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FOC vs TOC

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Amurleopard202

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I am considering applying as a trainee driver at some point in the future what is your opinion of joining as an FOC trainee or a TOC trainee and what are the pros and cons to both considering you could move to the other if you would like to, would it be better to start training as with freight or passengers?
 
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martin2345uk

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You will get a lot of probably conflicting answers to a question like this :D but here's my take, as a fairly recently qualified freight driver..

Passenger pros:
Cleaner working environment, a roster that allows you to see far ahead and plan your life a bit more, fewer night shifts (it's all TOC dependent)


Freight pros:
No passengers to deal with, especially compared to DOO TOCs, they're less bothered about being a few minutes late, possibly greater route/traction variety (again FOC-dependent)

With Freight most people state the main disadvantages as, lots of night shifts, often don't get your shifts for one week until the week before, so hard to plan your life - but again that's FOC-dependent; I work for one of the big FOCs where we do see our shifts 13 weeks ahead, we work very few weekends (but still a lot of nights), do no engineering trains and although our base pay may not be as high as most others, there's a whole load of little extras in our T&Cs that we book, which goes a long way to making up that shortfall.

At my depot we've had 2 drivers move over from the local TOC in the past few months, similarly we've apparently had drivers move to TOCs, some of whom stays and some of whom came back!

It's all down to preference...
 

Stigy

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I’d personally apply for whoever is recruiting. Trainee Driver roles are so hard to get, I’d be applying to a TOC or a FOC (basically whoever is recruiting) and did do a couple of years ago.

My preference would always be with a TOC (at least whilst I have a young family), but you really just have to apply anywhere and everywhere (within reason) if you want a key. Beggars can’t be choosers as they say.

Of course, some people get lucky on their first application, but it’s so competitive, it’s often solely luck that gets you a job, with countless suitable applicants for every intake.
 

theironroad

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No staff leisure travel facilities on FOCs for someone new joining the rail industry. Might not affect everyone but definitely a con in my opinion.
 

16.19

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Put yourself forward for any trainee driver role. Getting your foot in the door and past the initial ‘paper-sift’ is difficult.

Applying for both may give you a better chance.

Good luck!
 

martin2345uk

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Put yourself forward for any trainee driver role. Getting your foot in the door and past the initial ‘paper-sift’ is difficult.

Applying for both may give you a better chance.

Good luck!
... is definitely the best advice there is :idea:
 

iwasyoungonce

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Put yourself forward for any trainee driver role. Getting your foot in the door and past the initial ‘paper-sift’ is difficult.

Applying for both may give you a better chance.

Good luck!
Agreed, go for who ever is recruiting regardless of FOC/TOC/Mainline/Driver/Shunter/location etc, foot in the door then worry about finding your ideal job.
 

D5581

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7 Mar 2017
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Agreed, go for who ever is recruiting regardless of FOC/TOC/Mainline/Driver/Shunter/location etc, foot in the door then worry about finding your ideal job.
What he said.
Getting your foot in the door is the hardest and most important part. Once said foot is in, just patience needed after that
 
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