LM medical pending.

[plastictaffy]

Hello all.
Well, after a dozen attempts to get a job on a TOC, any TOC, I've finally managed to get a provisional offer from London Midland, pending a medical. My assessment date was 16th of October, btw, and interview was the following Monday, for those that were wondering when they would hear. This was my 3rd attempt at trying for London Midland!! Anyhow, anybody got any idea exactly what happens next?? I understand I must have a medical, I understand that my offer can be retracted if I fail the medical. What does the medical entail?? I'm a big guy, not fat, but certainly not as fit as I could be. Are there fitness tests??
I'll have no problem passing the drugs and alcohol screening, as I don't do drugs and rarely drink, and not to excess if I do. Truth be told, I'm really worried about the medical. I have them now in my current job as a forklift driver on perma-nights, but that's just blood pressure, height, weight and a p*ss-test for drugs and that.
I should wear glasses for close work, reading and stuff, but I've not worn them for months as I can't find the damn things!!!! I understand there'll be an eye test, but I'm assuming it will be like you have at the optician.
The only info I have had from LM is that they'll be in touch about a date for a medical, but they didn't say when. I need to get my notice in at my current job before the 7th of December, as I've been offered a January start date, so they need to get a wriggle on. Anyone know how long these things take with them normally?? Sorry to ramble a bit, I'm just worried about it. I'd be gutted to have my job snatched away so close to the finish line!!

Thanks again, Rich.

 

[the stripler]

I had a medical done last month with FSR, fairly straightforward.

Test hearing, eyesight,ECG, weight , height, touch your fingers and toes, ask a few questions etc
Shouldnt be a problem and i wouldnt worry about it.

cheers

 

[plastictaffy]

I'll have to bend and touch my toes?? I can barely see them.........
Seriously though, you reckon it'll be a doddle??
How long does it take?
Might my weight be an issue?? I'm 6 foot and eighteen stone, so a big lad.

 

[SJN]

If it's for the trainee senior conductor role, I went for assessment 15/10, interview following Tuesday. I got a call on 6/11 inviting me to medical and th next day I had a letter with the date which is this Wednesday. I was told it wasn't a formal job offer at this point though. If you look at the LM Assessment day thread you might find some information. Good luck.

 

[TheVicLine]

I'll have to bend and touch my toes?? I can barely see them.........
Seriously though, you reckon it'll be a doddle??
How long does it take?
Might my weight be an issue?? I'm 6 foot and eighteen stone, so a big lad.

It depends on the position you are going for and I have only attended a drivers medical so can advise on that, also I don't know LM's requirements however you would not be eligable for a drivers position with the First Group as you need to have a BMI of less than 30 and yours is 34 (6ft 18st). I would give their HR dept a call on this one.

You would also need to find those glasses as you have both a short and long sighted test, they will test you for both with glasses and then without glasses.

The bending and touching your toes is just a fairly simple mobility test, in general the medical is pretty straight forward and lasts about an hour. I wouldn't worry about it too much, i'm 45 and not as fit as I used to be but had no problems as I said it is a fairly simple examination.

 

[Geargrinder]

It depends on the position you are going for and I have only attended a drivers medical so can advise on that, also I don't know LM's requirements however you would not be eligable for a drivers position with the First Group as you need to have a BMI of less than 30 and yours is 34 (6ft 18st). I would give their HR dept a call on this one.

You would also need to find those glasses as you have both a short and long sighted test, they will test you for both with glasses and then without glasses.

The bending and touching your toes is just a fairly simple mobility test, in general the medical is pretty straight forward and lasts about an hour. I wouldn't worry about it too much, i'm 45 and not as fit as I used to be but had no problems as I said it is a fairly simple examination.

Interesting, I'm trying for a driver role myself. I have never been able to touch my toes, but got into the forces ok.
I don't have any back problems at all and I can almost but not quite reach them. Is it just a mobility test on your back or do you actually have to be able to touch your toes. (if you do I might as well pull my application now !)

 

[TheVicLine]

Interesting, I'm trying for a driver role myself. I have never been able to touch my toes, but got into the forces ok.
I don't have any back problems at all and I can almost but not quite reach them. Is it just a mobility test on your back or do you actually have to be able to touch your toes. (if you do I might as well pull my application now !)

The doc actually said to me 'reach down your legs towards your toes and don't bend your knees', then he did a series of tests that were more general basic physical tests than mobility.

