First Great Western - Trainee Drivers

[Termy]

Still waiting to hear back on Stage 2 assessments for Paddington. Haven't heard anything since April last year.

 

[387star]

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[Greg1205]

Another happy man Had a phone call on Thursday for April course! Medical in February. I'd nearly lost hope. So anyone waiting don't lose your hope Has anyone got an idea about the course itself ? I mean how many hours per week, time off, etc.

 

[Covo23]

Well I passed fit on Thursday, just pending the drug test results. Just need confirmation then its Mar 16th - Reading here I come.

Mandy is away on holiday this week, so notifications may be a bit sporadic.

Congrats to all who have had similar good news.

 

[Pgb]

Hi guys

I have a conditional offer for Reading, March 16th intake pending medical.

Can anyone who has had the medical already tell me what it consists of?

Thank you

 

[387star]

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[tlionhart]

I got a very good feeling Oxford will hear. I know on the last drive they maxed the quota and offered Reading as an alternative. However I've been told Oxford need more.
Also think west will continue to recruit too. Hang in there, I'm sure everyone will get the news they want soon

 

[Donachie]

Still waiting to hear back on Stage 2 assessments for Paddington. Haven't heard anything since April last year.

Another for list, sat Stage 1 for Paddington last January, passed, nothing since.

Donachie.

 

[tlionhart]

LTV/EAST

d_kingscott -OXFORD
Oxoneil -OXFORD
SMUDGE -OXFORD
Run1nstar -PADDINGTON
Mightyirons77 -PADDINGTON

WEST

Maybe -BRISTOL
Ml -BRISTOL
Skjonesfamily -GLOUCESTER
Fgr_FGW -GLOUCESTER

STILL WAITING TO PROGRESS TO THE NEXT STAGE

Termy -PADDINGTON • Awaiting DM Interview/results for stage 2
Donachie -PADDINGTON • Awaiting stage 2


At the moment that's how the list stands.
(Which I'll update if any lurkers decide to register and post to the forum, or I've accidentally missed someone out)

 

[Maybe]

Congratulations to all those that have heard.

 

[tlionhart]

Congratulations to all those that have heard.

Thanks! Don't give up though, there's still plenty of time to hear something. It is de-motivating so I do understand how those feel who haven't heard.

 

[KT530]

Another happy man Had a phone call on Thursday for April course! Medical in February. I'd nearly lost hope. So anyone waiting don't lose your hope Has anyone got an idea about the course itself ? I mean how many hours per week, time off, etc.

Well done.

35 hrs per week. During rules & traction training (approx 4 months) circa 09:00 - 16:00 hrs Mon-Fri (although this will include 2 or 3 separate weeks of 'front end turns' having cab rides which could be any time of the day/night.

Then from approx month 5 when you start your handling to completion of training (currently between 11 months to 16 months) will be shifts following your Driver Instructor's shift pattern, 35 hrs per week. During handling you can work the Sundays your DI works and this is paid as overtime for you.

No time off is allowed during rules/traction training, time off during handling is not a problem.

Enjoy!

 

[387star]

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[oxoneil]

Seems no one has recently been offered a course for Oxford so if I was waiting on Oxford I'd take that as a good thing and Paddington are often after drivers looking good folks

Let's hope the west catches up

What's your reasoning behind this? I'd have thought that if they were short of DIs they'd want to spread the postings around on each course not load them up with just 1 or 2 depots???? I hope you turn out to be correct though obviously.

 

[Greg1205]

Well done.

35 hrs per week. During rules & traction training (approx 4 months) circa 09:00 - 16:00 hrs Mon-Fri (although this will include 2 or 3 separate weeks of 'front end turns' having cab rides which could be any time of the day/night.

Then from approx month 5 when you start your handling to completion of training (currently between 11 months to 16 months) will be shifts following your Driver Instructor's shift pattern, 35 hrs per week. During handling you can work the Sundays your DI works and this is paid as overtime for you.

No time off is allowed during rules/traction training, time off during handling is not a problem.

Enjoy!

Nice one sounds good.

