GBRf (foc) vs Southern Govia (toc)

[GMChicken]

Any inside info on which company is better to work for as a driver? I understand the differences in the actual job e.g. shift times, lengths, variability etc. But I would like some advice on differences in things like benefits, pensions, travel discounts, working atmosphere (a difficult thing to judge from the outside), annual vacation days, job security, overtime pay, and anything else you may consider important to know.
Cheers

 

[Sirgerbil]

If you already know the differences in the type of work then the only thing left to say is that you’ll get more “Benefits” from Southern.

There’s also probably more job security at a TOC too.

 

[The One]

My personal opinion is freight be better.The reason I say this is you do variety of work and routes you won’t bored lol.I think what went wrong for freight and people are scared about applying I’d thst the coal industry made a massive impact but the freight companies have spread their wings to do other work.The only advantage with TOC is you get free reduced travel.

Good luck whatever you choose

 

[ShwervinMervin]

Any inside info on which company is better to work for as a driver? I understand the differences in the actual job e.g. shift times, lengths, variability etc. But I would like some advice on differences in things like benefits, pensions, travel discounts, working atmosphere (a difficult thing to judge from the outside), annual vacation days, job security, overtime pay, and anything else you may consider important to know.
Cheers

My dad works for Southern, and from what I know, it's great.
Free staff travel for you and your immediate family on GTR and SouthEastern, job security, and shift patterns to die for xD
Don't see much pressure and stress from him, but idk that much.
Freight is good for variety, and it's often pretty cushty. But I don't know that much about it.
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^AG

 

[Aivilo]

Freight is real work but you don't want to get a letter saying that work gone and your no longer required.

Passenger is interesting enough and most important secure

 

[BTU]

I agree I currently work for the TOC in question and I wouldn't go as far as to say shifts to die for the new timetable change and subsequent new roster is pretty grim at least at my depot it is, anyway I got offered a freight job but for reasons mentioned i.e. Job security and also they got rid of all the freight drivers and have issued new contracts to the new freight drivers which by all accounts aren't that great, so I decided to stay on passenger service at least for now.

 

[Crazyb]

Any inside info on which company is better to work for as a driver? I understand the differences in the actual job e.g. shift times, lengths, variability etc. But I would like some advice on differences in things like benefits, pensions, travel discounts, working atmosphere (a difficult thing to judge from the outside), annual vacation days, job security, overtime pay, and anything else you may consider important to know.
Cheers

At GBRF, you will not get any benefits. They did get £1 for the Eurotrain I think, but they sold out. Unless your pre 1993, you will not get any free travel, so if you use the train to work you pay full price. This is the same at any FOC. I'm sure they have a car lease scheme. They have this at Freightliner.
The pension is 100% but they were looking at changing this, something to ask if your having a interview.
The drivers and ground staff all work together. It's normally a good atmosphere as we used their mess rooms, but there are jobs for the boys though....especially at Willesden on the sleepers !!!
Not sure on their holidays.
Job security...Make sure you know how long the contracts are, you could be dumped, but most drivers find jobs via the union. This could mean, up sticks though.
Overtime is paid monthly.
You will be messed about, and will have to be accommodating towards the company.
Medically restricted. I'm not going to comment on here, but at a TOC, your looked after.

Like I have said on previous posts. I have grown up on the freight since leaving school, I'm now at a TOC. Freight is the best by miles, and I think I have had the best times. Like you said, you know the times etc, but the freight is not for the faint hearted.

With todays market, yep.....freight is on the up, but it can turn just as quick.

With a PAX, you just change the colour of your uniform about 6 times in your career !!!!

Theres not a perfect company out there and, even Eurostar have their little bits.

I'll be honest. I'm freight all the way, even with the long hours and ****ty start times it wasn't boring....I was tired though. Being at a TOC now, I have a max of 10 years to go, but because of my higher salary, I could go in 5 years. The only thing for me working at a TOC, the jobs are the most soul destroying thing for me, is the same old boring route, 4 days a week, but I'm looked after.

In my heart, I would say go for the freight, but the truth is, I would stay at a TOC.

 

[66701GBRF]

As above. At GBRF there are no leisure travel facilities on TOCs unless you are already safeguarded. Used to get either a 75% discount or a £1 ticket for Eurotunnel but that went when they were sold off. Staff and their Dependants get 75% discount on the sleepers though and both have access to private healthcare via Westfield Health. There is a car lease scheme but is not really worth the paper its printed on.

Overtime is paid either yearly or monthly but EVERYTHING is flat rate. Shifts are long and you can start anytime on the clockface. Shifts that book on between 2200-2359 should only be a maximum of 10 hours and they are not supposed to move your start times throughout the week more than 4 hours.

By its nature freight is not a certain as TOCs but in the history of GBRF there has only been about 15 redundancies and that was when TATA steel went belly up a few years ago. Even when the coal fell through the floor there was not a single loss of job as people were able to be absorbed covering other work. Rosters can be a pain as you won't know what you are working the following week untill Thursdays nights.

 

[GMChicken]

Thank you for all your input! It has really helped to clarify the good and bad points for each option.