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Who is the better FOC company to work apply for
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Good luck, that's what I say.
Most of us have left the FOC's over the last couple of years, for TOC's.....If you want to drive big boy trains, then Freightliner Intermodal. You will have more stability being a box boy.
If you know someone at Freightliner, let them get the 5k for the qualified referral scheme of 5k...2.5k each...lol
Most of us have left the FOC's over the last couple of years, for TOC's.....If you want to drive big boy trains, then Freightliner Intermodal. You will have more stability being a box boy.
If you know someone at Freightliner, let them get the 5k for the qualified referral scheme of 5k...2.5k each...lol
Journeyman
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Yeah, like Crazyb said...freight is an unstable and unpredictable business. DB recently made a LOT of people redundant. I applied for a driver role with DRS a few years ago and got extremely close to getting it, only for it to be pulled when they lost a contract to a rival.
The only positive is that your job is different every day. Don't get me wrong because if the freight wasn't good, I wouldn't have spent the last 30 odd years driving them.
It's changed so much over the last 5 plus years, for the worst really with all company's, also losing some good friends from other FOC's . Freightliner was a brilliant company to work for, but now it's gone done hill sadly, that's why they are taking on so many trainees, because it's rare if qualified drivers come over.
Freightliner are also nearly at the bottom of the pay table, considering we were 3rd when we set up !!. Money is not everything, but when I left, I'm moved to a TOC with better conditions and a 16k basic rise from Intermodal.
The only downside with a TOC, its the same job every day, but twice the speed.
I had to laugh the other day, GB Railfreight are looking to have their drivers take their break in a service station, this is the sh%t you have to put up with...If this came in, I bet Freightliner would try this with the HH boys and girls.
Don't get me wrong, I do miss Freightliner but I would never go back, even if they matched my current pay.
It's changed so much over the last 5 plus years, for the worst really with all company's, also losing some good friends from other FOC's . Freightliner was a brilliant company to work for, but now it's gone done hill sadly, that's why they are taking on so many trainees, because it's rare if qualified drivers come over.
Freightliner are also nearly at the bottom of the pay table, considering we were 3rd when we set up !!. Money is not everything, but when I left, I'm moved to a TOC with better conditions and a 16k basic rise from Intermodal.
The only downside with a TOC, its the same job every day, but twice the speed.
I had to laugh the other day, GB Railfreight are looking to have their drivers take their break in a service station, this is the sh%t you have to put up with...If this came in, I bet Freightliner would try this with the HH boys and girls.
Don't get me wrong, I do miss Freightliner but I would never go back, even if they matched my current pay.
Atishyou
Member
It's all subjective really and depends what other options you have.
I like that I'm on annualised hours, so when I'm done, I don't need to go in anymore and if I do, it's overtime.
I like that I get to drive different trains on different routes most days.
I like the banter with my colleagues.
I don't like some of the hours - it's shift work and some of it, I really struggle with. I'd rather do 5 x 12 hour nights than 5 x 00.30 five hour shifts.
I don't like the job security or lack of it. Things have changed recently for us, but it's still a dog eat dog World.
I don't like that we don't get any travel benefits even though our company own a large amount of passenger franchises.
Some people might agree with me, others might strongly disagree.
In regards to job security how does it affect me who will be joining next week as a junior? Because obviously last one in is usually the first one out when making the cuts... well in most instances that's the case
Trainguy90
Member
I’d say freightliner intermodal is probably the better choice, they are bottom of the pay scale but they can make that up with certain shift allowances on top of much better conditions, plus there’s less threat from losing contracts to other FOC’s which makes it more secure than other companies and it’s sister company Heavy Haul
What do you want to know,
That's correct, It normally works on seniority. What they do ask, if anyone want's to retire.
When I was at Intermodal, the HH won a contract from Immingham Docks from DBS, so the HH boys thought they were safe from redundancy. Because the Immingham work was over 50% (don't quote me on this) the DBS men moved with the work to HH under TUPe still making the HH boys redundant.
They could ask you to move to a new hub.
Pending locations DBS have been hit again with this Mendip contact...The only good thing at the moment, Freightliner and GB are struggling to get drivers.
Yeah I was at fl intermodal and we struggled to get shunt drivers for the terminal trains ended up getting cancelled or came up empty due to no drivers from Southampton and felixstowe. Luckily I'm in Yorkshire so the mendip thing wont affect me I hope
I did hear, only a railway rumor that Colas were giving up that petrol train with the class 60 on the front. I'm sure it used to come from Newark way but I used to see it around Lincoln joint when bringing the liners back via the joint line. I hope the work picks up for you guys.
martin2345uk
Established Member
Not gonna lie, these various threads make me very nervous indeed about the fact I’m in for FL HH trainee driver! :-/
A lot of Westbury DB Drivers will be TUPE'd to FL for the Mendip contract as 3 out of the 4 links has over 50% Mendip work.
