LU Night Tube Train Operator - Part Time

[Lrd]

Help... ASLEF or RMT?

I would say ASLEF without any question (and a lot of other drivers will as well) and overall they are the larger union across the combine.

But I would also say go with what the majority at your depot is. What line/depot are you going? Feel free to PM if you wish.

 

[Jambo86]

No dates mentioned for next year. As for how many people in each course,I can only answer for my course and that's 6 external and 10 internals.

Another info: 12000 applicants applied for the latest NT role.

14-16 people is about average for most courses. In theory those 16 people are then supposed to be spread out evenly across a few lines so as not to overwhelm one particular line with too many trainees once they finish their initial 2 odd weeks at Ashfield House. This is where the Piccadilly Line went wrong last year, too many trainees were sent there in big batches rather than drip fed through.

To the OP, Any clarification if those 7 courses are all NT drivers?

 

[Jetlagged]

Another info: 12000 applicants applied for the latest NT role.

I guess we didn't do so bad then to get as far as the great pool of 'see you again next year'.

 

[Sindium]

Hi all,

Literally read like the whole thread been really helpful, I applied externally and managed to get the job, I got to go do my contract signing on Thursday and will start on the 1st of September.

I too was worried about the pre-read material as some of those documents are 50+ pages! That's a lot of printing, I called the recruitment team and they Emailed a trainer and confirmed it's not necessary to print the documents, apparently the email is aimed at internal candidates who can use station printers etc, but as i'm external they said it's okay not to print and bring them, but he advised me read them as there will be a test on day one!?!

Okay, now i'm worried, anyone know what kind of test it is?

 

[Mattyblob]

Hi all,

Literally read like the whole thread been really helpful, I applied externally and managed to get the job, I got to go do my contract signing on Thursday and will start on the 1st of September.

I too was worried about the pre-read material as some of those documents are 50+ pages! That's a lot of printing, I called the recruitment team and they Emailed a trainer and confirmed it's not necessary to print the documents, apparently the email is aimed at internal candidates who can use station printers etc, but as i'm external they said it's okay not to print and bring them, but he advised me read them as there will be a test on day one!?!

Okay, now i'm worried, anyone know what kind of test it is?

It is built in to the training syllabus and it's meant to test your understanding of the pre-read material. In my first week they skipped the test though, and I believe it's been the same for other groups too.

You should still however take the time to read through it all as it'll give you a basic understanding of the stuff you will cover in more detail throughout the training.

 

[beast]

Hi all,

Literally read like the whole thread been really helpful, I applied externally and managed to get the job, I got to go do my contract signing on Thursday and will start on the 1st of September.

I too was worried about the pre-read material as some of those documents are 50+ pages! That's a lot of printing, I called the recruitment team and they Emailed a trainer and confirmed it's not necessary to print the documents, apparently the email is aimed at internal candidates who can use station printers etc, but as i'm external they said it's okay not to print and bring them, but he advised me read them as there will be a test on day one!?!

Okay, now i'm worried, anyone know what kind of test it is?

DON'T print and don't even bother reading. I'm telling you this because I've just been thru it. There is no test on the first day. The pre course you've received via email is outdated (some are useful) but again no point as everything will be covered through your course. Your trainer will even confirm this on the first day.
You will do the following tests on the first week (not first day)... They are; Fire and Track test.

Simple.

 

[burlsey]

No dates mentioned for next year. As for how many people in each course,I can only answer for my course and that's 6 external and 10 internals.

Another info: 12000 applicants applied for the latest NT role.

Thanks, I have another question. After the initial three weeks at Ashfield house do you know what kind of rota you'll be working with your trainer? i.e. Earlies, lates, 9-5.

 

[Jambo86]

Thanks, I have another question. After the initial three weeks at Ashfield house do you know what kind of rota you'll be working with your trainer? i.e. Earlies, lates, 9-5.

Once you leave Ashfield House your training shifts would be to shadow whatever your IO is rostered on that week, so it could be a week of earlies or middles or lates. However if you have a combination of IO's in the same week you could well have a mix of earlies, middles and lates all at once, you will always get a minimum 12 hour rest in between though. The working week on LU runs from Sunday to Saturday and you'd find your shifts out on the Thursday before.

