Trainee drivers Freighliner HH

[TDK]

So your saying all those Ex EWS trainees several years ago were not fit and competent to drive a 66 on a job after there 150 hrs with there minder?

These are ex qualified drivers. If they have done less than 5 years out of the grade they are classed as qualified drivers and then will have a training needs analysis done on them hence less hours. This topic is about trainees is it not?

The above answer maybe not in context with yours - It is not for me to say if someone is fit or competent as I am not signing their C of C. I certainly have never come across any driver who, in my opinion was fit to be out on their own after 150 hours.

 

[455driver]

So your saying all those Ex EWS trainees several years ago were not fit and competent to drive a 66 on a job after there 150 hrs with there minder?

This thread is about trainee drivers (as was the question you answered badly earlier) so dont bother trying to move the goalposts and change the question to try and make your answer correct, it wasnt!

 

[JAMBO]

These are ex qualified drivers. If they have done less than 5 years out of the grade they are classed as qualified drivers and then will have a training needs analysis done on them hence less hours. This topic is about trainees is it not?

The above answer maybe not in context with yours - It is not for me to say if someone is fit or competent as I am not signing their C of C. I certainly have never come across any driver who, in my opinion was fit to be out on their own after 150 hours

Believe me I have seen many a driver after 150 hours to be competent to drive a train over a route, as good if not better than a driver with several years in, like I said if you have a good minder who actually knows the job then there really ain't a problem!

 

[TDK]

These are ex qualified drivers. If they have done less than 5 years out of the grade they are classed as qualified drivers and then will have a training needs analysis done on them hence less hours. This topic is about trainees is it not?

The above answer maybe not in context with yours - It is not for me to say if someone is fit or competent as I am not signing their C of C. I certainly have never come across any driver who, in my opinion was fit to be out on their own after 150 hours

Believe me I have seen many a driver after 150 hours to be competent to drive a train over a route, as good if not better than a driver with several years in, like I said if you have a good minder who actually knows the job then there really ain't a problem!

Yes there is as group standards quote a minimum of 225 hours. How many drivers have you minded/instructed/assessed in the past?

You will need to drive a train over more than one route, you will need to be competent on all the routes in the depots starter link to be on a roster and be productive. Many companies incorporate this route learning into the 225 hours. I have had a driver off the street who could drive a route on their own after 20 hours however if it went Pete Tong and their train failed or had to assist another train or had to do an unusual shunt they would fall flat on their face. Sorry buddy but personally I would never sign a drivers c of c if they had not completed the training set out by group standards and these guidelines are there for a reason. Many trainees think they can go out on their own after 150 hours and it is usually there who struggle when they do after 225 hours.

 

[GB]

You will need to drive a train over more than one route, you will need to be competent on all the routes in the depots starter link to be on a roster and be productive.

Not if your depot doesn't have a starter link. Our post qualified drivers at my depot sign off one core route then immediately get placed onto the one and only roster. They then sign off other routes at a later date but usually no less than two years after first qualification.

 

[JAMBO]

Yes there is as group standards quote a minimum of 225 hours. How many drivers have you minded/instructed/assessed in the past?

You will need to drive a train over more than one route, you will need to be competent on all the routes in the depots starter link to be on a roster and be productive. Many companies incorporate this route learning into the 225 hours. I have had a driver off the street who could drive a route on their own after 20 hours however if it went Pete Tong and their train failed or had to assist another train or had to do an unusual shunt they would fall flat on their face. Sorry buddy but personally I would never sign a drivers c of c if they had not completed the training set out by group standards and these guidelines are there for a reason. Many trainees think they can go out on their own after 150 hours and it is usually there who struggle when they do after 225 hours.

From your comments I'm taking it you are a pass driver? With freight you don't have to sign all the roads at all, and as for a starter link? It's the core route you pass out on, could be 40 mile, could be 150 mile,that's when you are then classed as productive and when you get the driver salary. At EWS not too long back all that was required was the 150 with a minder, and 10 sessions in a sim, so roughly 160 hours. You were then deemed fit to work a job, and to this day I have never seen or met a trainee who had struggled with that.

 

[TT66]

Jambo is right in that with db as soon as you sign one core route you are productive and get full salary! May be different with other focs/tocs I'm not sure!

 

[TDK]

From your comments I'm taking it you are a pass driver? With freight you don't have to sign all the roads at all, and as for a starter link? It's the core route you pass out on, could be 40 mile, could be 150 mile,that's when you are then classed as productive and when you get the driver salary. At EWS not too long back all that was required was the 150 with a minder, and 10 sessions in a sim, so roughly 160 hours. You were then deemed fit to work a job, and to this day I have never seen or met a trainee who had struggled with that.

I am a passenger driver Jambo and to be fair was basing my quotes on passenger depots. So, with EWS you can go out on your own and drive a train after 150 hours, is that fact? If so they are breaking group standards rules unless they have changed?

