Anyone took the job then thought....

Topcat999 said:

I just tried that Groupborboun test....and failed terribly.

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Did you print it or use the computer ?

Topcat999 said:

I just tried that Groupborboun test....and failed terribly.

I couldn't do it......is that because it was my first attempt....or worse? I do feel my concentration levels have dropped off over the last few years. Is that due to lack of use or age?

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Failed how exactly? Striking the wrong dots or thinking you haven’t done enough?

Also yes you should print them and do it paper and pen.

I thought I had failed the Group Bourdon and passed at enhanced. I think a lot of people get caught up with scoring whilst practicing.

Absolutely zero regrets so far.

Topcat999 said:

I just tried that Groupborboun test....and failed terribly.

I couldn't do it......is that because it was my first attempt....or worse? I do feel my concentration levels have dropped off over the last few years. Is that due to lack of use or age?

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Well, at least you can keep practicing that one. Won't be long before you rediscover that old swagger that had you running rings around Officer Dibble!

OneLowban said:

Failed how exactly? Striking the wrong dots or thinking you haven’t done enough?

Also yes you should print them and do it paper and pen.

I thought I had failed the Group Bourdon and passed at enhanced. I think a lot of people get caught up with scoring whilst practicing.

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I could only do a few lines....really struggled. Not sure it's just not practice or is it age?

From someone who spent 18 years in another career and made high up and is now on the railway I DO NOT regret my career change at all......

Topcat999 said:

I could only do a few lines....really struggled. Not sure it's just not practice or is it age?

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Only way to be sure would be to practise a bit and see if you improve. Just make sure you’re doing it on paper with a pencil.

Topcat999 said:

I just tried that Groupborboun test....and failed terribly.

I couldn't do it......is that because it was my first attempt....or worse? I do feel my concentration levels have dropped off over the last few years. Is that due to lack of use or age?

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print it off and do an hour a night no more, you will get worse before getting better, aim for 14 lines no errors

I am currently on a trainee course and have loved every minute of it, massive amounts of info that needs to be retained but not overly hard to remember. Drove my first train 5 weeks in and really enjoyed it and have driven 3 times since. One of the best decisions I have made only wish I had done it years ago.

Topcat999 said:

Oh no..I made a huge mistake?

I kind of think this would be my dream job. I have worked in a different industry but very similiar in some ways. I am kicking my -self for not trying to get into this 10+ years ago.

My only worry is. IF I ever did get in (looking doubtful now) I am a bit concerned after all the training, etc i might start thinking "i actually do not like this job"

I mean it's not like they let you do a few shifts with a driver, talk to them, sample the shift and work before you start training is it?

So as anyone ever been there? Even quit during training? Or soon after? Or did anyone simply leave for another career after XX years as a train driver?

Thx

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I’m guessing from your username that you’d be coming from an emergency services background?

I left the Met in April 2018 to take up a trainee role. Passed my qualification assessment in December 2018 and I’m now a few months in to my first year as a “real” productive driver.

I have absolutely zero regrets.

I’d say it depends on why you’re leaving your old industry and seeking a move in to this one.

For me, it was the stresses of the old job, taking work home with you, short notice cancellations and changes to shifts, changes to pay and conditions, lack of respect, ever increasing work load, ever diminishing ability to make any meaningful difference....I’ll stop there because the list could go on forever, but you get the picture. I basically became so disillusioned and unhappy that I knew I couldn’t continue in that job. I didn’t want to be one of those 20 year+ PCs that you always hear moaning, but never seeking to do anything different so I went looking for something else.

This job seemed like a good fit for what I wanted from a job. I can come in, get my schedule and work the trains Ive been asked to work - and do nothing else. Occasionally I’ll be asked to fill out an incident report here and there, but mostly I come in, get my schedule, work those trains and go home. No need to speak to anyone else or deal with anything else.

This job removes 90-95% of the things I started to despise in my old job, so I would have probably come here for the same rate of pay, just to have a better work life balance and conditions.

In that regards, unless the terms and conditions drastically change, I doubt I’ll ever regret my decision to leave - but that’s because my motivation was to have a better work/life balance and better work conditions.

Had I been seeking more job satisfaction, or a more active job, I’d probably not be as happy.

I’d say that if you’re logical and objective, weigh up what you want and don’t want and then compare it to what you know about the driving role, you’ll figure out quickly whether you’d be likely to find yourself bored and fed up after making the switch!

When I joined the railway I took a very significant pay cut. I worked in a management role earning great money but had no life. I never say my kids. Family holidays interrupted by relentless phone calls. Dramas. Even now 12 years later I earn less than I did then. BUT - I have a start time. A finish time. Days off to call my own. Holidays where I don't think about work. I never go to work on my day off unless I choose to and are rewarded handsomely. Oodles of time with my family. To me, anyway, worth every penny of the pay CUT!

scotraildriver said:

When I joined the railway I took a very significant pay cut. I worked in a management role earning great money but had no life. I never say my kids. Family holidays interrupted by relentless phone calls. Dramas. Even now 12 years later I earn less than I did then. BUT - I have a start time. A finish time. Days off to call my own. Holidays where I don't think about work. I never go to work on my day off unless I choose to and are rewarded handsomely. Oodles of time with my family. To me, anyway, worth every penny of the pay CUT!

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yes this appeals to me more than anything now.

dazzayid said:

I am currently on a trainee course and have loved every minute of it, massive amounts of info that needs to be retained but not overly hard to remember. Drove my first train 5 weeks in and really enjoyed it and have driven 3 times since. One of the best decisions I have made only wish I had done it years ago.

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Start my driver training on the 22nd April. Thanks for the information. I think there's always an element of fear of the unknown however its nice to read a positive post.