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Passenger train v. Freight: Both difficult to get?
- Thread starter Buel
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Dynamonic
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They both follow the same Trainee Driver recruitment process set by the OPC, so technically, there isn't much difference in terms of difficulty getting in. Some companies will use Enhanced Scoring during the assessments, so the pass marks required may vary slightly from company to company, but both passenger and freight companies may or may not used Enhanced scoring.
Realistically, it's just a case of weighing up whether you'd prefer to do passenger or freight work, and of course, consider the all important 'how long it will take you to get to work' and then apply away.
Realistically, it's just a case of weighing up whether you'd prefer to do passenger or freight work, and of course, consider the all important 'how long it will take you to get to work' and then apply away.
Very underestimated!Realistically, it's just a case of weighing up whether you'd prefer to do passenger or freight work, and of course, consider the all important 'how long it will take you to get to work' and then apply away.
Scouse_scott
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- 23 Nov 2017
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Take anything you can get. You can always swap between if you feel like one of them isn't for you.
The reality is you have a very slim chance of getting a job as a driver. You have so many people applying for these jobs often thousands. The salary being what it is has also increased the calibre of candidate applying because you have people who are senior in other sectors with alot of experience coming to the train driver grade.
The reality is you have a very slim chance of getting a job as a driver. You have so many people applying for these jobs often thousands. The salary being what it is has also increased the calibre of candidate applying because you have people who are senior in other sectors with alot of experience coming to the train driver grade.
As per what @Scouse_scott said, driver jobs are relatively infrequently advertised and the huge number of people who apply for them makes getting one statistically difficult. Bearing in mind that you will have to live within a certain distance of the depot, you will be limited as to which TOC or FOC you can work for.
My advice: If you want to be a train driver, apply to anything and everything which you can get to. Preference isn't really a luxury you can afford!
Eccles1983
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- 4 Sep 2016
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Freight is dirty risky (jobwise) work. But decent route cards and locos.
TOC work is tiring and repetitive but secure.
What's harder to get? As a trainee both are equal.
As a qualified driver - I could ring up any freight company in my area and get a position within 6 weeks. It doesn't work as smoothly the other way around.
TOC work is tiring and repetitive but secure.
What's harder to get? As a trainee both are equal.
As a qualified driver - I could ring up any freight company in my area and get a position within 6 weeks. It doesn't work as smoothly the other way around.
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