Examples would be - shut your eyes and he pushes you but don't move your feet, without moving your head follow his finger with your eyes, and then it was 5-10 of push against my hand as hard as you can type things, push this, stretch here, move here, very basic agility stuff really and certainly nothing to worry about if you are generally physically fit (we are talking seriously easy stuff here).

 

[plastictaffy]

My eyesight isn't actually THAT bad, I can still read without my glasses, it's just a little bit of a strain. I can just about touch my toes - don't half pull on the backs of my legs, mind!! I have medical exams now anyway because I drive machinery and work nights. I also reckon when I had the interview, if the interviewers thought there was a chance of me not passing the medical, they wouldn't have put me through. I'm just trying to look on the bright side, but panicking at the same time.
Still not had the phonecall telling me when yet anyway, so they're not exactly hurrying. I'll post on here once I've passed my medical. Judging by the state of some of the drivers on LM, their standards aren't as strict as they are in other places.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
SJN, what start date did they give you?? I was offered next monday, which I could have done, but I'd have ended up owing my current employer money for holidays taken and that, so I said I could start in January. LM were cool with that, they understood my concerns, so it was no biggie.
They offered last tuesday, I spoke to them on friday to try and get some more info (where I would be based, salary, what the next step would be and so on, and they said they'd be in touch to let me know when the medical exam would be. So far, nothing.

 

[Jatos]

Interesting, I just been emailed with a request to attend a 'Trainee Senior Conductor' assessment day, so for me as well its worth knowing what is coming!

Myself I am also waiting on news from EMT who I recently attended an interview for, I think I have a fair chance with both EMT and LM to be honest, I shall find out for sure soon I am guessing!

 

[Rocky3]

Hello all.
Well, after a dozen attempts to get a job on a TOC, any TOC, I've finally managed to get a provisional offer from London Midland, pending a medical. My assessment date was 16th of October, btw, and interview was the following Monday, for those that were wondering when they would hear. This was my 3rd attempt at trying for London Midland!! Anyhow, anybody got any idea exactly what happens next?? I understand I must have a medical, I understand that my offer can be retracted if I fail the medical. What does the medical entail?? I'm a big guy, not fat, but certainly not as fit as I could be. Are there fitness tests??
I'll have no problem passing the drugs and alcohol screening, as I don't do drugs and rarely drink, and not to excess if I do. Truth be told, I'm really worried about the medical. I have them now in my current job as a forklift driver on perma-nights, but that's just blood pressure, height, weight and a p*ss-test for drugs and that.
I should wear glasses for close work, reading and stuff, but I've not worn them for months as I can't find the damn things!!!! I understand there'll be an eye test, but I'm assuming it will be like you have at the optician.
The only info I have had from LM is that they'll be in touch about a date for a medical, but they didn't say when. I need to get my notice in at my current job before the 7th of December, as I've been offered a January start date, so they need to get a wriggle on. Anyone know how long these things take with them normally?? Sorry to ramble a bit, I'm just worried about it. I'd be gutted to have my job snatched away so close to the finish line!!

Thanks again, Rich.

Rich, how long did it take you to get this far - I mean from from the first time you applied to a TOC, and did you have several TOC applications running at the same time? I've applied for a drivers position but taking a while to get a managers interview date, so wondering whether to apply elsewhere as well whilst waiting. Good luck with medical.

Rocky.

 

[plastictaffy]

To get to the position I am at currently with LM has taken me 14 years, at least a dozen applications to various TOC's, and cost me two other jobs. (when I've phoned in sick to take interviews) I had my original assessment with them in late October. If I was in your position, I would be looking to go in as a Conductor or something like that. My plan is to do that for a while, then get promoted internally to Driver. Once I've been on LM for a while, I see it that they'll be more willing train me as a driver. Bear in mind that the training is long and expensive for any TOC, which is why I think I'll have more joy doing it internally.

It won't hurt if you have several applications running at once, of course it won't. You must remember that the tests you will have already done will be valid with MOST (but not all) other TOC's, so you may not have to do them again, although they will probably still insist that you turn up to their assessment days.

 

[Withnailandi]

I have assessment on 16/1/13 for conductor. bit worried about medical if I get through as I have white coat syndrome. BP goes through the roof, it happened when I joined the RAF in my youth.

