Freightliner Various Trainee Drivers

[BMoore]

Just got my invite to stage 2 on 7th December but im in New York, does anyone have a number to call them

 

[Mike121]

Yay! Got my email too, 25th October

 

[Rails5161]

Hello,

How strict are they with the rule of living 1 hour from the depot? When I applied a few months back I lived with my girlfriend, and I was within one hour, we split up a month back and now I’m living about 1 hour and 10 minutes away from the depot I applied to.

Can anyone shed some light on this? Is there much I can do?

Thank you very much.

 

[Nishhh]

Not sure how accurate this is...

 

[Brooksy]

Has anybody else received an email from the OPC who has their stage 2 assessment just reminding us to be on time and bring all we need to etc? Didn’t know if it’s the norm or not, but I nearly sh*t myself (that’s not ‘shot myself’ by the way ). Thought they were gonna say it’s been rescheduled at first, which would be a nightmare and quite frankly Sod’s law, since I’ve booked a hotel which isn’t refundable

Yeah I’ve had the same email

 

[Stigy]

Yeah I’ve had the same email

Did you do what I did and read the preview but underneath the title and jump to conclusions? Maybe that was just me lol.

 

[Brooksy]

Did you do what I did and read the preview but underneath the title and jump to conclusions? Maybe that was just me lol.

Yeah was thinking might have an earlier date lol but still the 16th October, seems like an age away.

 

[Nishhh]

Did you do what I did and read the preview but underneath the title and jump to conclusions? Maybe that was just me lol.

Yup!!

 

[TonyMontana]

Received my stage 2 invite for the 6th Dec, i was sure i flunked stage 1 after reading what others did on stage 1 but hey enhanced pass cant argue with that. Not going to lie the MMI scares me

 

[Gingell]

Stage 2 on 26th Nov for me, fingers crossed it’s only the DMI to sit as previously passed for another TOC through the OPC.

Well done all.

 

[Jonathan110]

Had my reply this morning after stage 2 from freightliner. I have beem put into a pool untill a vacancy becomes available...

Hi,
I'm in the same boat. Also been put in the pool waiting for a vacancy.
Well done getting through.

 

[Stigy]

Yeah was thinking might have an earlier date lol but still the 16th October, seems like an age away.

I was hoping it was as arranged originally as I was tight and didn't pay the extra to be able to amend or cancel my hotel room

 

[Tstageman]

So I am currently sat in a Premier Inn in Crewe, I have my Driver Managers Interview in the morning round at the depot, any pointers at all chaps and chapettes? I have done plenty of research, and practise questions, but as I actually completed and passed stage 1 and 2 with another TOC, this is my first experience with Freightliner.

 

[Brooksy]

I was hoping it was as arranged originally as I was tight and didn't pay the extra to be able to amend or cancel my hotel room

Booking.com always for stuff like this

 

[Stigy]

Booking.com always for stuff like this

I used Booking.com but opted for the cheaper alternative (super saver or whatever).

 

[Stigy]

So I am currently sat in a Premier Inn in Crewe, I have my Driver Managers Interview in the morning round at the depot, any pointers at all chaps and chapettes? I have done plenty of research, and practise questions, but as I actually completed and passed stage 1 and 2 with another TOC, this is my first experience with Freightliner.

Get plenty of sleep

Do you have to do the whole day? I’m assuming you’re not attending as part of the assessment process so don’t have to attend for the whole day? I have to do the MMI and DMI only but have to attend all day (presumably because the SJE is part of the MMI and that’s at the beginning of the day?...or for registration purposes).

I’m staying at the Premier Inn also. Coming up on 10th Oct for assessment on the 11th by train as I live right down south. Good luck. Can’t offer any advice other than to relax and be yourself. I’ve conducted a few interviews and know that body language plays a big part, as does being concise and trying to remain calm. Easier said than done, I know. Knowing the likely questions and just havibg a knowledge of the company is a good starting point for any such interview.

 

[Crazyb]

Anyone know if Tilbury is Intermodal or HH? I've read both on here so a little confused.

Both...I think they may both use the same mess room which is in the port of Tilbury. HH were based at Daggy Dock, them moved to a lorry carpark of some sort at Lakeside, but now at Tilbury...I'm out with some guys next week, which were based at Tilbury.

 

[Crazyb]

Thanks for the great info Crazyb. Just out of curiosity why would you favour Intermodal over HH?

Intermodal run like a PAX company, you will have a roster with timetable work in there. Its all step on step off work.

Even though the pensionable pay is lower at Intermodal, you still have working conditions and extra payments from moving off jobs to another and off roster payments.

Also at Intermodal, you don't have to drive a van and work on engineering sites during the week or wkends.

when I was at Intermodal you could have a choice of working ballast trains at HH pay rate.

I think, but maybe I could be wrong, but HH rosters have no times in their roster, only RD's ....They have a AM week, a PM week and a night week. Some depots do have timetable work, like the cement train and other stuff, but most rosters are flexible to accommodate the Network Infrastructure work.

For me, Intermodal all the way.

Its interesting reading these threads, they also make me laugh...But good luck all...They are a good bunch at Freightliner, that is the drivers and shunters, and I have had many laughs there. For me, It was time to move on and now drive high speed milk floats for 16k more !!!! with better conditions and family friendly shifts.

I would never come back on the freight, and I spent nearly 32 years driving freight trains, but with all the problems going on, you have all picked the better FOC in my eyes.

