Trainee drivers Freighliner HH

[choochoochoo]

at60 and cranks sorry to hear you'll be joining me.

Fingers crossed the lives will be reset under the new testing system. Just hope it means we can apply right away. I'll find out from OPC when I speak to them.

Cranks, who did you get your feedback from ? OPC or FLHH ?

I got a friend who failed the CBI despite being an airline pilot. I don't want to sound bitter but it is baffling what they look for.

I look forward to hearing what they have to say.

 

[JAMBO]

To be honest mate it's all a big lottery these tests, it's like anything, they get so many they have to fail a % at the end of the day. It's like a qualified drivers interview, they have 10 applicants and 5 jobs, 5 are unsuccessful. I don't think an appeal will make them change there minds, the next person may have had better examples and had a better interview than yourself,or they could have come from a railway background? You will never know. All you can do is just keep going and next time you may get the break.

 

[F1Fan]

I had my managers interview earlier this week, still waiting to hear. My nerves can't take much more of this!

F1Fan

 

[NinjaJihad]

Just back from my CBI, boy that was intense! My interviewer was 'good cop, bad cop' all in one.

Thanks for all the advice and help along the way, not too confident but it's done and dusted now.

Big congrats to LB and TDF!!!

@cfranks009 Those sound pretty good examples, not sure how you communicated the example but one thing I picked up was they were very strict on what YOU did and not what others did, I was abrubtly stopped a few times regarding this.

I think they have another full week of Stage 2's next week, so with positions already being filled it's not looking too promising for us that had a late stage 2.
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@choochoochoo re: 'Fingers crossed the lives will be reset under the new testing system. Just hope it means we can apply right away. I'll find out from OPC when I speak to them'.

Still have to wait 6 months unfortunately, even though the new tests are coming in. It was one of the things we were told today. Not sure about lives being reset though

 

[cfranks009]

oh well

 

[NI 271]

I also got the dreaded call that I had failed stage 2, The reasons I didn't have enough experience in dealing with an emergency. My first example was the launching of the ships lifeboat to pull a dead body out from the water and organising a medical team to meet us a shore I have dealt with this a lot.

Sorry you didn't get through, but I'm struggling to work out how that is an emergency?

I look to have missed out, if the calls are going out to successful candidates today. Gutted, thought I'd had a really positive interview, and I really wanted the job.

 

[DunfordBridge]

Morning gents. I'm shunted into the sidings I'm afraid. Got the call this morning.
Good luck to everyone still waing for results, & well done to all you chaps who made it through.

Evening Gents,

I have been well and truly shunted into the scrap yard probably only to ever resurface on a heritage line. This was my first failure at Stage 2 but I had a previous failure on stage 1.

It is just to hope that us two strikers may be reset under the new assessment system or there may be a shortage of eligible applicants if the surge for drivers continues upwards.

 

[cfranks009]

Sorry to here that dunford bridge as I was there with you. Did you get any feeback.
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It's a man overboard emergency situation which I can't be arsed to explain its a long scenario. But Its a fatality the same as you deal with as a train driver.

 

[Eduardo]

I got a friend who failed the CBI despite being an airline pilot. I don't want to sound bitter but it is baffling what they look for.

When I took the CBI for my TOC, I made sure I did my homework. I knew my answers were based around the competencies that the interviewers were looking for and were structured enough to allow for further probing or discussion at this stage if they so desired.

I was a Police Officer for over 13 years, so I had plenty to talk about.

However, despite this, I never assumed I was home free just because of my job. That would be foolish wouldn't it?

It doesn't matter what you do for a living, you need to make sure that on the day you answer the questions to the standard that they are looking for.

I've known Forklift truck drivers get the job over Firemen, purely because their interview technique was stronger and their answers were better.

I think too many people, especially from professional backgrounds, think that the door to a driving job will simply open up.

A fatal mistake in this process I'm afraid.

 

[DunfordBridge]

Sorry to here that dunford bridge as I was there with you. Did you get any feeback.

I was wondering if you were there on the day, 009. Are you the one who stayed at the Travelodge? Hope you do not mind the 009 part.

I was going to mention feedback as I have been passed from pillar to post. The only feedback I have got is that I passed the DTG. I rang Freightliner this morning to be ushered in the direction of the OPC who want to ring me back in two days. The man at the OPC expressed surprise that I had not received feedback.

