Im not sure, but I'm there maybe a Intermodal depot at Donny now as well has a HH depot. When I worked for Freightliner they were still trying to set a depot up there, but HH guys were coving the work.
Im not sure if this is the case still.
I've worked for Freightliner the day it was set up basically, from being TUPED over from RFD. I'm now at a TOC.
I can't answer your question on time bands, I was a Intermodal driver, so I worked to a roster like a TOC.
Intermodal is the better, more regular work and more stable, but they are only on 45k, plus the 1800 sign on. Freightliner drivers are the lowest paid drivers, when once we were the 3rd highest.
For me, I loved the freight. I was brought up on it from the early age of 16/17 and gone through all the process of losing work to gaining work, no payrise's at Freightliner and the loss of drivers, over the years.
At a TOC, you defo get looked after, loads of benefits, nice mess rooms, free tea and coffee, no stupid night turns, no 4 hr movements off spare, no stupid start times (not at my depot), my last turn gets in just after midnight. But a BIG BUT, the work is boring, where the freight is different every day.
I left Freightliner due the company started to fall down massively when the yanks took over, also HH management started to put their nose in. At Freightliner Intermodal there has been a massive exit, over the country especially Ipswich, which have lost in the region of 15 drivers over the last year, also Tilbury in drabs and so at Leeds and Crewe. I think a couple went to VT at the new depot in Donny from Leeds.
There is still a low morale at Freightliner, a bit like they had at DB.
Another thing i have heard....Railway Rumour, is that GBRF is looking to come out the final pension salary and now Freightliner are looking into this. I'm not sure who this will affect, if everyone, or new drivers that will come into the company after a certain date, thats if true.
Travel....You won't get none, unless your protected.
I personally can't see the attraction of a FOC nowdays, apart from driving a big engine, but that soon wears off, especially starting a loco up at 3am on a winters night, freezing your nuts off and you don't finish until 13:00 !!!!
Even though you get weekends off at Intermodal, most Friday jobs are nights.....so your in bed most of Saturday, then you get a nice 3am start Monday. If you worked at HH, GBRF and DB, you have them lovely start times on at the weekends......the dreaded 00:01 starts for 12hrs on a ballast. Most times you don't even know what time you start until the last mintue !!!
Don't forget the Bank Holiday shuts downs and Xmas....good luck !!!
Sorry if I am putting you off....If your serious about this, I would definitely chat to a Freight driver from any company if you see any about. Some depots may be better than others.
For me, If Freightliner offered me the same salary what I'm on now to come back......That would be a big no from me....and I love the freight, but thats my choice.
I think the freight is starting to level out, but just be careful...If your going to choose HH, GBRF, or DB, see what the work is and how long the contracts are at them depots. Contracts change and after a few years will go to another company, some might stay, but you can never tell. Freight is now a dog eat dog culture and unfortunately it's us that get thrown out of the job.
There was a comment above, that last in first out does not apply. It does, maybe not at their company, but at others it does.
It works on seniority order. You can't just get rid of drivers. Normally, they will ask if the oldies want to retire, or maybe ask the medically restrictive, or if they have the money like at DB and HH, put in for the redundancy package (30k I think the HH drivers got, pending their contract), or a move. If no ones wants to leave, it then goes on seniority. If you both have the same seniority, it goes on age I think.
Also to add...When HH lost work up North the other year, drivers were having to have to go, but then they won a contract from DB. The Immingham flow I think. The guys thought they were safe, when in fact that was not the case. Because the new flow was over 50%, the DB guys got TUPED over to HH and the HH drivers got made reduntant...Thats the rules of TUPE.
Good luck what ever you choose.