DB will also want to keep drivers for other work.
Not enough DB drivers will go with the work so vacancies will need to be filled.
DB will also want to keep drivers for other work.
Not enough DB drivers will go with the work so vacancies will need to be filled.
Evolution
Member
After reading these threads from ex freight drivers it does make me wonder why anyone other than a trainee driver (looking to get into the industry) would work as a driver for a FOC.
I don’t see any benefits working for a FOC over a TOC as a driver.
Or am I missing something??
I don’t see any benefits working for a FOC over a TOC as a driver.
Or am I missing something??
MostlyHarmless
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I've got to sit the assessment centre for DB Cargo in Feb even though I've passed them except one, and I'm seriously considering withdrawing my application after reading some of the comments here and on others threads. I'm just not sure whether it's worth risking the TOC applications I have in for what seems a volatile part of of the industry
A lot of freight drivers I’ve spoken to say that they stay with freight because of the variation of work, with a toc you could just drive the same route over and over.
With DB they get you to road learn a lot of routes so is good for your route card.
Some people want to drive big boy trains..lol.....I know some guys have moved from Norwich to Ipswich and I think one from Ipswich Greater Anglia to Freightliner.
I left Freightliner Intermodal after listening to a guy one Sunday. He was a manager from HH. I had the job at the TOC, but was contemplating to stay (must of been mad come to think about it), but after listening to this guy I handed my notice in.
Over the years working for Freightliner Intermodal it was starting to become a hard slog, jobs were getting longer, conditions deteriorating, there was a multitude of stuff going on. Freightliner also lost quite of few of the younger grad drivers, they moved over to Greater Anglia, because of the better start times, free travel and a better salary.
Freightliner is growing and at the moment, quite healthy but so was DBS years ago, look at them now. Things change quite rapidly in the freight world and in the future things could sway the other in years to come.
Im at a age, where I like start at 6am and finish at 14:00, my last job rolls in about midnight-ish. I know what time I finish, I have nice mess rooms, quite rooms, nice recliner chairs, a big telly, free tea and coffee. No more using other companies mess rooms, looking like a leper when you walk in.....No crappy mess rooms no more, no freezing cabs, no PNB's sitting on the locos and I don't have to try and find bog for a sh*t.
Ok...my company is not a bed of roses, but when I pass my old guys coming off nights and knowing they have been on at 21:00 coming back from Rugby, it makes me shudders.
You still get a good variety of traction and routes on the freight something I really miss, but starting in the freezing cold at 3am, soon wears off.
If I've not put any of you off, then go for it, and good luck !!!
Breize block
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Benefits - usually far greater route knowledge, and better more interesting/ varied and generally less monotonous work than passenger work - especially when first starting at a TOC
Otherwise that's about it, the downside awful shifts, your social life will virtually disappear, you will get no travel benefits (unless you are ex BR 'protected staff)
And you will have far less job security.
You pays your money and makes your choice!
Atishyou
Member
Been there over 10 years and at the bottom for quite a while. There's always been people above who are happy to take a golden handshake and either retire early, or go to another FOC or TOC. Mendip work won't have any impact on your depot.
The new ceo seems more intent on keeping as many staff as possible although TUPE may be on the cards for some drivers affected by Mendip.
whoosh
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I'm fairly sure it did come in at Heavy Haul. I seem to recall drivers complaining on a forum about it a few years ago - they were heavy haul drivers, and I'm pretty certain it was something happening, or about to, and not a rumour of something that could happen.
Whether it still happens, or was negotiated away, I don't know.
I'm pretty sure it does still happen, I'm a Heavy Haul trainee and I remember hearing something about it at my induction.
I've PM'ed you
That's mad....I can't ever image sitting in a service station having having my dinner, even so trying to find a table. Maybe the last 2 years I've been wrapped up in cotton wool !!
I’m starting with DB in a matter of days and all that I’m reading isn’t satisfying ones mind ! However, with only 1 TOC and 1 FOC who actively recruit within a 60 minute radius, I don’t really have much choice where I’m living ! I’m sure there are ups and downs but anything beats lugging copious amounts of kit around on my back dressed as a tree for weeks on end...
Atishyou
Member
Go in with an open mind and don't believe everything people tell you on the Internet.
That’s absolutely how I approach everything, people always talk of the negatives but never highlight a positive ! It’s just the way most people are these days. I can’t wait to start
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