Back in the day, everything seemed more open, none of this cloak and dagger stuff. In 2003 Arriva Trains Northern openly encouraged me to apply again. I was once able to walk in off the street in York to enquire about driving vacancies, probably at Northern Spirit. These days you would not get past the hardly cheerful but burly security guard in York.

 

[JAMBO]

Roster clerks at interview, any names?

 

[F1Fan]

What start date were you guys given?

Was it Mon 28th Oct or Mon 4th Nov?


Thanks.

 

[GB]

I did well but I wonder how the two roster staff at freight liner got on who were also there. I mean what sort of emergencies have they dealt with? Last minute sickness?

Given that examples can be given from outside work then they could have dealt with any number of situations.

 

[TDF]

Waiting for the letter in the post for dates

 

[F1Fan]

Waiting for the letter in the post for dates

Thanks. Hope to hear early next week if I'm in.



F1Fan.

 

[cfranks009]

Evening Gents,

I have been well and truly shunted into the scrap yard probably only to ever resurface on a heritage line. This was my first failure at Stage 2 but I had a previous failure on stage 1.

It is just to hope that us two strikers may be reset under the new assessment system or there may be a shortage of eligible applicants if the surge for drivers continues upwards.

Maybe we should of worn freightliner tshirts and jeans?

 

[DunfordBridge]

Maybe we should of worn freightliner tshirts and jeans?

Would have been a bonus if I could have finished one or two of my sentences on the day.

 

[NI 271]

It's a man overboard emergency situation which I can't be arsed to explain its a long scenario. But Its a fatality the same as you deal with as a train driver.

Yes, but if they're already dead when you are made aware of them...

I'm sure you don't want or need my advice, but I'd re-evaluate what your definition of emergency is if you take the assessment again. Finding a corpse, even fishing one out of the sea, is not my idea of an emergency, and what's to say an assessor couldn't possibly see things the same way?

Did you tell the assessor you were recovering a body, or attempting to save someone from drowning? There's a big difference between the two, I'd say. And I'd suggest a train driver is unlikely to be recovering someone who's been under his or her train.

 

[cfranks009]

Would have been a bonus if I could have finished one or two of my sentences on the day.

Was it that bad, I don't no how they can conduct an interview in that style it was just so rude. I talked about the set standard rules in my position with regards to speed, navigation and governing bodies. And she said as a mate onboard a ship I would not be responsible for the courses so this would not apply to me????

 

[DunfordBridge]

Was it that bad, I don't no how they can conduct an interview in that style it was just so rude. I talked about the set standard rules in my position with regards to speed, navigation and governing bodies. And she said as a mate onboard a ship I would not be responsible for the courses so this would not apply to me????

My OPC structured interview is not an experience I particularly enjoyed. I personally feel that as I was not able to expand on certain key points, that I did not exactly portray myself in the best possible light.

When I attended a previous assessment last year, I was surprised that no-one was there from the train company in question. When I attended the stage 1 session with Arriva Trains Northern, the tests seemed to be administered by their own staff. I could be mistaken as it was ten years ago but I seemed to recognise the supportive man on the phone who gave me feedback on the SCAAT test.

 

[cfranks009]

Yes, but if they're already dead when you are made aware of them...

I'm sure you don't want or need my advice, but I'd re-evaluate what your definition of emergency is if you take the assessment again. Finding a corpse, even fishing one out of the sea, is not my idea of an emergency, and what's to say an assessor couldn't possibly see things the same way?

Did you tell the assessor you were recovering a body, or attempting to save someone from drowning? There's a big difference between the two, I'd say. And I'd suggest a train driver is unlikely to be recovering someone who's been under his or her train.

Look I don't need to re-explain the whole scenario. But when you are at sea you are trained to deal with many emergencies. I am a fully trained fireman, I am also trained to a medical level that I can stitch someone back together.

The alarms are sounded I get sent out in the boat to rescue lives I don't know whether they are dead or alive its an emergency It happens. I choose a dead case scenario that I made very clear to the assessor how I dealt with it, how it made me feel etc etc. I used this to demonstrate I can act in a safe and calm manner and that I can deal with fatality.

What were your examples ?

 

[F1Fan]

Look I don't need to re-explain the whole scenario.

