DRS Trainee drivers wanted

[kitwaller]

How long will candidates have to work for them after training been taken?

5 years I believe or u have to repay training costs of 55k

 

[r.roman]

5 years I believe or u have to repay training costs of 55k

Cheers!

Does anyone know something about shifts in DRS? I mean typical working day/night. TOC's usual offer 4 day/week, 35-37 hours.

 

[kitwaller]

Cheers!

Does anyone know something shifts in DRS? I mean typical working day/night. TOC's usual offer 4 day/week, 35-37 hours.

My mate at scotrail worked 35 hours over 5 days for drs and I think according to websites it's still the same

 

[plastictaffy]

Bev - most people have a whinge about the company they work for, including most people within my TOC (especially RPI's, poor sods, but that's for another thread!!) but no-one says as many bad things about any other TOC.

 

[winefarm]

For more detail about why DRS have a bad reputation with drivers and their driver working conditions, shifts etc which are generally inferior to other companies, go to the thread called "DRS Escape Committee" at www.railchat.co.uk (you will need to register). It's quite long, but relevant and enlightening reading if you are considering applying to be a trainee driver with DRS.

 

[Beveridges]

I can't log in to Railchat I believe I have been banned!

Is that thread still going?

 

[r.roman]

Gentleman, what about SCAAT test results? :roll:

 

[kitwaller]

They are still taking applications. Is this a good sign ie not many applications in yet or bad sign ie those already in not up to scratch!

 

[Beveridges]

It's a bad sign because it means the job isn't much good if hardly anyone is applying for it!

 

[r.roman]

We don't know how many drivers they need. DRS recently bought 15 new 68's locos and I think they are still growing. New fleet builds good reputation and, who knows, more clients in future. I've sent an application and I'm looking forward for reply.

 

[Beveridges]

I don't think DRS have that many Drivers. Last I heard, at Crewe (their largest depot) there was only approximately 30-40 drivers in total!

 

[TDK]

I don't know why DRS have such a bad reputation. Their traction is Clagtastic!

The cranks have had inside info that the clagtastic traction is going to all be replaced with 66's & 68's Would the last crank to leave DRS please turn out the light and try COLAS or something

 

[kitwaller]

Still taking applications as of 2 mins ago so can only assume they haven't had a hugh amount of interest which surely makes it better for those of us that have applied

 

[Bluebri]

Still taking applications as of 2 mins ago so can only assume they haven't had a hugh amount of interest which surely makes it better for those of us that have applied

Wasn't it always due to close on the 2nd April? Perhaps they have decided to keep taking applications due to the quality of applications, or perhaps, many were not within the 1 hour. It could be that they are just allowing all the applications to come through as they may have decided to keep a lot for a reserve pool, just in case. Who knows???? One thing I have learnt since starting to apply for jobs in this industry, is that you will never know and there is no knowing what will happen next. It is a case of apply, close your eyes and cross your fingers and hope for the best lol

 

[Beveridges]

The cranks have had inside info that the clagtastic traction is going to all be replaced with 66's & 68's Would the last crank to leave DRS please turn out the light and try COLAS or something

I don't think so - the cranks would have put it up on WANX by now if they heard that.

The choppers are going in five years but the 37s are going to be around for much longer.
37s are an incredibly solid design that has already worked for 50 years. A proper classic.

 

[kitwaller]

Wasn't it always due to close on the 2nd April? Perhaps they have decided to keep taking applications due to the quality of applications, or perhaps, many were not within the 1 hour. lol

I though you had to be within 45 minutes. Anyway the waiting game has begun!

 

[benno79]

It did say approx. 45 minutes but then asked if you would consider relocating in the app. form. It also said people may be taken on at their other depots so it was open to interpretation a bit.

 

[Bluebri]

I though you had to be within 45 minutes. Anyway the waiting game has begun!

When I spoke to them before submitting my application, they said this was a guideline. What they do is check applicants postcodes and see where their current drivers are commuting from. They will accept up to and around 1 hour. The reason I say around, is that from my house to Crewe, according to Google is 1 Hr 4 minutes. I can actually do this comfortably in 45 minutes, legally, hence why they look at their current driver's commutes.

 

[kitwaller]

When I spoke to them before submitting my application, they said this was a guideline. What they do is check applicants postcodes and see where their current drivers are commuting from. They will accept up to and around 1 hour. The reason I say around, is that from my house to Crewe, according to Google is 1 Hr 4 minutes. I can actually do this comfortably in 45 minutes, legally, hence why they look at their current driver's commutes.

Same here. Google says 1 hour 8 mins but I work in Carlisle past the depot and it never takes more than 50 mins usually around 40-45. Plus I'm going I be living 15 mins away soon.

 

[r.roman]

Anyone got reply?

 

[Jones]

When I spoke to them before submitting my application, they said this was a guideline. What they do is check applicants postcodes and see where their current drivers are commuting from. They will accept up to and around 1 hour. The reason I say around, is that from my house to Crewe, according to Google is 1 Hr 4 minutes. I can actually do this comfortably in 45 minutes, legally, hence why they look at their current driver's commutes.

I believe they will accept re-locators, if genuine.

I don't think location is as big an issue as is made out.

 

[Bluebri]

Anyone got reply?

I haven't as yet. Not holding my breath as the application system is not as slick as the TOC's are and they seem to take an eon. I recall they sent a process flowchart with the application, but it did not have any timescales, although, it does also say that the course start date will be this July. With that said, I would expect for people to start being contacted sometime within next week or so and would imagine 2-3 weeks between each stage, roughly. But don't quote me, it is just an educated guess.

Hang in there, it's early days yet

 

[City Signaller]

Received invitation to attend first set of tests on 17th of April this morning Anyone else?

 

[Bluebri]

Email, phone call or letter?

 

[City Signaller]

Letter with practice material

 

[benno79]

Assume the location is Carlisle for the tests?

 

[City Signaller]

Yes it's a hotel near the depot.

 

[cardboardittec]

I got a reply today also, for Monday 14th at Carlisle.

 

[City Signaller]

Are you local to Carlisle? If you don't mind me asking

 

[r.roman]

Yes it's a hotel near the depot.

Which depot did you apply for? I'm applying to Crewe and no reply yet.