So you are saying they should give the job to people with bad safety of line records over people with clean ones because they gained 'experience' by having a SPAD or a TPWS?
I can't see that idea catching on.
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Eurostar International Train Driver 2019
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So you are saying they should give the job to people with bad safety of line records over people with clean ones because they gained 'experience' by having a SPAD or a TPWS?
I can't see that idea catching on.
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Bromley boy
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I don’t think anyone in the driving grade “sails through the years” without incidents.
Some of us just realise that mistakes have consequences, and work very hard to ensure we are good at our craft and thereby maintain a clean safety record.
Bad wording 2 in 5 years one 5 years ago one 2 years ago still i dont think they take people with any incidents.
bramling
Veteran Member
The problem with that thought is that it potentially it only takes one incident for something bad to happen. By that token someone with a clean record is always preferable.
Having said that, there is one potential issue with a clean record. Are there people out there who have kept a clean record by way of not reporting things?...
Bromley boy
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As certain TOCs need to remember, for those of us with a clean record (especially if you’re an 80s music fan), Aha summed the position up very neatly:
Take on me (take on me)
Take me on (take on me)
I'll be gone
In a day or two.
Loads of ex BR guys still knocking around who can tell some seriously scary stories, that would make your hair stand on end: “truing up” spads with the Bobby, as if they didn’t happen; pulling out of stations with doors still open when the interlock circuit was a bit fuzzy; pints of beer consumed between trips etc.
The industry has changed for the better in that respect.
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dctraindriver
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I know of one E* driver whose had a couple of stop shorts, and if memory serves correctly one was definitely within 5 years.
As long as you follow procedure to the book and hold your hands up, fair play. Those fortunate not to have had an incident good on them, however I’ve known the most fastidious drivers have SOL and they’re better drivers than I am...
Throw your hat in, they can only say no......
Dieseldriver
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Another thing is, I have known drivers with over ten years of incident free driving then suddenly go on to have incidents that are quite high up on the severity level.
Most drivers who have had one or two less serious incidents over a relatively long time driving will have learnt a lot of lessons them.
In short, unless someone has had a series of serious incidents, I would say there's not much in it and the best way to judge a drivers character would be to get them to talk candidly about their incident/s in an interview setting, and probe them on how they happened, what they've learnt and how they try to avoid a reoccurrence. That way you can really get a better idea of their professionalism and character.
In reality though, I'd imagine it's much easier to filter out the ones with incidents on their record at the application stage so there are less drivers to interview.
whoosh
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I think anyone wanting to give it a go should apply. If you've had incidents then be open and honest about them. Make them say no, as someone else said.
The fact is, Eurostar need qualified drivers. They need someone who is fairly local with a not unreasonable travelling time to work. They need someone who will be able to learn French to a good level.
If you've had an incident, have been honest about it and the mitigation strategies you use now which make you a better driver, then you might be more desirable than someone with a clean record who isn't as good on the learning language side of things.
Eurostar do lose people to other TOCs - people move further out of London, people move to other operators with not much less pay but not as many rule books to be assessed on. They have had to negotiate a 'Driver Retention Package'.
There might not be as many applicants as you think there are. You've nothing to lose by applying.
The fact is, Eurostar need qualified drivers. They need someone who is fairly local with a not unreasonable travelling time to work. They need someone who will be able to learn French to a good level.
If you've had an incident, have been honest about it and the mitigation strategies you use now which make you a better driver, then you might be more desirable than someone with a clean record who isn't as good on the learning language side of things.
Eurostar do lose people to other TOCs - people move further out of London, people move to other operators with not much less pay but not as many rule books to be assessed on. They have had to negotiate a 'Driver Retention Package'.
There might not be as many applicants as you think there are. You've nothing to lose by applying.
Rocketboots
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Can only assume that all successful candidates all heard this morning then.
MarkCalta86
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Anyone has had the video interview yet?
Tips on the questions?
Thank you
Tips on the questions?
Thank you
S-Car-Go
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I'd love to hear how you guys get on. I'm soon to be leaving E* after 15 years as station staff to start as a trainee driver.
Talking to a computer screen isn’t the way forward in my opinion.
When I asked what people thought I wasn't really talking about the concept of video interviewing if I'm honest. I was edging more towards the questions that were asked in this particular interview.
Rocketboots
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I personally got a dear John but was half expecting it as I’ve only been driving coming up 2 years. I was just wondering from those that got the nod what were your demographics. I you already High speed driving, your conversancy in French, amount of time driving etc. Would be good to gauge so at least may have a grip on what they go for. Cheers
I got through to video interview (was a pretty unpleasant experience tbh!) And I've got 7 years driving on suburban DOO, not high-speed by any stretch! I did A Level German but have almost no french knowledge. I applied last time they recruited drivers last year or the year before and didn't get this far. No idea why I did this time round!
Rocketboots
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Thanks all so far. I fear my age may go against me to be honest. I’m 51 at the moment and feel that by the time they recruit next time around I maybe in that category where the training and investment isn’t going to reap the rewards for them in terms of longevity. Gutted really because the E* gig was my game plan from the start. Wish I’d started driving earlier but life challenges prevented it. Please keep us informed of your progress. All the best RB
Rockhopper
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I thought it was illegal to discriminate based on age these days? You've got nothing to loose by applying!
Arikania2020
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Hi Red
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Johncleesefan
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Out of curiosity, is a video interview conducted over, say skype?
Or do you video yourself answering pre set questions?
Or do you video yourself answering pre set questions?
No the link takes you to a website that specialises In video interviewing. It's actually a really good set up that gives someone who has never done that sort of thing before hints on how to make the video successfully. Anyone yet to do It make sure that you have the latest version of flashplayer Installed else It will not work.
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