Trainee Train Driver - Virgin Trains East Coast

[Lincdsg]

Yes training is in York. I am an 'off the street' as it hasn't been put. Offered start date of may but can't do it due to commitments. Next course is October so on that.

Have been told that we travel everyday to York, so make sure you have a good book! Lol.

Good luck to everybody still in process

Have to already done your medical then? I sent off the questionnaire 1 week ago but not been given a medical date yet and no mention of when I'll start yet

 

[Ffcsteve14]

Have to already done your medical then? I sent off the questionnaire 1 week ago but not been given a medical date yet and no mention of when I'll start yet

I have completed it all. Got my medical date about 2 weeks after sending the form off. They r very busy.

You won't get any start date till after medical

 

[Chuggington21]

Had any updates yet Chuggington?

Yeah mate. I'll need to try again next time.

Good luck to everyone that has positions or are still waiting

 

[Sirgerbil]

So if training is in York for the KX candidates, what time does training start each day? Would it be the full training in York do you know? (Rules and traction then being passed back to depot for driving hours?)

From what I can see there's only 2 trains that would get you to York before 9am
And depending on how far the venue is from the station only one train may be viable!

I'm surprised to hear it will be a commute each day as there was talk of accommodation in my Q&A session.

 

[xtradj]

So if training is in York for the KX candidates, what time does training start each day? Would it be the full training in York do you know? (Rules and traction then being passed back to depot for driving hours?)

From what I can see there's only 2 trains that would get you to York before 9am
And depending on how far the venue is from the station only one train may be viable!

I'm surprised to hear it will be a commute each day as there was talk of accommodation in my Q&A session.

I'd be surprised also if it was a commute like that every day. 5 hours travelling plus! And 8 hours classroom that would be a very long day.

I thought there would be accommodation also as I need to relocate myself

 

[Ffcsteve14]

I'd be surprised also if it was a commute like that every day. 5 hours travelling plus! And 8 hours classroom that would be a very long day.

I thought there would be accommodation also as I need to relocate myself

Got the email saying accommodation is available if required, however it does say it is expected you travel everyday!

 

[Sirgerbil]

Got the email saying accommodation is available if required, however it does say it is expected you travel everyday!

Ah ok. Yeah I would need to take the accommodation for the training period in York. With the commuting training and revising I'd probably get about 3 hours sleep a night!

 

[Ffcsteve14]

Ah ok. Yeah I would need to take the accommodation for the training period in York. With the commuting training and revising I'd probably get about 3 hours sleep a night!

For sure. Even with the fee travel!

 

[dugster70]

Yes training is in York. I am an 'off the street' as it hasn't been put. Offered start date of may but can't do it due to commitments. Next course is October so on that.

Have been told that we travel everyday to York, so make sure you have a good book! Lol.

Good luck to everybody still in process

Off the street is an old BR term for somebody like you and me who managed to get to the driving grade with no previous experience. Also boil in the bag driver springs to mind, get used to it

 

[donpoku]

Hi, apologies if this has been answered before, is it a 5day week at Virgin, what's a typical 4 week roster looks like?

Many thanks.

 

[Torres]

Yes training is in York. I am an 'off the street' as it hasn't been put. Offered start date of may but can't do it due to commitments. Next course is October so on that.

Have been told that we travel everyday to York, so make sure you have a good book! Lol.

Good luck to everybody still in process

Is this a training course purely for KX or are they mixed? Seems quite a wait for the next course as we were told they had them planned to start every month.

I wonder how many of the 78 vacancies have already been offered? Seems to be a fair chunk with several assessment days still to come

 

[Ffcsteve14]

Is this a training course purely for KX or are they mixed? Seems quite a wait for the next course as we were told they had them planned to start every month.

I wonder how many of the 78 vacancies have already been offered? Seems to be a fair chunk with several assessment days still to come

Not sure if I'm honest. Said I can't do May and was told October next course!

 

[Sirgerbil]

Not sure if I'm honest. Said I can't do May and was told October next course!

Did they confirm the training wage and increments at all mate?

 

[Ffcsteve14]

Did they confirm the training wage and increments at all mate?

No, still waiting for my contract

 

[TJ123]

Other than the course starting next week, and choochoodriver has any other qualified drivers heard anything yet with regards to start dates after completing their medicals.

 

[whoosh]

Hi, apologies if this has been answered before, is it a 5day week at Virgin, what's a typical 4 week roster looks like?

Many thanks.

I don't work for them, but Virgin East Coast is an average 4.25 day week with Sundays part of the working week. At Kings Cross you usually have two weekends in a row off, followed by two working.

There are two main 'links' (or rotas) at Kings Cross. Link one at the top is currently 46 lines long, and link 2 is 36 lines.
Rest days are in red.

