Trainee Train Driver - Virgin Trains East Coast

[vintagegt]

Congrats vintagegt, I had the good news today too following yesterday's psychometrics. So happy! Best of luck to all yet to take the tests.

Ah, brilliant news, well done! Were you at York?

 

[vintagegt]

Well done guys..it is an awesome feeling!

Thanks man, sure is! Such a relief after all the hard work so far.

 

[FManc]

Just wondering what the format of the day was for those of you that have sat the tests recently. If anyone didn't pass the paper tests did they have to leave during the day? The same applied for the computer tests I imagine. I take it they gave you some sort of break around lunch to go grab something to eat as I imagine you're there for most of the day.

 

[455driver]

I'm pretty sure the standard time for "qualified " pay is 2 years. I may be wrong like.

You are wrong like.

 

[455driver]

I expect once you get your driving hours in and have your final assessment you are qualified and will receive full pay. I'd expect around 11-12 months

You are 'qualified' when you do your first solo driving turn, so as you state around about 12-13 months depending on how long it takes to get your hours in and route learning done.

 

[HTBFD]

Ah, brilliant news, well done! Were you at York?

Yeah York on Monday, and based in Newcastle. So grateful for the quick response too, as it would have been a very anxious week!

 

[Davidson4301]

You are wrong like.

So are we only on the 26k for 20 weeks ? Then up to next increment for the next 30 odd weeks and then full pay after that? That's a lot quicker than I anticipated.

A friend of mine drives for tpe and it took two years for him to make full pay ? I suppose I can ask all of this on the 18th when I go down to York .

 

[Ffcsteve14]

So are we only on the 26k for 20 weeks ? Then up to next increment for the next 30 odd weeks and then full pay after that? That's a lot quicker than I anticipated.

A friend of mine drives for tpe and it took two years for him to make full pay ? I suppose I can ask all of this on the 18th when I go down to York .

Im unable to attend on the 18th so any information you gather RE money et. Could you post on here? Would be very appreciative

 

[Davidson4301]

Im unable to attend on the 18th so any information you gather RE money et. Could you post on here? Would be very appreciative

Yes no problem

 

[156484]

There seems to be a lot of obbsession with money on this thread! I hope people aren't going for this job primarily because of the salary.

 

[Davidson4301]

I think it's perfectly reasonable to want to know the salary of a new job don't you ?
Also if this job paid less than my current one I wouldn't of went it for it. I don't love trains that much. Of course money is a major factor when applying for jobs .

 

[martin2345uk]

Thanks! I think it's mostly the MMI I'm worried about as I've heard of some right horror stories. I've prepared for the generic 6 qtn/themes as well as another 5-10 qtns/themes that could come all using the STAR format. I've got a backup as well for most of these. Lets just hope my mind doesn't go blank on the day

How'd it go today mate? [emoji736]

 

[FManc]

How'd it go today mate? [emoji736]

I really have no idea! I thought the tests were pretty straightforward. My only doubt is the ATAVT! Not very optimistic about the MMI though. The questions were pretty standard and I wasn't asked to change any of my answers. However I don't really think I handled the probing questions very well and I think that'll be my downfall. I think I was in there for about 60-70 mins. I thought we'd find out if we had passed the paper and computer tests before sitting the MMI but it seems I'll be finding out when I get the decision email from VTEC. If I have failed, which I think I have then i'll have to ask for clarification as to what tests I've actually failed.

 

[xtradj]

I really have no idea! I thought the tests were pretty straightforward. My only doubt is the ATAVT! Not very optimistic about the MMI though. The questions were pretty standard and I wasn't asked to change any of my answers. However I don't really think I handled the probing questions very well and I think that'll be my downfall. I think I was in there for about 60-70 mins. I thought we'd find out if we had passed the paper and computer tests before sitting the MMI but it seems I'll be finding out when I get the decision email from VTEC. If I have failed, which I think I have then i'll have to ask for claricarion as to what tests I've actually failed.

That's strange we were told instantly after the interview of we had passed. Good luck

 

[FManc]

That's strange we were told instantly after the interview of we had passed. Good luck

Thanks! Yeah I thought it was strange tbh! Maybe it was cos we weren't sitting the tests at the actual OPC centre in Watford. Who knows! They said the tests needed to be checked and verified etc etc and then passed onto the VTEC team this evening.

