Steve1966
Member
Thanks russmcp.
I don't feel so over the hill now.
I don't feel so over the hill now.
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First Great Western trainie train drivers, Reading, Paddington & Oxford
- Thread starter anthony263
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I'm exactly the same age as you and am currently in driver training - albeit with a different TOC.
Steve1966
Member
How are you finding it Latecomer?
It's fine so far Steve. The one thing I've noticed is that driver trainees these days come from all ages, walks of life and backgrounds. Sure I'm at the older end of the spectrum but there's nothing I've come across so far to put me off. I perhaps need to work a little harder than some of the younger trainees with regard to retention of new learning (but then I've been 25 years out of the classroom!). In other respects hopefully my other life experiences will come to bear.
Anyone who gets through the assessments has shown they have the basic ability, so provided you can take that forward and apply yourself there's no reason you can't go all the way. From what Ive been advised failure once training has commenced is quite a rare (but then hitting a trainee wage for 8 months or so means it's not an option to really contemplate!).
Anyone who gets through the assessments has shown they have the basic ability, so provided you can take that forward and apply yourself there's no reason you can't go all the way. From what Ive been advised failure once training has commenced is quite a rare (but then hitting a trainee wage for 8 months or so means it's not an option to really contemplate!).
Steve1966
Member
Thanks for the tips Latecomer.
Glad you are getting along with it.
I am in fact an ex tube train driver so I know how intense the courses you are on.
LUL have or had the attitude that once you get so far, you do go all the way so to speak.
Unless the person is either a numpty or downright dangerous.
Good luck in your training.
Hope it all works out.
Glad you are getting along with it.
I am in fact an ex tube train driver so I know how intense the courses you are on.
LUL have or had the attitude that once you get so far, you do go all the way so to speak.
Unless the person is either a numpty or downright dangerous.
Good luck in your training.
Hope it all works out.
espaceman3
Member
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- 20 Nov 2011
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I'm 43 , it wasn't distance from depot that was a problem , I live 10 minutes away from Reading ,and could make Paddington station in under an hour from
where I live .
Don't know how FGW works but with another 3 weeks to Christmas hopefully you will hear.
Good luck with it and a slight hijack here, but what length of time after an interview would you think it acceptable to email to find out if you've passed the interview stage? Northern Rail for me...
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francisoldfield
Member
swt say ring 7-10 days after the interview if that helps...
Fantastic - thanks. 8 days and counting - seems to have been the longest of my life!
sultanofswing
Member
From my experience no, I would say a more realistic date for FGW is around February time. I applied in July and found out in September.
My contract arrived, wahoo!!
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bailey19
Member
Well done guys you deserve it.My medical is on Wednesday,so fingers crossed all will be ok.
Looking forward to meeting you in Feb!
As long as a TOC can get 5 years out of you they will employ tou if you are what they want.
espaceman3
Member
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- 20 Nov 2011
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- 6
Yes ,fair enough , well I've been with my current employers for 26 years (since I was 17) so I don't tend to move around much !
fordylad
Member
To all the guys who start in feb, how long did you wait from attending the medical to receiving a contract,
Just over 4 weeks. If it starts to look a bit close to your notice period, give them a call and explain the problem. I guess any contracts going out in the next few weeks will be fighting with the Christmas post too.
fordylad
Member
I was told my the doctor that I'd passed, he wrote f1 no restrictions on my med file! Then said see you in 5 years
bailey19
Member
Hi guys passed my medical yesterday .guess its now back to the waiting game
fordylad
Member
Well done matey hopefully we will all meet up in feb
Well done mate! Hope you dont have to wait too long!
fordylad
Member
Formal offer made, starting 6 feb looking forward to seeing you all
sultanofswing
Member
nice one, I've already received my security pass, and photo card to go with the travel pass.
driver9000
Established Member
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Congratulations gentlemen, you'll love it!
Its an amazing feeling to get that letter containing your start date! I still have my letter, definitely would have hugged my postman that day if I'd been in when he delivered it.
Its an amazing feeling to get that letter containing your start date! I still have my letter, definitely would have hugged my postman that day if I'd been in when he delivered it.
fordylad
Member
Oh right cool. What happens next then ? I think I'm about to burst with excitement. Although we have lots of hard work ahead
sultanofswing
Member
It says in the contract we get paid in 4 weekly arrears, does that mean we get paid monthly? and that we will have to be working for 2 months before our first pay check? Or will we be paid at the end of the first month (after the first 4 weeks?)
I know what you mean Fordylad. I'm a bit like a kid waiting for Christmas at the moment. Counting the days...
Sultanofswing, it is literally every 4 weeks, ie. every 28 days. So it will be out of sync with any monthly direct debits etc. Everyone gets paid on the same day, so you'd need someone from FGW when the first payday after 6th Feb actually is. The arrears part just means that they pay you for the previous 4 weeks work.
Sultanofswing, it is literally every 4 weeks, ie. every 28 days. So it will be out of sync with any monthly direct debits etc. Everyone gets paid on the same day, so you'd need someone from FGW when the first payday after 6th Feb actually is. The arrears part just means that they pay you for the previous 4 weeks work.
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