Freightliner Intermodal after trainee drivers across UK

[infiltrator]

Whatever happens - its a major downer :/
All this way, all this hard work to beat almost 7000 applicants, to now be (possibly) told that you are not progressing due to outside factors. Clearly not the companies fault, but absolutely gutting. (if that proves to be the case)

I think there is still a glimmer of hope - I don't see why they would keep us hanging on if all the courses had been cancelled already? we are still all at a stage were they can still turn around and say we haven't been successful! its not like we are at the stage of a signed contract etc - so surely they would just say we haven't been successful and have done?

I guess I/we will have to look at a passenger TOC next, that might be the only way in now - and for the next few years. How do you word an application that made it the final interviews but failed due to the government!

Fingers still crossed - but the excitement has gone, for now. :/

 

[Daz9284]

Whatever happens - its a major downer :/
All this way, all this hard work to beat almost 7000 applicants, to now be (possibly) told that you are not progressing due to outside factors. Clearly not the companies fault, but absolutely gutting. (if that proves to be the case)

I think there is still a glimmer of hope - I don't see why they would keep us hanging on if all the courses had been cancelled already? we are still all at a stage were they can still turn around and say we haven't been successful! its not like we are at the stage of a signed contract etc - so surely they would just say we haven't been successful and have done?

I guess I/we will have to look at a passenger TOC next, that might be the only way in now - and for the next few years. How do you word an application that made it the final interviews but failed due to the government!

Fingers still crossed - but the excitement has gone, for now. :/

You just say you have passed the tail centre assessments, like I did with Northern Rail after passing assessments for FLHH. I was supposed to be on March intake but got a letter the other week saying course postponed indefinitely.

Just got to keep chin up and keep looking and applying

Regards
Darryl

 

[kelv]

I'd say that if you put in an application that you passed all assessments but the courses were cancelled by the company due to an unforeseen downturn then whoever would understand.
I had this situation many times in Engineering including where I attended an interview & was told they'd be in touch in the next few days with a start date ( they made things for Jaguar Landrover ), I got in my car on the way home turned on the radio & the Radio Merseyside news announced that Jag Landrover were cutting a shift and going on short time........ Job no longer existed.
I reckon a lot of the TOC's have tried to gear up with their recruitment in anticipation of being awarded franchises previously but at the moment they all seem to be waiting, Northern's Recruitment seems to have stopped entirely over the last few months.

 

[red2005]

situations like this are one of the main reasons i never applied to freight......Foc work is only as strong as it's last contract and if they lose it for whatever reason they have to scratch around looking for work etc......that uncertainty and risk of redundancies really put me off.

At least with toc work someone else just comes in to take over........bit of variety with freight and sometimes fantastic money but i think I'd rather the security with a lower basic salary (sometimes) personally.

gutted for these applicants though i know how disheartening this is.

 

[JAMBO]

Do you work for inter HR? As the last email we got a week and a half ago assured us that it was going ahead. I believe this one has been agreed abd all HH ones are canceled abd any future inter ones. But what it did say was that the work load was being re assessed.

If it had been canceled they would have said there and then in the email we got most recently. They would have no reason to hang it out

All the intermodal work that is spare has been transferred to heavy haul as there is a downturn in the coal . Can't imagine any trainee courses in the near future for either intermodal or Heavy haul

 

[Driver068]

I'd say that if you put in an application that you passed all assessments but the courses were cancelled by the company due to an unforeseen downturn then whoever would understand.
I had this situation many times in Engineering including where I attended an interview & was told they'd be in touch in the next few days with a start date ( they made things for Jaguar Landrover ), I got in my car on the way home turned on the radio & the Radio Merseyside news announced that Jag Landrover were cutting a shift and going on short time........ Job no longer existed.
I reckon a lot of the TOC's have tried to gear up with their recruitment in anticipation of being awarded franchises previously but at the moment they all seem to be waiting, Northern's Recruitment seems to have stopped entirely over the last few months.

May I ask how often do you check vacancies on TOC/FOC websites as Northern have done nothing but recruit over the last 3 months

 

[455driver]

The coal transportation industry has died after the government increased the tax paid on it meaning the freight operators now have a surplus of drivers, DBS are making a couple f hundred redundant and FL are moving drivers across to Intermodal to try and soak up as many as possible.

Basically there are too many freight drivers at the moment so why would any of them take on trainees!

 

[Aivilo]

The coal transportation industry has died after the government increased the tax paid on it meaning the freight operators now have a surplus of drivers, DBS are making a couple f hundred redundant and FL are moving drivers across to Intermodal to try and soak up as many as possible.

Basically there are too many freight drivers at the moment so why would any of them take on trainees!

Network rail have also increased what it costs to run coal/nuclear trains according to the impact it has on the infrastructure (no different weight wise to what is ran for them) so where coal was executed to pick up it'll never be anything like it used to.

