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Post by incredible on Dec 18, 2007 17:57:24 GMT
Hello guys, this is my first post. Id like to say I have always had a great interest in the London Underground network and have travelled on the system a great deal.
What Id like to know is how long is the usual process of LU taking on operators from other positions like station assistants as I understand you have to apply internally for operators?
I currently work for First Great Westen nr Reading and am on the right track for becoming an overground driver, however the Underground system has always appealed to me more.
Can anyone please give me more info. as to becoming a a train op.... i.e.
How often do they take on ops?
Is there high competition within LU staff?
Is living in Reading too far away? (ideally central line would be best for me?)
Also hours etc?
I'm 24 yrs old and I can't explain why I love the underground so much, most people Ive spoken to about it say 'why would you want to be in dark smelly tunnels all day?'
Also do they ever take on qualified mainline drivers directly as ops?
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers, Phil
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2007 18:27:53 GMT
Phil, I'm sure our drivers amongst us will add more detail but :
There is huge competition within LU for train op vacancies. Some staff, unsutiable for the role, simply see it as a way off the gateline.
In 2007, there was a virtual rolling program of recruiment, with unsuccessful candidates applying 6 months later.
It takes probably 6-12 months from joining LU to being in a position to apply for train op (IMHO).
However the word on the street is LU will be recruiting directly in 2008. The rules & regs are different from LU/NR and there is no skill transfer (apart from the skill of driving). This is an issue the drivers here will be able to advise more on.
There are some pitfalls of going through the ranks - the major one being a huge credibility problem with the recruitment process.
IMHO if you really want to join LU - wait until direct recruit train op comes out.
Oh, and welcome to the forum and good luck with FGW/ LU
Oh can't see Reading being a major issue, bar delaying your entering service until local vacancies come about.
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Post by happybunny on Dec 18, 2007 22:29:39 GMT
I would love to get off the tube and be a overground HST driver for FGW.... want to do a Mutual Changover?  |
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Colin
Advisor
My preserved fire engine!
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Post by Colin on Dec 18, 2007 23:14:32 GMT
SS Stig has it about right - but promotion isn't a guaranteed thing by any means. It took me (as it does the majority of people) several attempts at the application process before finally getting the job - and the current recruitment/promotion process is somewhat of a controversial sticking point at the moment within LUL grades. Being a current mainline driver is useful, but I wouldn't like to say if it would make a huge deal of difference to LUL's recruitment/promotion process - I'd imagine you'd still have to pass all the relevant written/reaction tests just as you would have done with FGW. All the best anyway should you decide to pursue your dream  |
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Post by Tubeboy on Dec 20, 2007 15:55:03 GMT
I agree with everything that has been said, especially the bit about LU HR! They are rubbish!
If a railway person read the application forms/marked tests, less rubbish staff and more qualified staff would be getting promoted. Its all about what boxes you tick.
Sad thing is you have to get pass the REED administered stages to get the interview where a railway manager interviews you.
Best of luck!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2007 17:12:57 GMT
Can only nod in agreement to whats already been said... Normally, a depot is allocated to you, depending on where you live... being in Reading, I might hazard a guess at White City being allocated, subject to vacancies . ;D Salary... competetive... terms& conds... likewise... favourable leave... Alright... I'll stop. ;D As to HR, well... I'll keep schtum on that... Walls have eyes [and ears]... As my user name suggests... Would you like a Mutual Change of Home Depot? ;D Ahh, someone beat me to it, Doughnuts and swizzlecakes! ;D |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2007 21:48:28 GMT
Also do they ever take on qualified mainline drivers directly as ops? Well I came from the mainline (Thames Trains as it was) directly into LU's driving school and I know of at least three others at Earl's Court who were ex BR! The trick is waiting to see when they advertise for direct recruit operators (if indeed they do) however I'd advise you to think very carefully about switching from the main to LU... I don't regret the time I spent on LU, but if you ever apply for a mainline position again, be aware that LU isn't counted as a TOC so you'd have to do all the psychometric stuff etc again... |
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Post by incredible on Dec 21, 2007 15:41:37 GMT
Thanks for all the replies guys. Certainly has helped. I'm not a mainline driver yet, but I'm a depot driver and am in the right position to become one. However like I said LU is more appealing to me. I'm also aware Alan about the fact that switching back to mainline from LU is not as easy.
I will be keeping my eye out for any direct Train Op. vacancies if they do indeed decide to advertise externally next year (2008).
I went to London yesterday for a ride on the East London Line (whitechapel to New X, then back to Surrey Quays, then to New X Gate and back to Whitechapel) as you all know it closes tomorrow. It won't be the same.
I spoke to a guy on gateline at Whitechapel and he thinks the best way in would be to join London overground and then go underground from there. Also I didn't know LUL HR was up the creek. FGW recruitment is....well let's say there's 'room for improvement'.
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Post by c5 on Dec 21, 2007 16:52:25 GMT
London Overground is operated by a private firm and there are not any transfer opportunities into TfL.
Out of interest, why do you want to become a LUL Train Operator?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2007 18:26:07 GMT
Thanks for all the replies guys. Certainly has helped. I'm not a mainline driver yet, but I'm a depot driver and am in the right position to become one. Id stick at that and work up as a train driver on NR. You would be taking too much of a risk to come on the tube as an operator because as others have said if you wanted to swap back again you would find it much harder. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2007 20:55:17 GMT
London Overground is operated by a private firm and there are not any transfer opportunities into TfL. Is that 100% true? Aren't LO station staff TFL employees? I'm pretty sure the ones on the Watford Junction line are. |
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Rich32
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Post by Rich32 on Dec 21, 2007 20:59:51 GMT
London Overground is operated by a private firm and there are not any transfer opportunities into TfL. Is that 100% true? Aren't LO station staff TFL employees? I'm pretty sure the ones on the Watford Junction line are. The Silverlink staff on the Watford Line between Queens Park to H&W (Wembley Central Group) were transferred to LUL (and therefore TfL), but all the others are employed by LOROL which is still a private company that works for TfL under concession. |
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Post by 100andthirty on Dec 21, 2007 21:30:17 GMT
It is now 2007. Two lines are automatic; the train operator is just a machine minder/door operator. Jubilee goes over to this in 2009; then Northern, then Metropolitan, Circle, H&C, District and Picc. Then by end of next decade, Bakerloo. All based on current plans. You should bear this in mind if you want to drive in the long term.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2007 0:44:31 GMT
out of the sub surface lines ssl the district is the last to be resignalled
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