I'm currently in the recruitment process for a GA driver job.
Were you given the choice of depot once you'd got the job? I had heard you may have to specify before the manager's interview, as it would dictate which manager you were interviewed by.[/QUOTE]
Hi there.
I actually applied for Bishop's Stortford only as that is my closest depot. But the July intake was full and wasn't for Bishop's Stortford anyway. So rather than wait, I requested to go on the Nov intake for Chingford, rather than delay any further and not risk getting in. I was interviewed by the Chingford and Bishop's Stortford manager.
So yes you can request a preference, but may have to wait depending on the business needs of each depot at each intake. Could be a long wait and a risk in my opinion if you hold out for a particular depot. Seems to be 4 intakes per year on the West Anglia.
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Hi there, Chingford jobs do cover mainly Chingford, Cheshunt and Enfield services and probably about half of our weekday jobs now have a Hertford east after or before our break. There are 52 weekday jobs at chingford, 9 include or are completely airports, 4 include cambridge. Some also include services to bishops stortford from stratford and trips over to ilford depot. Theres enough variety to keep it from being boring. The only trips that tend to not come up very often are cambridges. You can go months without getting up there.
Earliest start is 5am latest finish is 1.30am. The majority of our lines are patterned as follows...
mon tue wed thu - -
- - wed thu fri sat
mon tue - - fri sat
Not always in that order though. Nights come up usually every 6-8 weeks. sundays are not included and drivers who are rostered can make themself not available and drivers not rostered can make themself available for an extra sunday.
London weighting on full whack is currently £194.07 per pay which is every 4 weeks.
Chingford in my opinion is a fantastic depot, yes we do have the majority of the WA stop-start "see a station stop" jobs but theres a good vibe there, everyone is seen equally whether youve been out 4 weeks or 4 years. We get along in the main although by law of averages your always going to have a few who may not float your boat as there are 114 of us based there :roll: but most are happy to help out when your in need including managers. Drivers organise allsorts of things outside of work aswell, drinks, paintball, football to name but a few things. Trust me you'll love it!
Hi Slick
Thanks for all the info. Feel really good about my decision to request Chingford after your post. Sounds a great depot! Looking forward to joining and glad there is quite a lot of variety!
Just a couple of extra questions if you don't mind.
How many Sundays do you normally get rostered for per month, because don't you get one long weekend every month too? Aren't Sundays 125% of basic pay?
With the night shifts, is this working last trains and empty unit movements? When do these tend to start/finish and do you get any night shift allowance?
With the London Weighting, do you know if this is only paid when fully passed out or do you get it once with your driver mentor? Do you also know also know the figure your salary goes up to once you've signed your first route and are productive? I know the initial training wage is £25k, which involves some belt tightening initially.
What is the holiday entitlement at GA and does it increase with service?
Assume there is plenty of driver parking, as that my main means of getting to Chingford from mid Essex?
Many thanks