 

[Mike121]

Intermodal run like a PAX company, you will have a roster with timetable work in there. Its all step on step off work.

Even though the pensionable pay is lower at Intermodal, you still have working conditions and extra payments from moving off jobs to another and off roster payments.

Also at Intermodal, you don't have to drive a van and work on engineering sites during the week or wkends.

when I was at Intermodal you could have a choice of working ballast trains at HH pay rate.

I think, but maybe I could be wrong, but HH rosters have no times in their roster, only RD's ....They have a AM week, a PM week and a night week. Some depots do have timetable work, like the cement train and other stuff, but most rosters are flexible to accommodate the Network Infrastructure work.

For me, Intermodal all the way.

Its interesting reading these threads, they also make me laugh...But good luck all...They are a good bunch at Freightliner, that is the drivers and shunters, and I have had many laughs there. For me, It was time to move on and now drive high speed milk floats for 16k more !!!! with better conditions and family friendly shifts.

I would never come back on the freight, and I spent nearly 32 years driving freight trains, and with all the problems going on, you have all picked the better FOC in my eyes.

Congrats on moving to a TOC mate!

What is the salary for qualified drivers at Freightliner if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[Crazyb]

I'm not sure.

It could be around 46,500 ish now on their last pay rise.....You will also get £10 a day sign on fee, but don't forget you only work 4 days aweek over 52 weeks, minus you A/L.

In the railway world, this is pretty piss poor pay, but not for guys coming in. If you look at other FOC's and TOC'S, Freightliner is nearly at the bottom of the table.

When we kicked Freightliner off in 95/96 we was the 3rd highest pay.

All overtime is paid on flate money.

 

[mumrar]

Good to see so many people getting their dates having passed stage 1, they do seem to do emails in large batches. I've not heard anything yet, I applied for Birmingham and was told I don't need to sit Stage 2 at all (thanks Chiltern) and am just awaiting a DMI.

 

[Stigy]

I'm not sure.

It could be around 46,500 ish now on their last pay rise.....You will also get £10 a day sign on fee, but don't forget you only work 4 days aweek over 52 weeks, minus you A/L.

In the railway world, this is pretty piss poor pay, but not for guys coming in. If you look at other FOC's and TOC'S, Freightliner is nearly at the bottom of the table.

When we kicked Freightliner off in 95/96 we was the 3rd highest pay.

All overtime is paid on flate money.

I’ve heard the pay is about as you suggest, and agree as driver salaries go, it’s on the low side. Still good money for people coming in from other jobs of course, but if you compare it to some TOCs where drivers are in £55-£60k, I guess it puts it in to perspective. Thanks again for all the info, most helpful! Just a quick question from me, I applied for Intermidal at Eastleigh, you said that it’s more like timetabled work? That appeals to me to be honest, but does that mean the journeys are shorter without the need to stay away from home? I read when researching that there might be the need to lodge overnight depending on the roster, so wasn’t sure if this suffered between HH and intermodal? Thanks again!

 

[Coach Carter]

Hi everyone, I'm a new user to this site.
Is there anyone on here that took and passed stage 1 on the afternoon of the 11th this month?
If so I was wondering what date you have been given for stage 2?
I've been given the date of December 6th, this seems such a long way away considering others have completed the whole process already.
Congratulations to all those that have passed so far.

 

[GJ_DAN]

I took my stage 1 on 11th sept and had an email to say I’ll be doing stage 2 on the 5th Dec...quiet the wait! Chuffed as I thought I might of messed up and failed. Also have the manager interview on the same day but i think the mmi sounds more scary.

£46,500! I’d happily take that compared to what I’m on now. I hear Virgin Trains is where the big bucks can be earned.

 

[GJ_DAN]

Hi everyone, I'm a new user to this site.
Is there anyone on here that took and passed stage 1 on the afternoon of the 11th this month?
If so I was wondering what date you have been given for stage 2?
I've been given the date of December 6th, this seems such a long way away considering others have completed the whole process already.
Congratulations to all those that have passed so far.

Mine was on the morning

 

[Bristol VRIII]

Hi, is anybody applying for Peterborough HH?

Yes mate

 

[crebbs1]

Yes mate

That’s good to hear, when is your stage 2 booked in for?
Mines 29th November and I sat stage 1 on 24th August so quite a wait.

 

[Bristol VRIII]

That’s good to hear, when is your stage 2 booked in for?

Mines 29th November and I sat stage 1 on 24th August so quite a wait.[/QUOTE]

That is a really long wait! lol, I had my stage 1 the day before 23rd August and was asked to come for stage 2 on the 4th Sept but due to work commitments the OPC let me push it back to September 26th Thankfully,

So do you live in Peterborough?

 

[Coach Carter]

I took my stage 1 on 11th sept and had an email to say I’ll be doing stage 2 on the 5th Dec...quiet the wait! Chuffed as I thought I might of messed up and failed. Also have the manager interview on the same day but i think the mmi sounds more scary.

£46,500! I’d happily take that compared to what I’m on now. I hear Virgin Trains is where the big bucks can be earned.

Congrats on passing and best of luck with stage 2.
Is this the first drivers job you have applied for? Yer £46,500 isn't to be sniffed at, more than double what I get for driving a coach every hour god sends. To be honest I'd do it for a lot less as it's the career I want.

 

[Mizzmo]

I got a reply from opc today, I took mine on the 13th. Unfortunately I failed 'freightliner enhanced' but I passed 'rssb national standard' what does this mean?
Is there a glimmer of hope?