 

[stevieoz]

Hello All

Is there anybody on here who applied for Freightliner Intermodal who has had an update.

They have been excellent up to this point with regards to keeping us informed so hopefully will continue to do so.

This post is aimed at those who did the driver manager interview please, not aimed at those who applied to heavy haul.

Thanks

 

[yerman164]

Hello All

Is there anybody on here who applied for Freightliner Intermodal who has had an update.

They have been excellent up to this point with regards to keeping us informed so hopefully will continue to do so.

This post is aimed at those who did the driver manager interview please, not aimed at those who applied to heavy haul.

Thanks

Hi,

I haven't had an update recently, hopefully a final decision will be reached soon.

The previous update did sound positive in terms of a future trainee driver scheme; however it is difficult to judge the situation based on a lot of the comments on here which indicate there won't be any recruitment.

 

[Daz9284]

A

Hi,

I haven't had an update recently, hopefully a final decision will be reached soon.

The previous update did sound positive in terms of a future trainee driver scheme; however it is difficult to judge the situation based on a lot of the comments on here which indicate there won't be any recruitment.

Since FLHH have transferred locos to FLIM, and and FLHH drivers are doing FLIM work. I can't see any recruitment being done until FL win ALOT more work

Regards
Darryl

 

[Jace69er]

A

Since FLHH have transferred locos to FLIM, and and FLHH drivers are doing FLIM work. I can't see any recruitment being done until FL win ALOT more work

Regards
Darryl

Right let's look at this logically here. The last email that was sent said it's going ahead and that they were assessing work loads

Now let's just say that HH have taken work from IM to help keep them busy. What happens when HH win contracts of their own again? And as we all know contracts come up constantly and can be very short notice. So let's just say HH do win contracts (like the recent one they just took from DRS) then that leaves IM back at square one being short of drivers.

I doubt very much that a company like IM would allow them self to be caught with their pants down like that would you?

I ain't saying it's all going forward as planned but I still think certain depots will need trainee drivers and I think they will run a class of some sorts

Unless anyone else knows different? Because if it was a case of no go then why have everyone hang on for so long?

 

[JAMBO]

It's a certainty that there will be no trainee drivers taken on at Freightliner.

 

[yerman164]

It's a certainty that there will be no trainee drivers taken on at Freightliner.

If it's that certain, why haven't people been told? Or has it only just been decided? The most recent update from Freightliner indicated that there would still be a trainee course.

 

[Hunter.ed]

If it's that certain, why haven't people been told? Or has it only just been decided? The most recent update from Freightliner indicated that there would still be a trainee course.

I completely agree! So many on this seem to spout information as if they have some insider info.
I completely agree that if ice a decision had been taken not to proceed we would all have been informed so until Corinne says otherwise I will be going on the basis that things are still on track

 

[WCMLaddict]

The thing is that quite a few people on this forum DO have insider info...

 

[Hunter.ed]

Yes quite possibly but there seems to be an awful lot of surmising and conflicting information. As I said before....until Corinne gets in touch as far as I'm concerned it's all still on track.....pardon the pun.

 

[JAMBO]

If you believe there will be a course then fair enough... But current drivers driving trains now know fine well with the current climate that it just won't happen. How can it? HH are taking a chunk of intermodal work to actually keep a large percentage of drivers from been redundant?!! . So why would a company take on even more trainees. There are literally drivers sat doing nothing. It's not productive and makes no sense at all to take someone off the street spend 100k training them up when you have qualified drivers sat spare at a depot who work for the company. If vacancies were created and if that happens within the next 2 year I will be shocked then all that will happen is drivers will transfer from HH to intermodal. If I was in your situation I wouldn't hang around waiting for a call I would be Pershing a trainee position with a passenger company.

 

[Daz9284]

I was supposedly starting on the March FLHH intake, I was then told it was still happening but was then postponed until the summer (FLHH knew about the downturn in work at this point as drivers said the course wouldn't happen, when I was told by FL it was still planned).

I was then informed by FLHH a few weeks ago that the intake has been postponed indefinitely.

Regards
Darryl
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Now let's just say that HH have taken work from IM to help keep them busy. What happens when HH win contracts of their own again? And as we all know contracts come up constantly and can be very short notice. So let's just say HH do win contracts (like the recent one they just took from DRS) then that leaves IM back at square one being short of drivers.

What contract have FLHH won from DRS? If it's the NDS work, then it was DRS who didn't want it anymore as they've won a contract with a major supermarket for more box traffic, which pays more and more profitable.

Regards
Darryl

 

[455driver]

Right let's look at this logically here.

I wish you would!

