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London Underground - CSA1 / CSA2 - Recruitment and Discussion

NimFa

Member
Joined
3 Jun 2025
Messages
9
Location
London
Hi, i am Planning to visit abroad from mid August to mid September. I wanted to know once we received training dates, how much time is given for eye test etc (to be physical present)?
 
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NimFa

Member
Joined
3 Jun 2025
Messages
9
Location
London
Actually i am night tube sep 2024 offer. I am told that i will be receiving training dates in September 2025 approximately. So just wanted to know that how they held eye and other physical test after giving training dates? Did they do test immediately?
That trip is not problem. I can choose other dates as well.
 

NayNay1

Member
Joined
9 Feb 2025
Messages
19
Location
Canary
Hi everyone,

I’ll be starting my training soon and was just wondering—do we receive our uniform on the first day? Also, would it be a good idea to bring an extra bag for it? I’ve heard it might be quite a lot to carry.
 

T103

Member
Joined
17 Apr 2024
Messages
158
Location
London
Hi everyone,

I’ll be starting my training soon and was just wondering—do we receive our uniform on the first day? Also, would it be a good idea to bring an extra bag for it? I’ve heard it might be quite a lot to carry.
It depends how much uniform you ordered, do bring a bag to bring to put your uniform in. It may be given to you on your first day or longer- I had to wait till my 2nd week to get the uniform.

Good luck with your training and your future career at TfL.
 

vicline

Member
Joined
9 Aug 2024
Messages
32
Location
London
It depends how much uniform you ordered, do bring a bag to bring to put your uniform in. It may be given to you on your first day or longer- I had to wait till my 2nd week to get the uniform.

Good luck with your training and your future career at TfL.
damn, did they let you do training in your own clothes then?
 

pitdiver

Member
Joined
22 Jan 2012
Messages
1,157
Location
Nottinghamshire
All this concern about uniform. When I joined in 1989 as a Booking Clerk we didn't have uniforms. Did eventually get issued with one but can't remember when. Can any ex LUL booking clerks say when that was?
 

bluegoblin7

Established Member
Joined
10 May 2011
Messages
1,730
Location
JB/JP/JW
damn, did they let you do training in your own clothes then?
“Smart business wear” is the usual phrase. If your uniform isn’t ready then yes, you’ll need to wear your own clothes, but jeans and hoodies are unlikely to cut it.

Definitely recommend bringing a suitcase if you’re able to, though!
 

43066

On Moderation
Joined
24 Nov 2019
Messages
11,808
Location
London
Can I ask how old is roughly everyone who has started training with London Underground

I doubt that will be something people can really answer as it will vary by individual course. I gather it’s similar to “mainline” railway recruitment in that I’d expect a range of ages from 20-50.

1989 was grim time to work for London Underground. Nice to see the booking clerks smoking like chimneys in this BBC documentary at the time...

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0074tkn


That is a fascinating documentary. It’s amazing how much has changed in the last few decades - mostly for the better!
 

gjeffery68

Member
Joined
11 Sep 2024
Messages
18
Location
london
Good morning all just wanted to ask how the taxi/bus service works for us.
My closest station is Loughton just wondering if it goes to Loughton? And how does it work booking it it on an early? Thanks in advance
 

Mawkie

Member
Joined
17 Feb 2016
Messages
732
Good morning all just wanted to ask how the taxi/bus service works for us.
My closest station is Loughton just wondering if it goes to Loughton? And how does it work booking it it on an early? Thanks in advance
I recall answering this in post #430. Have you started yet and been allocated a group?
 

T103

Member
Joined
17 Apr 2024
Messages
158
Location
London
Good morning all just wanted to ask how the taxi/bus service works for us.
My closest station is Loughton just wondering if it goes to Loughton? And how does it work booking it it on an early? Thanks in advance
Taxi's are booked by the station CSS, and it is up to you to request it before 9pm each day (for both for early and lates).

The taxis are not a door to door service, so you will need to head to your local station to pick up your taxi.

The taxi will either drop you off at your station or a nearby station and then continue the rest by public transport/foot.
There is a sheet that tells you all the pick up and drop off locations/times.
 

coffeetable

Member
Joined
4 Oct 2023
Messages
86
Location
LONDON
Taxi's are booked by the station CSS, and it is up to you to request it before 9pm each day (for both for early and lates).

The taxis are not a door to door service, so you will need to head to your local station to pick up your taxi.

The taxi will either drop you off at your station or a nearby station and then continue the rest by public transport/foot.
There is a sheet that tells you all the pick up and drop
Just to add: If your house is on the way to the station, you can request to be dropped off near your home. I do this all the time—sometimes the drivers go a bit further and drop you closer. Just ask them politely.
 

bluegoblin7

Established Member
Joined
10 May 2011
Messages
1,730
Location
JB/JP/JW
Just to add: If your house is on the way to the station, you can request to be dropped off near your home. I do this all the time—sometimes the drivers go a bit further and drop you closer. Just ask them politely.
They are, however, under no obligation to do this and - if you are found out doing so - you are likely to be barred from using the staff taxi network. Travel to your home address changes the 'categorisation' of the service to become a 'benefit in kind', with tax implications. Freely advertising this on the Internet is incredibly unwise and could result in TfL being forced to withdraw the staff taxi network (which is not a contractual right).
 

itsm4

Member
Joined
18 Dec 2024
Messages
8
Location
London
Hi all, I hope someone can advise or at least shed some light on the situation.

