Trainee Train Driver - Virgin Trains East Coast

[xtradj]

My email confirming start date stated that contract would be emailed out to me.

Excellent. Cheers

 

[Sirgerbil]

Excellent. Cheers

Are you for KX also? Might end up on same course.

 

[xtradj]

Are you for KX also? Might end up on same course.

I've asked for Leeds pal, however I believe I was pencilled in for York training in May.

Looking to relocate there

I believe we have to commute to training as accommodation is only for people who live north of Edinburgh so I hear! Will be a long day

 

[Sirgerbil]

I've asked for Leeds pal, however I believe I was pencilled in for York training in May.

Looking to relocate there

I believe we have to commute to training as accommodation is only for people who live north of Edinburgh so I hear! Will be a long day

To be honest I've heard so many different things, I'm just going to wait for my contract to arrive and see what that states. I'd imagine VTEC can understand that it's not logical or productive for people to commute for 3 hours, 8 hours classroom then 3 hours home.

 

[HTBFD]

Hi all, I have my psychometrics in a couple of weeks and was wondering about dress code. I'd err on the side of caution and go fully suited and booted, as with the assessment, particularly with the possibility of reaching the interview stage. Just curious as to how others have approached it, smart casual etc.

Cheers

 

[danyurl]

Hi all, I have my psychometrics in a couple of weeks and was wondering about dress code. I'd err on the side of caution and go fully suited and booted, as with the assessment, particularly with the possibility of reaching the interview stage. Just curious as to how others have approached it, smart casual etc.

Cheers

Go smart mate. You'd stand out for the wrong reasons if you dont.

 

[Lincdsg]

Hi all, I have my psychometrics in a couple of weeks and was wondering about dress code. I'd err on the side of caution and go fully suited and booted, as with the assessment, particularly with the possibility of reaching the interview stage. Just curious as to how others have approached it, smart casual etc.

Cheers

I wore a shirt and tie, i found it all pretty relaxed though to be honest, i did it at Watford. I found the interview fairly relaxed too. There was only three of us on the day and everyone wore smart clothing

 

[Ffcsteve14]

Hi all, I have my psychometrics in a couple of weeks and was wondering about dress code. I'd err on the side of caution and go fully suited and booted, as with the assessment, particularly with the possibility of reaching the interview stage. Just curious as to how others have approached it, smart casual etc.

Cheers

I emailed virgin the same things and got a reply of "no dress code" I went in jumper and chinos. Passed it all so must of been ok

 

[xtradj]

I know travel on VTEC and Northern is free for trainees, but will they also get discounted travel on other TOC's?

If so what percentage? and is it simply off the full standard fare

 

[Sirgerbil]

I know travel on VTEC and Northern is free for trainees, but will they also get discounted travel on other TOC's?

If so what percentage? and is it simply off the full standard fare

Pretty sure all rail staff get ATOC priv.

 

[Ffcsteve14]

I know travel on VTEC and Northern is free for trainees, but will they also get discounted travel on other TOC's?

If so what percentage? and is it simply off the full standard fare

If your talking about travel while training got an email from Virgin saying that travel is paid for while training

 

[TJ123]

Once you start working for a TOC, generally how it works is everyone will get their own company pass which allows them free travel on the TOC they work for and generally also free travel on other TOCs that the parent company owns e.g. Crosscountry employees will get free travel on all arriva tocs, so grand central, chiltern, ARL, arriva trains wales etc. VTEC is owned 90% by stagecoach so I dont know what the specefic travel arrangements are. You should get this pass straight away. You can use this pass for work and leisure. Your partner and kids are also entitled to this pass but for leisure use only.

After some time with your TOC, you will receive your priv. This allows you 75% off any other TOCs that participate, generally most of the TOCs participate in this scheme. You can use this for leisure travel , but also use it to purchase priv rate season tickets. Again your partner and kids are also eligible but for leisure use.

After 12 months with your TOC, you will be eligible for a FIP pass. Generally allows you 75% off trains in Europe. There are other benefits such as some free train travel but there is a list of benefits with the FIP. Again your partner and kids are also eligible for a FIP.

I hope this helps. If i've missed anything out, or something has changed then please feel free to correct.

 

[donpoku]

What defines 'Leisure travel'? Thanks.

 

[Sirgerbil]

What defines 'Leisure travel'? Thanks.

Not commuting.

 

[E&W Lucas]

What defines 'Leisure travel'? Thanks.

Leisure travel is just that - travel for non - work purposes.
Duty travel is travel required for work purposes, ie you are required to catch a particular service as part of your diagram. An Authority to Travel Card is issued to railway staff to cover this, or your diagram gives you the right to be on the service.
Travel to Work - commuting. Invariably free on your own company; some reciprocal agreements exist. Otherwise it's a Priv rate season ticket, which is roughly 25% of the public fare.

