HELLLPPP! Relocating..Anyone with experience?

[TristanGNER]

Hi all, I hope this is the best place to ask this question and I'm certain someone here will be able help.

I am a driver and would like to relocate.

As part of most applications you have to declare that you live within a one-hour commutable distance from the depot to which you want to apply. On the First website (I believe) your application doesn't even get considered unless you live within an hour of the depot to which you are applying.

Has anyone had any experience of relocating?

My partner is also a train driver and so we'd be (obviously) relocating together so any help would be gratefully received.

Thanks in advance

Tristan

 

[wils180]

Hey,
I relocated for a Train Manager job with GWR in London a few years ago, I think First are one of the few TOCs that are actually cool with it. In the address part I used address line 2 and put “(RELOCATING)”. I discussed it in the interview and they offered me a little bit of a later start date to get myself sorted, they were really accommodating.

Like I say it was a few years ago and I’ve since left so could’ve changed, but it’s the same application portal so I’m not sure. I guess you could email recruitment. Don’t really have a suggestion just thought you’d appreciate knowing it is possible!

 

[Atishyou]

I know of a London Overground driver who relocated to Preston I think it was, with a job at TransPennine, so it's do-able.

Maybe email First and ask them what they want you to put on the form?

 

[TheGoldfish]

Hi all, I hope this is the best place to ask this question and I'm certain someone here will be able help.

I am a driver and would like to relocate.

As part of most applications you have to declare that you live within a one-hour commutable distance from the depot to which you want to apply. On the First website (I believe) your application doesn't even get considered unless you live within an hour of the depot to which you are applying.

Has anyone had any experience of relocating?

My partner is also a train driver and so we'd be (obviously) relocating together so any help would be gratefully received.

Thanks in advance

Tristan

When I got my GWR contract they also provided a trainee driver hand book which states that if I was not living within one hour travelling time of my Home Depot at commencement of training I must do so within 12 weeks of start date. In exceptional circumstances this may be extended on the proviso that I may prove that I will Relocate prior to commencing the handling training ?

 

[TristanGNER]

Thanks all.

I'll email them today and when I get a response I will update this thread to inform others that might want to do something similar in the future.

Thanks again

 

[TheVicLine]

I was based in London and applied for a trainee driver position in the north west and they were fine. My depot is about 30 minutes from where I live, I'm not sure how strict they are with this but you obviously don't want to be hours from your depot with the silly hours you will work.

 

[Barney07]

I applied for a Trainee Driver job in the Southwest, went through the recruitment process and was offered the job which ment a move from the Northeast, the company did ask about my move and also asked if i was within 60 mins of the depot, the company were very happy and supportive.

 

[TristanGNER]

Well that's encouraging, thanks Barney

 

[Jlob2804]

I relocated for a trainee driver role with SWR in 2019. I brought it up in my DMI thinking it would be an issue but it wasn't. They just asked where I was planning on moving to and that I would need to provide a proof of address before my start date.

 

[DunfordBridge]

I relocated for a trainee driver role with SWR in 2019. I brought it up in my DMI thinking it would be an issue but it wasn't. They just asked where I was planning on moving to and that I would need to provide a proof of address before my start date.

There is even a tick box on the SWR application form to say you would be willing to relocate where the question is posed about how you would travel to the depot. I think GWR accept relocation too, maybe for the drivers' role.

Transpennine Express ostensibly do not allow you to relocate but there was at least one person who had travelled to my assessment in Leeds this year and he had come from Bedfordshire. I also received an email from First Group HR saying that I would have to explain on the application form that I was willing to relocate when applying for the role of driver with the new open access venture, East Coast, in Newcastle.

I think Northern on the other hand are more strict about relocation. The impression I get is that they would not consider you if you lived 5 minutes outside of the acceptable range.

 

[tiptoptaff]

Lots of replies about trainee driver roles which are t helpful to the OP as they aren't in that situation.

Relocation for a qualified driver position is fine and accepted and somewhat expected by all TOCs.

It's an entirely different situation to trainee drivers. Much less of a risk of not relocating as a qualified driver. As TOCs see it, you take a qualified driver job to relocate, rather than relocating to take a trainee driver job

 

[Jlob2804]

In that case I stand corrected. Happy New Year