 

[burlsey]

Once you leave Ashfield House your training shifts would be to shadow whatever your IO is rostered on that week, so it could be a week of earlies or middles or lates. However if you have a combination of IO's in the same week you could well have a mix of earlies, middles and lates all at once, you will always get a minimum 12 hour rest in between though. The working week on LU runs from Sunday to Saturday and you'd find your shifts out on the Thursday before.

Thanks, what start times are there for the earlies, middies and lates?

 

[Lrd]

Thanks, what start times are there for the earlies, middies and lates?

Earlies from 0430/0500. Middles anytime from 0600 through to 1200 ish. Lates anytime from 1300/1400 ish. There are also night duties which can book on anytime in the late evening up to midnight. All 8 hour duties.

Your I/O may get released from duties for a few weeks so you agree between yourselves what times to come in to make sure you get all required moves in.

The first week after Ashfield House is usually hiking which will be roughly 9 - 4 Mon - Fri. Followed by at least a week of stock which will be Mon - Fri 9 - 4. Then you go with your I/O for the remaining weeks.

 

[Jetlagged]

You mention earlies, middles and lates but no mention of the dreaded splits, so don't they exist? When I was on the buses, the extra manpower needed to cover the rush hours were brought in on split shifts; three to four hours in the morning rush, a few hours off then three to fours hours in the evening rush. It paid well as we were on half time during the break, but it royally mucked up your days that week!

 

[Jimbo12345]

Anyone else got any tips of getting through to Sterling background checks; I've been on hold for over an hour last 3 days and no one ever answers...left two messages so far. So frustrating. No idea what they even want to know as I've lived in the same address and had the same job for way over the 3 years the check...infuriating.

 

[Lrd]

You mention earlies, middles and lates but no mention of the dreaded splits, so don't they exist? When I was on the buses, the extra manpower needed to cover the rush hours were brought in on split shifts; three to four hours in the morning rush, a few hours off then three to fours hours in the evening rush. It paid well as we were on half time during the break, but it royally mucked up your days that week!

No split shifts, all duties 8 hours 30 mins or less. 30 mins unpaid for meal relief but usually longer

 

[Jimbo12345]

Anyone else got any tips of getting through to Sterling background checks; I've been on hold for over an hour last 3 days and no one ever answers...left two messages so far. So frustrating. No idea what they even want to know as I've lived in the same address and had the same job for way over the 3 years the check...infuriating.

I was cut off after 90 mins of being on hold..just brilliant

 

[Salesy]

Anyone else got any tips of getting through to Sterling background checks; I've been on hold for over an hour last 3 days and no one ever answers...left two messages so far. So frustrating. No idea what they even want to know as I've lived in the same address and had the same job for way over the 3 years the check...infuriating.

Don't bother ringing Sterling, even when you get through to them they are next to useless. I had much better results from e-mailing them instead, privacy@sterlingts.com

 

[Jimbo12345]

Don't bother ringing Sterling, even when you get through to them they are next to useless. I had much better results from e-mailing them instead, privacy@sterlingts.com

That's great, thank you. I actually just emailed the address on the email they sent and it came back as "doesn't exist" - seems very unprofessional. Very old fashioned website too. I'd love to know secure (not much) all my data is with them but hey ho..

 

[Jetlagged]

No split shifts, all duties 8 hours 30 mins or less. 30 mins unpaid for meal relief but usually longer

Thanks Lrd.

 

[Tron81]

Anyone from the unknown heard anything yet as we are way past the middle of august. ..?

 

[Jetlagged]

Anyone from the unknown heard anything yet as we are way past the middle of august. ..?

Nothing here Tron, but I think we know that it will be along the lines (excuse the pun) of, 'Thanks for waiting. We'll be in touch again in a couple of months."



We in the great pool of fingers drumming on table.

There must be a 'smiley' for that somewhere!

 

[Tron81]

Nothing here Tron, but I think we know that it will be along the lines (excuse the pun) of, 'Thanks for waiting. We'll be in touch again in a couple of months."



We in the great pool of fingers drumming on table.

There must be a 'smiley' for that somewhere!

Lol true

 

[Sparrow]

Nothing here Tron, but I think we know that it will be along the lines (excuse the pun) of, 'Thanks for waiting. We'll be in touch again in a couple of months."



We in the great pool of fingers drumming on table.

There must be a 'smiley' for that somewhere!