 

[E&W Lucas]

8 hours classroom

Can't see you being in the classromm for 8 hours solid. No one could productively learn for that length of time.
KX - YRK is c 2 hours.
Two hours each way, and maybe 6 hours classroom is a ten hour shift. That's something you'll be doing as a driver anyway.

 

[Ffcsteve14]

Can't see you being in the classromm for 8 hours solid. No one could productively learn for that length of time.
KX - YRK is c 2 hours.
Two hours each way, and maybe 6 hours classroom is a ten hour shift. That's something you'll be doing as a driver anyway.

And then travel travel home. Another 45 mins either side. Long days. And on shift won't b 5 days solid and if is wont b 10-12 hour days every day. Will take the accommodation options me thinks

 

[xtradj]

If your talking about travel while training got an email from Virgin saying that travel is paid for while training

That's only on VTEC services though isn't it?

 

[Ffcsteve14]

That's only on VTEC services though isn't it?

I would assume so

 

[donpoku]

Thanks for defining 'Leisure travel'.

There is too much conjecture here so why don't you guys confirm the travel/accommodation arrangement before the contract arrives (you know.. planning ahead).

I am sure they'll be more than happy to answer any queries which will you'll at ease.

 

[Sirgerbil]

There is too much conjecture here so why don't you guys confirm the travel/accommodation arrangement before the contract arrives (you know.. planning ahead).

I am sure they'll be more than happy to answer any queries which will you'll at ease.

I believe FCCsteve has already confirmed that VTEC will be offering accommodation (Did they mention anything about food allowance in that out of interest?)

For me, I'll do what's needed and if that means a major commute each day then so be it. But accommodation would be welcomed.

 

[Ffcsteve14]

I believe FCCsteve has already confirmed that VTEC will be offering accommodation (Did they mention anything about food allowance in that out of interest?)

For me, I'll do what's needed and if that means a major commute each day then so be it. But accommodation would be welcomed.

When I was offered the job I did ask the accommodation question. The reply was there is accommodation if needed but they did say most people commute every day. Nothing mentioned about food etc

 

[E&W Lucas]

And on shift won't b 5 days solid and if is wont b 10-12 hour days every day.

Suggest you read the roster that was posted above a bit more carefully. 5 x roughly 10 hour nights looks a cert. There are some long night diagrams there. 6-7 consecutive shifts elsewhere. What you probably don't know, is that where the job says SP, you can be given any shift, provided there is adequate rest.

 

[Lewisw92]

Hi guys just wondering if anyone is still waiting for an email with regards to contract etc post medical. I had mine on the 1st and still not heard off Rebecca, just wondering if anybody else is the same. I've tried calling and left voicemails but no reply. Cheers

 

[Davidson4301]

Hi guys just wondering if anyone is still waiting for an email with regards to contract etc post medical. I had mine on the 1st and still not heard off Rebecca, just wondering if anybody else is the same. I've tried calling and left voicemails but no reply. Cheers

I only had my medical yesterday but I emailed her today to ask what happens now. She said as soon as lab results are back they 'll be in touch to offer me a start date .

 

[Ffcsteve14]

Hi guys just wondering if anyone is still waiting for an email with regards to contract etc post medical. I had mine on the 1st and still not heard off Rebecca, just wondering if anybody else is the same. I've tried calling and left voicemails but no reply. Cheers

Passed my medical approx 1 month ago. Was given October as start date, little confusion ensued about another matter. All resolved but yet to receive and official confirmation or contract or anything else. Long way off so not to worried but gone very quiet

 

[TJ123]

Hi guys just wondering if anyone is still waiting for an email with regards to contract etc post medical. I had mine on the 1st and still not heard off Rebecca, just wondering if anybody else is the same. I've tried calling and left voicemails but no reply. Cheers

I'd imagine it depends what route you are taking by that I mean either the qualified route or the trainee route.

If its for the qualifed route drivers were emailed about a October/November course with contracts being posted/emailed out once a set of final medicals were done. Unlike myself who is still waiting to hear about a course start date, im taking a wild guess that they already know who they want for the October/November course and is probably looking at a 2018 start date.

If it is the trainee route, it seems as people have been allocated a course and just awaiting their contracts, again only a guess, i'd imagine you would probably be earmarked for a later course. Since you have passed your medical it will be a waiting game now, but well worth the wait.

 

[Ashxmufcx]

Medical two weeks ago..received the congrats on passing and have been told they will be in touch with a course date.

 

[FManc]

This wait to sit the pyschometric tests is killing me lol! Only 3 weeks left now. I wish I had gone for an earlier date for the group assessment day to get the ball rolling sooner.

 

[xtradj]

How many days holiday is it per year?

Do you get extra days if you work on bank holiday?