 

[dugster70]

Other than the course starting next week, and choochoodriver has any other qualified drivers heard anything yet with regards to start dates after completing their medicals.

Choochoodriver will have to give six months notice like all other qualified drivers (apart from freight) so it will be a while before you hear anything from him

 

[KOA]

Yes training is in York. I am an 'off the street' as it hasn't been put. Offered start date of may but can't do it due to commitments. Next course is October so on that.

Have been told that we travel everyday to York, so make sure you have a good book! Lol.

Good luck to everybody still in process

Ffcsteve14, have they sent you out your contract yet for October start?

 

[KOA]

No, still waiting for my contract

Ffcsteve14, Never mind answering my precise question as I've scrolled through the rest of convo to see the answer.

 

[Ffcsteve14]

Ffcsteve14, Never mind answering my precise question as I've scrolled through the rest of convo to see the answer.

R u on that course? Have you got yours?

 

[donpoku]

I don't work for them, but Virgin East Coast is an average 4.25 day week with Sundays part of the working week. At Kings Cross you usually have two weekends in a row off, followed by two working.

There are two main 'links' (or rotas) at Kings Cross. Link one at the top is currently 46 lines long, and link 2 is 36 lines.
Rest days are in red.

Brilliant, thanks for that.

 

[TJ123]

Other than the course starting next week, and choochoodriver has any other qualified drivers heard anything yet with regards to start dates after completing their medicals.

Choochoodriver will have to give six months notice like all other qualified drivers (apart from freight) so it will be a while before you hear anything from him

Yeah i completely understand, Im a qualified driver myself, passed the medical about 7 weeks ago, and nothing since, im lucky in the sense that my notice period is less than 6 months. I know of another qualified driver who is in the same boat. It seems as things are moving slowly for the trainees, so wondering if any other qualified driver has been given a start date/contract etc. I am aware that there will be trainees/qualifieds who aren't on this forum that might of had some progress. I know there were a few qualified drivers asking the same question but its gone quiet from them, thats why i signed up, to see if they have had any progress.

 

[KOA]

R u on that course? Have you got yours?

No im not just yet. Had my medical last week and the medical staff told me that there was a course meant to be starting in May but I'm unable to attend due to a family holiday booked at end of May. I asked when the next date for the courses were but they didn't know. I would like to be on that course in October or the next one available after May.

Did they mention to you when the contracts would be sent out prior to the course starting? Just want to get started asap and know exactly what's going on. Can understand they are extremely busy though.

 

[Ffcsteve14]

No im not just yet. Had my medical last week and the medical staff told me that there was a course meant to be starting in May but I'm unable to attend due to a family holiday booked at end of May. I asked when the next date for the courses were but they didn't know. I would like to be on that course in October or the next one available after May.

Did they mention to you when the contracts would be sent out prior to the course starting? Just want to get started asap and know exactly what's going on. Can understand they are extremely busy though.

When I got my course date it also said in the email that I would get my contract and official offer sent to my by email. Nothing yet tho.

 

[Tyrion]

Yeah i completely understand, Im a qualified driver myself, passed the medical about 7 weeks ago, and nothing since, im lucky in the sense that my notice period is less than 6 months. I know of another qualified driver who is in the same boat. It seems as things are moving slowly for the trainees, so wondering if any other qualified driver has been given a start date/contract etc. I am aware that there will be trainees/qualifieds who aren't on this forum that might of had some progress. I know there were a few qualified drivers asking the same question but its gone quiet from them, thats why i signed up, to see if they have had any progress.

Becky sent out a generic email last week advising that they are collating final medical results and that the next Qualified course starts in October and that they will be in touch with individual start dates soon!

 

[TJ123]

Becky sent out a generic email last week advising that they are collating final medical results and that the next Qualified course starts in October and that they will be in touch with individual start dates soon!

I spoke to another qualified driver today and he pretty much said the same thing but was told the next course for him was November, and that offers/contracts will be sent out once they get confirmation of the final medicals.

 

[Choochoodriver]

I spoke to another qualified driver today and he pretty much said the same thing but was told the next course for him was November, and that offers/contracts will be sent out once they get confirmation of the final medicals.

Yes I can confirm that my start date is the start of November I received confirmation of that this morning. Good luck.

 

[Tyrion]

Hi
Was that by post or email?
Cheers

 

[KOA]

When I got my course date it also said in the email that I would get my contract and official offer sent to my by email. Nothing yet tho.

Obvious it didn't state a date when they would send it so we all could have a long wait if the course doesn't start until October. I guess the waiting is part of the process

 

[xtradj]

Are we given uniform to wear during training?

Or is it suit shirt tie etc?

Cheers