Nope still nothing. I'm hoping that no news is good news wishful thinking

 

[PudseyBearHST]

Nope still nothing. I'm hoping that no news is good news wishful thinking

I think there is a good chance we will get an opportunity at the Assessment Centre but it is just about being patient. From TFL perspective, there is no point in just keep inviting people for assessments because even if we are successful, we will not start till next year so TFL might want to wait for a bit before getting the next batch of trainees.

The whole application process is a bit awkward for me because I study at University full-time (I will be in my second year starting next month). During training, I will need to take a gap year. So assuming I am successful for this role, I might only be able to complete the first semester of this year if training is early next year.

 

[Sparrow]

I think there is a good chance we will get an opportunity at the Assessment Centre but it is just about being patient. From TFL perspective, there is no point in just keep inviting people for assessments because even if we are successful, we will not start till next year so TFL might want to wait for a bit before getting the next batch of trainees.

The whole application process is a bit awkward for me because I study at University full-time (I will be in my second year starting next month). During training, I will need to take a gap year. So assuming I am successful for this role, I might only be able to complete the first semester of this year if training is early next year.

Hopefully it will work in your favour then. TFL is a fair employer so yeah I think you are right they may wish to hold off until they have a clearer idea of what they require and when for.

Good luck for the studies and fingers crossed for some news soon

 

[PudseyBearHST]

Hopefully it will work in your favour then. TFL is a fair employer so yeah I think you are right they may wish to hold off until they have a clearer idea of what they require and when for.

Good luck for the studies and fingers crossed for some news soon

Thanks mate. Hope we all get invited for the assessment centre in due course. Of course as candidates, we all want to do the assessments now and get it over and done with even if it means waiting a few months for a start date but obviously TFL are not going to be thinking like that.

 

[Walsh87]

Can anyone give me the up to date figure on the pay for this role? I heard that there had been a pay rise so just wanted to know the exact figure? Thanks

 

[Lrd]

Can anyone give me the up to date figure on the pay for this role? I heard that there had been a pay rise so just wanted to know the exact figure? Thanks

Just over £24k

 

[Mojo]

You mention earlies, middles and lates but no mention of the dreaded splits, so don't they exist? When I was on the buses, the extra manpower needed to cover the rush hours were brought in on split shifts; three to four hours in the morning rush, a few hours off then three to fours hours in the evening rush. It paid well as we were on half time during the break, but it royally mucked up your days that week!

No split shifts, all duties 8 hours 30 mins or less. 30 mins unpaid for meal relief but usually longer

Full time drivers duties average out to 7 hours 12 minutes each over the course of the roster, whereas Night tube drivers are all 8 hours (plus 30 min unpaid meal relief).

In order to balance out the roster, there are a number of "snip turns," these can be as little as 4 hours (plus meal relief). Further, some duties might include a part of train work and part DMI [Duty Manager's Instructions, effectively acting as spare for part of the duty] and accordingly there is no need for there to be split shifts to cover the peaks.

 

[beast]

Just over £24k

I thought it was 23.5k to be exact? I heard of a pay rise but wasn't sure it was effective...

 

[Lrd]

I thought it was 23.5k to be exact? I heard of a pay rise but wasn't sure it was effective...

Yeah we got it a few months ago. 3.7% (or potentially 3.2) increase on £23462 ish (I left my payslip at work)

 

[Jambo86]

Full time drivers duties average out to 7 hours 12 minutes each over the course of the roster, whereas Night tube drivers are all 8 hours (plus 30 min unpaid meal relief).

In order to balance out the roster, there are a number of "snip turns," these can be as little as 4 hours (plus meal relief). Further, some duties might include a part of train work and part DMI [Duty Manager's Instructions, effectively acting as spare for part of the duty] and accordingly there is no need for there to be split shifts to cover the peaks.

Also worth mentioning that there is also a "night shift" roster at some depots. These drivers work full-time hours but book on at 2200ish and later. A typical shift consists of finishing the last hour or so of traffic, putting trains into the depot, followed by a couple of hours down-time, and then prepping & taking out the first trains for the morning running. These drivers don't cross over into NT running on a Fri & Sat and vice versa. These duties are typically "easier" than NT driving as you get a few hours kip, whereas NT drivers are running throughout. NT trainees can be asked to do some of these duties in training, I forgot to mention in my post a couple of pages back.

For those that asked the latest salary, it's £24214 to be precise.