This Structured interview is a well proven format, and deliberately puts you under real pressure to see how you react. I suggest the fact that you have named the person from OPC who did your interview earlier in this thread, and then called her a "witch" in this public forum, is both bad form, and leads me to understand why you might have failed it?
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I spoke with the witch, ****** who conducted my interview. Who said I did well with everything else. I got across dealing with the emergency calmly and in safe manner with the rest of the usual bul. I did well but I wonder how the two roster staff at freight liner got on who were also there. I mean what sort of emergencies have they dealt with? Last minute sickness?

Just re read this cfranks009 - does this show a good attitude?

I have removed her name from the quote

 

[cfranks009]

Its no different to other forms,

 

[NI 271]

Look I don't need to re-explain the whole scenario. But when you are at sea you are trained to deal with many emergencies. I am a fully trained fireman, I am also trained to a medical level that I can stitch someone back together.

The alarms are sounded I get sent out in the boat to rescue lives I don't know whether they are dead or alive its an emergency It happens. I choose a dead case scenario that I made very clear to the assessor how I dealt with it, how it made me feel etc etc. I used this to demonstrate I can act in a safe and calm manner and that I can deal with fatality.

What were your examples ?

I'm not asking you to re-explain. I'm explaining to you how it is possible to have, based on what you have told us you said in the CBI, the view that it wasn't everyone's idea of an emergency. Feel free to use it again and blame someone else for your second strike as well if you like, your decision. Alternatively, use your fireman, medic or whatever experiences to describe a time when you dealt with something where the outcome wasn't already known.

My example was dealing with a pedestrian who had been struck by a bus (I was sent as I was less than a minute away from the accident locus, and a company first aider). Ironically, that too ended up being a fatality. And a pass.

 

[notadriver]

I think too many people, especially from professional backgrounds, think that the door to a driving job will simply open up.

A fatal mistake in this process I'm afraid.

I totally agree here. Most people I know think the role is a joke and is just pushing buttons or 'playing choo-choo trains'. Those that fail the recruitment process twice are the worst ones.

 

[choochoochoo]

I'm not asking you to re-explain. I'm explaining to you how it is possible to have, based on what you have told us you said in the CBI, the view that it wasn't everyone's idea of an emergency. Feel free to use it again and blame someone else for your second strike as well if you like, your decision. Alternatively, use your fireman, medic or whatever experiences to describe a time when you dealt with something where the outcome wasn't already known.

My example was dealing with a pedestrian who had been struck by a bus (I was sent as I was less than a minute away from the accident locus, and a company first aider). Ironically, that too ended up being a fatality. And a pass.

NI, you passed your stage 2 then? When did they contact you. Well done.

Well done to all who made it to stage 3. I thought I had done enough practicing on my examples. Will get the feedback and make sure I put it into practice next time.

I'd much rather do a psychometric questionnaire than that again though !

 

[NI 271]

NI, you passed your stage 2 then? When did they contact you.

I rang them after a fortnight. I then got an invite to a manager interview a week later (Tuesday just gone). I thought the interview had gone really really well, however despite others getting the green light today, I've not heard anything, which leads me to feel I've missed out.

Bloody gutted, I've had enough interviews (both sides of the desk) in recent years to know a good one.

 

[Marky82]

I rang them after a fortnight. I then got an invite to a manager interview a week later (Tuesday just gone). I thought the interview had gone really really well, however despite others getting the green light today, I've not heard anything, which leads me to feel I've missed out.

Bloody gutted, I've had enough interviews (both sides of the desk) in recent years to know a good one.

How much notice period does your current employer require?
The lads that have heard back already may need a 4 week notice so have to be informed now.

 

[JAMBO]

Lads if you have been knocked back then just keep trying, did you not apply for all the trainee positions, Schenker, northern ,TPE, colas? The railway is very difficult to get into. As qualified most of the jobs are word by mouth, and who you know goes a long way to get you in! I still believe these tests are one big lottery, % pass, % fail . OPC will not openly admit this but let's be honest it goes on,there a business at the end of the day. I will be very surprised if the HH internals who failed last time get knocked back again if you get where I'm coming from? Then there are the friends of managers DTM's and whatever. It will be very interesting to see how many externals get offered a start compared to the internals?, I don't think they will be many. But you just have to forget about it, everyone has had knockbacks on the railway. Apply for a TOC that has a big turnover of drivers, say like northern, get your ticket then after that do as you please. You have just got to keep pushing and not give up and eventually you will get there.

 

[NI 271]

How much notice period does your current employer require?
The lads that have heard back already may need a 4 week notice so have to be informed now.

A month.