How to get around the 60 minute commute

[PaoloG92]

Question is in the title really!

We all seem to know people who've landed their job by putting down their friens/cousins/sisters uncle twice removed address on the application form!

So how do you explain, for example, 'living' in Croydon and going to work every day in Newcastle?

 

[Twedds74]

You wouldn't get around it, as at offer stage they'll want to see various proofs of name and address together. Eg, utility bill, council tax , driving liscence.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Never lie to a potential employer. They'll find you out eventually.

 

[VWCampervanman]

You wouldn't get around it, as at offer stage they'll want to see various proofs of name and address together. Eg, utility bill, council tax , driving liscence.

Exactly , they take it very seriously. Its all to do with fatigue, lots of rules about how long you can work for . So having a very long commute before you even start work is a big no no, They do check and they will dismiss anyone that they find had lied.

 

[George999]

With all due respect OP, TOCs don't have that rule to be awkward, the 60 minute rule is in place because of safety. trying to get around that rule would be crazy in my opinion. An hours driving on an early turn must be tiring enough but then to drive a train, a job with high fatigue, would be irresponsible and again with respect, if a rule like that is broken, how many other rules once driving would be broken? Be honest, they will find out.

 

[driver9000]

Setting your stall out that you're a liar from the outset isn't a good way of displaying that you have the qualities they're looking for in Drivers.

 

[baz962]

With all due respect OP, TOCs don't have that rule to be awkward, the 60 minute rule is in place because of safety. trying to get around that rule would be crazy in my opinion. An hours driving on an early turn must be tiring enough but then to drive a train, a job with high fatigue, would be irresponsible and again with respect, if a rule like that is broken, how many other rules once driving would be broken? Be honest, they will find out.

Hi all I am in the process passed all tests just dmi left and I have a question is the time from depot 60 mins or 45 on the application for gtr on the career portal I noticed the other day in one area all on the same place it said 60 minutes but under what candidates it said ability to get to depot within 45 does anyone know which is correct

 

[PaoloG92]

Thanks for your replies everyone, much appreciated.

I think my point was slightly taken the wrong way, I would have no intention of blagging my way into a job miles and miles from home and commuting each day, I fully understand the reasons for the rule and completely agree that safety is of paramount importance.

What I meant was at application stage, many companies have the question on the form and if you tick no, stating that you live outside of their allowed commuting time, you can't apply.

Where I live, there is only one TOC within range, limiting my chances severely of ever getting a job. I have no ties and could (and would) relocate immediately to as close to the depot as I could find prior to even starting the training.

I can't move house and leave my current job to an area where a TOC might advertise on the basis that would allow me to apply, when I may not even clear the application stage! But as I said, I am prepared to move anywhere for the job once offered a position.

I'm not a liar and I fully understand the safety aspects of this role. I know others have got jobs that were miles from where they live so I just wondered how they'd by-passed this little issue.

 

[RBSN]

Never lie to a potential employer. They'll find you out eventually.

This.

 

[EM2]

What I meant was at application stage, many companies have the question on the form and if you tick no, stating that you live outside of their allowed commuting time, you can't apply.

Personally, I would write in that you are willing to relocate and are able to do so at very short notice.

 

[AlterEgo]

Personally, I would write in that you are willing to relocate and are able to do so at very short notice.

Agreed. Do not ever tell lies to a potential employer.

 

[baz962]

Can anyone tell me what the time to depot is on my job description on online portal it says you need to be within 45 minutes and on the same page literally 6 or 7 lines down it says you need to be within an hour

 

[Bromley boy]

Thanks for your replies everyone, much appreciated.

I think my point was slightly taken the wrong way, I would have no intention of blagging my way into a job miles and miles from home and commuting each day, I fully understand the reasons for the rule and completely agree that safety is of paramount importance.

What I meant was at application stage, many companies have the question on the form and if you tick no, stating that you live outside of their allowed commuting time, you can't apply.

Where I live, there is only one TOC within range, limiting my chances severely of ever getting a job. I have no ties and could (and would) relocate immediately to as close to the depot as I could find prior to even starting the training.

I can't move house and leave my current job to an area where a TOC might advertise on the basis that would allow me to apply, when I may not even clear the application stage! But as I said, I am prepared to move anywhere for the job once offered a position.

I'm not a liar and I fully understand the safety aspects of this role. I know others have got jobs that were miles from where they live so I just wondered how they'd by-passed this little issue.

TOCs do seem to vary on this. As you say some will reject people outright if they put an address outside the "catchment area". This does seem to be a bit stupid as it excludes people who are willing to relocate - and also limits the TOCs options to those candidates who happen to live close by! On the other hand some TOCs will entertain candidates who are willing to relocate from other parts of the country.

I would suggest contacting the HR team of the TOC you apply to by phone, explaining the situation and seeing what they advise you to do.