Originally received an offer for CSA1 Night Tube (Early Sept ‘24) [and am still waiting for a training date] but since then my circumstances have changed and I’d rather work full time (as CSA1 ideally) or at least more on the weekdays - I still am happy to work on the night tube for some time but am looking to take overtime on the weekdays when I start.

*Essentially I’d like to work as CSA1 Full time in the near future.*

That being said I’m thinking what the best route is:

1) If possible, change to a CSA2 Full time now and work towards the CSA1 certification when I actually start. I may be able to find a training date sooner (which is better for me) but I’m not sure how long CSA2 -> CSA1 would take after starting hence need some light on this situation.

2) Wait as a CSA1 NT for a training date (may take until 2026) and attain the CSA1 certification right away. From there attempt to take on as much overtime as possible and hope to elect myself for a CSA1 Full time position but then again I’m not sure on this time frame or if it’d be possible.

Essentially down the line I’d like to get out of the night tube hours as family life starts but I’m just not sure how internal progression works in regards to CSA2 / CSA1 so I was hoping someone could explain if my thought processes are valid.

I understand this message is a bit long but any input is appreciated, or if anyone could explain in a private message that’d be amazing
 

bluegoblin7

Established Member
Joined
10 May 2011
Messages
1,730
Location
JB/JP/JW
There is a nominal automatic progression from CSA 2 to CSA 1 after twelve months - provided no issues with probation etc. Nowadays you tend to get a full CSA 1 license from day one, and should be able to pick up overtime as ‘Higher Grade Working’ at most locations.

Of course, OT is not guaranteed.

It would be worth a call to Recruitment to see if you can transfer to the CSA 2 campaign, but it is unlikely - whilst the recruitment criteria are similar, TfL tends to ‘silo’ different campaigns - somewhat understandably imo - so you’d be relying on goodwill to transfer across.

Similarly, if/when CSA 1 NT roles become available there are no guarantees of OT being available, and there are quite strict rules on how much can be worked, when and where. CSA 1 is also a safety critical role, and if you experience any incidents as a result of working “too much” overtime there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself looking for a new job before long. OT is also shared fairly amongst all those who are interested, and subject to ‘overance’ measurements around hours worked. Full time staff get priority over part time staff, who get priority over staff doing either higher grade or lower grade working.

Unfortunately CSA 1 is no longer directly recruited for.
 

itsm4

Member
Joined
18 Dec 2024
Messages
8
Location
London
thank you so much, very insightful!

One thing I just wanted to ask
Nowadays you tend to get a full CSA 1 license from day one, and should be able to pick up overtime as ‘Higher Grade Working’ at most locations.
Are you referring to the CSA2 full time campaign, CSA1 NT or something else?

Just wanted to clear up what you meant by “from day one” if there’s automatic progression after 12 months.

Many thanks again Regardless
 

bluegoblin7

Established Member
Joined
10 May 2011
Messages
1,730
Location
JB/JP/JW
thank you so much, very insightful!

One thing I just wanted to ask

Are you referring to the CSA2 full time campaign, CSA1 NT or something else?

Just wanted to clear up what you meant by “from day one” if there’s automatic progression after 12 months.

Many thanks again Regardless
CSA2, although by definition you’ll get CSA1 training for a CSA1 role, so it applies to both ;)

Automatic progression* was part of a pay deal a few years ago, so provided you (general) keep your nose clean there shouldn’t be any issues.

(Automatic, with the caveats I set out previously.)
 

coffeetable

Member
Joined
4 Oct 2023
Messages
86
Location
LONDON
Just to add — in practice, many drivers are happy to drop staff off at a point along the way, especially if it’s on the direct route to the station. Some even offer it themselves without us asking, as long as it doesn’t require a detour.

Of course, they’re not obliged to, and I never implied otherwise ( I used the word request in my previous post)— it’s entirely at their discretion, and if they refuse, we respect that. I was simply sharing what often happens in good faith, and no one’s encouraging misuse.


I appreciate the concerns about rules and policy implications, but there’s a difference between quietly requesting something within reason and exploiting a benefit. We all want to keep the system running smoothly.
 

Zb0905

Member
Joined
29 Dec 2023
Messages
123
Location
London
Just to add — in practice, many drivers are happy to drop staff off at a point along the way, especially if it’s on the direct route to the station. Some even offer it themselves without us asking, as long as it doesn’t require a detour.

Of course, they’re not obliged to, and I never implied otherwise ( I used the word request in my previous post)— it’s entirely at their discretion, and if they refuse, we respect that. I was simply sharing what often happens in good faith, and no one’s encouraging misuse.


I appreciate the concerns about rules and policy implications, but there’s a difference between quietly requesting something within reason and exploiting a benefit. We all want to keep the system running smoothly.
I thinks it’s best to keep these things silent to your self mate for your own gain and benefit
 

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