Freightliner Various Trainee Drivers

[Bristol VRIII]

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!

Forgot to add anyone's thoughts on this would greatly be appreciated as I haven't officially withdrew yet

 

[Stanstaff]

Just a quick question what the difference between an enhanced pass. It would be nice if a pass was a pass and not complicate things with enhanced passes for different companies.

 

[Jay_t]

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

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 wonder how secure these placements will be? Been reading up alot on other forums and it seems the general comment is that your job wont be as secure as you think!

If only they would put more info out about the role, save everyone second guessing!

 

[Crazyb]

I wonder how secure these placements will be? Been reading up alot on other forums and it seems the general comment is that your job wont be as secure as you think!

If only they would put more info out about the role, save everyone second guessing!

The freight went through a bad period a few years back, not only Freightliner, but also GBRF lost some ground crew and obviously DBS had a massive impact.

At the moment there are loads of jobs out there for freight, but because of the last few years, FOC's are finding it hard to recruit qualified drivers , this is why they have trainee vacancies all over the place.
Don't get me wrong, they have employed qualified drivers, but not many. I can remember when Freightliner had a waiting list.

Over the years FOC's have also suffered with pensions, but I think Freightliner still are 100%, and I may stand wrong here, but I think the yanks may of invested into the pension. someone will correct me !!!

Theres is also a issue over the pay and the % we all ways got (This is all FOC's). Out came the hardship talk, and one year at Freightliner we never got anything.

When we started Freightliner off in 1997 we was 3rd in the table, even above Virgin. Now if you look at Freightliner, I think the drivers are just over 46K plus a £1800 a year sign on fee. You look at Virgin now, they are on
65520k, plus london weighting of £1700 plus Sundays and plus a sign on fee for a RD of £75....Plus loads of benefits. Now I signed the same route has the Virgin drivers, so why should I stay at Freightliner !!!

The security of the freight. Thats hard to say....I was out last night with some Freightliner guys (Intermodal), that is one of the better FOC's, but you can never tell what will happen. Contracts seem to go from one FOC to another, sometimes it's a complete joke. I done nearly 3 decades on the freight and seen loads.

I won't knock it or the FOC's, but as a new starter from the streets, this is a good opportunity and your not going to get a better one.

Once you see how long they will bond you for, you can move on.

 

[Crazyb]

OPPPPS

 

[Bullybully18]

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....

Absolutely correct. No priv travel with Freightliner unless you are ex BR

 

[Minnie113]

Can anyone let me know which are computer based or paper based assessments which we will be completing on the assessment day please.

* The Trainability for Rules and Procedures Test Part 1 and 2

· The Group Bourdon Concentration Test

· The Driver Fault Finding Test (DFFT)

· The Test of Everyday Attention for Occupational Assessment (TEA-Occ)

 

[martin2345uk]

Can anyone let me know which are computer based or paper based assessments which we will be completing on the assessment day please.

* The Trainability for Rules and Procedures Test Part 1 and 2

· The Group Bourdon Concentration Test

· The Driver Fault Finding Test (DFFT)

· The Test of Everyday Attention for Occupational Assessment (TEA-Occ)

All of the above are paper based tests AFAIK.

 

[Minnie113]

All of the above are paper based tests AFAIK.

Cheers mate, appreciate that

 

[Mike121]

Does anyone know how long a pass or enhanced pass is valid for once taken? Is it 5 years?

 

[L4zy]

Hi everyone.

First time poster here. I have until Friday to complete the opc online tests. All the info on here is great so many thanks.

My question is;

If I do the tests on my laptop would I need a proper mouse or would the mouse pad on the laptop be fine (if you actually need to use a mouse).

Thanks in advance everyone.

 

[Stigy]

Hi everyone.

First time poster here. I have until Friday to complete the opc online tests. All the info on here is great so many thanks.

My question is;

If I do the tests on my laptop would I need a proper mouse or would the mouse pad on the laptop be fine (if you actually need to use a mouse).

Thanks in advance everyone.

Hi, you can use a laptop without a mouse, but it can be easier with one (to be honest it’s fiddly anyway so I doubt it matters much). Steer clear of tablets or phones though.

 

[Teddyward]

Does anyone know how long a pass or enhanced pass is valid for once taken? Is it 5 years?

Up to 5 years. Varies between operators.

 

[Stigy]

Thanks for all the info re the perks etc from those in the know! I’ve kind of been wrapped in cotton wool as it were, being employed by a TOC (as I assume have loads of other applicants). I’ll be honest this is a stepping stone for me in terms of getting in to driving and I’d probably accept a job regardless of the perks if I passed all the assessments and interviews and was offered a place on a course. Once you’re a driver you’re a driver after all, and nobody has to stay put!

If the finer details of the job turn out not to be great, you have the assessment passes to use elsewhere too.

 

[BMoore]

Question: When doing the practice tests on VSE task 3 is it 4 seconds to answer each line (task 1 & 2) or 4 seconds for each task then move onto the next line

Cheers

 

[PaulBusDriver]

Question: When doing the practice tests on VSE task 3 is it 4 seconds to answer each line (task 1 & 2) or 4 seconds for each task then move onto the next line

Cheers

You end up with task one on the left hand side and task two on the right.
You are expected to deal with task one as the primary task and task two at the same time.

