Qualified Driver - Progression / Movements

[a340egkk]

I currently drive at a metro TOC depot in the South East - I have a job offer to love for ARL (Overground) at New Cross Gate.

My eventual aim is to hopefully move to an intercity TOC such as GWR.

My question is whether please it is likely that moving to ARL at this time is likely to impact on ability to do this in the future, despite the style of driving being similar to my current depot - however the route knowledge will lower slightly.

Many thanks!

 

[baz962]

I currently drive at a metro TOC depot in the South East - I have a job offer to love for ARL (Overground) at New Cross Gate.

My eventual aim is to hopefully move to an intercity TOC such as GWR.

My question is whether please it is likely that moving to ARL at this time is likely to impact on ability to do this in the future, despite the style of driving being similar to my current depot - however the route knowledge will lower slightly.

Many thanks!

I went from Overground to inter city , as did many others. Some of my ex Overground colleagues now drive for Eurostar too. You should be fine.

 

[a340egkk]

I went from Overground to inter city , as did many others. Some of my ex Overground colleagues now drive for Eurostar too. You should be fine.

Massively appreciate that thank you - it’s essentially the only thing making me debate the move!

 

[martin2345uk]

Go for it, it absolutely won't hold you back!

 

[20atthemagnet]

I currently drive at a metro TOC depot in the South East - I have a job offer to love for ARL (Overground) at New Cross Gate.

My eventual aim is to hopefully move to an intercity TOC such as GWR.

My question is whether please it is likely that moving to ARL at this time is likely to impact on ability to do this in the future, despite the style of driving being similar to my current depot - however the route knowledge will lower slightly.

Many thanks!

You’d be absolutely insane to turn down ARL. Granted NXG is pretty intense, but by every other measure is a vast improvement from any similar TOC in the SE IMO. It’s a company not lacking in cash flow, facilities, everything will always feel brand-new and you will always have everything you need and then some….you’ll also be sitting practically at the top of the country in terms of pay minus Eurostar. As mentioned above it won’t hamper a move at all if you choose to move on later on. Youll also have the benefit of accessing other depots in the company that don’t have anywhere near as much intensity as the ELL which happens a lot when people don’t necessarily want the high intensity but still want to keep everything else which is still second to none. The reason why NXG comes up so much is because of lateral transfers, not leavers. I’d say it was a no brainer if you can get in.

 

[baz962]

You’d be absolutely insane to turn down ARL. Granted NXG is pretty intense, but by every other measure is a vast improvement from any similar TOC in the SE IMO. It’s a company not lacking in cash flow, facilities, everything will always feel brand-new and you will always have everything you need and then some….you’ll also be sitting practically at the top of the country in terms of pay minus Eurostar. As mentioned above it won’t hamper a move at all if you choose to move on later on. Youll also have the benefit of accessing other depots in the company that don’t have anywhere near as much intensity as the ELL which happens a lot when people don’t necessarily want the high intensity but still want to keep everything else which is still second to none. The reason why NXG comes up so much is because of lateral transfers, not leavers. I’d say it was a no brainer if you can get in.

After the recent paydeal you are also behind Southwestern Avanti and LNER , although as an ex Overground driver myself I was happy enough there and I went on to inter city. Not always about the pay though.

 

[43066]

After the recent paydeal you are also behind Southwestern Avanti and LNER , although as an ex Overground driver myself I was happy enough there and I went on to inter city. Not always about the pay though.

Agreed. If the OP is at Southeastern then LO is probably a good shout - perhaps less so if they’re at another London TOC. Intensity of work is the downside, also the lack of any progression to better work as you might find elsewhere.

Although I gather you can go from NXG to other depots which are a little better from a work point of view?

 

[20atthemagnet]

Agreed. If the OP is at Southeastern then LO is probably a good shout - perhaps less so if they’re at another London TOC. Intensity of work is the downside, also the lack of any progression to better work as you might find elsewhere.

Although I gather you can go from NXG to other depots which are a little better from a work point of view?

Indeed workload accross different depots is rather spread. NXG is definatley the most intensive by a country mile but like you say will still feel like a huge upgrade from somwhere like Southeastern. Many people are trying to make that exact move. Elizabeth Line Abbey Wood/Plumstead is also popular in that area although they wont be looking for anyone for a very very very long time. It absolutley isnt about just money but by most measures LO is a good place to work so being well paid is a nice bonus when everything else is good. You wont find very many people unhappy there. Last 20 years has shown me that typically no matter what you do theres usually a compromise to made with Content/pay/conditions etc. Work wise Willesden is marginally better, Euston, Watford, Stratford, and Chingford can barely be considered intensive inner suburban depots. Very paletable with a lot of 6-7hr diagrams. Typically, those depots are fed by NXG/Willesden when someone retires and then a recruitment drive goes out for NXG Trainees or qualifieds to fill the gaps. When people do move on its usually to Eurostar or because of a large relocation, not because of anything particularly bad or wrong with them. Drivers are happy, pay is good, facilities are good, management are pretty good, theres not much to complain about. The Covid period in particular tought me alot about them as an organsation. Granted outside of the Dft but their conduct generally speaking was good and how staff were treated/safeguarded even if in hinsight a little OTT as well as fair pay dialougue. Was very difficult to hear colleagues/friends at other TOCs being at wits end. Glad some normality has resumed.

 

[notadriver]

How long have you been at your metro depot ?

 

[Economist]

Looking at your username OP, are you not tempted by a move to the flight deck? I'm a driver who moved to intercity work from suburban work in SE London and I'm certainly tempted by such a move myself.

 

[a340egkk]

Sorry all, thank you very much for the replies - and cementing my thoughts!

Really appreciate the detail given.

How long have you been at your metro depot ?

Just over three years.

 

[NSEWonderer]

Looking at your username OP, are you not tempted by a move to the flight deck? I'm a driver who moved to intercity work from suburban work in SE London and I'm certainly tempted by such a move myself.

Was my very own conundrum before picking front seat on the iron road. Big reasons for me was the moving between hotels etc when you first start off on thr smaller carriers to build up hours.

Cutthroat industry especially with sack and rehire, had a neighbour who was sacked and retired at Luftanasa.

Unions aren't as strong as rail but to be fair they're dealing with international level coverage.

Maybe I'll be tempted again in a few years.