Around 3 and a half years ago I sat tests, MMI etc for the depot that was under construction at the time. After the DMI I was informed I was successful, but held back for a phase 2 course. However due to delays and construction problems in Dec 2016 I git an email saying phase 2 was being shelved. I was gutted, naturally.
When the time for a 2nd phase arrived they took people who'd applied for Aylesbury and Marylebone drivers but hadn't secured those roles - I hadn't applied for those as I didn't live within the required distance and didn't want to be seen to make a spurious application - but then I missed out on a location within reach.
Over the next 2 years I missed an application with London Midland as it got withdrawn before I completed it, I failed DMIs with Freightliner at Birmingham and with West Midlands Railway for Worcester. I am not ashamed to admit I nearly gave up. Applications were sought for mainline at Aylesbury and I stuck by my principles of not making a spurious application. Then a few weeks later, the depot at Banbury came up.
I had my tests still, some scores enhanced with the process at Freightliner, and I emboldened myself to apply and work hard on my covering letter. This secured me a DMI which I had around 3 weeks ago, having had to wait for testing to be conducted for others.
Well, today it all paid off - I hope - I've received my conditional offer subject to a medical on Wed afternoon. So my main message is, stick at it if you want it badly enough. This marked 16 years since I'd first applied for any kind of drivers role and the 3rd time I'd passed all aptitude testing, but I'd previously stumbled elsewhere.
Good luck chasing your dreams.
When the time for a 2nd phase arrived they took people who'd applied for Aylesbury and Marylebone drivers but hadn't secured those roles - I hadn't applied for those as I didn't live within the required distance and didn't want to be seen to make a spurious application - but then I missed out on a location within reach.
Over the next 2 years I missed an application with London Midland as it got withdrawn before I completed it, I failed DMIs with Freightliner at Birmingham and with West Midlands Railway for Worcester. I am not ashamed to admit I nearly gave up. Applications were sought for mainline at Aylesbury and I stuck by my principles of not making a spurious application. Then a few weeks later, the depot at Banbury came up.
I had my tests still, some scores enhanced with the process at Freightliner, and I emboldened myself to apply and work hard on my covering letter. This secured me a DMI which I had around 3 weeks ago, having had to wait for testing to be conducted for others.
Well, today it all paid off - I hope - I've received my conditional offer subject to a medical on Wed afternoon. So my main message is, stick at it if you want it badly enough. This marked 16 years since I'd first applied for any kind of drivers role and the 3rd time I'd passed all aptitude testing, but I'd previously stumbled elsewhere.
Good luck chasing your dreams.