Question for qualified mainline drivers: how easy/difficult is it to move to different TOCs

[jefferyjsg]

Once a trainee driver has completed their 2/3 year period in becoming a fully qualified driver, is it a hard process to applying for a qualified role at a different company such as Eurostar, SWR or Avanti etc

Does anyone have experience in moving around and if so what sort of things should we expect or look at for?

 

[PudseyBearHST]

Depends on the company. Not necessarily very easy as some of the companies don’t recruit very often. E.g. SWR hasn’t taken on qualified drivers for a few years. Eurostar recruit every couple of years but they get quite a bit of interest.

Any particular reason you’re already looking to go to another company before you’ve even started as a trainee driver? If it was for a shorter commute, it’s understandable but otherwise it’s a bit early to be thinking about that.

 

[greatkingrat]

I suspect it will only get harder. Once everything is under GBR, they will probably try and recruit new drivers wherever possible instead of one bit of GBR poaching drivers from another bit.