 

[danyurl]

Thanks! Yeah I thought it was strange tbh! Maybe it was cos we weren't sitting the tests at the actual OPC centre in Watford. Who knows! They said the tests needed to be checked and verified etc etc and then passed onto the VTEC team this evening.

Yeah that's strange. At ours they marked all our written tests first and told us we'd all passed. Then same thing for the computerised tests. And then I found immediately that I'd passed my MMI, albeit there was only 4 of us doing the tests on the day, not sure if that would make much difference?

 

[vintagegt]

Yeah that's strange. At ours they marked all our written tests first and told us we'd all passed. Then same thing for the computerised tests. And then I found immediately that I'd passed my MMI, albeit there was only 4 of us doing the tests on the day, not sure if that would make much difference?

This is a bit strange. There were 4 of us at our day too and we weren't told the results of anything. We were told it all had to be passed to VTEC to make decisions on the results.

As it turned out we found out very quickly anyway but seems odd how it isn't a standard procedure one way or the other.

 

[156484]

I think it's perfectly reasonable to want to know the salary of a new job don't you ?
Also if this job paid less than my current one I wouldn't of went it for it. I don't love trains that much. Of course money is a major factor when applying for jobs .

You've just clarified my point.

 

[danyurl]

This is a bit strange. There were 4 of us at our day too and we weren't told the results of anything. We were told it all had to be passed to VTEC to make decisions on the results.

As it turned out we found out very quickly anyway but seems odd how it isn't a standard procedure one way or the other.

I'm sure I read before the day that they would mark each part as we went on and they would send you home if you hadn't passed a certain part as there would be no need in keeping you there? Find it weird that different places did it differently!

 

[FManc]

I'm sure I read before the day that they would mark each part as we went on and they would send you home if you hadn't passed a certain part as there would be no need in keeping you there? Find it weird that different places did it differently!

I'm quite happy I didn't know my fate as the day went on as at least I got to sit everything. On the flipside it makes the waiting game worse as I've got no idea if I've even passed the stage 1/2 tests let alone the MMI.

 

[vintagegt]

I'm sure I read before the day that they would mark each part as we went on and they would send you home if you hadn't passed a certain part as there would be no need in keeping you there? Find it weird that different places did it differently!

Yeah, I was the same. I thought if you failed anything you were shown the door but to be fair, I think the way we did it is better as if you did fail any aspect and did decide to have another go after 6 months, you only had to resit the aspects you weren't up to scratch on so I'm all for this approach.

 

[Davidson4301]

You've just clarified my point.

I don't know what your point is nor do I care.

 

[CJM]

Posted in error

 

[CJM]

I successfully passed the testing the other day. Everyone undertook all the tests, and there was nothing said during the day that we would be filtered out, and we were informed the results would be passed to the team either that evening or the following morning, I expected the latter. However, I received an email later that day informing me of the great news! I now just have to wait for further information.

 

[Davidson4301]

I successfully passed the testing the other day. Everyone undertook all the tests, and there was nothing said during the day that we would be filtered out, and we were informed the results would be passed to the team either that evening or the following morning, I expected the latter. However, I received an email later that day informing me of the great news! I now just have to wait for further information.

Congrats. It's a great feeling. I can't wait to get started now.

 

[CJM]

Congrats. It's a great feeling. I can't wait to get started now.

Thanks. Have you had anything further information on dates etc?

 

[vintagegt]

Thanks. Have you had anything further information on dates etc?

Congrats from me too, well done!

Its medical next and I think that's in Edinburgh but VTEC will let us all know in due course. I've still not had word of when.

 

[CJM]

Congrats from me too, well done!

Its medical next and I think that's in Edinburgh but VTEC will let us all know in due course. I've still not had word of when.

Thanks!!! Have you just received an email with the good news, and saying they will be intouch soon?

 

[Davidson4301]

Thanks. Have you had anything further information on dates etc?

Not really. I was told that I'm "booked" on the 23rd October course but I haven't had anything official. She said contracts would be sent out in next few weeks so I will wait and see.

 

[vintagegt]

Thanks!!! Have you just received an email with the good news, and saying they will be intouch soon?

Yeah, exactly that. I got the email on Tuesday so if I was you I'd just relax, be glad the email was good news and just await further instructions.

I'm as keen to get started as anyone but checking emails 100 times a day and emailing VTEC for updates all the time ain't gonna help.