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The GTR talent pool.
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Luton would be the next bet. But that wasn't even specified on the application. I think that would be at the extremes of my commute distance... at least one hour depending on which route you take and traffic dependent on time of day.
What I'm more ******ed about is that I learned today from a work colleague who is in the same boat as me is that he had a medical recently... and he took his assessments after me. I guess my face just doesn't fit.
whoosh
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Not unusual. I've met a former maintenance fitter who is now a trainee driver, who had the same thing.
I spoke to a guy who done his assessments and DMI in June of this year, and by August he was on a course for Hitchin, all the while I'd already been in that que for over a year.
There's no rhyme or reason to the order they are picking peiple as far as I can tell.
I'm doing some work for 2 drivers on Thameslink out of Bedford, and they basically just said it's going to be a long wait for most, but hey ho, that's the way it is I guess.
There's no rhyme or reason to the order they are picking peiple as far as I can tell.
I'm doing some work for 2 drivers on Thameslink out of Bedford, and they basically just said it's going to be a long wait for most, but hey ho, that's the way it is I guess.
No idea mate. Some of us who have been languishing in GTR's trainee driver 'talent pool' for the last two years had no idea we we applying to be placed in a talent pool. We were under the impression that we were applying for a definite vacancy that was advertised at the time.
Lets hope we get somewhere buddy. There's times I feel I'd rather get a dear John like halfway through the FCC process, than carry on in limbo.
Na... Will be worth the wait mate ??????
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
And I would rather be in limbo than waiting for the results of the MMI/DMI etc that was pretty squeaky bum. This is easy ??????
It's a bit of old news ... but...
http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/criticism-for-alleged-8216-trainee-driver-8217-policy/story-29588894-detail/story.html
An interesting response from GTR saying that they have employed qualified train drivers (but specifically omitted to included Bedford in that sentence especially when the train driver making the claim was specific about Bedford). However they are quick to point out that that they HAVE taken on 43 trainees at Bedford between July 15 and July 16. What are the chances of ALL of those 43 never having been on this forum?... because if just one of them had, I'm sure that we would have heard about trainees being offered places at Bedford.
Personally I think Bedford is a dead duck. I sent GTR a Happy New Year email and a reminder that I'm still alive and kicking and waiting to hear something... Even their automated email response that you get when you send an email couldn't be bothered to respond...
http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/criticism-for-alleged-8216-trainee-driver-8217-policy/story-29588894-detail/story.html
An interesting response from GTR saying that they have employed qualified train drivers (but specifically omitted to included Bedford in that sentence especially when the train driver making the claim was specific about Bedford). However they are quick to point out that that they HAVE taken on 43 trainees at Bedford between July 15 and July 16. What are the chances of ALL of those 43 never having been on this forum?... because if just one of them had, I'm sure that we would have heard about trainees being offered places at Bedford.
Personally I think Bedford is a dead duck. I sent GTR a Happy New Year email and a reminder that I'm still alive and kicking and waiting to hear something... Even their automated email response that you get when you send an email couldn't be bothered to respond...
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I think there are currently around 50 trainees based at Bedford with the last class starting in July. The last I heard the next class is scheduled for around May as they are concentrating on the southern depots where up to 20 classes are scheduled.
Obviously there are plans to decrease certain depots in size so no one knows what the future holds as its still a year off. Luton, St Albans and Cricklewood are potential depots.
Cauldwell is also closing as a maintenance depot so the depot drivers there will be looking for mainline jobs.
Not an overly optimistic post but as I say the last I heard there are plans are for further classes in Bedford.
Trainees are still waiting for trainers but that wait should be reducing. There are currently 17 trainees waiting but that should decrease by around a third in the next few weeks and obviously as trainees progress that will open up trainers.
Obviously there are plans to decrease certain depots in size so no one knows what the future holds as its still a year off. Luton, St Albans and Cricklewood are potential depots.
Cauldwell is also closing as a maintenance depot so the depot drivers there will be looking for mainline jobs.
Not an overly optimistic post but as I say the last I heard there are plans are for further classes in Bedford.
Trainees are still waiting for trainers but that wait should be reducing. There are currently 17 trainees waiting but that should decrease by around a third in the next few weeks and obviously as trainees progress that will open up trainers.
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BaGz1885
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Could anyone tell me if those in the talent pool have undertaken a medical or do you only get sent for one if you are about to start training?
DanCambridge
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I was told that I wouldn't have a medical until they knew a course was about to start for me. So was excited when I had my medical last march.... but still nothing on a start date for me at Cambridge. Planning on phoning recruitment team next week.
BaGz1885
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Thanks Dan. Had my medical for Gillingham Thameslink Wednesday and haven't received any confirmation of start date yet. I'm hoping I'll hear something next week as I was told a provisional date on the phone after passing MMI. I appreciate it's only been a few days but after reading so much about talent pools I guess I'm getting a tad nervous.
What does this mean for Bedford?
Tron81
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Not sure if this has been addressed but for the medical, is it your combined vision that is tested only or individual eyes?
Biohazardous
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I have heard that they need 60 drivers for Gillingham and 40 for Ashford this year
Is Cricklewood not over an hour commute from Bedford station?
Can a TOC move you that far?
What happened to being within an hours commute of your home depot or is that a load of rubbish?
Cheers.
1hr 10 minutes using Google (car)
53 minutes I can find using National Rail (train)
Not forgetting its your commute. So your residence <> Cricklewood would be the important factor.
Yep. All covered under PT&R rules. There are also employment rules regarding how far you can be moved from your place of work.
Imagine if you lived 1hr away from Bedford then got moved another hour away. However, different rules apply to existing employees.
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There are 5 or 6 courses running for Gillingham already, so there wont be too many more. I dont think any Ashford courses have started yet, certainly not at Cannon Street. I think the plan is to recruit for Orpington as well.
In relation to the questions about other depots -Bedford is being reduced in size and staff moved elsewhere. Not sure what the plan is regarding the trainees already there. Obviously Blackfriars is due to close in 2018 and other depots are being downsized.
If you can be flexible with your chosen depot that might help speed things up, as long as you let recruitment know. I'm pretty sure thats what got me a start date. Good luck.
Which depot you changed from?
We're doing it the other way around. So we'll likely be Blackfriars until Gillingham is up and running.
Hi on TL side what is the pay increments from trainee to full qualified and the estimate timeline?
Also what route do/would cricklewood drivers sign?
Cheers.
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