The last email that was sent said it's going ahead and that they were assessing work loads

Now let's just say that HH have taken work from IM to help keep them busy. What happens when HH win contracts of their own again? And as we all know contracts come up constantly and can be very short notice. So let's just say HH do win contracts (like the recent one they just took from DRS) then that leaves IM back at square one being short of drivers.

I doubt very much that a company like IM would allow them self to be caught with their pants down like that would you?

I ain't saying it's all going forward as planned but I still think certain depots will need trainee drivers and I think they will run a class of some sorts

Unless anyone else knows different? Because if it was a case of no go then why have everyone hang on for so long?

Because its easier to have people hanging on in the slim chance they are needed!
Do you honestly think that despite having a surplus of drivers over the whole company at the moment due to the massive reduction in coal transportation with no sign of any coal traffic recovery or any work to replace it FLHH will train up new drivers (at great cost) 'just in case' they win some work do you, even though they have lots of spare drivers at the moment and the fact that there are redundant qualified freight (ex DBS) drivers looking for work.

If you think there is work available (your new contracts line) then why is their main competitor (DBS) making drivers redundant, surely they would be looking to take on this extra work even on a break even contract just to keep people in employment, the simple fact is that there is no extra work available and even if there was any work available it would be done by the spare drivers they already have!
The simple fact is that there is no new work on the horizon in the foreseeable future but FL are trying to hang on to their current staff despite it costing them and there would need to be a huge contract for them to need more drivers plus they would need the correct wagons for the freight so that would take a while to sort out etc!

Its a good job you don't run your own company with that sort of attitude, companies are there to make money, not p-ss it up the wall on just in case' scenarios!

 

[JAMBO]

At last someone with my interpretation on the industry. Why some can't see this is quite worrying. The facts are there. There is more drivers than work fact!!! Some need to accept they won't be made up as drivers for Freightliner. Just move on, get over it,apply for other positions Otherwise your in for a very long wait.

 

[Nic nic]

At last someone with my interpretation on the industry. Why some can't see this is quite worrying. The facts are there. There is more drivers than work fact!!! Some need to accept they won't be made up as drivers for Freightliner. Just move on, get over it,apply for other positions Otherwise your in for a very long wait.

have to agree. Speaking as a candidate it is disheartening but I got far further than I thought I could. Dust yourselves off guys and keep looking hopefully us in the south won't be as badly affected as the coal driven north. chin up guys we did well.

 

[stevieoz]

Hello All

Question is how long is your interpretation of a few weeks??

Was bang on 3 weeks on last communication.

 

[Fred Dinenage]

I completely agree! So many on this seem to spout information as if they have some insider info.
I completely agree that if ice a decision had been taken not to proceed we would all have been informed so until Corinne says otherwise I will be going on the basis that things are still on track

Some of the people on here are actual freight company drivers who obviously know the industry inside-out, have some humility and accept the FL positions don't exist. No wonder some in the industry look upon those of us pursuing employment as " wannabes " with petulant posts like yours.

 

[class 9]

Just to clear things up, there will be no further recruitment of trainee drivers on either IM or HH.
The efffects of the the increase in the carbon floor price(carbon tax) has litterally killed off coal traffic,(it is now cheaper to generate power using gas stations), down about 80%, this has affected a hell of a lot of drivers.
Some Intermodal work has been transferred to HH on a temporary basis for around 3 months.
IF there is going to be any redundancies on HH, any Intermodal vacancies will be offered to them.
The bottom line is that now there is no need for trainees.
ps I work for HH.

 

[Hunter.ed]

Some of the people on here are actual freight company drivers who obviously know the industry inside-out, have some humility and accept the FL positions don't exist. No wonder some in the industry look upon those of us pursuing employment as " wannabes " with petulant posts like yours.

I'm sorry you clearly take offence at my comments....I'm just stating the simple point that until we are officially told by the powers that be, then I'm holding my viewpoint. I'm neither claiming other posters to be liars nor disrespecting them. If you look back thru all this thread there's a large number of conflicting statements that have been made. You clearly have your thoughts and views which I respect but kindly do the honour of allowing others their own.

 

[Jace69er]

I wish you would!

Because its easier to have people hanging on in the slim chance they are needed!
Do you honestly think that despite having a surplus of drivers over the whole company at the moment due to the massive reduction in coal transportation with no sign of any coal traffic recovery or any work to replace it FLHH will train up new drivers (at great cost) 'just in case' they win some work do you, even though they have lots of spare drivers at the moment and the fact that there are redundant qualified freight (ex DBS) drivers looking for work.

If you think there is work available (your new contracts line) then why is their main competitor (DBS) making drivers redundant, surely they would be looking to take on this extra work even on a break even contract just to keep people in employment, the simple fact is that there is no extra work available and even if there was any work available it would be done by the spare drivers they already have!
The simple fact is that there is no new work on the horizon in the foreseeable future but FL are trying to hang on to their current staff despite it costing them and there would need to be a huge contract for them to need more drivers plus they would need the correct wagons for the freight so that would take a while to sort out etc!

