db cargo freight driver

[col68]

hi everyone , looking at transferring from passenger driver to freight with db cargo. could anyone with inside knowledge advise me on the ins and outs of working as a freight driver at db cargo. pay. routes based at west Yorkshire. lodging. rdw. typical day nights etc. much appreciated col

 

[Willie mcbeath]

I can't give you any info but i know you'll be told on here "don't do it"
Use the search function and there's lots of similar threads that'll give you sone info mate.

 

[col68]

thank you mate

 

[Quote]

Just curious, why do you want to move from toc to foc?

 

[Crazyb]

Each to their own I suppose. I'm also curious to know why.

You said your in West Yorkshire, but have you looked at Freightliner or GB. They have jobs in Donny. I know this may be a tad too far.

DB would be the last place I would go. I'm at a TOC now after spending all my life on the freight....I was at RFD (British Rail) then Freightliner Intermodal.

Think really hard what you want to do, yep I miss the freight but if i decided to go back, DB would be on the bottom of my list or not even on it. If you must have a change of a career, I would go Freightliner Intermodal, 2nd HH and 3rd would be GB.

Be careful in what you choose, you don't want to put yourself out of a job. Another thing is....look at why there are some many vacancies now, it's not because they have picked up new work !!!. Even Freightliner are struggling to get drivers, so they are taking on a trainee course in August. We used to have drivers queuing up to come to us.

Good luck in what you choose.

 

[Dogbox]

What he said ⬆️

 

[Regan]

DB have taken on about 6 of my work colleagues I am going to Freightliner intermodal all down to better t&c's we are all leaving Colas rail tamping.

 

[Suraggu]

After working in both TOC and FOC's not as a Driver but working with them, DB Cargo would definitely be at the bottom of any list.
Whilst GBRf may pay more look at the T&C's compared to Freightliner for instance, not forgetting the Pension scheme...

Sure FLIM T&C's are basically still from the BR Era and as such the basic pay is far less than other FOC's. There are little extra payments to boost the wages and unlikely to work many Sundays throughout the year, some see that as a bonus.
FLHH T&C's are not as great as FLIM T&C's but the pay is better, but the T&C's are superior to GBRf.
So yeah in conclusion,
1) FLIM
2) FLHH
3) GBRf
4) DBC

 

[Willie mcbeath]

After working in both TOC and FOC's not as a Driver but working with them, DB Cargo would definitely be at the bottom of any list.
Whilst GBRf may pay more look at the T&C's compared to Freightliner for instance, not forgetting the Pension scheme...

Sure FLIM T&C's are basically still from the BR Era and as such the basic pay is far less than other FOC's. There are little extra payments to boost the wages and unlikely to work many Sundays throughout the year, some see that as a bonus.
FLHH T&C's are not as great as FLIM T&C's but the pay is better, but the T&C's are superior to GBRf.
So yeah in conclusion,
1) FLIM
2) FLHH
3) GBRf
4) DBC

DRS not even make the final cut? haha

 

[Suraggu]

DRS not even make the final cut? haha

Similar pay to FLIM but not as good T&C's.... But yeah forgot about them.

 

[Breize block]

As one of the lucky ones who managed to get paid off from DBC last year (and decided to retire early), ask yourself why the voluntary redundancy scheme was heavily oversubscribed , probably over half of the drivers would've left if they could.
I've been telling the young drivers to get out from DBC as soon as they can for years.
Do you have a family? Mortgage? Stay where you are, you have the best thing of all, Job security! If your TOC goes bankrupt tomorrow the govt will take over. If DBC goes broke tomorrow , and it could happen, you have no job! and that before I even begin to talk about conditions.

 

[Crazyb]

DRS not even make the final cut? haha

I forgot about them.

All the years I have done on the freight, I really don't know much about them. All I know is that you don't keep your old British Rail passes and it's a different pension.

I think I have only ever seen a couple of DRS drivers.

 

[FOCTOC]

As one of the lucky ones who managed to get paid off from DBC last year (and decided to retire early), ask yourself why the voluntary redundancy scheme was heavily oversubscribed , probably over half of the drivers would've left if they could.
I've been telling the young drivers to get out from DBC as soon as they can for years.
Do you have a family? Mortgage? Stay where you are, you have the best thing of all, Job security! If your TOC goes bankrupt tomorrow the govt will take over. If DBC goes broke tomorrow , and it could happen, you have no job! and that before I even begin to talk about conditions.

I got out in 2007 before it got as bad as it is - I still have numerous friends there who tell me constantly how grim things are. Lots more van driving involved now and the new conditions of service stink.

Anyone currently employed as a driver elsewhere should seriously question wether a move to DB is the right way ahead for them. The freight market is highly volatile making FOC employment a bit of a gamble in terms of job security - drivers now tend to follow the contracts (and the money) such is the nature of the ebbs and flows. Out of all of the FOCs, DB would be one of the last I'd reccomend going to. Freightliner Intermodal would be a good way into freight, but the money is rubbish.

 

[Willie mcbeath]

I
Freightliner Intermodal would be a good way into freight, but the money is rubbish.

47k basic wage for a job with next to no weekend work is hardly rubbish.
They make more than a scotrail driver.

 

[LoonyToon]

hi everyone , looking at transferring from passenger driver to freight with db cargo. could anyone with inside knowledge advise me on the ins and outs of working as a freight driver at db cargo. pay. routes based at west Yorkshire. lodging. rdw. typical day nights etc. much appreciated col

I don't know anything about West Yorkshire but as a company DB are a complete shambles. They made a complete mess of the 'restructuring' last year and as a result don't have enough drivers anymore and seem to be losing work hand over fist. Nobody really seems to care either. During the restructuring ASLEF's advice was 'If you can get out, GET OUT!!', and I think that pretty much stands today. Oh, and the pension is seriously underfunded and in trouble also!!
Fortunately I am lucky enough to be leaving in a few weeks but I fear for my colleagues. I really hope they manage to turn things around but higher management don't know their left hand from their right so I really can't see it as things stand.
But hey......don't let me put you off!!!

