Help Choosing Between Northern and GBRF.

[Undecieded]

Hello,
I've received offers from both of these company and Northern have given me a provisional start date while GBRF have told me March/April time. I thought I would definitely join GBRF as I attended an open day and got a really good impression of the company, the varied work and good opportunities to progress through the company as well as the salary being significantly higher but reading posts on this form have made me think that TOC is the way to go and freight is too unstable and does not have the same benefits as driving for TOC.

I would appreciate some advice from experienced members of the forum.

Thanks

 

[Red1980]

It's hard to say really mate as there's pros and cons to both sides really.

Yes there are more "in your face" type benefits from a TOC with your passes etc but there's plenty of freight guys and gals on here that'll tell you their job is really enjoyable and have no intention of going to TOC work.

Personally....I don't think there's a bad train driving job in the country and I'd accept any should my circumstances dictate. From a TOC side the way the link structure and shifts work I think it'd be a bit less unsociable and maybe a bit less night work but I can't even say that's 100% accurate as lots of TOCs have night work and lots of weekend working these days.

In regards to the stability side to freight.....there's still going to be work there mate and you're still going to be a qualified driver so it's not complete devastation by any means......the problem with freight in the past was it was heavily reliant on things like coal and steel.....well we all know what happened there. Things have moved on a hell of a lot since then so I wouldn't be worrying too much about the security of it.

What I will say is in regards to freight work you've probably picked the right company in GBRF. I very rarely hear any negatives about them and came close to joining them once myself.

The beauty of this is you're in a fantastic position and I don't think you'd regret EITHER decision as bottom line is you're getting your qualification and one that you can take pretty much anywhere at a later date should you wish to do so.

Best of luck with whatever you decide mate.

Red.

 

[Journeyman]

Very much echo the comments above - I'd find the travel perks valuable, so that would swing it for me, but plenty of rail staff never use theirs, so it may not be a factor.

GBRf have a lot of infrastructure and testing work, and that seems to be a growing part of their business, so I wouldn't worry too much about stability.

 

[Regan]

Only you can decide I work for freightliner intermodal having worked at both amey and colas as a tamper driver operator working for freightliner has been a great move for me only doing 1 weekend in 6 where previously I was doing 36 this is where I'll finish my career whatever you choose I wish you all the best.

 

[Undecieded]

Thanks for the replys, I live 30 minute walk to my Northern station and have read that the training is really good and have been given a firm date and have a medical booked so that's what is probally going to sway it for me.

 

[Aivilo]

GBRF are probably the most stable freight firm out there but there is still a risk and a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Having done it all I'd go with northern even if your current situation was reversed and the offer was from GBRF

 

[Coach Carter]

If one of them has given you a actual start date pending successful medical I’d be going with that, make sure you actually get a job in the bag. Would be nothing worse than to turn a confirmed start date down for the other option only for them to pull the plug on you.

 

[Undecieded]

Yeah, The absolute worst scenario would be rejecting Northern and then GBRF pull the offer. I'm pretty much decided on Northern at this point.

 

[dan2610]

Yeah, The absolute worst scenario would be rejecting Northern and then GBRF pull the offer. I'm pretty much decided on Northern at this point.

Time to change your username

 

[richfoz84]

Thanks for the replys, I live 30 minute walk to my Northern station and have read that the training is really good and have been given a firm date and have a medical booked so that's what is probally going to sway it for me.

Hi. Fellow northern applicant. Just awaiting my start date offer. When do you start, and where will you be based? I had to turn down 31st March start date as had a holiday booked in June.

 

[Undecieded]

Yes it will be that course. Worried that corona virus might throw a spanner into the works!