as I have never done them before.
GLENMAYE77
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That helps my logical approach in that once enough Crewe and Birmingham trainees where allocated for that 1st course the rest of the recruitment can be more structured around all depots needs.
I applied for crewe but have been put in the talent pool. Im told until there is a course available..
Bristol VRIII
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I had my stage 2 yesterday mate, I was told course can start as late as May next year
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