Seejwalker
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- 13 Oct 2018
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we’ve had a a fair few from the air industry. Everything from Pilots, to ground staff.
They all say the nights we do are brutal.
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A career as a signaller
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They all say the nights we do are brutal.
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AVK17
Member
Tonbe fair that very much depends what role you’re in, what roster you work and where you’re based. In my 20 years of experience working for NR in different jobs (including as a signaller) I’ve had some good rosters with easy nights and some absolute howlers. Ironically I find nightshifts where you’re kept reasonably busy much easier to handle than the one where there is nothing happening for hours on end but your mileage may vary.
Seejwalker
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- 13 Oct 2018
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Agreed, busier is better.
A lot of people really do struggle with 7 nights (hours depending on your local agreements).
nom de guerre
Member
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- 24 Nov 2015
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- 784
Exactly. It really does depend on the box and the roster.
Having worked a variety, my preference would be for a a night shift which keeps you busy, but also includes a genuine break at some point during the small hours (whether that's a gap in traffic at a single-manned box, or breaks at larger locations).
Seejwalker
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- 13 Oct 2018
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don’t think my point was really understood. Whilst yes, it is great to be busy rather than sat doing nothing.
The majority of rosters have brutal nights (usually to create a good run or earlys). So typically nights are brutal.
I done best part of a decade in the Infantry, but a week of 9hr nights sometimes 2 weeks, does me in.
The majority of rosters have brutal nights (usually to create a good run or earlys). So typically nights are brutal.
I done best part of a decade in the Infantry, but a week of 9hr nights sometimes 2 weeks, does me in.
MostlyHarmless
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- 1 Mar 2018
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- 998
The roster at my box was pretty grim and I found the 7 nights tough, regardless of whether it was busy or not. I would happily swapped those 7 x 9 hour night shifts for 4 x 12 hour ones
Seejwalker
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- 13 Oct 2018
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12 hr rosters are the way. Never met anyone who didn’t enjoy one (once they actually gave it a go, rather than being stuck in their ways of doing 8’s)
Working as a 999 call handler, all shifts are 12 hrs (overtime is sometimes at either 8 or 10 hours so people would want to do it)
Ended up doing about 8 12hrs in a row mix of 0600-1800 and then 1800-0600. But then upwards of 2 weeks off (or 3 weeks if you were on the right side of the roster)
Did not enjoy switching to platforms and doing 8 hr shifts across 13 days to then get 4 days off....
Ended up doing about 8 12hrs in a row mix of 0600-1800 and then 1800-0600. But then upwards of 2 weeks off (or 3 weeks if you were on the right side of the roster)
Did not enjoy switching to platforms and doing 8 hr shifts across 13 days to then get 4 days off....
MostlyHarmless
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But that was never going to happen at Feltham though Chris!
Seejwalker
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- 13 Oct 2018
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Sinking ship that place.
endofthetunnel
Member
It’s the same for signallers getting promotion to higher boxes unfortunately now - effectively we take a pay cut while training for a new box as you lose all the allowances until you get back on a proper roster.
If you’re making £500 overtime a month though, to lose £10000 would be 20 months training and it certainly won’t be that long! 3 months IST plus a couple of months in the box maximum, probably 6 months maximum.
If you’re making £500 overtime a month though, to lose £10000 would be 20 months training and it certainly won’t be that long! 3 months IST plus a couple of months in the box maximum, probably 6 months maximum.
godfreycomplex
Established Member
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- 23 Jun 2016
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- 1,484
and I’m the cabin boy
LC346
Member
Has anyone heard back yet for the Rugby, Marston Vale and Wembley roles? The wait is horrible.
Leeward
Member
Have you interviewed for it? I didn't get through to that stage... seems ages ago now.
LC346
Member
Yh they ran assessment days for it last week. Was a really good experience. Keeping fingers crossed
Leeward
Member
Oh I see. Best of luck.
Canonite
Member
My IST has been moved back 4wks.
They have said my start date is still the same, so does anybody have any idea what I’ll be doing for those 4wks?
ELearning? Box visits?
They have said my start date is still the same, so does anybody have any idea what I’ll be doing for those 4wks?
ELearning? Box visits?
When has it been moved back to, and did they give you a reason?
I presume you'll be doing training and familiarisation (which box is it for?), but your LOM would be able to help.
I got a similar email this morning. Is your IST now 27th February? Any idea on your start date?
Me too. Start date remains 9th Jan
When did you have your medical, have you had results back yet?
I need to put my notice in by Friday but still not had medical results yet. I’m sure it’s a formality but not keen on handing in my notice until I’ve officially got the all clear.
I had my medical in Mid November- got told I'd passed within 15mins and it took another week or so until I heard back from the drugs test- I chased this one up via the recruitment email and got confirmation back that afternoon.
N95JPl
Member
Dived back into this chat to finally say, I have a job as a Signaller!
Taking the jump from the Track Technical Team and officially leave this role in February!
Extremely excited!
Taking the jump from the Track Technical Team and officially leave this role in February!
Extremely excited!
LC346
Member
Congratulations! Which job did you get offered and where will your IST be?
N95JPl
Member
Thanks, to start with its a Grade 2 position in the Peak District! You've got to start somewhere right
My IST will be in Salford
PF19
Member
Likewise! Due to personal circumstances, I will be going to IST in I think it is July - At Salford
Long wait, but it's 100% worth it, should have applied a long time ago!
Long wait, but it's 100% worth it, should have applied a long time ago!
Hi first post have been reading here for a long time. Just wondering if anyone knows what the shift patten is at Parkeston single box 12 or 8 hour ect I have just been offered a position there. due to start signalling school 23rd of Jan in York just got the medical left to do next week then good to go after Xmas I hope.
LC346
Member
Just been offered a grade 9 Job and IST will start end of February in Milton Keynes. I am honestly over the moon and so grateful for all the advice this forum has given me.