Advice please...

Sammy h · 16 Sep 2011

Hi everyone,

Just wanting people's advice/thoughts.

I was recently employed by Virgin Trains after about a year of trying to get in to the rail industry. Although only as a casual weekend CSA. I also work full time through the week as well so as you can imagine I have been very busy lately.

Although I am only 20 and have loads of energy and I am loving it so I don't mind working all the hours. I just really really want to get on full time with them. Though I can't see this happening in the near future due to the WCML franchise.

I have been keeping an eye on the website for full time vacancies and have noticed a CSA job at London and am considering applying (although only fixed term so I would not be transferred over if Virgin lost the WCML and even though I live in the North West.

I was just wondering what your advice was? Do I carry on as I am and hope that if/when Virgin win the WCML some full time vacancy comes up or do I apply for fixed term ones that pop up?

Look forward to your replies.

Thanks
Sam

RailUK Forums

RJ · 16 Sep 2011

Sammy h said:
Hi everyone,

Just wanting people's advice/thoughts.

I was recently employed by Virgin Trains after about a year of trying to get in to the rail industry. Although only as a casual weekend CSA. I also work full time through the week as well so as you can imagine I have been very busy lately.

Although I am only 20 and have loads of energy and I am loving it so I don't mind working all the hours. I just really really want to get on full time with them. Though I can't see this happening in the near future due to the WCML franchise.

I have been keeping an eye on the website for full time vacancies and have noticed a CSA job at London and am considering applying (although only fixed term so I would not be transferred over if Virgin lost the WCML and even though I live in the North West.

I was just wondering what your advice was? Do I carry on as I am and hope that if/when Virgin win the WCML some full time vacancy comes up or do I apply for fixed term ones that pop up?

Look forward to your replies.

Thanks
Sam

You need to keep an eye on the internal website. I just had a look on there, there are about 10 jobs advertised, three of which are based at Euston and full time. The job you are looking at is for the ticket office, understand there is a lot of competition for a job paying 30k to sit down and bang out a few tickets.

There's nothing to lose by applying - I don't think any new entrants to the TOC are on permanent contracts.

AlterEgo · 16 Sep 2011

RJ is right.

You have to remember that Euston is a very busy ticket office indeed! It really is a very hard day's work, sometimes dealing with ungrateful public.

Spend an hour in the ticket office at the peak and see for yourself before making a decision.

That said, if you have the energy (and it sounds like you do - kudos to you) go for it!

387star · 16 Sep 2011

Guess it pays London rate though

Sammy h · 16 Sep 2011

Sorry forgot to say I was an onboard CSA (working on the train)

185 · 17 Sep 2011

Something will come up at this end of the country. They were advertising Liverpool recently.

Sammy h · 20 Sep 2011

Yeah I noticed it was only 12 hours though. Need to check the internal vacancy list too, not checked that yet.

I believe it is on the Virgin intranet.

Asian Demon · 21 Sep 2011

Sammy h said:
Yeah I noticed it was only 12 hours though. Need to check the internal vacancy list too, not checked that yet.

I believe it is on the Virgin intranet.

I've forgotten but which station you based at? If it's Wolverhampton then check the internal board as two have just shown up. One 25 hours a week and the other 30 hours a week (both onboard). Probably been posted external as well.

Sammy h · 21 Sep 2011

Yeah I noticed the external website had them today. Thanks for letting me know.

Based at Preston and live in Lancaster so Wolverhampton is a little far for me.

Asian Demon · 21 Sep 2011

Sammy h said:
Yeah I noticed the external website had them today. Thanks for letting me know.

Based at Preston and live in Lancaster so Wolverhampton is a little far for me.

Just keep an eye out is all I can say. Vacancies are always coming up every so often.

blankBook · 21 Sep 2011

Just a quick question, if I fail the aptitude tests how long do I have to wait before I can re-apply for any positions within Virgin Trains?

185 · 21 Sep 2011

Any position with a similar group standard (ie the same test, eg Dispatch, Ticket Office) for any train company is supposed to be six months.

RJ · 22 Sep 2011

Sammy h said:
Yeah I noticed it was only 12 hours though. Need to check the internal vacancy list too, not checked that yet.

