Driver Manager interview. Failure rate - What caught you out?

[Beveridges]

Not really lying, saying you will drive in, as there is enough time to get the lisence.
Saying you will drive in if you have no intention to drive would be a lie.
Also, unless your really taking your time, the amount of times you could fail the test and retake it, between now and the first graveyard shift , would be substantial.

 

[Dave1987]

Not really lying, saying you will drive in, as there is enough time to get the lisence.
Saying you will drive in if you have no intention to drive would be a lie.
Also, unless your really taking your time, the amount of times you could fail the test and retake it, between now and the first graveyard shift , would be substantial.

There is no guarantee anyone will pass their driving test whether they take it once or a hundred times. When you are doing your hours you are required to be in very early in the morning or very late at night.

 

[Beveridges]

Yes I know, but chances are, if someone has not passed the car driving test by then, after so many chances, the person will probably lack the ability to drive a train

 

[notadriver]

I don't think you can compare driving a car with driving a train.

 

[david_VI]

Hey I can already drive..so I've learnt. For my test I just need improve my all round observation during maneuvers . I'm sure that doesn't show my ability to not learn how to drive a train!


(dodgy reply due to being on phone)

 

[Beveridges]

I don't think you can compare driving a car with driving a train.

Do you know anyone who failed the car driving test something ridiculous like 10+ times yet they can drive a train?

Chances are anyone failing that many times is lacking a certain skill that you also happen to need to drive a train.

 

[notadriver]

Do you know anyone who failed the car driving test something ridiculous like 10+ times yet they can drive a train?

Chances are anyone failing that many times is lacking a certain skill that you also happen to need to drive a train.

No I don't but I do know a few train drivers who don't have a car driving license. In short I don't think a persons ability to pass a car driving test should impact on their ability to do the same in a train.

 

[david_VI]

Depends why they fail at driving.. I gather in a train you don't need to check mirrors every 3 seconds or so? Observations like signals are something you have to do and you wouldn't just ignore them! So can't compare that to car mirrors/obs.

 

[Beveridges]

The specifics are different but someone who consistantly fails to make the required chexks with a car will also fail to make the checks with a train.

E.g forgetting to check mirrors means you'll forget to make checks on Depot (e.g. Checking for scotches, derailers, people working under or around the unit, checking for shore supplies, checking for fuel pumps attatched, not to be moved boards, checking if the block has been given).

 

[TDK]

The specifics are different but someone who consistantly fails to make the required chexks with a car will also fail to make the checks with a train.

E.g forgetting to check mirrors means you'll forget to make checks on Depot (e.g. Checking for scotches, derailers, people working under or around the unit, checking for shore supplies, checking for fuel pumps attatched, not to be moved boards, checking if the block has been given).

Bev - admit you are wrong for once - your discussion here is in tatters. If, if, if is just not good enough. I know of qualified train drivers who had never passed their driving test who wanted to move home so needed a car only to fail their test. Because someone fails a driving test does not men they are not suitable to be or will not succeed in their role. Sorry Bev you are wrong on this one. Anyone reading this suggestion of being deceitful at interview please do not follow the advice of Bev on this one as he is totally wrong.

 

[new2this]

Just going to jump on this bandwagon for a split second, having a quick flick through some of the posts here regarding the original thread.
Some of the posts here and advice is so so shocking.
I applied to a TOC and I did not put a specific depot to work for, I did however state from the off that I would relocate, this is due to having to live within 45 minutes of your depot, I lived more than that from even the nearest depot that I could of had chosen, the fact that I wanted to be a train driver, the depot was not an issue, at the time of my interview with two station managers I was living 85 miles or at least 1hr 30mins from the depot that the TOC chose for me, I was asked how I would get to work at any time of the day and my answer was simple, I drive, and I am moving to within 45 minutes of my depot (I have a place now 40 mins), I was asked about relocating and was informed by the manager that my depot was in a location that was very expensive, that is why I am not in that exact location but within 45 minutes.

My point is that if this is something that you really want to do then you will do it, but please think about it plan it out, organise it and be prepared, you will not get employed if you show no flexibility and commitment, this will be a put off from the start and will not go down well, getting a taxi, riding a pushbike 20 miles, kipping on your mates sofa for the night is not what is wanted, and asking for a shift swap is no good as the chances are you will not have only one 3am start but many, there is a reason TOC stipulate you live within 45 minutes, think about that and the reason WHY!!

 

[david_VI]

Just going to jump on this bandwagon for a split second, having a quick flick through some of the posts here regarding the original thread.
Some of the posts here and advice is so so shocking.
I applied to a TOC and I did not put a specific depot to work for, I did however state from the off that I would relocate, this is due to having to live within 45 minutes of your depot, I lived more than that from even the nearest depot that I could of had chosen, the fact that I wanted to be a train driver, the depot was not an issue, at the time of my interview with two station managers I was living 85 miles or at least 1hr 30mins from the depot that the TOC chose for me, I was asked how I would get to work at any time of the day and my answer was simple, I drive, and I am moving to within 45 minutes of my depot (I have a place now 40 mins), I was asked about relocating and was informed by the manager that my depot was in a location that was very expensive, that is why I am not in that exact location but within 45 minutes.

My point is that if this is something that you really want to do then you will do it, but please think about it plan it out, organise it and be prepared, you will not get employed if you show no flexibility and commitment, this will be a put off from the start and will not go down well, getting a taxi, riding a pushbike 20 miles, kipping on your mates sofa for the night is not what is wanted, and asking for a shift swap is no good as the chances are you will not have only one 3am start but many, there is a reason TOC stipulate you live within 45 minutes, think about that and the reason WHY!!

Thankyou for your post. It feels me with more confidence to know they do take on people who say they are going to relocate. I always have the fear they will choose someone else because they do not trust candidates to actually move when it comes to it..

 

[new2this]

No problem, you must understand if you had your own business how you would run it, you would want the best from it and the people you employ, just because candidate number 1 lives next door to say, Bristol Parkway, and candidate 2 lives at least a good hour drive, it does not mean that candidate 1 will get the job, not if the company interview both and they really want candidate 2 beacause that person has all the attributes that the company and/or management are looking for, especially if candidate 2 will relocate closer then that would be a dream come true, they get the person they want, they show commitment and flexibility from the start and it is the stsrt of something good, that manager will have trust in that person when they start to work for them. There is also the little matter of PROFFESIONALISM.