Freightliner Various Trainee Drivers

[Sandis]

Hello everyone,

After an anxious week found out last night that I've passed the tests and been invited to Crewe for the assessment day on 23rd 9am which I'm gutted about as I passed all the written and computer tests last year with GTR , anyway is anyone staying overnight?, I'm from Peterborough so Its the sensible option!

I'm on the same boat. Was it with GN? I've heard back today and at first was like "hell, yeah!" that I passed but then thought "well, what if I don't reach enhanced standards?". I had a whole day at work to think things through and decided to go for it. If I pass it will only give me more confidence that I am right for the job and if I don't go I will regret. It's 31st 9am for me. Let's practise.

 

[GLENMAYE77]

I’m the 31st as well.

 

[Jay_t]

Any one 23rd at 13:00?

 

[Stigy]

Can anybody advise where Freighliner carry out their driver training (or the weeks/months before the practice training at least)? I've attempted to research this but as yet haven't found any answers. If I was fortunate enough to pass the assessments and eventually get offered a job, I'll be based at Eastleigh (Nr Southampton) which as far as I'm aware is the only one of very few (if not the only one) southern based depots. This lead me to think they would have training centre in the north somewhere, but I just can't find any answers. Not even sure if they do their own training or it's done by a 3rd party? During my research I found they do have a lot of business in the south of England (senior HR people and other managers being based there), so it got me even more confused .

At the same time, I know their HQ is in London?

 

[Pete C]

You'd think that training would be at or near the depot you've opted to work at, or is that wishful thinking?

 

[casualdav]

Any one 23rd at 13:00?

Yeah, I am.

You'd think that training would be at or near the depot you've opted to work at, or is that wishful thinking?

I'd assume that also.

 

[Lenny_1986]

I definitely think that Freightliner should be providing more information especially after I’ve been reading that people will be forking out for travel and hotels for a job that they could potentially turn down once told the terms and conditions

 

[casualdav]

I definitely think that Freightliner should be providing more information especially after I’ve been reading that people will be forking out for travel and hotels for a job that they could potentially turn down once told the terms and conditions

Yeah it seems like a great money spinner for the opc and the hotel

 

[Stigy]

You'd think that training would be at or near the depot you've opted to work at, or is that wishful thinking?

I’d like to think this too but the classroom based training, certainly for TOCs is usually at a central location so was wondering about this mainly. Obviously the practical driving stuff will probably be localised....I assume anyway, as this makes sense with routes etc?

 

[Stigy]

Yeah it seems like a great money spinner for the opc and the hotel

I agree. I’m travelling up on a PRIV which is only £20, but when you start paying £80 to £100 for a ticket plus accommodation it mounts up. I’m happy to do this to show willing, but we will have to see how it pans out if I pass the assessments (the results of course can be used wherever not solely for this company).

 

[Teddyward]

When I had my driver manager interview I was advised the first bit of training would be at either Ipswich, ferrybridge or Crewe and then on to assigned depot for route learning.

 

[Pete C]

When I had my driver manager interview I was advised the first bit of training would be at either Ipswich, ferrybridge or Crewe and then on to assigned depot for route learning.

Have you been offered a position then, Teddy? Did they mention if your travel would be covered to get to the training location? You'd think if your permanent place of work is the depot you're assigned to then you ought to get paid the difference i.e. Tilbury>Ipswich...

 

[Stigy]

When I had my driver manager interview I was advised the first bit of training would be at either Ipswich, ferrybridge or Crewe and then on to assigned depot for route learning.

Thanks for the info. I assume then that this training would be residential depending on where you live or the depot you'll be based at?

 

[Teddyward]

Thanks for the info. I assume then that this training would be residential depending on where you live or the depot you'll be based at?

I believe you get room & board. Wasn’t lucky enough to find out.

 

[Stigy]

I believe you get room & board. Wasn’t lucky enough to find out.

Sorry to hear you didn’t get the job, however, I’m assuming you passed all assessments, which are transferable?

 

[bwlv9]

Deleted

 

[Pete C]

Agreed, I asked a few questions yesterday regarding holidays and pensions as the information isn't available from the website but needs to be taken into account by applicants before committing to days off for assessments and interviews I feel.