 

[Regan]

Have to agree with Willie Mcbeath the money wasn't the main thing for me the terms and conditions at freightliner intermodal are massively better not sure what the members would think of my colas contract.

 

[Suraggu]

Depending on the FLIM turn length, they have a 60 minute commitment on that turn for late running, I believe up to a 10 hour turn means a 60 minute commitment (But your still paid obviously).

The problem working for FOC's is that even Class 4's get looped to allow late running passenger services past, when line blockages and incidents happen freight always gets pushed to the side to allow the TOC services to restart. Regardless of what the Controllers do to get your service on the move it is always pushed to the side. Must remember that when coming to Freight, many Drivers and Shunters are booking overtime on a daily basis because of Network Rail's train running policies.

 

[Dieseldriver]

Depending on the FLIM turn length, they have a 60 minute commitment on that turn for late running, I believe up to a 10 hour turn means a 60 minute commitment (But your still paid obviously).

The problem working for FOC's is that even Class 4's get looped to allow late running passenger services past, when line blockages and incidents happen freight always gets pushed to the side to allow the TOC services to restart. Regardless of what the Controllers do to get your service on the move it is always pushed to the side. Must remember that when coming to Freight, many Drivers and Shunters are booking overtime on a daily basis because of Network Rail's train running policies.

Late running commitments don't really mean anything and they're not just confined to freight. If you're on your way back to your home depot on your last bit and there's major disruption making you 3 hours late, how are you going to finish earlier than just sticking with the train you are working anyway?
A few years ago (with a passenger train) I arrived back to my home depot 9 hours late from my last trip, the reason being that I was unable to leave my unit unattended on the main running line. You may be slightly more likely to finish later with freight but late running commitments don't mean much no matter what company you work for, if things go pear shaped, they go pear shaped and there's not a lot you can do about it.

 

[Willie mcbeath]

Depending on the FLIM turn length, they have a 60 minute commitment on that turn for late running, I believe up to a 10 hour turn means a 60 minute commitment (But your still paid obviously).


The problem working for FOC's is that even Class 4's get looped to allow late running passenger services past, when line blockages and incidents happen freight always gets pushed to the side to allow the TOC services to restart. Regardless of what the Controllers do to get your service on the move it is always pushed to the side. Must remember that when coming to Freight, many Drivers and Shunters are booking overtime on a daily basis because of Network Rail's train running policies.

At scotrail you're lucky to be paid overtime if your late in, apparantly theres 20hrs per year for this scenario.

 

[martin2345uk]

Where does Colas fit into all this..? (“,)

 

[DerekDingle]

Where does Colas fit into all this..? (“,)

The worst employment terms, pension, rostering of any company out there! A place where staff aren’t valued, unless your family or mates with management. If you are you’ll be treated favourably and promoted in to higher roles. That’s what I’ve been told, from a mate who works there.

 

[DerekDingle]

A lot are leaving, or will be looking to leave if they get an opportunity to!

 

[Regan]

I am a Driver operator maintainer and I do like the job I am leaving in the near future we probably have the worst t&c's on the infrastructure looking forward to FLIM.

 

[Tom Quinne]

At scotrail you're lucky to be paid overtime if your late in, apparantly theres 20hrs per year for this scenario.

I doubt Scotrail wouldn’t pay hours you worked, I’m also sure ASLEF would be rightly screaming if scotrail tired to force unpaid overtime.

 

[FOCTOC]

47k basic wage for a job with next to no weekend work is hardly rubbish.
They make more than a scotrail driver.

No need to try telling me about them - I worked for them for 6 years. Also, there is more and more weekend work creeping in. Your average Scotrail driver wont be booking on at 21.00 for a 12 hour/360 mile round trip either. For the money (lowest paid in the freight industry) and the hideous shifts the money is rubbish.

 

[FOCTOC]

The worst employment terms, pension, rostering of any company out there! A place where staff aren’t valued, unless your family or mates with management. If you are you’ll be treated favourably and promoted in to higher roles. That’s what I’ve been told, from a mate who works there.

That sums it up quite perfectly.

 

[Tyrion]

Doubt all you want Tom, it is a fact! The Union also agreed to it..

 

[Willie mcbeath]

I doubt Scotrail wouldn’t pay hours you worked, I’m also sure ASLEF would be rightly screaming if scotrail tired to force unpaid overtime.

Doubt all you want, its a fact!
Part of a pay deal, 20hrs per year for late running and report wtiting.

 

[Willie mcbeath]

No need to try telling me about them - I worked for them for 6 years. Also, there is more and more weekend work creeping in. Your average Scotrail driver wont be booking on at 21.00 for a 12 hour/360 mile round trip either. For the money (lowest paid in the freight industry) and the hideous shifts the money is rubbish.

Thought max turn length at FLIM was 11 hrs.
Suppose the weekend work is depot dependant but i know up here in the 13 week roster they have 0 sundays 1 5hr Saturday morning turn amd 1 Saturday spare.

 

[FOCTOC]

Plenty more than that at the depot I was based and more weekend work going in. But my depot served a major port. All I can say, is that in general the hours are long and the pay is poor. Additionally FLIM drivers now get badgered to cover FLHH work, and depot dependant theres plenty of that at weekends.

I waant saying FLIM was a bad company to work for, quite the opposite. However, its perhaps wise to wonder why companies such as Colas and FLIM appear to operate a revolving door recruitment policy. The answers are contained within this thread but theres good reason why those two companies always appear to be recruiting for trainee drivers.