FTPE Qualified Driver advice.

[yellowgull]

Hi there,

I'm a Qualified Driver and thinking of applying for a position with FTPE.

I was just wondering what the assessments entail and what to expect in the Driver Manager interview should I get that far.

Any tips or advice would be great.

Cheers

 

[Vicpaul]

As far as I am aware the tests are what we would've taken to get our jobs in the first place.

DM interview will undoubtedly be looking at your knowledge of rules and regs so make TW5 your friend.

Application layout has changed where instead of laying out your roles and responsibilities in your employment history you explain your experiences and how they are relevant to the job. There are no separate competencies to explain a time you had found a kitten etc.

Website application times out quickly so best to complete all your employment experiences in a word type programme and cut and paste when all are complete.

Best of luck

 

[TheVicLine]

I got in as trainee so not been through the qualified route, but it is pretty much as Vicpaul says.

 

[BravoGolfMike]

The tests are not the same as the trainee tests. You do the SCAAT test and a couple of easy listening and writing tests to see how you process information. Quite why they make qualifieds take the tests is beyond me but there we go.

 

[notadriver]

I understand having additional aptitude testing for Eurostar drivers as it's a highly complex driving role but for what makes driving for a First TPE different to any other UK TOC ?

 

[TDK]

I understand having additional aptitude testing for Eurostar drivers as it's a highly complex driving role but for what makes driving for a First TPE different to any other UK TOC ?

The amount of applications they get

 

[notadriver]

Cross country, virgin and east coast are arguably more desirable driving roles (as well as better paid) yet these TOCs don't make qualified drivers do these silly tests.

 

[yellowgull]

Cheers for the information. I best start getting myself ready for the old tests again then.

 

[notadriver]

Go on Railchat yellowgull. You'll find more detailed info on the FTPE tests there.

 

[notaspotter]

Cross country, virgin and east coast are arguably more desirable driving roles (as well as better paid) yet these TOCs don't make qualified drivers do these silly tests.

Yes they do, you have to sit a small rules exam, and do a group discussion with Virgin, I know this first hand as my mate just got accepted by them. The tests are used to cut down the number of applicants.
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Cheers for the information. I best start getting myself ready for the old tests again then.

The tests are nothing bad, you do a scatt test, listening exercise and fill in a repair book sheet, you are in there a hour tops, don't be put off by any scare stories you may hear.

 

[notadriver]

A rules test is standard for all qualified drivers transferring to other TOCs.

 

[bystander]

A rules test is standard for all qualified drivers transferring to other TOCs.

Er, nope.

I've never had to do a rules test as part of the assessment process when moving TOC (which I have, twice).

B

 

[notadriver]

Well everyone I know who has moved has

 

[bystander]

Well everyone I know who has moved has

I did a full rules exam day for both new TOCs (one mixed TOC and one intercity only TOC), as you'd expect, but that was before passing out to drive again once I'd done traction and roads and all that - not as part of getting the job

 

[notaspotter]

Well everyone I know who has moved has

I was asked about 10 rules questions in my DM interview, nothing on paper, I didn't have to do no group exercise either when moving to TPE. Each TOC sets it's own recruitment procedure, and TPE have their sto cut down the number of applicants, just like Virgin or XC have theirs. When I moved, there was 2 positions available, in the room on the day of tests was roughly 15 people, it is used to cut down this number. If anyone doesn't thnk they need to have to take any tests again, the simple answer is don't move.

 

[BLUENSA]

Does anyone know what the usual shift cycles are like with FTPE for drivers (i.e earliest start time and latest finish time) and is it a 4 day week? Are sundays included in the shift cycle or are they covered by overtime?

Cheers

 

[notadriver]

I did a full rules exam day for both new TOCs (one mixed TOC and one intercity only TOC), as you'd expect, but that was before passing out to drive again once I'd done traction and roads and all that - not as part of getting the job

Well what do I know? I'm not a driver. Thanks to you and notaspotter for making me feel like a fool on this forum. Time to leave for good I think.

 

[yellowgull]

I don't know how my original post or subsequent reply has made you feel that way, and apologies if it has. I'm simply trying to gain some info before considering options, not create enemies or ill-feeling.

Once again thanks for all the replies, I'm going to start practising the SCAAT test again. I've heard plenty of scare stories with regard to the recruitment procedures, in my experience, it's never been as bad as portrayed.

 

[notadriver]

I don't know how my original post or subsequent reply has made you feel that way, and apologies if it has. I'm simply trying to gain some info before considering options, not create enemies or ill-feeling.

Once again thanks for all the replies, I'm going to start practising the SCAAT test again. I've heard plenty of scare stories with regard to the recruitment procedures, in my experience, it's never been as bad as portrayed.

sorry wrong person it was notaspotter and bystander who are just arguing for the sake of arguing. Good luck with TPE - i have heard from other drivers that the tests are straightforward enough but i'm sure someone will disagree and tell me otherwise.

 

[driver9000]

Does anyone know what the usual shift cycles are like with FTPE for drivers (i.e earliest start time and latest finish time) and is it a 4 day week? Are sundays included in the shift cycle or are they covered by overtime?

Cheers

Depends what depot you are at for earliest start/latest finish. Sunday is part of the normal working week.

 

[notaspotter]

Well what do I know? I'm not a driver. Thanks to you and notaspotter for making me feel like a fool on this forum. Time to leave for good I think.

sorry wrong person it was notaspotter and bystander who are just arguing for the sake of arguing. Good luck with TPE - i have heard from other drivers that the tests are straightforward enough but i'm sure someone will disagree and tell me otherwise.

Sorry, but I don't think me or the other poster was trying to make anyone look like a fool. Myself and the other poster have made moves, me to TPE, and there seems to be this myth that TPE seem to be above themselves, and make drivers jump through hoops again, for a job they already do. I don't think this is the case. TOCS, maybe not all, I don't know, but TPE, Virgin and XC I do know use testing to cut numbers down, obviously there are only a certain number of positions to fill, and this is a method of cutting down the numbers.
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Depends what depot you are at for earliest start/latest finish. Sunday is part of the normal working week.

Earlies start around 3am onwards, latest finish around the 1am, and nights are anything from 8pm-Midnight and finish 5am-8am. Sundays are part of the working week, and its based on a just under 5 day week. There are currently discussions to bring in 156 rest days which will bring it down to 4 day week. .

 

[BLUENSA]

Earlies start around 3am onwards, latest finish around the 1am, and nights are anything from 8pm-Midnight and finish 5am-8am. Sundays are part of the working week, and its based on a just under 5 day week. There are currently discussions to bring in 156 rest days which will bring it down to 4 day week. .[/QUOTE]

Cheers, very helpful, much appreciated.

 

[notaspotter]

.[/QUOTE]

Cheers, very helpful, much appreciated.[/QUOTE]

Your welcome

 

[TDK]

Cross country, virgin and east coast are arguably more desirable driving roles (as well as better paid) yet these TOCs don't make qualified drivers do these silly tests.

XC, VT and EC normally take each others drivers and they do set qualified drivers tests. VT will not entertain a qualified usually without 10 years clean nor will XC.

 

[SkinnyDave]

XC, VT and EC normally take each others drivers and they do set qualified drivers tests. VT will not entertain a qualified usually without 10 years clean nor will XC.

XC have took a couple of our guys recently with 2 years PQ experience.. Rules exam and scenario based questions were part of interview.