 

[cobbler]

I have assessment on 16/1/13 for conductor. bit worried about medical if I get through as I have white coat syndrome. BP goes through the roof, it happened when I joined the RAF in my youth.

firstly congrats on getting to assessments, i was the same as you and worried about my bp and on my RAF medical i had the same , but dont worry , the LM medical isnt as intense as a RAF one , mine was on the high end of normal on the day ( dec ) but still ok , honestly dont worry mate

the next start date is the 8th april

good luck

 

[PeteH]

Last Thursday my FGW driver med consisted of:

Measurements of height & weight

Colour (blindness) test

Near sight test - reading small print

Far sight test - read down the usual eye chart

Peripheral vision test

Hearing test

Blood pressure/resting pulse

Doc listening to breathing through stethoscope

ECG

Quick feel of the abdomen to check for hernias

Mobility - down in to a squat and return to the standing position, stand on one leg for ten seconds, swap legs & repeat, turn head to look over each shoulder, twist body to look behind

Coordination - finger to nose to doc's pen & back several times whilst pen moved position each time

Notify if you've taken ANY medication, including paracetamol or ibuprofen, in the 2 weeks prior to the test

Urine - test for sugar, sent away for drugs screening

Chat with the doc about lifestyle/exercise/medical history

All in all it took about 1 1/2 hours.


All I can suggest for the BP is drink plenty of water (useful for the urine test too!), don't eat fatty or salty food in the 24H prior to testing (no fry-ups!), have a banana for breakfast, go for a 30min brisk walk about 3/4 of an hour before the test, control your breathing: deep steady breaths 5 sec inhale - hold - 6 sec exhale for the 15 minutes after your walk and in the waiting room. If you smoke, don't do so on the day of the test. No alcohol for at least 24h before the test, lay off the caffeine too.

Don't worry about getting a 'perfect' 120/80. Mine was 135/85 and the doc was perfectly satisfied.

As for the stuff that you can do very little about like (sight, hearing, measurements) I don't know what standards FGW wanted, they just told me everything was 'satisfactory'.

 

[TDK]

To get to the position I am at currently with LM has taken me 14 years, at least a dozen applications to various TOC's, and cost me two other jobs. (when I've phoned in sick to take interviews) I had my original assessment with them in late October. If I was in your position, I would be looking to go in as a Conductor or something like that. My plan is to do that for a while, then get promoted internally to Driver. Once I've been on LM for a while, I see it that they'll be more willing train me as a driver. Bear in mind that the training is long and expensive for any TOC, which is why I think I'll have more joy doing it internally.

It won't hurt if you have several applications running at once, of course it won't. You must remember that the tests you will have already done will be valid with MOST (but not all) other TOC's, so you may not have to do them again, although they will probably still insist that you turn up to their assessment days.

Hi there,

You cannot actually get promoted to driver in any TOC you will have to apply for the role the same as anyone else does and the training is the same as someone outside the industry however a lot of guards do get drivers jobs as their current role will almost automatically get them through the sift, just a few points on the medical:

1. BMI should be 33 or less in general due to the ergonomics of the cab (this is for drivers, not sure about guards)

2. If you have taken any medication 7 days prior to the medical no matter what it is tell them before they start (you will most likely be asked)

3. Do not drink anything with caffein in it 3 hours prior to the medical or try to no smoke (if you do) as this will naturally raise your blood pressure.

4 Eyesight - the pound shop do reading glasses for £1 so go and try these, take them with you and when asked if you wear glasses just say only for reading close up, then if you fail the close up test they will test you with the reading glasses (best pound I ever spent)

Good luck

 

[gunning7]

hi mate i passed test centre in november still waiting for interview they reckon jan??

 

[Withnailandi]

All this depends on whether I pass the assessment on Wed, booked in to a hotel about a mile away from centre. is the assessment easy? can't find any dot test software anywhere. lastly! thinking of wearing suit. is this advisable? and thanks for replies.

 

[cobbler]

All this depends on whether I pass the assessment on Wed, booked in to a hotel about a mile away from centre. is the assessment easy? can't find any dot test software anywhere. lastly! thinking of wearing suit. is this advisable? and thanks for replies.

i would and did wear a suit , first impressions and all that , the dot test is the easiest part i wouldn't worry , good luck

 

[TheVicLine]

All this depends on whether I pass the assessment on Wed, booked in to a hotel about a mile away from centre. is the assessment easy? can't find any dot test software anywhere. lastly! thinking of wearing suit. is this advisable? and thanks for replies.

