Trainee Train Driver - Virgin Trains East Coast

[Sirgerbil]

How many days holiday is it per year?

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

34 with 25 rostered according to the aslef site. Couldn't see anything about BH lieu days though.

 

[xtradj]

34 with 25 rostered according to the aslef site. Couldn't see anything about BH lieu days though.

Thanks. I've just had a quick look. Very informative on how the other TOCs compare also

 

[Sirgerbil]

Thanks. I've just had a quick look. Very informative on how the other TOCs compare also

Yeah it's handy for information, think it's a bit outdated though cause it talks about a pay rise to be confirmed in 2015

 

[donpoku]

You guys OK? Just in case anyone in the process need to plan ahead, what's the pay increments from trainee to full pay along with the timescale? Thanks.

 

[Sirgerbil]

You guys OK? Just in case anyone in the process need to plan ahead, what's the pay increments from trainee to full pay along with the timescale? Thanks.

Don't know to be honest mate, all that information will be in my contract but I'm still yet to receive it.

 

[156484]

34 with 25 rostered according to the aslef site. Couldn't see anything about BH lieu days though.

2 of those floating days need to be kept for xmas and boxing days. Also BH are classed as just another day so you don't get anything back.

 

[Davidson4301]

I thought if you were rostered in BH you got them back as a leu day ?, oh well I suppose you can always swap if you desperately need/want them off.

 

[Torres]

34 with 25 rostered according to the aslef site. Couldn't see anything about BH lieu days though.

Can somebody explain this a little more for me

Are you 'allocated' when your 25 days holidays are then?

 

[E&W Lucas]

I suppose you can always swap if you desperately need/want them off.

Don't rely on being able to swap days/ times. Can be dfficult to arrange on a roster like that. Learning to manage your life around your roster, is one of the joys that awaits you. It has its good points though!

 

[Sirgerbil]

Can somebody explain this a little more for me

Are you 'allocated' when your 25 days holidays are then?

Usually you will have a week in the spring, 2 weeks in summer and one week in winter pre-allocated to you. The floating days you put where ever you want.

You can swap allocated holiday with other drivers I'd imagine.

 

[E&W Lucas]

Can somebody explain this a little more for me

Are you 'allocated' when your 25 days holidays are then?

Generic railway answer, as the detail will vary between company and depot:

The majority of your leave will be allocated in block weeks, spread through the year. Some in winter, some in "summer" (this typically runs April - Sept!). You will be given a position in the holiday rotation, so you know what your weeks off will be for years ahead. If your weeks are no good to you, it's up to you to arrange an exchange with a colleague. Securing time off in the school holidays can be a challenge. All transparent, and usually overseen by ASLEF.

The floating days, you request from rosters. First come, first served.

Bank holidays are just another working day. Your leave allocation already takes them into account. If Dec 25/6 fall on your rest days, you do not need to save leave for them.

 

[csf92]

Can anyone give me an specific email for someone at Azuma, as I I still have not had a reply from the assessment day on 17th Jan, and emailed them last week.

 

[NROP]

Can anyone give me an specific email for someone at Azuma, as I I still have not had a reply from the assessment day on 17th Jan, and emailed them last week.

Same here mate, attended on the 17th and have not heard anything

 

[danyurl]

Generic railway answer, as the detail will vary between company and depot:

The majority of your leave will be allocated in block weeks, spread through the year. Some in winter, some in "summer" (this typically runs April - Sept!). You will be given a position in the holiday rotation, so you know what your weeks off will be for years ahead. If your weeks are no good to you, it's up to you to arrange an exchange with a colleague. Securing time off in the school holidays can be a challenge. All transparent, and usually overseen by ASLEF.

The floating days, you request from rosters. First come, first served.

Bank holidays are just another working day. Your leave allocation already takes them into account. If Dec 25/6 fall on your rest days, you do not need to save leave for them.

Thanks for taking the time to explain this pal, appreciate it.

 

[Lenny85]

Evening all, first post. Just had my start date confirmed 19th June I believe based out of Newcastle, I'm a trainee (no previous experience)

 

[Davidson4301]

Don't rely on being able to swap days/ times. Can be dfficult to arrange on a roster like that. Learning to manage your life around your roster, is one of the joys that awaits you. It has its good points though!

Yeah that's true, I already drive for a rail company so I have first hand experience . . Swaps have worked for me many times in the past but every company is different .
Am I right in thinking the holidays are
1x spring week
2 x summer weeks
1 x winter week?

Then float days on top ?

 

[danyurl]

Evening all, first post. Just had my start date confirmed 19th June I believe based out of Newcastle, I'm a trainee (no previous experience)

Ah that's interesting, how long ago did you have your medical if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Lenny85]

Medical was last week, I've been chasing them hard though as needed a start date, regardless of when it was, to enable me to start termination of my contract which can be a lengthy process in my job.

Anyone else going to be based from Newcastle??

 

[danyurl]

Ah I see, fair play. I'll hopefully be based at Newcastle too, had my medical on Tuesday and just waiting for the all clear from the drug test and then hopefully a start date too

 

[156484]

Evening all, first post. Just had my start date confirmed 19th June I believe based out of Newcastle, I'm a trainee (no previous experience)

I used to be based at Newcastle. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about depot ??????

 

[xtradj]

Evening all, first post. Just had my start date confirmed 19th June I believe based out of Newcastle, I'm a trainee (no previous experience)

Is your training based in york

 

[Davidson4301]

Ah I see, fair play. I'll hopefully be based at Newcastle too, had my medical on Tuesday and just waiting for the all clear from the drug test and then hopefully a start date too

Any news back on your medical ? How long should we leave it ?

 

[danyurl]

Any news back on your medical ? How long should we leave it ?

No mate. He said 48 hours to me on Tuesday but from what I've read on here it's took around a week for others so I think I'll give it til the end of next week myself.

 

[xtradj]

I thought the four choices of depot were kings cross, Leeds, Doncaster or Edinburgh

 

[PepperPig]

Can anyone give me an specific email for someone at Azuma, as I I still have not had a reply from the assessment day on 17th Jan, and emailed them last week.

Hey, I'm in the same position as you, attended on 17th Jan and haven't heard anything despite sending emails. I don't think anyone on here will provide additional contact details, which is understandable I suppose. I'm keeping an open mind but I'm not holding out for anything anymore.

 

[Sirgerbil]

No mate. He said 48 hours to me on Tuesday but from what I've read on here it's took around a week for others so I think I'll give it til the end of next week myself.

For perspective, mine took just over 2 weeks to hear but I also got a start date on the same day.

 

[danyurl]

For perspective, mine took just over 2 weeks to hear but I also got a start date on the same day.

Ah man I may be in for a long wait then haha! Thanks

 

[nom de guerre]

Hey, I'm in the same position as you, attended on 17th Jan and haven't heard anything despite sending emails... I'm keeping an open mind but I'm not holding out for anything anymore.

I'm in the same boat (although I haven't sent any emails). Long since resigned myself to not progressing, but it would be nice to hear officially.

 

[Danny1860]

I'm in the same boat (although I haven't sent any emails). Long since resigned myself to not progressing, but it would be nice to hear officially.

Me too, Jan 17th, emailed and rang, still nothing.

 

[Davidson4301]

Does
Anyone know how many are on a course ? And had pay been confirmed in a contract ?