Trainee drivers Freighliner HH

[Lincoln_biker]

I too just popped my application in. Found the mechanical test fairly easy, but as an engineer this was day-to-day stuff for me. Completely different to the Visual Comparison test that Northern ask us to complete... I struggled with that quite a bit!

I notice that there was nowhere on the application to specify which depot you wanted to apply to. Being in Lincoln I am accessible to the Doncaster depot without relocating which would be nice. I guess if Lady Luck grants me a chance to get to the interviews I can question the location at that point. Any opinions on this?

In the meantime, good luck all. LB

 

[Quickthorn]

I notice that there was nowhere on the application to specify which depot you wanted to apply to. Being in Lincoln I am accessible to the Doncaster depot without relocating which would be nice. I guess if Lady Luck grants me a chance to get to the interviews I can question the location at that point. Any opinions on this?

In the meantime, good luck all. LB

I didn't see anywhere to choose location, either. I just found out my travel time from home to Doncaster and Knottingley (both under 45 mins) and mentioned that somewhere.

I'm still kicking myself, though, for forgetting to list all the assessments I've already passed with TOCs. :roll:

 

[Will.C]

Filled in the application, 1 issue tho, it asks if you hold a full clean driving licence to which I had to answer no as I have 6 points. Would anyone know if having points on my licence would be a big issue?

 

[carriageline]

Filled in the application, 1 issue tho, it asks if you hold a full clean driving licence to which I had to answer no as I have 6 points. Would anyone know if having points on my licence would be a big issue?

Possibly, as driving company vehicles is part of the job. I imagine It also massively depends on what the points are for? I would guess it wouldn't look good if it was for excessive speeding, or drunk driving for example

 

[Will.C]

Possibly, as driving company vehicles is part of the job. I imagine It also massively depends on what the points are for? I would guess it wouldn't look good if it was for excessive speeding, or drunk driving for example

They're for speeding. Was so annoyed at myself for getting them as it really doesn't look good. I work as a delivery driver so it kind of comes with the job I suppose. I like to think Im a good and safe driver, often cover 150-200 miles a day if Im doing double shifts and do so in a safe manner and have never had any incident apart from that 1 time. Was gutted, just hope it doesn't effect job possibilities like this. Do you think that employers would think Im an irresponsible person because of this? Probably wont help that Im young either.

 

[Lincoln_biker]

I'm still kicking myself, though, for forgetting to list all the assessments I've already passed with TOCs. :roll:

Bummer there's no feeling worse than the "ooh, I forgot that". I just had that thinking on what you said about mentioning in the application the depots I'd be interested in. Que Sera Sera and all that... LB

 

[LWB]

...... I would guess it wouldn't look good if it was for excessive speeding.....

You're almost certainly right but speeding driving on the roads is rather different from speeding driving a train. No one driving a train is constantly tailgated to keep up with the flow of other traffic around them. Road speed limits are inconsistently enforced leading to a culture of speeding by nearly all of us at some time or other. Train speed limits are rigorously enforced by Network rail and TOC's/FOC's with constant monitoring from data recorders. Keeping absolutely within the speed limit all the time is something no one does. But yes ........ they will probably just boot such applicants off the selection list.

 

[daddy_badger]

applications are scrutinized you will be marked down for not having a clean licence however will be compared to someone else on a like for like basis. some companies allow up to 6 points, tho speeding tocs may find that you take risks and they do not like that.

 

[JAMBO]

Your car licence will probably be the last thing they look at, more like what your CV says. if you have a full licence i wouldnt worry too much. There are more after what type of person you are, and could you be moulded into a professional train driver. I would be surprised if your application gets the boot because of that if everything else is in order.

 

[455driver]

Your car licence will probably be the last thing they look at,

Is that a fact or supposition?
FLHH drivers can spend more than half of their shift in the van, how do you conclude that a clean driving licence is unimportant?

 

[Sidious]

You're almost certainly right but speeding driving on the roads is rather different from speeding driving a train. No one driving a train is constantly tailgated to keep up with the flow of other traffic around them. Road speed limits are inconsistently enforced leading to a culture of speeding by nearly all of us at some time or other.

While I wouldn't want to go into the debate about speeding on the roads, surely the two are somewhat analogous? A TOC/FOC might form the opinion that if you can't stick to the speed limit on the road, then you might also be tempted to speed on the rails too?

If the TOC has a pool of candidates, it almost becomes another short-listing tool to bin off some candidates. I'm not saying this is how it works, but there must be a reason for them asking the question?

 

[455driver]

They might also take the opinion that if he has been a delivery driver for quite a while then just the one speeding offence isnt really a problem.

