Recent content by Owen2323

If you want to be a driver long term then I'd say stick where you are! Competition for driving jobs is mega competitive as I'm sure you're aware and even more so at LNER. Your chances of getting a job as a driver as an internal applicant are far greater!!

I've no idea what SE are like to work for but that pay seems pretty low by London standards (not that money is everything of course.....) And to be within a 20min commute by public transport, in London!!! That must rule out everyone except those within about a 2 mile radius I'm a driver at...

Being a short interview it'll likely be to sift people out who would probably flunk the main DMI interview. The selection process will probably be detailed in the advert and I'd imagine will be: Teams interview DMI (Driver Manager Interview) Psychometric tests and MMI interview I think there...

I think that's because it's a MASSIVE deal to leave the Police. There's no other 'career' that offers that level of job security (and pension although that's on the decline). I'm ex Police and now a driver - the railway is fantastic!! I've never had a job where you are so well looked after.

This is an interesting thread - I work for a stopper TOC with generally 5-10mins between stops (but can occasionally do up to an hour or so ECS). Before I joined the rail industry I thought I would have preferred the intercity high speed type work (which tends to be the better paid as well). My...

The significant difference in pay is generally down to the varying differences in terms and conditions between TOC's. The better the pay the less favourable the t&c's are (ie generally having to be a lot more flexible with shift changes, driving for longer periods and having shorter breaks to...

Probably because they get that many applications it's a good way of sifting people out at the earliest stage. They can afford to be choosy as they are inundated - it's a highly sought after job. They don't let people apply from beyond the 45/60min commute who say they'll move if they are...

MDD is a good way to get a driving qualification and often used as a good way into the role of being a mainline driver. Some people like the role and just stick with it - it's horses for courses. The shifts will be different (a lot more nights I'd imagine) but you won't have too many early...

It is both a role change and a salary increase - you'd have to apply and go through the recruitment process like any external candidate (the only difference being that you would already be through the psychometric tests so you'd just have to pass the Driver Manager Interview). Being an internal...

One of the best things about being a driver is you have none of the nonsense of meetings, presentations etc. I don't even have email (but that'll change soon I'm sure). Things will vary from one TOC to another but I hardly ever see my manager either (this would be a different story if I messed...

As others have said there is a wealth of info on this forum on what the job is like and how to get into the industry. Becoming a driver is a very competitive process and the psychometric tests are designed to weed out those not suitable for the job (there is much debate on whether this happens...

I know very little about it other than they are not in the railways pension scheme........other than that I've heard good reports

First I've heard of this - so who isn't accepting who then?

No I don't think that's an issue - I had two in at the same time when I got the drivers job. One thing I will say once your application is submitted is not to rely on getting invites to interview etc via your personal email. You need to check the online portal you submitted your application...

I'm sure it'd be a good job - MDD is a good job too (although if your long term goal is to be a driver Heaton can be reluctant to release people for courses from what I've heard). Either way both roles are decent and a good foot in the door to the company. Progression is good at Northern!!