Medical Test!

[Polls]

Hello!

I am very excited that I have got through all the assesments and have my Managers interview on Wednesday. If I get through this I know all I have left is the medical....I have concerns after reading I have to be a certain BMI (ie 28)! I am not hugely overwieght but I am a nice size 18, which means I am definately in the Obese range of the BMI scale (to put into perspective if Maralyn Monroe was measured on the BMI scale she too would be classed as overweight, bloody useless thing).....is this going to harm my chances or have I just been made to worry over nothing?

I appreciate any help you could give me.

 

[O L Leigh]

Provided that your weight doesn't cause you problems with doing the job, that you are reasonably fit and have the full range of mobility, you should be fine.

O L Leigh

 

[Polls]

That is such a weight off my mind....excuse the pun.

I am so excited about the prospect of getting this job and I haven't even got it yet! I suppose the only thing standing in my way is my competance in the managers interview. Does anyone know the common reasons why people might fail at this point so I might avoid it?

Thanks again all that have read this and replied. You are one and all little superstars.

 

[O L Leigh]

Well provided you don't make a massive faux pas by suggesting that you're a speed freak, irresponsible or untrustworthy you should breeze it. Just be yourself and answer the questions to the best of your ability. Treat it like a nice informal chat with one of the DM's.

Best of luck. Let us know how you get on.

O L Leigh

 

[Polls]

I most certainly will let you know. I shall shout it from the rooftops first, so if on Wednesday you hear a distant cry of 'I GOT IT!!', you'll know where it is coming from.

Thank you for helping me O L Leigh, and Happy New Year

 

[royaloak]

The managers interview is all about how you would react to problems, just remember SAFETY SAFETY ANALYSE THINK then REACT, if you work on those lines, stay calm and confident then you should be fine.

 

[O L Leigh]

Just an extra.

If it's for LOROL (London Overground) it might help to find out a bit about the company. A colleague of mine will be starting with them next month as a trainee driver and she was asked to tell them what she knew about the company. Fortunately she'd already done some reading and could tell them a fair bit.

O L Leigh

 

[TDK]

Hello!

I am very excited that I have got through all the assesments and have my Managers interview on Wednesday. If I get through this I know all I have left is the medical....I have concerns after reading I have to be a certain BMI (ie 28)! I am not hugely overwieght but I am a nice size 18, which means I am definately in the Obese range of the BMI scale (to put into perspective if Maralyn Monroe was measured on the BMI scale she too would be classed as overweight, bloody useless thing).....is this going to harm my chances or have I just been made to worry over nothing?

I appreciate any help you could give me.

You need a BMI of 33 or less, any more than 33 and I would be surprised as you would not have been accepted in the frst place.

 

[Polls]

The managers interview is all about how you would react to problems, just remember SAFETY SAFETY ANALYSE THINK then REACT, if you work on those lines, stay calm and confident then you should be fine.

Thank you for the tip. I will keep that in mind. So they will ask 'what would you do in this situation?' questions? Ok that's useful thanks.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Just an extra.

If it's for LOROL (London Overground) it might help to find out a bit about the company. A colleague of mine will be starting with them next month as a trainee driver and she was asked to tell them what she knew about the company. Fortunately she'd already done some reading and could tell them a fair bit.

O L Leigh

It is! I have already swatted up on LOROL and what they do and who they are affiliated with etc. I have even got a grasp on the main routes.

Thank you for the tip. I hope I will be training along side your colleague.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

You need a BMI of 33 or less, any more than 33 and I would be surprised as you would not have been accepted in the frst place.

...and now I am worried again. I think I am under 33 BMI. Oh blimmin heck why'd you have to go and do that. Gonna stop eating till my medical just incase...lol

 

[royaloak]

If you are a nice size 18 then you will be fine, it is only a problem if your weight effected your ability to carry out your duties which it wont. I used to work with one bloke and he was so wide he couldnt fit in the vestibule of a 455 and they are big, same as a 313 really and he got taken on okay.

Another tip for the interview and medical is avoid alcohol for a couple of days before, eat a balanced diet, pasta is good, and get lots of sleep.

 

[Polls]

If you are a nice size 18 then you will be fine, it is only a problem if your weight effected your ability to carry out your duties which it wont. I used to work with one bloke and he was so wide he couldnt fit in the vestibule of a 455 and they are big, same as a 313 really and he got taken on okay.

Another tip for the interview and medical is avoid alcohol for a couple of days before, eat a balanced diet, pasta is good, and get lots of sleep.

