19 Year Old Trainee train driver

[philthetube]

Most drivers are promoted internally from within the operating companies, In any industry a company would rather spend large sums on people they already know than on strangers. They do not want to spend thousands training people who cannot get up in a morning or who are regularly off work sick.

Look for a job working for a toc in another position, if you are reliable and do the job well I see no reason why they would not promote you.

 

[donpoku]

This is some strange advice!

You know if you're going to make a negative remark at least give a reason otherwise it's pointless time wasting.

 

[ComUtoR]

You know if you're going to make a negative remark at least give a reason otherwise it's pointless time wasting.

What did Spad say that way negative ? The post he quoted was weird, but understandable, and totally strange.

The post he quoted was totally unhelpful.

 

[SPADTrap]

You know if you're going to make a negative remark at least give a reason otherwise it's pointless time wasting.

The main reason I said it was strange advice is because it seemed to advocate travelling the world because the OP was young, as far as I can see the OP didn't mention a desire to travel, travelling costs money too!

I also don't really understand the 'apply for the job you want not the job you think you might want' comment, but maybe the OP was undecided?

Plumbing or Gas or Carpentry are not trades to 'give a go', they take time and effort to learn and having an interest in doing that is probably wise before investing that time and effort for it not to be a wasted persuit, IMO, thinking about being a carpenter doesn't make you one nor does it fill you with career options in that field.

The OP asked about drivers jobs so I guess that person has decided they want that career. The advice was given in good heart just struck me as strange, I wasn't being rude, it just didn't sparkle with me, maybe because when I decided at a young age what I wanted to do I was told the same and it couldn't have been more wrong. :razz:

 

[MrPIC]

I started driving aged 21, I'm now almost 25 and it was a fabulous career choice. It certainly can be done entering the driving grade young, if they took on 21yr old me then there is hope for most! =D

 

[IKB]

Most drivers are promoted internally from within the operating companies, In any industry a company would rather spend large sums on people they already know than on strangers. They do not want to spend thousands training people who cannot get up in a morning or who are regularly off work sick.

Look for a job working for a toc in another position, if you are reliable and do the job well I see no reason why they would not promote you.

Bit of a generalisation. Many are internals, many are not. Everyone one is put through the same driver selection process regardless.

"Strangers" from the outside also know how to get up in the morning and do not regularly go sick. The railways do not have a monopoly on shift work, time critical roles or reliability etc! Witness the vast array of backgrounds that applicants come from....

If I were still 19 (if only ) I would get a few years work experience on my CV (building competencies/experience that lend themselves to the role) and if I still had my heart set on a driving role then I would go for it. It all depends on the individual. Some are capable of shouldering big responsibilities at young age, others aren't.

 

[TDK]

"Strangers" from the outside also know how to get up in the morning and do not regularly go sick.

No? You listen to so called "strangers" saying "I've only go 5 sick days left this year" The fundamental difference is in most jobs if you are late it isn't a big deal, if you are late on the railway and your train is cancelled then it is a big deal. It takes a lot of conditioning.

 

[455driver]

No? You listen to so called "strangers" saying "I've only go 5 sick days left this year"

I used to work with one driver who had his 'sick' leave written in his diary in advance just to make sure he got the maximum 'entitlement' without tripping the limits and being invited in 'for a chat'.

Management knew about it but there was nothing they could do because rools iz rools!

He would actually look at the sheets for Monday on the Friday before and tell the spare/cover driver nearest his job that he wouldn't be in on Monday because he had <insert illness of choice>, he was that blatant about it!

While 'outsiders' might work shifts its only really bus drivers who work the same sort of shifts as train drivers, our start/finish times can vary by a few hours from one day to the next, there certainly isn't any 6 till 2, 2 till 10, 10 till 6 where I work!

 

[IKB]

No? You listen to so called "strangers" saying "I've only go 5 sick days left this year" The fundamental difference is in most jobs if you are late it isn't a big deal, if you are late on the railway and your train is cancelled then it is a big deal. It takes a lot of conditioning.

I know it's a big deal if the train is cancelled.

My point was that "strangers" into the driving grade from other professions might have also been conditioned in their previous role to be reliable and disciplined. The bus driver, the firefighter, the police custody sergeant, the airline pilot etc etc. It's a big deal if they don't turn up like clockwork too.

I came across the odd 'tactical sickness' characters in my 999 days. You get them everywhere, but they were very much the minority.

 

[ollie.shearsby]

Done carpentry. Done landscaping. I just want to drive and take great interest in trains

 

[G136GREYHOUND]

I have an idea you are 19 years old go out and enjoy your life travel the world and have a blast when you get bored and need a job come back and apply for the job you want not the job you think you might want.While train driving does pay well so do a lot of trades like plumbing,gas,carpentry give any of them a go then at least you have choices in life,if you do become a train driver and hate it then you can jack it in and do something else equally well paid and not have to get stuck in a job you hate and become a miserable git like some if the people I work with.Good luck.

I think that's sensible advice, you have to give up so much train driving, not something I'd have wanted to do at a young age and missed travelling the world etc

 

[philthetube]

totally agree that anyone can go sick and play the system, however the employing company has to make decisions on the evidence available, (and they can afford to be fussy). if they have two identical candidates and they know that one of them has a perfect attendance record over the past 3 years and they have no evidence on the other one, it is clear who they will choose.

I am not saying that people from outside the industry cannot get up in a morning or have poor sick records.

 

[Met Driver]

The idea that driving trains from a young age stops you from travelling the world is a complete fallacy. For starters you'll actually have the money to do it. Depending on the outfit you work for you might be able to consolidate a whole year's leave entitlement, or take a 6 month career break. Plenty of opportunities. The only thing it completely rules out is dabbling in recreational drugs.

 

[E&W Lucas]

Most drivers are promoted internally from within the operating companies

I'm sure that's your experience, but for many of us it has been the opposite. London commuter outfits especially, and that's where the bulk of the trainee jobs are.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

totally agree that anyone can go sick and play the system, however the employing company has to make decisions on the evidence available, (and they can afford to be fussy). if they have two identical candidates and they know that one of them has a perfect attendance record over the past 3 years and they have no evidence on the other one, it is clear who they will choose.

I am not saying that people from outside the industry cannot get up in a morning or have poor sick records.

If a candidate has had a responsible job in the outside world, it's a pretty safe bet that they will have a decent sick record. Employers tend to be a lot more "efficient" in dealing with dross.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The idea that driving trains from a young age stops you from travelling the world is a complete fallacy. For starters you'll actually have the money to do it. Depending on the outfit you work for you might be able to consolidate a whole year's leave entitlement, or take a 6 month career break. Plenty of opportunities. The only thing it completely rules out is dabbling in recreational drugs.

Good post.

The main thing for a young candidate, is going to be having enough evidence to pass the MMI. Even if all the other aptitudes are there, if you've not been in the situations to gain the experience, you're going to blow your chances.
The key will surely be having held a responsible job already?
Manager, supervisor, etc. Certainly not impossible for a young person to achieve.

 

[TrainFan1]

My previous job was online delivery for a supermarket