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Avanti - Trainee Train Drivers - Multiple Locations (28/02/23)
- Thread starter kajojek3232
- Start date
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R
RailUK Forums
Bus mechanic
Member
No, they will be in touch but as they have a lot of people waiting and still going through various stages they will wait until they have enough for whatever depot you’re applying for.
Positions are there, they will always be there. Just be patient. Start learning about your potential new role in prep for your DMI.
Yes 27th march?
Avanti stage 2 awaiting. To attend crewe next week. As i wasn't aware how quickly they would begin processing applications again, i have since applied for another TOC. Does anyone know if i will skip the test sat already with the new TOC as have been invited for further assessments. Thanks
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You’ll only sit the tests that you haven’t already done. But you’re at stage 2 where avanti use the CBI and the other toc you’ve applied for, let’s say scotrail for example will use the MMI.
You can only progress with one toc so have a think what’s the better toc for you to work for. Also if you fail any stage 2 assessments, that will cancel out your other application as you’ll have to wait 6 months to apply again.
Again if you do the CBI for avanti, you can’t use that pass with the other TOC and vice versa.
Good luck!
Great thankyou.
And if you do the mmi/CBI you won’t be able to sit the other interview within 6 months. So as suggested, commit to one TOC and end the other application
om1997
Member
Roughly 18 months since application for myselfApproaching 13 months since application, and now at 5 months without an OPC update. Is anyone else still checking their emails every other hour like me?
In the nicest possible way, I'm glad I'm not on my own haha! Hopefully things move quickly for us and our fellow North West applicants soon 
Is this the normal turnaround time for the sector, or is it just an incredibly busy period I wonder?
Is this the normal turnaround time for the sector, or is it just an incredibly busy period I wonder?It’s certainly become more of the norm for the sector unfortunately. Some internal staff in the talent pool are on courses in May and July for NW depots (Manchester I know of certainly) so things are certainly moving along even though it doesn’t seem it at times.
RustyRuss
Member
£600 for one overtime shift, pretty please with bells on can I have a mulligan on the dmi.
Harvinder
Member
- Joined
- 11 Apr 2018
- Messages
- 271
That is nice isn't it! You will have your chance brother!
irish_rail
Established Member
It is for one year only, so don't get too excited if you are not yet qualified!
Once you see how easy it is to screw up you might change your mind. I wouldn't chase overtime as a new driver.
I've not worked one rest day since I Qualified the best part of a decade ago.
Good advice.
Scrambled Eggs
Member
Can you explain more on screwing up as a driver. I’ve heard this before - it would be interesting to know what you mean.
When you are a new driver you are more at risk of an incident , such as passing a red signal etc. if you bang out the extra days you up that chance even more. Settling in first is good advice.
This is especially the case at AWC where working just 1 rest day can lead you to working 11/12 days straight in a row. It’s mentally and physically exhausting when you combine 3/4am starts.
Nothing is wrong with hitting rdw as a new driver if you need the funds. Just think of it as a golden goose, don't go after it too hard.
Like others have said though, the more time spent in the cabin, the higher likelihood you can have an incident.
Regarding RDW as a new driver, I guess this is where it's important so be very self aware of one's abilities and weaknesses.
I'm new to the industry (I haven't even started yet!), but I'd guess a settling in period of a few months is a sensible idea, because the last thing you'd want is to commit to overtime before understanding how this particular job affects your performance after 'x' amount of back to back shifts.
I'm new to the industry (I haven't even started yet!), but I'd guess a settling in period of a few months is a sensible idea, because the last thing you'd want is to commit to overtime before understanding how this particular job affects your performance after 'x' amount of back to back shifts.
Scrambled Eggs
Member
If you don’t mind me asking how are incidents treated as a new driver. I’m always one who prefers to understand and master my job before I look at monetary incentives. Even if the RDW looks very appealing.
Is it safe to say other TOCs such as WM who do shorter routes/stops are less likely to have an incident?
Cheers for all the advice anyway much appreciated. I’m still waiting for a course date but happy to take in anything that helps.
Is it safe to say other TOCs such as WM who do shorter routes/stops are less likely to have an incident?
Cheers for all the advice anyway much appreciated. I’m still waiting for a course date but happy to take in anything that helps.
GLENMAYE77
Member
- Joined
- 28 Sep 2017
- Messages
- 320
An ‘incident’ can happen to any driver at any time…..but like new car drivers, newly qualified train drivers have a higher risk for the first few years.
The basic premise to take from this is the less time you are in the cab driving then the less time there is in which an incident can occur.
Going back to cars for example….someone who drives 20,000 miles a year is more likely to have an ‘incident’ than someone who drives 5,000 miles a year.
The basic premise to take from this is the less time you are in the cab driving then the less time there is in which an incident can occur.
Going back to cars for example….someone who drives 20,000 miles a year is more likely to have an ‘incident’ than someone who drives 5,000 miles a year.
More intensive metro work would on balance be worse especially doo. More stops and doing the doors gives more opportunities to have an incident.
As far as being a new driver you wouldn't really be treated any different.
At my old toc a new driver had two incidents within the first year and were told that one more would be their last.
Just take time and focus and protect that key/ career.
Scrambled Eggs
Member
Thanks for the heads up Baz. Much appreciated mate.
I am in the same position. Currently on route to crewe for next stage with avanti. Awaiting results from opc for sjt with scotrail. I was advised if i do not pass the cbi i cannot interview with scotrail for 6 months however the opc staff advised otherwise so unsure ?
whoosh
Established Member
- Joined
- 3 Sep 2008
- Messages
- 1,375
Reading across to the wrong signal. E.g: Where there are multiple tracks, on a curve, what looks like your signal isn't- it's for the line next to you. Overhead wire masts or foliage might impede the view of your signal, and before you know it, you've 'locked on' visually to the wrong signal.
Reading through to the next signal (there might be a bridge for example blocking the view of your next signal).
Green signal, green signal, green signal, green signal... oh hang on, I needed a junction indicator at that one, I'm going to Manchester today, not Preston - now I've accepted a 'wrong route'.
Flying along on green signals, just like the past five days. Oops, should've stopped at Watford Junction on this trip today. 'Fail to call'.
"Buzz, Buzz" bell signal from Tran Manager/Guard to go at station. Distracted (could be anything), fail to check signal on gantry (sunny day, sunblind down so it was out of sight). SPAD - Signal Passed At Danger.
Forgetting about Temporary Speed Restriction, having had warning board before a station stop. Pull away, back up towards linespeed. Oh no! There's the commencement board and I'm going too fast.
You can mess up from "Underload" - same as usual, low workload, long run on green signals, mind on 'autopilot', fail to to maintain situational awareness.
Or "Overload," lots of things going on and you can only remember a certain amount of information at once. Details can get forgotten.
If you've ever meant to go to the shop on your drive home from work, but found yourself pulling up outside your home having not been to the shop because you did what you usually do - that's how easy it is for fail to calls and wrong routes to happen.
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Dieseldriver
Member
- Joined
- 9 Apr 2012
- Messages
- 974
Honestly it is frightening how easy it is to have an incident as a Driver (not just as a new Driver either). There are a multitude of ways to mess up and it is always (rightfully) dealt with robustly.
Hi dan thanks for the reply. Are you a Polmadie applicant heading to Crewe for your stage 2 computer tests and cbi? I emailed the OPC and was advised not to have 2 applications live with 2 different TOCs. I was led to believe that as long as you dont fail any of the stage 1 or stage 2 tests then its fine. Any one else experience similar?