Me and one other for Birmingham mateJust out of interest where is everyone based that have been given places on the May and July courses? Are you all Tilbury and Birmingham? Ta!
Me and one other for Birmingham mateJust out of interest where is everyone based that have been given places on the May and July courses? Are you all Tilbury and Birmingham? Ta!
Cheers bud!Me and one other for Birmingham mate
Where did you get the information that it’ll probably be next year, was that from someone at the depot? I’d love to know timeframes but I was just told that there’s no indication as of yet…Hey guys, I passed my DMI on the 23/02/23 for a position in Crewe.
I'm just wondering if anyone else going for a Crewe position did so at a similar date, and what time frame they have been given regards jumping on a course?
I've been told "next year however things may change".
You received your contract yet?I spoke to HR yesterday and asked about contracts for people starting on the 17th July course. They will work to get these issued out to everyone this week
I chased HR and asked them specifically when there would be a spot available on a course. The time frame they gave me was " it's unlikely to be this year, however we are still allocating places, so things may change" Where did you get the information that it’ll probably be next year, was that from someone at the depot? I’d love to know timeframes but I was just told that there’s no indication as of yet…
Hi have they offered you a shunter job or a shunter driver position? XI chased HR and asked them specifically when there would be a spot available on a course. The time frame they gave me was " it's unlikely to be this year, however we are still allocating places, so things may change"
Got a phone call yesterday asking me if I want to take a shunters role but I'm really unsure as what to do... Was told I'd be starting that October/November rather than waiting until next year for mainline. Which two people have said to me now.
I guess it’s good that they’ve offered you something in the interim, I’ve no idea what they pay for the shunter role but I’d probably consider it - although that’s probably because I’ve been really wanting to get onto the railways for some time now!!!I chased HR and asked them specifically when there would be a spot available on a course. The time frame they gave me was " it's unlikely to be this year, however we are still allocating places, so things may change"
Got a phone call yesterday asking me if I want to take a shunters role but I'm really unsure as what to do... Was told I'd be starting that October/November rather than waiting until next year for mainline. Which two people have said to me now.
That sounds really good, wish they’d offer me one of those positions at Donny while I’m sat waiting!!Shunt Driver is just under £44k
Im doncasterJust out of interest where is everyone based that have been given places on the May and July courses? Are you all Tilbury and Birmingham? Ta!
Im on the may courseCheers bud!
Does anyone know if anyone for Donny or Leeds made it onto the May and July courses?
Shunter driver, starting on 42k.Hi have they offered you a shunter job or a shunter driver position? X
Yes and no. I don't currently have a bad job, so I'm not in a rush to start however moving from my current role to shunter driver would yes be a stepping stone and foot in the door. But you have to do that role for a minimum of 18 months/2 years I've been told. So having to wait until October/ November to start that job or wait a couple more months on top of that to get hopefully a mainline position seems more logical for me. I just don't want to wait 2/3+ years to get the role I really want and applied for. I can afford to be patient and hopefully it will pay dividends, but only time will tell I suppose...I guess it’s good that they’ve offered you something in the interim, I’ve no idea what they pay for the shunter role but I’d probably consider it - although that’s probably because I’ve been really wanting to get onto the railways for some time now!!!
You received your contract yet?
Not yet mate
If you’d be stuck in the shunter role for a couple of years, or thereabouts, then I guess it’s no brainer, just be patient like you say and wait for the job you really want. Hope you get a course date soon mate.Shunter driver, starting on 42k.
Yes and no. I don't currently have a bad job, so I'm not in a rush to start however moving from my current role to shunter driver would yes be a stepping stone and foot in the door. But you have to do that role for a minimum of 18 months/2 years I've been told. So having to wait until October/ November to start that job or wait a couple more months on top of that to get hopefully a mainline position seems more logical for me. I just don't want to wait 2/3+ years to get the role I really want and applied for. I can afford to be patient and hopefully it will pay dividends, but only time will tell I suppose...
My ex co worker went to be shunter waiting for the course. He was there a few years and still didn’t get put forward. He ended up doing his testing himself and went to GBRF. The upside was as he was already a qualified shunter they put him on shunting wage to start with rather than the first trainee wageShunter driver, starting on 42k.
Yes and no. I don't currently have a bad job, so I'm not in a rush to start however moving from my current role to shunter driver would yes be a stepping stone and foot in the door. But you have to do that role for a minimum of 18 months/2 years I've been told. So having to wait until October/ November to start that job or wait a couple more months on top of that to get hopefully a mainline position seems more logical for me. I just don't want to wait 2/3+ years to get the role I really want and applied for. I can afford to be patient and hopefully it will pay dividends, but only time will tell I suppose...
If I was you personally. I’d bite their hand off.I chased HR and asked them specifically when there would be a spot available on a course. The time frame they gave me was " it's unlikely to be this year, however we are still allocating places, so things may change"
Got a phone call yesterday asking me if I want to take a shunters role but I'm really unsure as what to do... Was told I'd be starting that October/November rather than waiting until next year for mainline. Which two people have said to me now.
Yep I can only echo what you’ve said.If I was you personally. I’d bite their hand off.
Ok it’s not the role you want, but it’s a close as you’re getting right now, and certainly a good potential lifeline.
Anything can happen between now and next year, Freightliner may lose a contract, they could have internal transfers etc….
Shunter will give give you a brilliant foothold for becoming a driver later on.
That’s my advice anyway as a new Freight driver. There’s 7 on my course that had been shunters / train person before.
Well best of luck and hopefully it all pans out for you.I really appreciate all the feedback and advice from everyone!
I have already decided to turn down the offer though I have to admit...
It really was a tough choice and totally understand what your all saying regards anything could happen etc, so I may not get what I want in the long run anyway. And being a shunt driver in the mean time would be a great way to learn and prepare me for a mainline driver.
I think if I could start earlier than the preposed October/November then I'd definitely be snapping at it. But with the driver apprenticeship course being 1-3 months after potentially is a risk I want to take.
I really appreciate all the feedback and advice from everyone!
I have already decided to turn down the offer though I have to admit...
It really was a tough choice and totally understand what your all saying regards anything could happen etc, so I may not get what I want in the long run anyway. And being a shunt driver in the mean time would be a great way to learn and prepare me for a mainline driver.
I think if I could start earlier than the preposed October/November then I'd definitely be snapping at it. But with the driver apprenticeship course being 1-3 months after potentially is a risk I want to take.
Go for it, get some railway experience under your belt. Shunting isn't a bad job.I guess it’s good that they’ve offered you something in the interim, I’ve no idea what they pay for the shunter role but I’d probably consider it - although that’s probably because I’ve been really wanting to get onto the railways for some time now!!!
Are you applying for HH or IM?Hi all. I’m waiting for my Stage 1 in person assessments with FL as trainee train driver next month but I just wondered if anyone had an idea of what a typical shift pattern would be please? I appreciate it’s a long way off (if so get there obviously) but just a general idea would be good. Thanks in advance!
Ahh I'm IM so can't help. I'm sure there's some HH drivers around on here who might be able to enlighten you! Good luck with the psychometricsIt’s HH
3 bandsIt’s HH
Thanks very much!Ahh I'm IM so can't help. I'm sure there's some HH drivers around on here who might be able to enlighten you! Good luck with the psychometrics
Fab, thank you very much3 bands
A band = 00:00-08:00
B band = 08:00-16:00
C band = 16:00-00:00
Roster comes out on a Friday but you get 38 weeks worth of banding so you know what banding you’ll be on with plenty of notice.
Start times can vary between the times stated above for each band.