 

[D365]

Can anyone tell me what the time to depot is on my job description on online portal it says you need to be within 45 minutes and on the same page literally 6 or 7 lines down it says you need to be within an hour

You might want to start your own thread if your question is not being answered here.

 

[Gemz91]

Question is in the title really!

We all seem to know people who've landed their job by putting down their friens/cousins/sisters uncle twice removed address on the application form!

So how do you explain, for example, 'living' in Croydon and going to work every day in Newcastle?

 

[greatkingrat]

TOCs do seem to vary on this. As you say some will reject people outright if they put an address outside the "catchment area". This does seem to be a bit stupid as it excludes people who are willing to relocate - and also limits the TOCs options to those candidates who happen to live close by! On the other hand some TOCs will entertain candidates who are willing to relocate from other parts of the country.

There is no shortage of applicants so they can afford to be picky. The problem is that it is easy for someone to say they will relocate, but it doesn't always happen in practice.

 

[NSE]

I'm currently applying for jobs in a place I don't live. I've made it clear where I legally reside, and where some have said 'this is over an hour away, are you aware of this', I've explained I'm intending to relocate and I have accommodation ready for me within catchment as soon as I may be successful, which is true. It's not caused me any harm and I've had plenty of interviews. Just be honest, not much more you can do.

 

[PaoloG92]

Thanks everyone for all your feedback.

Firstly, just to be absolutely clear; I have never and would never intend to lie to a potential employer. I was simply trying to find out how people manage to get jobs away from where they currently live as where I live, I am extremely limited for options!

I recently applied to a company three hours away from home and sent them an email to accompany my application explaining that I don't live close enough right now but I am able to move at literally a couple of days notice. They emailed me back to say I could not be considered because I have to already live within 45 minutes and I was free to move before the application closing date, which would then enable me to be considered for the position.

I have a (very good) career where I am now and whilst I would leave it behind in a heartbeat for a trainee driver position, moving beforehand is just ridiculous! Hence my original post asking if there is any way around this problem.

I realise that my original post could and should have been worded better than it was, which is why so many of you misinterpreted what I was getting at as a rather cocky and cavalier attempt to beat the system. So I would like to apologise to all who my original post may have offended.

I will continue to apply for vacancies around the country in the hope that eventually, one of those companies will accept me on the condition that I would relocate prior to training.

Thanks once again to all of you for taking the time to answer my post.

Paolo

 

[NSE]

What I meant more by my response was that no one cared about me living just over an hour away. Now, I'm telling them I'm going to move, but they haven't asked for proof. So i'd imagine if its not a safety critical job (of which mine isn't) you could probably fob them off with 'Yeah yeah, I'm on a friends floor for two weeks' while still going home. Providing you turn up on time and no problems are encountered then you could easily get away with it.

 

[bramling]

What I meant more by my response was that no one cared about me living just over an hour away. Now, I'm telling them I'm going to move, but they haven't asked for proof. So i'd imagine if its not a safety critical job (of which mine isn't) you could probably fob them off with 'Yeah yeah, I'm on a friends floor for two weeks' while still going home. Providing you turn up on time and no problems are encountered then you could easily get away with it.

I do wonder if TOCs imposing restrictions is more to do with improving the odds of people turning up on time, rather than to do with safety. The nature of the railway is that people need to turn up to work on time, to the minute, otherwise a train may get cancelled, a station may not open, or a signal box could close. The further away a person lives, the more chance they have of being delayed.

Having said that, experience shows this isn't always the case - those living further away may leave more time for their journey, whereas those living close may cut things fine and be more susceptible to a problem, plus anyone can oversleep.

 

[Bromley boy]

Thanks everyone for all your feedback.

Firstly, just to be absolutely clear; I have never and would never intend to lie to a potential employer. I was simply trying to find out how people manage to get jobs away from where they currently live as where I live, I am extremely limited for options!

I recently applied to a company three hours away from home and sent them an email to accompany my application explaining that I don't live close enough right now but I am able to move at literally a couple of days notice. They emailed me back to say I could not be considered because I have to already live within 45 minutes and I was free to move before the application closing date, which would then enable me to be considered for the position.

I have a (very good) career where I am now and whilst I would leave it behind in a heartbeat for a trainee driver position, moving beforehand is just ridiculous! Hence my original post asking if there is any way around this problem.

I realise that my original post could and should have been worded better than it was, which is why so many of you misinterpreted what I was getting at as a rather cocky and cavalier attempt to beat the system. So I would like to apologise to all who my original post may have offended.

I will continue to apply for vacancies around the country in the hope that eventually, one of those companies will accept me on the condition that I would relocate prior to training.

Thanks once again to all of you for taking the time to answer my post.

Paolo

That all seems perfectly reasonable to me.

As I mentioned before I think the way forward is to contact the TOCs' HR teams directly and ask for their advice. You've indicated you are willing to relocate and this would be a complete non-issue for most other jobs but, as you'll find when you join, the railway can be rather blinkered and set in its ways.

Best of luck with it.