Don't be stupid - New GTR Drivers

[Demonbarber]

What’s happened to the ashford depot?! I’m currently waiting for next years intake for thameslink, is it all off?!

Yeah I’m waiting for next years intake at Ashford too

 

[tracerboy]

Its not off for Ashford, just been delayed till DEC 2019 due to no DI to train us. We are looking at roughly a year wait until we get a di. But i never take the mick, always go in on time and do the hrs. I am thankful to have the job no matter how long it takes.

 

[George999]

Its not off for Ashford, just been delayed till DEC 2019 due to no DI to train us. We are looking at roughly a year wait until we get a di. But i never take the mick, always go in on time and do the hrs. I am thankful to have the job no matter how long it takes.

^^What he said ^^

 

[choochoochoo]

Its not off for Ashford, just been delayed till DEC 2019 due to no DI to train us. We are looking at roughly a year wait until we get a di. But i never take the mick, always go in on time and do the hrs. I am thankful to have the job no matter how long it takes.

Wow, that's a long wait. Plenty of time to get your route knowledge up to speed. Then at least when you're with DI it'll just be handling. Should make it easier to be done in 250 hours.

Are they still arranging you get some time driving whilst you wait either as handling refresh/depot driving/sim time ?

Can think of worse ways to earn 26K than watching someone drive trains.

 

[tracerboy]

Had a raise so now 28.4k to watch other people drive them. Yeah have been learning routes that we will sign which is hard as southeastern wont let us front end nor will great northern. Our main route will be Ashford to Cambridge so we have been told. We have only been fet for a couple of months so nothing extra training wise thrown in but we are allowed to book three bridges sim room for ourselves to get some practice in. Also if a di asks us if we want to drive we are also allowed to do this.

 

[choochoochoo]

Had a raise so now 28.4k to watch other people drive them. Yeah have been learning routes that we will sign which is hard as southeastern wont let us front end nor will great northern. Our main route will be Ashford to Cambridge so we have been told. We have only been fet for a couple of months so nothing extra training wise thrown in but we are allowed to book three bridges sim room for ourselves to get some practice in. Also if a di asks us if we want to drive we are also allowed to do this.

I'm sure its something that's been considered, but a lot of DIs work rest days but their students can't. Are you allowed to go with DIs on their rest day work days ?

Strange GN won't let you front end. Didn't even realise there were TL trains going to Cambridge. Thought the only way there for a TL train would have been a GN route. Maybe it's because GN trainees are finding it hard to get FETs themselves !!

 

[tracerboy]

No only if we ask to front end and a DI is driving and asks us if we want a drive. We could find out i guess there shift pattern and ask to do it that way but they have enough on there plates as it is. Yeah the route is supposedly ashford to Cambridge, then blackfriars to sevenoaks as secondary route.

 

[choochoochoo]

No only if we ask to front end and a DI is driving and asks us if we want a drive. We could find out i guess there shift pattern and ask to do it that way but they have enough on there plates as it is. Yeah the route is supposedly ashford to Cambridge, then blackfriars to sevenoaks as secondary route.

Guess it depends on the DI. I guess some will not do it because they may not get their DI supplement on rest day work. But know others who will happily teach on their rest day work.

 

[ComUtoR]

Yeah have been learning routes that we will sign which is hard as southeastern wont let us front end nor will great northern.

I've had more than a few TL Trainees in my cab.

 

[Chop_sav]

I am a trainee driver for GTR and it’s sad to know that this is the case with a very small number of trainees. Ultimately the only person they are really affecting is themselves as the more knowledge they can gain through putting in the work learning routes, the easier it will be when they finally receive a driver trainer. I have made sure I have put the hours in and I can already see the massive improvement in my route knowledge. It is such a great career opportunity to just throw away with pure laziness. Don’t get me wrong the wait for a trainer is long and going out each day in the cab with a driver can be boring but they company does look after its employees by being flexible and if you find a few drivers you really get on well with then you can just follow their diagram. They treat you like adults by leaving you alone and expecting you to put the work in which I think is great as nobody is constantly breathing down you neck which has been the case with previous employers. It really is a shame if that is the case and I do feel sorry for the trainees who are passionate about the job such as myself.