 

[JAMBO]

Fact! Do you think every HH driver, or employee have spotless car licences?

 

[LWB]

I agree with you in your assessment of the likely assessment procedure. I am minded of the recent Northern one about living within 50 mins of work. Answer: no, but I'm prepared to .... PAGE CLOSED. No ifs, no buts.

As for speeding on the road, I maintain that driving in the lax culture that pervades speed limits today is more challenging than being a part of a disciplined work ethic that is rigorously maintained.

 

[class303]

I'd imagine the engineering test will weed 90% (maybe more depending on number of applicants & how high they set the bar) or so of the applicants out before anyone even looks at anything else. It was just a "fill in the info" application, you didn't have to submit a CV at this stage. we shall see.

 

[Hynod]

I'd imagine the engineering test will weed 90% (maybe more depending on number of applicants & how high they set the bar) or so of the applicants out before anyone even looks at anything else. It was just a "fill in the info" application, you didn't have to submit a CV at this stage. we shall see.

In the last lot the highest failure rates were on the bordon and then the structured interview.

The initial test I sat was Bordon, glop, mechanical and dials all at Crewe. Then once that was passed I had to attend a day at Watford for reaction and structured interview.

The interview was really hard going but I got through although many that sat it with me didn't, you'll need to prepare for it and have good answers ready to go. Be prepared to be interrogated lol.

 

[JCLeeds]

Just applied. Did I miss something huge or was there only about 4 (hard) questions on the test? I had about ten minutes left?

 

[DunfordBridge]

Just applied. Did I miss something huge or was there only about 4 (hard) questions on the test? I had about ten minutes left?

There was something strange in that there were only a hand full of questions. I would have paced myself more if I had been aware that there no more questions to follow.

If I remember rightly, there were a mixture of spatial awareness and mechanical comprehension questions. I wish I had waited a little longer before applying.

 

[westbrom]

Wonder if they log the ip address of the applicant, or give each one a diff set of questions otherwise whats to stop a creating a false ID so the can apply, see the questions, research the answers and then re-apply???

 

[TDK]

Wonder if they log the ip address of the applicant, or give each one a diff set of questions otherwise whats to stop a creating a false ID so the can apply, see the questions, research the answers and then re-apply???

Because that is in effect a form of fraud and if found out you may get into trouble.

 

[DunfordBridge]

Wonder if they log the ip address of the applicant, or give each one a diff set of questions otherwise whats to stop a creating a false ID so the can apply, see the questions, research the answers and then re-apply???

Speaking as a computer man, the IP address would be available as it would with any form submission and can be logged at any number of points, be it the ISP, website hosting company or the provider of the website.

Personally, bearing in mind the close proximity of the deadline, I would not be inclined to bother with a second application, even if train driving vacancies are not in plentiful supply.

 

[daddy_badger]

wouldn't be fair if asked different questions, besides why do that when the closing date had plenty of time for someone to apply. if you were talking about the Mech test I remember at least 3 of questions.

 

[westbrom]

I was pretty sure I knew them all beside the balance one, that was an educated guess,i don't condone anybody cheating my post was just pointing out this system of testing could be open to abuse and I hope theres something in place to stop it.

 

[st.ives]

Does anyone have any idea how long the training willl last?

 

[Hynod]

Does anyone have any idea how long the training willl last?

10 weeks away from depot on rules, traction plus other bits. Then about 3 months handling.

 

[JAMBO]

10 weeks away from depot on rules, traction plus other bits. Then about 3 months handling.

Nice bit of corner cutting then with training, so less than 6 months to pass out!! I'm sure the training is first class,prob find yourself threw in the seat after a few weeks to work a coaly!

 

[Hynod]

Nice bit of corner cutting then with training, so less than 6 months to pass out!! I'm sure the training is first class,prob find yourself threw in the seat after a few weeks to work a coaly!

It's 275 hrs handling. Perhaps 3 months is a wrong guess.

 

[JAMBO]

So a good 6 month just to get your hours in then.

 

[GB]

Remember also the handling hours are not shift hours. So if your shift is 8 hours but only 5 of those is actual driving it will only be 5 hours that come off.

Also, you will have route learning to contend with which can be another few months.

 

[JAMBO]

Your hours are when the wheels are turning not sat with a cuppa in a loop for 2 hours, that's why it takes so long,also light engine movements and your hours in darkness which can be a mare in the summer. Regarding route learning, heavy haul don't like that much as your non productive eating away at the hours and budget. It can be a long hard task in itself actually trying to get get some. So I wouldn't expect to sign the a-z.