 

[BMoore]

You end up with task one on the left hand side and task two on the right.
You are expected to deal with task one as the primary task and task two at the same time.

Thanks for explaining that so it’s just 4 seconds for each line (task 1&2) with task one being the priority

 

[Instructor_Guy]

Assessment day's getting closer now another question for those who have done the assessments before - would you say they're easy or difficullt to complete on the day? I've been practing them and seem fairly confident in my ability to do well. Reading through this thread and a number of other threads it seems that quite a few people pass the assessments and are waiting for the next step.

 

[Dante]

I've just been advised by the OPC to make a choice between this application and my DB Cargo one due to the assessment days being a week apart. A toughy..

 

[PaulBusDriver]

Thanks for explaining that so it’s just 4 seconds for each line (task 1&2) with task one being the priority

I'm not quite sure what you have been told about the tests. First test is about 12 arrows, one of them is a coloured dot that represents a train moving clockwise around a track.
The second test is a bunch of shapes, you will see two columns of them. The third test is a combination of the two tests and you get about two seconds on the shapes test to make a decision whereas the first test you have to be attentive and vigilant the whole time

 

[BMoore]

I'm not quite sure what you have been told about the tests. First test is about 12 arrows, one of them is a coloured dot that represents a train moving clockwise around a track.
The second test is a bunch of shapes, you will see two columns of them. The third test is a combination of the two tests and you get about two seconds on the shapes test to make a decision whereas the first test you have to be attentive and vigilant the while time

I’m referring to the practise test

 

[PaulBusDriver]

I’m referring to the practise test

Oh Right. They recommend two seconds for each "square" on the 2nd test and one second for the first but bear in mind the actual test is a little different to the practice material although it does prepare you for the online test.

 

[martin2345uk]

Okay I’m getting nervous for the assessment centre on Friday now!!!

 

[Patriotic_Wolf]

Okay I’m getting nervous for the assessment centre on Friday now!!!

What depot are you applying for?
Is this your first time?

 

[Static65]

I've just been advised by the OPC to make a choice between this application and my DB Cargo one due to the assessment days being a week apart. A toughy..

I've had exactly the same reply this morning, must choose only 1 application to proceed with. DB have said they test to the normal standard and Freightliner to an enhanced standard.

 

[Sandis]

Assessment day's getting closer now another question for those who have done the assessments before - would you say they're easy or difficullt to complete on the day? I've been practing them and seem fairly confident in my ability to do well. Reading through this thread and a number of other threads it seems that quite a few people pass the assessments and are waiting for the next step.

From my experience I'd say it's about how you deal with being under pressure. Can you really focus and concentrate on the task? Obviously you're there because you want to succeed. Your heart rate will be elevated. There is time pressure and an element of competition, too. You've already passed SJT and VSE. You have a potential. Practise is the key. The G-B Tool available here is brilliant. Try to practise with someone at home. Tests itself aren't difficult. Nothing will surprise you and everything will be well explained. As long as you practise materials attached in the email you've received from the OPC you will be fine. It's all about attention to detail and logic applied when under stress. Relax the day before and don't consume too much caffeine on the day

 

[martin2345uk]

What depot are you applying for?
Is this your first time?

Crewe and it sure is

 

[Bristol VRIII]

Hi guys just recieved an email from OPC stating that I just need to resit the Group Bourdon to enhanced standard so I am gonna go ahead and attend the assessment day Thursday morning, is anybody else going on the same time if so anyone recommend hotel?

Stigy like you i work for a TOC i can prob get as far to Nuneaton for free will have to sweat talk the guard to get the rest of the way lol

 

[Bristol VRIII]

From my experience I'd say it's about how you deal with being under pressure. Can you really focus and concentrate on the task? Obviously you're there because you want to succeed. Your heart rate will be elevated. There is time pressure and an element of competition, too. You've already passed SJT and VSE. You have a potential. Practise is the key. The G-B Tool available here is brilliant. Try to practise with someone at home. Tests itself aren't difficult. Nothing will surprise you and everything will be well explained. As long as you practise materials attached in the email you've received from the OPC you will be fine. It's all about attention to detail and logic applied when under stress. Relax the day before and don't consume too much caffeine on the day

Hey Sandis did you do your test with GN like me? if so chances are you might just need GB resit too x

 

[Stigy]

Hi guys just recieved an email from OPC stating that I just need to resit the Group Bourdon to enhanced standard so I am gonna go ahead and attend the assessment day Thursday morning, is anybody else going on the same time if so anyone recommend hotel?

Stigy like you i work for a TOC i can prob get as far to Nuneaton for free will have to sweat talk the guard to get the rest of the way lol

So were you expecting this email? So I'm assuming you were going to attend just for the stage 2, but they need you to resit the Group Bourdon because it wasn't enhanced?

Up until last last year I could have got up all the way for free (I think it was VTEC that ran to Crewe?) as I my TOC was part of Stagecoach group...

Most Guards are quite generous I've found, in terms of letting staff just travel for free (some even upgrade to 1st), but I've decided to get a PRIV just in case as I could do without the extra stress haha.