There’s a few of us for the London depots at the contract stage.Hi mate,
I'm in the same boat as you. Conditional offer for Rugby depot starting in May. The vetting and checks seem to take a while!
Have you received a date for a medical?
Yes mate, there’s a few in the same boat at present.Is there anybody else with a supposed start date in January still waiting for an exact start date and official contract? I tried to contact them on email but got no answer.
Ok, thank you for the information.Yes mate, there’s a few in the same boat at present.
Supposed date of the 3rd, no contracts yet. But I know they are being sorted
No date for a medical yet no, now having to pass the security which will take at least 6 weeks by the looks of it. you heard anything about medicals yet?Hi mate,
I'm in the same boat as you. Conditional offer for Rugby depot starting in May. The vetting and checks seem to take a while!
Have you received a date for a medical?
I wouldn’t be surprised if they get our course in January going, then start working through those for May.No date for a medical yet no, now having to pass the security which will take at least 6 weeks by the looks of it. you heard anything about medicals yet?
Appreciate that mate. You’re a driver with DRS?Need to be patient I’m afraid. Recruitment can be a slow process in the railway. For those starting soon, the 2 trainers from Carlisle are good guys and you will be in good hands. I believe it’s a big intake of new drivers so I would suggest just going with the flow have a good positive attitude and soak up as much info throughout your training. I am sure you will all have long and enjoyable careers at DRS. It’s a good company. Going through some modernisation currently, but shouldn’t effect any new drivers.
Good luck
I’m a signaller and see where being cock sure gets people on a daily basis.Yes been a driver with DRS for a few years now. Though not down London area. DRS treat their drivers well in my opinion, but others may not agree. That’s life. As I said have a good attitude and most importantly don’t try and wing it if you are not sure. Ask the questions or get things clarified If you are not sure. Develop good habits and they will help you when things don’t go to plan. one Thing for sure is don’t get cocky. This job will bite you in the bum if you think you have it sussed and train driving is easy. Where is everyone going to be based?
Links is just a different term for rota/roster.@Billyray83 appreciate that. There’s a lot of terminology I need to get my head around that we don’t really use as signallers (at least not in my area).
Links is a term I hear a lot but don’t really understand it’s meaning.
Back shift? I assume this is the equivalent to a late turn for me (early, late, Night).
Thanks again,
Chris.
Thanks Baz, I assumed as much as in signalling we have A Link, B link etc….Links is just a different term for rota/roster.
Yes, different depots have different links - some are simply numbered while others are named (SCO, Thunderbird etc). All depends on depot!Thanks Baz, I assumed as much as in signalling we have A Link, B link etc….
But, well… you know what they say about assuming.
I take it depots can have multiple links too?
Hello mate, thanks for the information, i am going to be based in tilbury, what short of routes do they do? Just curious.Every depot has different links. 4 day week for all drivers across the company. O/T available if you wish. Quite a few weekends off compared to other FOCs and TOCs. But this can change when new links produced. only rostered 1 Sunday in 3 (so in a 9 person link only 3 booked Sundays). If you are working at weekend then generally time off midweek. Shifts can vary from very early shifts eg 3am starts, day shift, back shift, night shifts. Hours on duty can vary from 7 hrs -11 hrs. Generally work a train to a point, have a break, work a train home again or drive a pool car. Spare turns - phone control to see if you are needed if not stay at home with your phone on.
shift work can take a bit of time to get used. You could have different start and finish times all week
Thanks for this mate. £80k isn’t too bad.Hi, earning potential probably varies from depot to depot. I do know some drivers 80K +. But they probably spend more time at work than at home. Fatigue levels will be higher If you are working lots of rest days. I also work with drivers that do no overtime. Personal choice.
sorry don’t know much about Tilbury work. Looks like jobs to Daventry and Willesden, but I don’t know what is involved.
Won't hurt to ask them...good luckHope everyone is doing well! Does anybody think there are still places available in April for people waiting in the talent pool like myself for either tilbury or Willesden? or do you think it would be a good idea to email recruitment and ask? TIA
I guess you’re right!! CheersWon't hurt to ask them...good luck
Left the companyI
I guess you’re right!! Cheers
If anybody still has Rachel’s contact number from DRS would you be able to inbox me please? thank you.
Doh, I was waiting for Tilbury too.That’s a shame! She came across really helpful at the testing stage. I received a reply today from recruitment informing me that they are currently unable to confirm when they will be recruiting for Willesden and Tilbury again….. looks like it will be a longer wait then I hoped for
Yes the january course has started.Did the course set for January start on time out of interest? Anyone on the May course had there medicals yet I heard they’re starting to book them in?
They did a walkabout at Carlisle Station last Friday. Won't be another course for a while nowDid the course set for January start on time out of interest? Anyone on the May course had there medicals yet I heard they’re starting to book them in?
Did the course set for January start on time out of interest? Anyone on the May course had there medicals yet I heard they’re starting to book them in?
Oh strange I thought they had courses booked to start in April and then in MayThey did a walkabout at Carlisle Station last Friday. Won't be another course for a while now