I believe it is on the Virgin intranet.

As you already know, there is usually a lot of rest day working available on a daily basis. You'd be surprised how many people I've heard say they wish they were on a part time contract so they could pick and choose when they work!

Sammy h · 22 Sep 2011

Yeah I work full time during the week so can't, plus it's only weekend hours anyway although I have been told if I call during the week I could get hours, which isn't worth giving my FT job up for.

Anyway I have been told a 30 hour contract is coming out next week for Preston so it's looking good. Although got to go through the recruitment process allllllllll over again

AlterEgo · 22 Sep 2011

Sammy h said:
Yeah I work full time during the week so can't, plus it's only weekend hours anyway although I have been told if I call during the week I could get hours, which isn't worth giving my FT job up for.

Anyway I have been told a 30 hour contract is coming out next week for Preston so it's looking good. Although got to go through the recruitment process allllllllll over again

The bonus is that you already know the job and the requirements...it may be a pain in the bum to do it again but your experience will, I'm sure, work in your favour.

RJ · 29 Sep 2011

Did anyone apply for the Euston ticket office job?

Asian Demon · 30 Sep 2011

RJ said:
Did anyone apply for the Euston ticket office job?

I did as did everyone else I know. A lot of people have gone for it for obvious reasons

jimmy90 · 1 Oct 2011

Anyone apply for CSA Manchester with Virgin heard back?

RJ · 1 Oct 2011

Asian Demon said:
I did as did everyone else I know. A lot of people have gone for it for obvious reasons

Any joy? Assessment is next week!

Asian Demon · 1 Oct 2011

RJ:816101 said:
Asian Demon said:

I did as did everyone else I know. A lot of people have gone for it for obvious reasons

Click to expand...

Any joy? Assessment is next week!

Nope. Not even heard anything. Gonna phone recruitment on monday to find out. Doubtful though. It's all over the place tbh.

es373 · 1 Oct 2011

Hello mate

Chiltern and FCC will be recruiting for trainee drivers soon. If driving isn't your cup of tea then submit your CV to the Eurostar Engineers Talent Pool for a train maintainer at temple mills depot

FManc · 2 Oct 2011

jimmy90 said:
Anyone apply for CSA Manchester with Virgin heard back?

I know they've taken a few on already about two weeks ago.

Sammy h · 2 Oct 2011

es373 said:
Hello mate

Chiltern and FCC will be recruiting for trainee drivers soon. If driving isn't your cup of tea then submit your CV to the Eurostar Engineers Talent Pool for a train maintainer at temple mills depot

Was this aimed at me? Will they be recruiting in the North West? Thanks for the info.

es373 · 2 Oct 2011

Peterborough for FCC so I believe and Birmingham area for chiltern. Not too sure about chiltern though - they are a bloody good company to work for though.

AlterEgo · 3 Oct 2011

Sammy h said:
Was this aimed at me? Will they be recruiting in the North West? Thanks for the info.

I hope not, seeing as they have no routes in the North West...

es373 · 4 Oct 2011

I didn't specifically say North West, Just told the guy about coming vacancies that I know of.
Sorry for any confusion caused!

RJ · 6 Oct 2011

Noticed that a vacancy for a TM at Euston has appeared on the internal list - the pay is almost 10k pa more than a similar vacancy on the XC website!

Asian Demon · 6 Oct 2011

RJ said:
Noticed that a vacancy for a TM at Euston has appeared on the internal list - the pay is almost 10k pa more than a similar vacancy on the XC website!

Can you imagine the amount of applicants for it though. I'm gonna try my luck anyhow. You never know till you try.

Sammy h · 6 Oct 2011

The Preston one has come up now.

Only fixed until the end of January so not sure whether to risk leaving my permanent job for it. Big decision if I was to get it.

whhistle · 6 Oct 2011

Sammy h said:
The Preston one has come up now.

Only fixed until the end of January so not sure whether to risk leaving my permanent job for it. Big decision if I was to get it.

No.
Don't leave a permanent position for a fixed term one, unless you KNOW they are making it permanent.

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