 

[rafchris89]

Sorry I am one of the lurkers you mentioned. Waiting on second stage for Oxford. Was asked if I could do Reading as Oxford was over subscribed but live too far away.
Applied: Nov13
Passed first stage: Feb14

 

[tlionhart]

LTV/EAST

d_kingscott -OXFORD
Oxoneil -OXFORD
SMUDGE -OXFORD
Mightirons77 -PADDINGTON

WEST

Maybe -BRISTOL
Ml -BRISTOL
Skjonesfamily -GLOUCESTER
Fgr_FGW -GLOUCESTER

STILL WAITING TO PROGRESS TO THE NEXT STAGE

Termy -PADDINGTON • Awaiting DM Interview/results for stage 2
Donachie -PADDINGTON • Awaiting Stage 2
Mikey5519 -BRISTOL • Awaiting DM Interview
Spikesdad -WESTBURY • Awaiting DM Interview
Rafchris89 -OXFORD • Awaiting Stage 2


At the moment that's how the list stands.
(Which I'll update if any lurkers decide to register and post to the forum, or I've accidentally missed someone out)

 

[Johncleesefan]

Anyone had medical yet? What did they do to you lol

 

[thelongestroad]

Anyone had medical yet? What did they do to you lol

Bend over, recite the phonetic alphabet and pee in a tube.

 

[Johncleesefan]

Bend over, recite the phonetic alphabet and pee in a tube.

Sounds like a refreshing day out

 

[Covo23]

Anyone had medical yet? What did they do to you lol

Height max 6'4, weight, eye test, colour blind test, hearing, ecg, blood pressure less than 140/90, periferal vision check. Squat without falling over, doc will do a breathing check, drug test- pee in a cup. Doc will pass you fit there and then but you will wait pending drug test result


when you pass medical - they will ask for references and you need to get a crb check done too

 

[Rocombe11]

Height max 6'4, weight, eye test, colour blind test, hearing, ecg, blood pressure less than 140/90, periferal vision check. Squat without falling over, doc will do a breathing check, drug test- pee in a cup. Doc will pass you fit there and then but you will wait pending drug test result


when you pass medical - they will ask for references and you need to get a crb check done too

What was the breathing test, was it a peak flow test, blow as hard as you can into a tube? Average of three?

 

[Covo23]

What was the breathing test, was it a peak flow test, blow as hard as you can into a tube? Average of three?

No stethoscope deep breaths in and out. He taps on your chest and back.
I did not get the blow into the tube thingy.

Good luck for Thursday.

 

[Maybe]

With the references do they just contact who they want or do they ask you to provide contacts?

 

[VW]

Does anyone know what happens between passing the medical and the start date? It's just that I have a 2 week holiday booked in between and I am wondering whether I need to be in the country.

 

[Run1nstar]

Does anyone know what happens between passing the medical and the start date? It's just that I have a 2 week holiday booked in between and I am wondering whether I need to be in the country.

There will be a few things you will need to complete and send back to them as well as to complete CRB check and send yourself as well. Correspondence is usually quick when you accept the other.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

With the references do they just contact who they want or do they ask you to provide contacts?

You provide them with an employer and personal reference

 

[tlionhart]

Take it you got the job? what course date will you be on Run1nstar?

As for the CRB, does anyone know if this is a basic disclosure? I already have a recent CRB check done, so thinking of saving time and giving them that one?
The link they send you, is that to the CRB website?

 

[oxoneil]

Sorry I am one of the lurkers you mentioned. Waiting on second stage for Oxford. Was asked if I could do Reading as Oxford was over subscribed but live too far away.
Applied: Nov13
Passed first stage: Feb14

Looking at the user name are you Brize based?

 

[Maybe]

Take it you got the job? what course date will you be on Run1nstar?

As for the CRB, does anyone know if this is a basic disclosure? I already have a recent CRB check done, so thinking of saving time and giving them that one?
The link they send you, is that to the CRB website?

Disclosure scotland I believe which is a different check to a normal CRB

 

[tlionhart]

Disclosure scotland I believe which is a different check to a normal CRB

Same people. If it is DS then I don't need to bother re-applying for a new one