Oh I am like an angel I dont smoke or drink....I like a donut every now and again obviously but that is my only vice. Ok mind set at rest again. If you have ever had to endure a long haul flight on a Thomas Cook airline, you will know how small those seats are and I managed that (with a shoe horn and some grease) so I should be fine fitting in a train driving seat.

I am just so close I don't want anything to go wrong.

You guys are all so helpful and sweet on this forum. Really glad I found you and if this is what people are like on the railways I am going to enjoy this career very much. ....if I get the job ofcourse:roll:

 

[O L Leigh]

If you're going to Willesden depot there is a very good chance that you will be training alongside my (soon to be former) colleague.

Incidentally she is also a size 18 and had no problems with the medical, but then she is very tall. However there are drivers out there even bigger than that. As I and others have said, as long as you have a reasonable level of fitness and mobility it shouldn't count against you.

O L Leigh

 

[Polls]

I finally had my managers interview yesterday, and when I asked about the medical, it seems that they do measure by the BMI scale and the maximum is 33, but they also take into account your health and general well being and as long as you have full range of motion and are physically fit to deal with the job and any emergencies as they arise, you will be fine....It was eluded that I will be fine, so good news to all the fatties out there

 

[Fig]

Polls: Any feedback from your interview yet? Hope you're not one of those that had a bad news email yesterday, reported in another forum.

I had a depot interview on Tuesday (different TOC) and HR just called to say they want to offer me a position, subject to medical to be arranged next week. I'm elated, but worried to. I'm just about scrapping a BMI of 33, if I stand on tip-toes. I'm glad you started this thread, the replies sound quite positive. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Polls]

Polls: Any feedback from your interview yet? Hope you're not one of those that had a bad news email yesterday, reported in another forum.

I had a depot interview on Tuesday (different TOC) and HR just called to say they want to offer me a position, subject to medical to be arranged next week. I'm elated, but worried to. I'm just about scrapping a BMI of 33, if I stand on tip-toes. I'm glad you started this thread, the replies sound quite positive. I'll let you know how it goes.

Well I only just got the call and I have got the job! I am so bloody elated too I cant tell you. I'm shaking!

As for the BMI, this was my concern too and I have been on the Cambridge Diet since Monday. You can lose about 14 lbs in 2 weeks if you stick to it! Gosh I sound like I'm selling it, but I know it works

Well done to you! Who is your TOC and when do you start training?

 

[SouthEastern-465]

Well I only just got the call and I have got the job! I am so bloody elated too I cant tell you. I'm shaking!

As for the BMI, this was my concern too and I have been on the Cambridge Diet since Monday. You can lose about 14 lbs in 2 weeks if you stick to it! Gosh I sound like I'm selling it, but I know it works

Well done to you! Who is your TOC and when do you start training?

Congratulations good work

 

[Fig]

Well I only just got the call and I have got the job! I am so bloody elated too I cant tell you. I'm shaking!

I think we must have been called at almost exactly the same time. I got my call at 15:47. Was at the checkout in Sainsbury's. Will have to go back later for my groceries and credit card and whatever else I left in there when I ran out screaming!

As for the BMI, this was my concern too and I have been on the Cambridge Diet since Monday. You can lose about 14 lbs in 2 weeks if you stick to it! Gosh I sound like I'm selling it, but I know it works

I've tried dieting, but I like food too much. I've taken a different approach ... I've spent as much time as possible lying down in the hope that I'll get taller

Well done to you! Who is your TOC and when do you start training?

GatEx. Course starts early Feb.

Well done again. Best Friday ever.

 

[Polls]

I think we must have been called at almost exactly the same time. I got my call at 15:47. Was at the checkout in Sainsbury's. Will have to go back later for my groceries and credit card and whatever else I left in there when I ran out screaming!

I wanted to scream but I was at work so I think I would have caused a panic and possibly an evacuation of the building

I've tried dieting, but I like food too much. I've taken a different approach ... I've spent as much time as possible lying down in the hope that I'll get taller

I shall try this too then! Do you think they will notice small blocks in my socks to elevate my hight a little?


GatEx. Course starts early Feb.

Mine is LOROL and I dont start till May! Damn and blast that means you will be well into your training before I even start :cry: Keep me updated though?

Well done again. Best Friday ever.

You are right this is the BEST Friday ever! Big celebration planned for tomorrow.

x

 

[Fig]

Any more news, Polls?

I had my medical this morning. Just under 33 on the BMI, but the therapist gave the impression that there was no hard and fast limit and that it was more about general mobility.