Future as a Freight Driver

[Heartbreakkid]

Hello all,

Just after some general advice from people in the industry, I am on the verge of accepting a job with a Freight Company as a trainee driver. My question (possible ignorant) is what do people who work in that field actually think of the future and job security. The reason I ask is that I have a decent job which is secure, the pay is a couple of thousand less than what I would be on as a qualified driver. I only work four days a week ten hours no weekends no nights. I would effectively be starting at the bottom on half pay for a year doing all manner of shifts. I know once I am qualified I can change roles further down the line, but my main issue is what are the chances of being made redundant in a few years (crystal ball comments not necessary)or just getting laid off because they can and I have no rights for a couple of years. Thanks all.

 

[Watershed]

There's no two ways about it, job security at FOCs is worse than at (franchised) TOCs. That's because the services they run are inherently demand based - if the customer doesn't want the train to run, it doesn't run. And if the contract goes to another FOC when it's up for renewal, that can mean redundancies.

A lot will depend on the exact FOC and depot you'll be working at - and I appreciate you might not want to put everything here in public.

But, suffice to say, there's likely to be a lot better job security at Ipswich depot hauling containers from the deep sea ports, than there is at St Blazey where the China clay traffic has been quite variable up over recent years.

 

[43066]

My question (possible ignorant) is what do people who work in that field actually think of the future and job security.

You’re very unlikely to be made redundant, rail freight is undergoing a boom at the moment. More of a concern would be failing to pass the training and losing the job that way.

I only work four days a week ten hours no weekends no nights. I would effectively be starting at the bottom on half pay for a year doing all manner of shifts. I know once I am qualified I can change roles further down the line,

These comments are a little concerning. I’d caution that you’ll still be doing “all manner of shifts” as a qualified driver! You’ll certainly be working some weekends and almost certainly some nights. Especially at a FOC as they have more extreme shifts than TOCs (generally speaking). Even at most TOCs you could expect to be starting work at 0400 on earlies, finishing as late as 0100 on lates. And you will be working weekends.

Think very carefully about whether shift work is for you - it’s a fundamental part of the job.

 

[choochoochoo]

The other thing to bear in mind is that once you've got your licence, there's nothing stopping you applying to TOCs as a qualified driver.

 

[Heartbreakkid]

The depot is west London but as you have guessed it is not prudent to say which company. Over say ten years have there been many redundancies in the freight world. (I know it may be too generic a question to give an accurate answer as it is dependent upon in individual companies)

 

[FOCTOC]

On the other hand you could take the view that whilst the work comes and goes between individual FOCs, so do the drivers following it.

Looking in station car parks these days leads me to believe that FOC employment is most likely a longer term bet for job security going forward than TOC employment. This view is further demonstrated by governments carbon neutral aims for the future and its support for shifting freight onto rail.

 

[choochoochoo]

On the other hand you could take the view that whilst the work comes and goes between individual FOCs, so do the drivers following it.

Looking in station car parks these days leads me to believe that FOC employment is most likely a longer term bet for job security going forward than TOC employment. This view is further demonstrated by governments carbon neutral aims for the future and its support for shifting freight onto rail.

Although we are going slightly off topic, will there be a need to shift freight to rail when the government are pushing more for electric road vehicles and the end of the combustion engine on the roads?

 

[ggbrf]

The depot is west London but as you have guessed it is not prudent to say which company. Over say ten years have there been many redundancies in the freight world. (I know it may be too generic a question to give an accurate answer as it is dependent upon in individual companies)

YES !!!!

The company your going to join got rid of 100s of drivers a few years back.

Railway isnt 9 to 5. Its 24/7 365 days a year. On freight it can include xmas day.

Shift work, days nights weekends, b/hols.

Its no bed of roses but I LOVE !!!!

Freight is booming at the Mo.

 

[Heartbreakkid]

Can I ask what you love about it (sounds negative but I genuinely would like to know the positives)

 

[Driver0202]

Can I ask what you love about it (sounds negative but I genuinely would like to know the positives)

nothing better than feeling 1800tons give you a nudge in the back when putting the brake in! Route variety , consist variety, every train is different that you drive. One thing I do enjoy is when you’re expecting to be looped and you get greens all the way! you don’t get looped and you end up finishing a hour early. Random enjoyable things.

In terms of job security a lot of passenger drivers are looking to go to freight since the pandemic started.

 

[ggbrf]

nothing better than feeling 1800tons give you a nudge in the back when putting the brake in! Route variety , consist variety, every train is different that you drive. One thing I do enjoy is when you’re expecting to be looped and you get greens all the way! you don’t get looped and you end up finishing a hour early. Random enjoyable things.

In terms of job security a lot of passenger drivers are looking to go to freight since the pandemic started.

Summed up nice driver.

Have a watch of "dad rail" videos on YouTube.

 

[Heartbreakkid]

Thank you for your time thus far

 

[WestRiding]

I don't know the specifics, but I can say that freight is booming from a Signallers point of view. I've never ran freight like it on Rotherham or Sheffield in my 16 years since starting at Sheffield PSB.

 

[Red Devil]

I don't know the specifics, but I can say that freight is booming from a Signallers point of view. I've never ran freight like it on Rotherham or Sheffield in my 16 years since starting at Sheffield PSB.

Being short of 100,000 lorry drivers could have something to do with it.

 

[tommybuk]

I have 10 in years with my current FOC and I can honestly its never been so busy.

My depot's bread and butter is construction and the customers can't get the product out of the ground quick enough. Demand for construction materials has not only returned to pre pandemic levels but has seen a huge additional rise in demand.

In addition to this, HS2 flows have increased recently which is due to be completed in 2035 if it's completed on time (which it won't be).

Not sure about other sectors (intermodel, steel, cars).

If the depot in question is construction then you're safe, go fill your boots.

Tommybuk

 

[PringlePopper1]

Summed up nice driver.

Have a watch of "dad rail" videos on YouTube.

Richard or ‘dad dail’ is a top banana. Used to work down with me in Hastings.

 

[wobman]

I've noticed how freight is booming in the area I work, there's new work appearing all over the place.
On the borderlands line there's the steels and now cement working, on the N Wales coast there's going to be slate traffic from ludo jn and ballast restarting from Pen quarry.

It's great to see the emergence of more and more new freight workings.

 

[Stigy]

I’d echo the fact that freight is generally booming at the moment, more so than most passenger operators. I don’t see security being an issue for the foreseeable at least.

My advice would be to go for it if the job is what you want to do, even if simply to get your key and move on in a couple of years or so as a qualified driver. If you turn this down, you don’t know whether you’ll ever get the opportunity again.