Clunk

Hi

Sorry I have been a while getting back to you, I have been away seeing family before Christmas - and no computer access !!!

Got my contract just before I went away - just need to complete all the forms and post it back tomorrow. Saw on the thread that you have had yours too. Not long now (not that I am counting the days, LOL).

I haven't been in a classroom since some time in the 80's - this could be quite a shock to the system. I have heard that it is an information overload, but that they (Metrolink staff) are very encouraging and supportive. First day is spent covering personal track safety and basic admin and the first test is on the Wednesday. Depot driving starts on the Friday. Well that is apparently how it was working out last week, so I assume will be the same for us.

My email addy is andy_dunkerley@yahoo.co.uk - guess I could have just sent you this as an email really instead of a PM - d'oh !!!

Andy

Evening Andy

Which other forum have you been reading?
I think they take Eight newbies per classroom through the course(not been in a classroom since 94)!!
The new routes look very interesting and Two should be open come the summer.
I agree it would be good to put a name to the face on the 23rd so i will leave you my email address below and from there i will give you my number so we can compare notes,

beavercreek11@hotmail.co.uk

Crikey - not sure if I am jealous or glad I didn't have to do that bit, LOL

All I knows that it is 2 weeks 'intensive' classroom training-by all accounts, heavy going, but they do all they can to help you, and (I quote, from the interview) we are only there because 'our assessment day tests proved we are up to it'.

Then 10 weeks driving with a mentor. Guess that is all shifts and all routes to do the route learning.

Then 3 months 'probation' - then we are fully fledged drivers.

I'm not scared, I'm cool about all this... if I say that enough it will be true ! LOL

We'll help eachother through it - we're not in competition - by the way, what is your name, I'll look a right nelly on the 1st day asking everyone 'are you beavercreek', LOL

On the upside, I know another trainee, on another forum, who starts his course on Monday 12th & is updating me as he goes.

Really glad you're starting same day as me - I already feel that I know someone when I get there.

Andy

We had to drive it round the depot stopping at platforms.They watched how we used the controls and then had us doing PA announcements.We also had the interview the same day.The day lasted from 9am till 4pm.
I think there was Five left from the Thirty who started out.
I think I was part of the second assessment which was early November.
So you start on the same day as me.I don't know what the training is like apart from its Three month long.

Crikey - that was nice and speedy - looks like I just hit bad luck with timings then. I also start on 23rd January - we will be trainees together.

Did I read that right that you got to drive on the assessment day ? We didn't do that when I did mine back in August. We did the climb on and off test and then went back to the room to do the written tests.

Where did you drive them ?

I am intrigued now (and slightly jealous, LOL )

Andy

Cheers for that.

Had the call and the contract is in the post.
My start date is the 23rd January so i'm finishing at Xmas and having a month off.
I'm looking forward to driving the LRV again it was a good experience at the assessment.

Nice one matey, well done !!!

Next stop is your start date (hmm, that makes no sense at all, but you get what I mean - I hope ! )

Contract hasn't arrived yet, but I called them yesterday and they have said I should get it by the weekend (or Monday !!) - I'll be honest, the wait has been a killer (so brace yourself just in case), and I can't wait to have the piece of paper in my hand that makes it all a confirmed deal - to say nothing of giving my notice where I am now !

Has your contract arrived?
I passed the medical and I'm now awaiting a call or contract from them to confirm a start day.

It was about a week or so later - in fact, I called them to ask ! The lady at Healthworks (who is really friendly and makes you feel very relaxed and calm about the whole process) actually told me that I had passed the medical at the end, so I wasn't concerned - just impatient, LOL.

I am just waiting to get my contract at the moment, though they did tell me that I wouldn't get that until early December (so I am getting impatient again !!).

Thanks for the information.
I go for my medical next week at Healthworks.
How long after the medical was it before you were contacted and offered the job officially?
I will let you know how I get on and hopefully when I'm given a start date.
Fingers crossed and I'm really looking forward to the challenge.

Sorry for the slow response, only just saw your message.

It is with a company called "HEALTH WORK" 16 St Johns Street Manchester

format is :- little chat concerning your med questionnaire, then blood pressure, height, weight, then eyesight test, colourblindness test, then hearing test and finally breathtest and drug test (wee in a bottle basically) results of drug test take about 2mins then that's it, she tells you there and then if you've passed. Very informal and relaxed I was quite surprised.

What date is your medical due ?

Well done for getting this far, and hope all goes well for you.

Let me know how you get on

Hi

I read that you have a job offer at Metrolink.I too have been offered a position as a driver.Just wanted to ask what was involved in the medical.
Cheers in advance