The suit is a must. You will be expected to wear a uniform for the position you are applying for and will expected to be smart in appearance as you will come into contact with the public.

 

[plastictaffy]

Anything to do with a job, be it an interview or a pleb test, I ALWAYS wear a suit. They may or may not be looking when you go for your assessment, but I always find if I made the effort to look, smell and feel good, I always seem to exude more confidence and charm!!!
The tests really are easy, as long as you have at least half a dozen working brain cells. Make sure that you read the questions in the RAAT test thoroughly, as some of them are worded in such a way that it is designed to trip you up.
Don't be put off by all the dots on the page on the Bourdon test. You are NOT expected to finish it. They are looking for accuracy, NOT speed.
I didn't manage to finish the ticket selling test, as I made a massive cock up and had to go back and correct it when I was about a third of the way through. Obviously I did enough, however.
Please listen to the instructions they give you in the test centre. Don't do what some **** in my group in a previous assessment I did for EMT did and start the Bourdon test before you're given the nod. He'd done almost a whole page before they noticed. He was unceremoniously ejected, as they perceived it to be cheating.
The best advice I can give is LISTEN to what you are told, and above all, DON'T PANIC!!!

TDK - the medical that I passed is almost the same as the driver's medical, including the hearing test, the drugs screening, and the chat about general health that you have with the "Technician", as BUPA call them. (Most of the rest of us would call them nurses!!) I've passed the medical, (even being as fat as I perceive myself to be) so now I don't care!!! If an opportunity for a driver comes up and I have to apply, then that's what I'll do. I've wanted to be a train driver since I was 4 years old, and I WILL be driving within ten years.

 

[cobbler]

Anything to do with a job, be it an interview or a pleb test, I ALWAYS wear a suit. They may or may not be looking when you go for your assessment, but I always find if I made the effort to look, smell and feel good, I always seem to exude more confidence and charm!!!
The tests really are easy, as long as you have at least half a dozen working brain cells. Make sure that you read the questions in the RAAT test thoroughly, as some of them are worded in such a way that it is designed to trip you up.
Don't be put off by all the dots on the page on the Bourdon test. You are NOT expected to finish it. They are looking for accuracy, NOT speed.
I didn't manage to finish the ticket selling test, as I made a massive cock up and had to go back and correct it when I was about a third of the way through. Obviously I did enough, however.
Please listen to the instructions they give you in the test centre. Don't do what some **** in my group in a previous assessment I did for EMT did and start the Bourdon test before you're given the nod. He'd done almost a whole page before they noticed. He was unceremoniously ejected, as they perceived it to be cheating.
The best advice I can give is LISTEN to what you are told, and above all, DON'T PANIC!!!

TDK - the medical that I passed is almost the same as the driver's medical, including the hearing test, the drugs screening, and the chat about general health that you have with the "Technician", as BUPA call them. (Most of the rest of us would call them nurses!!) I've passed the medical, (even being as fat as I perceive myself to be) so now I don't care!!! If an opportunity for a driver comes up and I have to apply, then that's what I'll do. I've wanted to be a train driver since I was 4 years old, and I WILL be driving within ten years.

Completely agree , i found the actual doing of the tests etc easy-ish its the waiting for results that gets to me lol
im currently passed everything and on active hold , and with abit of luck and a fair wind ill be starting in April

 

[TDK]

Anything to do with a job, be it an interview or a pleb test, I ALWAYS wear a suit. They may or may not be looking when you go for your assessment, but I always find if I made the effort to look, smell and feel good, I always seem to exude more confidence and charm!!!
The tests really are easy, as long as you have at least half a dozen working brain cells. Make sure that you read the questions in the RAAT test thoroughly, as some of them are worded in such a way that it is designed to trip you up.
Don't be put off by all the dots on the page on the Bourdon test. You are NOT expected to finish it. They are looking for accuracy, NOT speed.
I didn't manage to finish the ticket selling test, as I made a massive cock up and had to go back and correct it when I was about a third of the way through. Obviously I did enough, however.
Please listen to the instructions they give you in the test centre. Don't do what some **** in my group in a previous assessment I did for EMT did and start the Bourdon test before you're given the nod. He'd done almost a whole page before they noticed. He was unceremoniously ejected, as they perceived it to be cheating.
The best advice I can give is LISTEN to what you are told, and above all, DON'T PANIC!!!

