I have just got a trainee train driver job at cricklewood start date November 4th for my course but I’ve also just got a interview for southeastern. I currently already work for Govia Thameslink as a train cleaner. The local depot to me is southeastern as I live in south east London. Cricklewood is other side of London and have to think about commute. Is there any big different in companies as drivers as I’ve already got A course I’m not sure if I should go for southeastern still.
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Southeastern vs Thameslink
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PringlePopper1
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If you’ve already got the job as a trainee driver then my advice would be to grab that by the horns and get your key. Once you’ve got your key, do whatever you like. I’m sure the commute will be a pain but there are thousands that would love to be in your shoes. With regards to whom to work for, I can’t answer what Thameslink are like to work for but i know the pay attracts a lot of qualified drivers.. so in summary, get your key if you’ve got a job as a trainee then go wherever you desire.
I'd take up the offer with Thameslink. There's no guarantee you'd get the position with Southeastern and given that you've got a start date, they must be happy enough with your commute time. People generally say the terms for Southeastern are worse than with GTR (and the pay certainly is) so I'd stick with the offer you have!
I'm just gonna repeat what others said but I'd definitely grab the job already offered to me with both hands and wouldn't look around too much. You're just 2 weeks away from starting with GTR, yet even if your interview was tomorrow you don't know when they'll let you know the outcome of it, and I doubt it it will be within two weeks of the interview, then the fact you were successful at interview for one TOC doesn't guarantee you being successful with another TOC, and also if you'd be successful then they may offer you a start date in spring 2022 or even tell you that yes, you're successful but they don't have a starting date yet and they'll be in touch. And you hear again from them 12 months later.
SE metro is also DOO and equivalent intensity to GTR, also now with three types of traction, and a range of train lengths. Probably more route variety than GTR these days (which is either a good or bad thing depending on your perspective).
Agreed. Also (unless things have changed) GTR move you to full money before passing out if there’s a long wait for a DI, whereas SE don’t.
Sounds like a good decision. Best of luck with the course!
PringlePopper1
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Best of luck!
whoosh
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@L1234
There used to be (and probably still are) some duties that are 'pass' to Blackfriars, St Albans, or Luton at the start - you may well find you'll be able to travel straight there and sign on there. Each of those locations should have a signing on sheet and a late notice case. Certainly St Albans and Luton as they are traincrew depots, but I believe the facility is there at Blackfriars as well.
You just need to agree with the Duty Resource Manager in advance and phone up at your booking on time to say all is going to plan.
Also: At Thameslink you get paid from the platform to walk back to the signing on point at the traincrew depot at the end of your shift. At Cricklewood this is a long walk away and your booking off time is about half an hour after you get relieved in the platform. Particularly if you were driving a southbound train, you'd stay on it and be a good way nearly home by the time of your booking off time!
On an early afternoon shift this would work well and you could get the train in and back home again.
I don't know where Orpington and Gillingham are in relation to you, but putting in for a transfer might be something to think about if they are nearer. (I think it's two years productive driving, or three years since start date, until you can go on the transfer list.)
There used to be (and probably still are) some duties that are 'pass' to Blackfriars, St Albans, or Luton at the start - you may well find you'll be able to travel straight there and sign on there. Each of those locations should have a signing on sheet and a late notice case. Certainly St Albans and Luton as they are traincrew depots, but I believe the facility is there at Blackfriars as well.
You just need to agree with the Duty Resource Manager in advance and phone up at your booking on time to say all is going to plan.
Also: At Thameslink you get paid from the platform to walk back to the signing on point at the traincrew depot at the end of your shift. At Cricklewood this is a long walk away and your booking off time is about half an hour after you get relieved in the platform. Particularly if you were driving a southbound train, you'd stay on it and be a good way nearly home by the time of your booking off time!
On an early afternoon shift this would work well and you could get the train in and back home again.
I don't know where Orpington and Gillingham are in relation to you, but putting in for a transfer might be something to think about if they are nearer. (I think it's two years productive driving, or three years since start date, until you can go on the transfer list.)
LouisRiley93
Member
Thank you good information and I live in forest hill but plan to move to Southend next few years so will be thinking of transfer then. I’m sure I’ll be told if I can catch a train home or something sounds confusing to me at the moment lol
Basically once you get relieved at the end of your shift if its an early or the train isn't going back to the depot on a late for example, you don't need to go the depot at end of shift so you can make some time out of it and just find the quickest way home
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