First Group and Northern Rail

[hughavinalaf]

As employers,how do they compare?

Is one seen as being the better option?

Does anyone have experience of working for both?

Cheers

 

[Northerner]

I can tell you that an awful lot of our drivers are ex northern rail

 

[Silv1983]

Pay, Traction, routes and Terms and conditions aside - the majority of the 'old hands' at Northern who worked under FNW regularly say that First are not a 'people company' and do not treat their staff well.

However, if TPE were to have the same working week pattern as Northern: im willing to bet a lot more drivers would try and leave for them.

 

[Suraggu]

I worked for First Great Western before moving up North and now work for East Coast. That was the worst decision I ever made and now fighting to get out.

I always enjoyed working for FGW BUT every company, every depot, is different. No two people have exactly the same experience.

 

[Vicpaul]

Worked for first group (Scotrail) and my exeperiences were fantastic.

 

[Bluebri]

From what I have seen and heard on here, they are much of a muchness. First have the more modern traction and better pay, but this may possibly be nullified shortly as Northern are allegedly reviewing their pay structure due to losing so many qualified people to other better paid TOC's. But they both sound like great companies to work for. I suppose it will depend what you would be looking for from the job to make you happy. For example, would you a) commute up to an hour each way for 3K - 10K p.a. more or b) settle for the job on your doorstep? Personally, I would take option b) as I have kids and after commuting costs, would see little additional financial benefit. After that, it comes down to what the job is like, which in my opinion, only you could decide, as this may be shift patterns, colleagues your working for, environment, routes, etc. etc. etc. and is very much down to you as an individual.

 

[NX]

It really does depend on which depot you work at. Some depots are great with high morale, decent work and good management. Where as some are complete rubbish, ask someone at the rubbish depot what they think and the response will be negative and vice versa.

Its all down to the person in question.

NX.

 

[hughavinalaf]

Thanks all for the replies

 

[notaspotter]

I have worked for FNW, then Northern Rail, and now FTPE, and much prefer it over here at TPE

 

[Bluebri]

The thing here is though, unless you are in the industry at the moment, you really are not in a position to pick and choose. I am in that position at the moment myself and I would snap anyones arm off for a job on the railways and would not be too choosey about the TOC, as long as it commutable

 

[hughavinalaf]

The thing here is though, unless you are in the industry at the moment, you really are not in a position to pick and choose. I am in that position at the moment myself and I would snap anyones arm off for a job on the railways and would not be too choosey about the TOC, as long as it commutable

That is my thinking also.

 

[Bluebri]

That is my thinking also.

A note of caution, if you have taken the new tests already, then TPE may not accept them, as they apparently are using Enhanced Scores. I guess this means you need a higher pass mark for them, despite the tests supposedly now being 'Standard'.