2 more goes at driver assesment

[notadriver]

I don't even do the job (yet!) but I can see that the tests aren't about actually driving - its about what you can and can't do, when you can do it, remembering it all whilst under pressure, and being able to go from nothing happening to dealing with a full on emergency - which could be on your first solo journey or in 20 years time, or never.
I drive HGV tankers and my granny could sit at 56mph on the A1 with the cruise control on, and could probably even learn to reverse, use the gearbox etc its what happens when the wheel comes off, and being alert to danger to prevent incidents which is what the moneys paid for.

If you are doing 56 mph on the A1 you are driving illegally. The limit is 50 mph on dual carriageways for HGVs

I occasionally drive coaches at up to 62 mph and my colleagues can't see how driving a train is harder than driving a coach as 'you don't have to steer' and that they could easily do my main job as they are experienced pcv drivers.

 

[Geargrinder]

Should have put A1(M)........which is 60

 

[Mattm123]

Does anyone know if a borderline Pass on the group bourdon is accepted for a job of a Conductor. I went for driving earlier this year and was knocked back because of my borderline pass. But now going for conductor and just wondering will that be accepted anyone know?

 

[NI 271]

People would still practise for months though, if you cant "get it" in 2 weeks then you wont keep up in the class room, its as simple as that.

True enough, but the trouble is, if you're one of those who would, you still have to practice just to get to that classroom alongside those who can't...

 

[Tunawholesaler]

If you think you're up against unfair competition for jobs now, (when there are relatively few from the professions you quote going for train driver jobs), have a look at what the current government is doing to Public Service pay, conditions & pensions. There will be people bailing out of the forces, police, ambulance, teaching etc like there is no tomorrow

That'll be me!!

An airline pilot of 8years who is sick of working in a industry being killed by the governments APD....longer hours less pay on (becoming) badly maintained aircraft because theyre being maintained by engineers working longer hours on less pay.

Im not the only one whos making the change....quite a few pilots are coming this way.

I sat the tests two weeks ago...passed them with very little prep - but i can say without a doubt, some were pretty difficult!! Maybe they would have been easier had i practised....but, once youve beaten bop it, theres not much else you can do.

I quite enjoyed the CBI...much easier than pilot interviews!

 

[notadriver]

Hi mate what TOC are you applying for ? I'm surprised about pilots - I read Easyjet captains can command more than £100k a year.

http://corporate.easyjet.com/media/latest-news/news-year-2013/01-02-2013a-en.aspx?sc_lang=en

 

[drazky]

pilotto train driver!?!
from ferrari to nissan micra...LOL darling

 

[Tunawholesaler]

Hi mate what TOC are you applying for ? I'm surprised about pilots - I read Easyjet captains can command more than £100k a year.

http://corporate.easyjet.com/media/latest-news/news-year-2013/01-02-2013a-en.aspx?sc_lang=en

Dont believe the hype.

Thats off their website and when that was announced BALPA were outraged! That media spin is in relation to easyjets contract pilots. They work on a self employed, Pay as you fly contract. Its crap pay, unless you fly 5/6 days a week. No holidays.

Trust me, being a pilot is not what it once was. You pay to apply for jobs! Thats right £50 just for them to read your CV in Ryanair! Then youre looking funding your own type rating, prob £20k, then you work on a crap contract. Remember, many young pilots fly Ryanair and easyjet planes for free! Yes free!!

Maybe years down the line in Easyjet you'll get good money.

It took me 8yrs to go from 16k to 50k.....had i been a train driver id have surpassed that im sure. Had i worked for BA im sure id have surpassed it twice....but id have never seen my son and id prob be on my 4th wife!

My own airline saw me work 6 days regularly with 3 days off after.

Pilot - not a great job but people who do make the grade will have lots of qualities no doubt that many TOCs want. Sad but true.

 

[Class2ldn]

Its funny because ive always fancied being a pilot but academically I dont have the right qualities to get in. Im a train driver and seriously thought about trying to make the change to the airlines but ive read in many places how the industry is going downhill and im thankful ive got the job I have now. Plus the financial side of it is ridiculous.

 

[Tunawholesaler]

Its funny because ive always fancied being a pilot but academically I dont have the right qualities to get in. Im a train driver and seriously thought about trying to make the change to the airlines but ive read in many places how the industry is going downhill and im thankful ive got the job I have now. Plus the financial side of it is ridiculous.

Absolutely mate....its dire at the minute. You work your arse off for little thanks and thats because - pilots will always undercut eachother. Theres always someone who will work for less.

 

[Sidious]

If you think you're up against unfair competition for jobs now, (when there are relatively few from the professions you quote going for train driver jobs), have a look at what the current government is doing to Public Service pay, conditions & pensions. There will be people bailing out of the forces, police, ambulance, teaching etc like there is no tomorrow

I'm a Police Officer, and I find the prospect of Train Driving a way out of a career that the government have managed to turn from a fantastic job to an horrendous one in less than a couple of years.

Timekeeping, turning up to duty at the right time, dealing with emergency incidents, concentration, application of rules and procedures, extended training courses, working shifts and unsociable hours, dealing with members of the public, communicating clearly are all required in the Police and are also required in Train Driving. The pay after training is slightly better too. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

 

[Geargrinder]

I'm a Police Officer, and I find the prospect of Train Driving a way out of a career that the government have managed to turn from a fantastic job to an horrendous one in less than a couple of years.

Timekeeping, turning up to duty at the right time, dealing with emergency incidents, concentration, application of rules and procedures, extended training courses, working shifts and unsociable hours, dealing with members of the public, communicating clearly are all required in the Police and are also required in Train Driving. The pay after training is slightly better too. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

I knew I'd be right about something eventually !

 

[Sidious]

I knew I'd be right about something eventually !

Well it's a very astute assessment of the state of public services in this country. I've been in the Police 11 years, and morale is at rock bottom. Everyone wants out of it. What is crazy though is everyone still wants in too, with no shortage of applicants - hundreds for every job. I regularly speak to Ambulance crew and they are in the same boat. Then there are thousands of Armed Forces staff who are about to receive their P45's over the next few months.

The scramble for well paid jobs in industries such as Railways by people with experience in these fields will make the competition very fierce.

 

[youngboy]

Absolutely mate....its dire at the minute. You work your arse off for little thanks and thats because - pilots will always undercut eachother. Theres always someone who will work for less.

Unfortunately in the current economic climate you can apply that statement to almost every job/industry. :roll:

 

[drazky]

Become a bus drivers..Why not?

 

[W230]

I'm a Police Officer, and I find the prospect of Train Driving a way out of a career that the government have managed to turn from a fantastic job to an horrendous one in less than a couple of years.

After 9 years in the same boat I took the leap into driving and do not regret it for a minute! Plenty of ex-officers all over the place at my TOC, not really a surprise though.

 

[SkinnyDave]

Thats How 2 become already starting to come out with practice material for the new assesments.

Looks like quite a big difference and they look quite challenging.

Wonder if All tocs will adopt them straight away or will they be tried out by some of them first then roll it out from there

 

[Degsi00]

Thats How 2 become already starting to come out with practice material for the new assesments.

Looks like quite a big difference and they look quite challenging.

Wonder if All tocs will adopt them straight away or will they be tried out by some of them first then roll it out from there

Where'd you see this info if you don't mind?

 

[SkinnyDave]

How 2 become website