I'm about £130 and a day's annual leave down so far for the first assessment day, worth it just for the experience though IMO

 

[Instructor_Guy]

I'm self employed so getting the time off wasn't a problem, will just miss out on getting payed that day

 

[Teddyward]

Sorry to hear you didn’t get the job, however, I’m assuming you passed all assessments, which are transferable?

Yes I had already done them. I only took MMI with freightliner and failed DMI. I have got a job with another operator.

 

[Stigy]

Yes I had already done them. I only took MMI with freightliner and failed DMI. I have got a job with another operator.

Result then, got there anyway so it’s all good? I know it’s a long road nonetheless! I already work for a TOC so get some good benefits.

 

[Minnie113]

anyone got any more practice Driver Fault Finding Test (DFFT) can't seem to find anymore to practice

 

[Bullybully18]

Can anybody advise where Freighliner carry out their driver training (or the weeks/months before the practice training at least)? I've attempted to research this but as yet haven't found any answers. If I was fortunate enough to pass the assessments and eventually get offered a job, I'll be based at Eastleigh (Nr Southampton) which as far as I'm aware is the only one of very few (if not the only one) southern based depots. This lead me to think they would have training centre in the north somewhere, but I just can't find any answers. Not even sure if they do their own training or it's done by a 3rd party? During my research I found they do have a lot of business in the south of England (senior HR people and other managers being based there), so it got me even more confused .

At the same time, I know their HQ is in London?

When I joined Freightliner as a Trainee with Heavy Haul all the classroom based training was done at Gresty Road which is in Crewe. There were about 14 of us on that course and all those who lived over a hour away from Crewe were put up in a hotel for the duration of the course which with Traction was approx 10 weeks. Training was done in house and was very good I knew nothing when I started and came away with very understanding of both the rule book and Traction. After this for driving hours it was at your depot with a driver trainer. The pension was with the Freightliner section of the railway pension scheme and is a good scheme. Freightliner for me were an excellent employer and had circumstances not been different I would still be with them now, but with the downturn in Coal traffic and closure of steel plants work could not be guaranteed in the long term a freight driver works when the company have good contracts to move freight. However, Freightliner are definitely the company that I would recommend and enjoyed my time with them (I now drive for a TOC). Freightliner intermodal as far as I know train at Ipswich, but I could be wrong on this account and I am not sure what arrangements are made regarding accommodation for trainees with them. There are a number of depots spread around the south for Heavy Haul Eastleigh, Reading and Hoo junction being the main ones. Hope this helps a little, my tips would be study the assessment material sent to you, do your research, relax when you do the assessments they are explained well on the day and the assessor ensures everybody understands what is required before the test is started. If you are unsure ask, there is never a stupid question on the railway. When you do the MMI keep your answers simple but make sure they relate to the question that has been asked. There is so much information within these forums it is well worth a few hours of reading through as most of the questions you will have have already been asked by people in previous threads. I wish you all good luck if you are lucky enough to get accepted know that there was 299 people that weren't. The only thing left to say now is remember when interviewed emphasise "safety, safety ,safety oh and did I mention safety".

 

[Stigy]

When I joined Freightliner as a Trainee with Heavy Haul all the classroom based training was done at Gresty Road which is in Crewe. There were about 14 of us on that course and all those who lived over a hour away from Crewe were put up in a hotel for the duration of the course which with Traction was approx 10 weeks. Training was done in house and was very good I knew nothing when I started and came away with very understanding of both the rule book and Traction. After this for driving hours it was at your depot with a driver trainer. The pension was with the Freightliner section of the railway pension scheme and is a good scheme. Freightliner for me were an excellent employer and had circumstances not been different I would still be with them now, but with the downturn in Coal traffic and closure of steel plants work could not be guaranteed in the long term a freight driver works when the company have good contracts to move freight. However, Freightliner are definitely the company that I would recommend and enjoyed my time with them (I now drive for a TOC). Freightliner intermodal as far as I know train at Ipswich, but I could be wrong on this account and I am not sure what arrangements are made regarding accommodation for trainees with them. There are a number of depots spread around the south for Heavy Haul Eastleigh, Reading and Hoo junction being the main ones. Hope this helps a little, my tips would be study the assessment material sent to you, do your research, relax when you do the assessments they are explained well on the day and the assessor ensures everybody understands what is required before the test is started. If you are unsure ask, there is never a stupid question on the railway. When you do the MMI keep your answers simple but make sure they relate to the question that has been asked. There is so much information within these forums it is well worth a few hours of reading through as most of the questions you will have have already been asked by people in previous threads. I wish you all good luck if you are lucky enough to get accepted know that there was 299 people that weren't. The only thing left to say now is remember when interviewed emphasise "safety, safety ,safety oh and did I mention safety".