TDK - the medical that I passed is almost the same as the driver's medical, including the hearing test, the drugs screening, and the chat about general health that you have with the "Technician", as BUPA call them. (Most of the rest of us would call them nurses!!) I've passed the medical, (even being as fat as I perceive myself to be) so now I don't care!!! If an opportunity for a driver comes up and I have to apply, then that's what I'll do. I've wanted to be a train driver since I was 4 years old, and I WILL be driving within ten years.

Good post and advice, it is the listening to the assessor that is important and your appearance. Another point to remember is that you are being assessed as soon as you walk through the entrance door. I used to sit in the waiting area when I did interviewing to see what the candidates were like. I even had one come up to me and say "You look too short to be a driver, you may as well give up now, those interviewers are a walk over, just tell them what they want to hear even if it is a pack of lies and they will buy it" You should have seen his face when he walked into the room when I had to interview him, you need to remember that the recruitment process is difficult and the interviewers are responsible for giving employment to the most suitable candidates no matter what. A suit is a must, clean shaven (if you don't have a beard) polished shoes and just be careful what you say to who .

 

[PeteH]

... I even had one come up to me and say "You look too short to be a driver, you may as well give up now, those interviewers are a walk over, just tell them what they want to hear even if it is a pack of lies and they will buy it" You should have seen his face when he walked into the room when I had to interview him...

So, did he get the job?..

 

[TDK]

So, did he get the job?..

No, obviously however even without the post interview chat he would have still not succeeded as he had the same attitude at interview and got tied up with different answers from his application form. There was another guy who dressed formally and to be fair I did feel sorry for him as he was ideal for the post, I invited him back for a second interview and told him that a train driver will need to wear a uniform and could he return for another interview with a different interviewer. He returned in a suit with shiny shoes and has now been driving for 7 years but this was an individual case.

 

[PeteH]

You'll have to forgive my lame attempt at humour, TDK!

I didn't seriously expect the 'wide boy' to make a good impression.

In this day and age it's hard to believe that people don't go all-out to impress at every stage of selection, particularly for one that is pretty well paid and where the impression made to customers is always of utmost importance.

 

[SJN]

I went to my assessment with LM in October. I wore a suit as I always have done for this type of thing. To me, it's the same as an interview. I was surprised to see some in jeans though. I have now passed everything, my references are in and just waiting for CRB to come back. I should be starting as conductor on 25th Feb. Just waiting to hand my notice in next week.

 

[plastictaffy]

Guess I'll see you there then, SJN!! Where you going to be based?? As far as I know, I'm based at Bletchley, but I hope I don't have to travel there and back every day. I can't see it, tbh.

 

[cobbler]

Guess I'll see you there then, SJN!! Where you going to be based?? As far as I know, I'm based at Bletchley, but I hope I don't have to travel there and back every day. I can't see it, tbh.

you will travel every day mate , when i worked at bletchley i travelled in by train or car if it was an awkward time , sometimes you could call in and get them to book you on at npt if your job started there , i remember having to work the 4.14 out from npt , the actual job started at bletchley , prep the train in the sidings and empty down to npt , so if you could arrange with the driver and the bop that you would start the job at npt it would save you no end of time

however this was 10 years ago and times change

when i did my original training it was at rugby and then b/ham for route learning , although i know npt have a classroom setup so you maybe there

but one-way or another your travelling buddy , but hey you will spend all day on the trains you will get used to it lol

missing your train home because yours is late in isnt the best though lol , i remember one shift in the 90,s when the snow came down really bad and i was out for over 24hours lol , started off doing a freight job down to willesden junction , got stuck there , managed to catch a lift from a 321 limped into euston then stuck there with thousands of people for hours , then finally hopped on a service back and it took 6 hours lol

oh happy memory s lol

 

[SJN]

Guess I'll see you there then, SJN!! Where you going to be based?? As far as I know, I'm based at Bletchley, but I hope I don't have to travel there and back every day. I can't see it, tbh.

I'm going to be based at Coventry. The office said another letter should be coming soon and the induction will be at New Street offices where we went for the assessments, so I'll see you there on the 25th Can't wait to hand my notice in next week!!