Its a good job you don't run your own company with that sort of attitude, companies are there to make money, not p-ss it up the wall on just in case' scenarios!

You wish I would? clearly you know better than me so enlighten me on how you know all of what you know is a certainty?

You keep referring to HH intakes when this is about IM. Yes they are the same parent company however at this moment in time they are still being operated as separate divisions.

As for the comments asking why IM would take on trainees when they have drivers... Yes they do have drivers but has it ever crossed your mind how many of those drivers at certain depots are due for retirement? one depot has lost at least 5 drivers due to this and will be loosing several more very soon.

You also have the transpennine franchise award coming up and as they use HH drivers for their Scottish depot that will also have a huge impact.

Now as I have stated before I believe there will be trainees of some sorts but no where near the amount that was planned

And no I certainly don't have "inside info" but the way some of you lot were acting you would think Mark Smith was your best mate as had you sit in on the meeting.

Believe what you like but I will sit and wait and if it's a no then so be it. But half the crap being spouted on here is borderline laughable. Just a case of "my dicks bigger than yours "
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I was supposedly starting on the March FLHH intake, I was then told it was still happening but was then postponed until the summer (FLHH knew about the downturn in work at this point as drivers said the course wouldn't happen, when I was told by FL it was still planned).

I was then informed by FLHH a few weeks ago that the intake has been postponed indefinitely.

Regards
Darryl
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


What contract have FLHH won from DRS? If it's the NDS work, then it was DRS who didn't want it anymore as they've won a contract with a major supermarket for more box traffic, which pays more and more profitable.

Regards
Darryl

Who said "Won"? I said "taken" as DRS were told to off load it by the directors and freightliner took it.

 

[JAMBO]

Correct it is laughable....in reality drivers know what's happening. you mention retirements. Use your brain, what do you think will happen if IM have say 20 retirements now? They will either not replace them as the HH guys will swallow the work up so that all there drivers meet there allocated hours, or HH guys will be offered the vacancy to work direct for IM. It's not rocket science it's a simple fact of what is happening and will happen on the freight. I honestly don't think you realise how much of a mess the industry is in. Do you honestly think it fair to recruit trainees also when We have good freinds who are part of something like 300 experienced qualified drivers who are been shunted out at DBS? No....and as for TPE franchise how will that have a massive impact, it won't at all. From a manager of a company do you have drivers earning good money sat in the garden the pub or wherever or do you utilise them to full potential? Or do you say let's take on even more off the street spend A million which the company are trying to save and have the drivers doing even less than before? . I'm struggling to understand how you think,Just forget about. If I were in anyone's shoes now I would move on and try my luck elsewhere.

 

[yerman164]

Reading a lot of the comments on here from people who are clearly in the industry, it does seem unlikely that IM would take on any trainees given the current situation at HH.

However, it also appears that this situation has been known about for many months. The recruitment process for trainee drivers for IM still continued all summer, at what must have been considerable expense. Interviews still took place and there has been very recent communication from IM that explicitly stated, and was clearly highlighted in the e-mail (in bold and underlined), that they do still intend to run a trainee course.

Given all of the above it does seem that there is still a possibility of trainee drivers being taken on by IM, otherwise I cannot see why they would explicitly state in recent communication that they still intend to run a trainee course.

 

[Jace69er]

Correct it is laughable....in reality drivers know what's happening. you mention retirements. Use your brain, what do you think will happen if IM have say 20 retirements now? They will either not replace them as the HH guys will swallow the work up so that all there drivers meet there allocated hours, or HH guys will be offered the vacancy to work direct for IM. It's not rocket science it's a simple fact of what is happening and will happen on the freight. I honestly don't think you realise how much of a mess the industry is in. Do you honestly think it fair to recruit trainees also when We have good freinds who are part of something like 300 experienced qualified drivers who are been shunted out at DBS? No....and as for TPE franchise how will that have a massive impact, it won't at all. From a manager of a company do you have drivers earning good money sat in the garden the pub or wherever or do you utilise them to full potential? Or do you say let's take on even more off the street spend A million which the company are trying to save and have the drivers doing even less than before? . I'm struggling to understand how you think,Just forget about. If I were in anyone's shoes now I would move on and try my luck elsewhere.

I was referring to both IM and HH when I mentioned the retirements. There have been a few on both sides.

And with regards to the Tpe, that's the meat of the work for the drivers at Mossend these days. In fact they are apparently struggling to cover both that and any other work that's on the go. If they do win the TPE contract again it is looking like the services run out of Scotland will increase with extra trains in and out of Glasgow in the evening and also direct services to Liverpool. When this happens they will be looking for the extra drivers. Who do you think will supply these? the depot that's struggling to cover the work being given to them just now?