 

[JAMBO]

100 driver vacancies throughout company to be had, few qualified but now mostly trainee.

 

[navydavy1968]

Hi Guys, does anyone know where you do the training ?
Is it a centralised training school or straight to your depot of choice?

 

[Septus]

I applied for this, has anyone heard back from them yet?

 

[benno79]

I think every man and his dog applied for it. They said if you are successful you would hear shortly after the 22nd.

 

[Pacerpilot]

Hi Guys, does anyone know where you do the training ?
Is it a centralised training school or straight to your depot of choice?

Initial training at Crewe, then handling at your respective depot

 

[st.ives]

How long is the initial training?

 

[flhh66555]

I work for Heavy haul at Ferrybridge. What follows is my opinion and experience only and is the job as I see it through my eyes. I love this job. It’s very challenging. It’s hard sometimes but the rewards are great. If you like getting dirty and cold and wet and too hot then you will do fine. If you want step on step off then you will be shocked I am afraid.
As part of your duties van driving is a requirement. So is train preparation (TP work) and also taxiing drivers to jobs. Shunting, both as driver and a shunter. Locomotive fuelling is also a requirement.
I noticed no one has said anything about lodging away from home. Some depots require this although it’s usually the same guys who do it. As I can tell certain members on here work for heavy haul so like them I won’t get into the dark side of the job. However unfair it may seem keeping on the right side of rosters is the way to a successful career.
Most of my colleges are really good blokes. We relieve each other and help each other out without any of that ‘it’s not my job’ crap found in some industries.
Remember on freight the job goes tits up very often and having an understanding partner or just a cat is a bonus.
On a beautiful summer morning driving a train as the sun comes up far outweighs any other experience i have ever had. But in mid-winter backing a train away whilst proceeding the movement in a foot of snow can leave you wondering about job choice. For me it’s perfect. I work hard and go home knowing I done my bit. I moan, we all do but every month my wage is in the bank and it good money. And you will have earned it.
Fatigue is an issue and shift length can be alarming.
Hope this helps.

 

[shedman]

I can confirm DBS use the 150 hours rule. As said once your first route is signed you go onto full salary. If your minder or yourself doesn't feel competent then more hours will be given.

 

[DunfordBridge]

100 driver vacancies throughout company to be had, few qualified but now mostly trainee.

Makes you wonder how many thousands have applied in terms of the applicant to vacancy ratio.

 

[Dave1987]

100 driver vacancies throughout company to be had, few qualified but now mostly trainee.

Has there been a mass exodus from freightliner or have they got new contracts?

 

[Rugd1022]

Has there been a mass exodus from freightliner or have they got new contracts?

Not quite a mass exedus, more a case of blokes leaving in dribs and drabs over the last year or so. Last year at Rugby we lost three and in a few weeks from now another five will be leaving. An ex-tamper driver joined us recently, he stayed for three weeks and was off! It's not for everybody.... people's perception of the job and the reality of it are often two very different things. They're not all leaving because of the money, the five blokes who'll be leaving for Intermodal will be taking a pay cut. We've slipped down the pay tables rather a lot in recent years though. I think we were second or third for freight, we're now a fair bit lower than that.

I've been with FLHH for seven years now, it's only in recent months I've felt like jumping ship due to the low moral and a top brass who just don't listen to what we say. It's a big leap though, one not to be taken lightly.

 

[JAMBO]

Don't blame the drivers for walking, they have lost some really good lads, a real shame.

 

[GB]

Has there been a mass exodus from freightliner or have they got new contracts?

They have alot more NDS work coming up.

 

[Dave1987]

They have alot more NDS work coming up.

What is NDS? (Sorry if that is a stupid question but I'm not knowledgable about freight at all)

 

[benno79]

National delivery service

 

[GB]

What is NDS? (Sorry if that is a stupid question but I'm not knowledgable about freight at all)

As above.

Its the Network Rail work. Possessions, operating Local Distribution Centers like Whitemore, RHTT etc etc

 

[Dave1987]

As above.

Its the Network Rail work. Possessions, operating Local Distribution Centers like Whitemore, RHTT etc etc

Ah ok thanks

 

[flhh66555]

The problem with NDS work is we are getting so short staffed we cant spare the drivers for this work.

 

[JAMBO]

That's the reason for the driver recruitment, HH have a big chunk of the NDS work, if you like sitting on possessions at all hours of the night then this is for you.

 

[westbrom]

I see this company also operates in Australia,does anybody who works for them know if they have ever sponsored drivers to move out there??

 

[deltabravo]

I see this company also operates in Australia,does anybody who works for them know if they have ever sponsored drivers to move out there??

As far as I'm aware, Freightliner Australia only recruit for qualified drivers within Australia

 

[JCLeeds]

I just had an assessment day for Northern; passed everything but got a borderline pass on the reaction test - any borderline pass with Northern is an instant fail so thats game over - but I have been advised some TOCs accept borderline passes - I have also applied for Freightliner - anyone know if they is one that do?