Thanks for this advice, it really is much appreciated! I currently work for a TOC so know how the railway works, but I’d never considered freight before applying to Freightliner so all info you have provided is great! I had to research heavy haul and intermodal as I’ll be honest the terms confused me lol. I assumed Eastleigh (where I applied for) was intermodal being by the docks? (Of course I could have completed misread about what intermodal is).

Can I just ask also, how do the perks compare between TOCs and FOCs? I’m assuming you don’t get free travel with a FOC, but do you get PRIV travel or discounted season tickets like NWR offer? Working for a TOC is great in that respect so I just wondered how they differed?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Pete C]

From what I read elsewhere you get nothing in terms of discounted travel with Freightliner but I would love for someone who knows to come and tell me I'm wrong!

 

[Lew0291]

Can anyone clarify if it’s 1 min or 2 min per sheet on the group bourdon test?

 

[Lenny_1986]

Can anyone clarify if it’s 1 min or 2 min per sheet on the group bourdon test?

2 minutes per sheet, 5 sheets

 

[Lew0291]

2 minutes per sheet, 5 sheets

Thank you

 

[Bristol VRIII]

Hello everyone,


I'm on the same boat. Was it with GN? I've heard back today and at first was like "hell, yeah!" that I passed but then thought "well, what if I don't reach enhanced standards?". I had a whole day at work to think things through and decided to go for it. If I pass it will only give me more confidence that I am right for the job and if I don't go I will regret. It's 31st 9am for me. Let's practise.

Hey Sandis yeah it was with GN last summer and I was the same over the moon at first then disappointed to see I have to go through all that stress again. I have sent an email to the OPC asking for Clarification however I have decided to play it safe and withdraw unless they say otherwise. Since I did my assessments last year I have started working for a TOC and gotten to know people which can only help increase my chances and only having to do the MMI again knowing that I only failed on one question also. Not a decision I have taken lightly I would love to work for FL and be based in my hometown of Peterborough too!

 

[Bristol VRIII]

From what I read elsewhere you get nothing in terms of discounted travel with Freightliner but I would love for someone who knows to come and tell me I'm wrong!

Think you still get 75% discount Priv card for off leisure travel only but don't quote me on that lol

 

[Crazyb]

Thanks for this advice, it really is much appreciated! I currently work for a TOC so know how the railway works, but I’d never considered freight before applying to Freightliner so all info you have provided is great! I had to research heavy haul and intermodal as I’ll be honest the terms confused me lol. I assumed Eastleigh (where I applied for) was intermodal being by the docks? (Of course I could have completed misread about what intermodal is).

Can I just ask also, how do the perks compare between TOCs and FOCs? I’m assuming you don’t get free travel with a FOC, but do you get PRIV travel or discounted season tickets like NWR offer? Working for a TOC is great in that respect so I just wondered how they differed?

Thanks in advance!

I'm a Ex Intermodal driver and now work at a TOC.

You will lose all your travel concessions unless your old British Rail, pre 1993 I think. If you are ex BR like myself, you pay tax on your travel passes, unlike a TOC, you don't pay any tax.

You don't really get any benefits really...HH, I think get a health scheme with their contracts, but I can't be defo on that.

So if you have to travel by train everyday, you will pay full price. You do have carparks, so easy enough to drive.

We have fought for the newbies, but ATOC will not have any of it....