Driving commuter trains...

TheSneakiness · 08-02-2006, 03:31 PM

Anyone got any idea at all on how to get a licence for this? If you can call it a licence.

Time for something different to do.

Martyvan · 08-02-2006, 03:44 PM

Become an admin clerk on a traineeship straight out of school. Then you move up to station employee, then if you are lucky, you can become a guard, then after a lenghthy apprenticeship you too can earn $100k per year driving something that doesnt require steering...... (And then strike when you want bigger pay rises)
Sounds tempting doesnt it?

TheSneakiness · 08-02-2006, 03:46 PM

So, there's absolutely no other way to get into this job?

I can't really afford to go back onto traineeship wages.

And this isn't because of the strike situation in QLD, it's something I've wanted to do for a while and could never ever find out how to get into it.

flathead 276 · 08-02-2006, 04:35 PM

How do I put this? As someone who drives freight trains for a living, you would be better off starting there. Get your driving qualifications that way, transfer to passenger trains later. You will get a better understanding of train handling this way.

Nevermind · 08-02-2006, 04:39 PM

Look out in the paper for advertised jobs.
In Sydney they are short of urban drivers (as no one really wants to do it).
I've been employed by Pacific National for 18 months now, I've started by being a Terminal Operator (shunter), and am quite happy doing that for the short term, but will eventually move up to becoming a driver. Over the next 5 years or so, there is going to be a big driver shortage as alot of people are getting to the age of retiring (my dad included).

I just got my job from a advertisement, off the street. I use to be a Computer Technician.

Freight is definently the place to start. (although some Sydney surburbans are no sometimes more then cattle trains).

TheSneakiness · 08-02-2006, 04:41 PM

How would I go about getting into driving freight trains?

I was reading that in NSW, there's an Australian Rail College that you can get qualifications through. Then I also found out how much people get paid for driving commuter trains in NSW...

$800 p/w plus super, allowances etc... while training to drive them...

It gets higher when you've finished training...

TheSneakiness · 08-02-2006, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevermind

Look out in the paper for advertised jobs.
In Sydney they are short of urban drivers (as no one really wants to do it).
I've been employed by Pacific National for 18 months now, I've started by being a Terminal Operator (shunter), and am quite happy doing that for the short term, but will eventually move up to becoming a driver. Over the next 5 years or so, there is going to be a big driver shortage as alot of people are getting to the age of retiring (my dad included).

That's what I also figure. That most drivers now would be getting close to retirement age and there's going to be no-one to take over.

Nevermind · 08-02-2006, 04:44 PM

There is a safe working course you can do, its by no means any guarantee into getting any sort of job though.

flathead 276 · 08-02-2006, 04:50 PM

You live in QLD try QR National, Pacific National may possibly be broken up ( TOLL & PATRICKS ) squabbling amongst themselves. Worked for them previously, resigned & joined Freight Australia, only to have Pacific National by them out. ( Shonky deal approved by ACCC ).

TheSneakiness · 08-02-2006, 05:03 PM

Thanks flathead, I'll check it out...

Citric GT · 08-02-2006, 05:09 PM

I work with flathead 276, he is right about Pac Nat as I'm in the same situation as him. If you are in QLD, try QR.

TheSneakiness · 08-02-2006, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citric XR6

I work with flathead 276, he is right about Pac Nat as I went through the same deal as him. If you are in QLD, try QR.

I've fired off an e-mail to them about how I get a qualification, see what happens from there.

Citric GT · 08-02-2006, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martyvan

Become an admin clerk on a traineeship straight out of school. Then you move up to station employee, then if you are lucky, you can become a guard, then after a lenghthy apprenticeship you too can earn $100k per year driving something that doesnt require steering...... (And then strike when you want bigger pay rises)
Sounds tempting doesnt it?

Yeah right.

_

Citric GT · 08-02-2006, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUII_SE_Ute

I've fired off an e-mail to them about how I get a qualification, see what happens from there.

To QR?

If so, I think you'll find that they will provide all the training right from the start. If they do take you on, it will be as a Fireman(Trainee driver) and its usually about 3 - 5 years till you're a qualified driver (some country depots take 10-20).

TheSneakiness · 08-02-2006, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citric XR6

To QR?

If so, I think you'll find that they will provide all the training right from the start. If they do take you on, it will be as a Fireman(Trainee driver) and its usually about 3 - 5 years till you're a qualified driver (some country depots take 10-20).

Yeah, sorry, to QR.

Interesting. I hope I get something back from them soon.

FGX-351 · 08-02-2006, 06:10 PM

im looking to get into that aswell, i have relatives who are drivers and are going to help me get in, qr have aleady had the cut off this year and spots wont open up till the end of the year now and ive been told that to become a driver they make you take an apptitude test aswell and i think an open c class licence is required(not sure though)

Citric GT · 08-02-2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbk_dx

ive been told that to become a driver they make you take an apptitude test aswell and i think an open c class licence is required(not sure though)

Yes, all the places seem to want you to sit an apptitude test I've noticed - hopefully to weed out loony buffs. A drivers licence is required as you'll find that nearly every day your'e driving somewhere to relieve a crew - sometimes hundreds of kms.

vino3o2 · 08-02-2006, 06:54 PM

To become a Train driver for QR you basicly have to join the que and wait for them to die!! A mate of mine is a train gaurd ($55,000 pa for blowing a wistle and reading the news paper in between stations) for the past 10 years and still cant get into train driving....good luck with it, it seem QR employ there own so you would have to start somewhere else in the organization

TheSneakiness · 08-02-2006, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vino3o2

($55,000 pa for blowing a wistle and reading the news paper in between stations)

:

So those blokes who get out, blow a whistle telling the driver to POQ get paid that much?!?!?!?!?!?

If I could get into anything like that is remotely driver based, I'd do it.

vino3o2 · 08-02-2006, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUII_SE_Ute

:

So those blokes who get out, blow a whistle telling the driver to POQ get paid that much?!?!?!?!?!?

If I could get into anything like that is remotely driver based, I'd do it.

Yep!! Its no bull....the hours are all over the place but the perks of the job are unbeleivable!!! He tell me that sometimes they do "dead runs" which means they get on trains that dont stop at station ,and go to sleep on them for hours on end !!! What a life

flathead 276 · 08-02-2006, 11:51 PM

Good luck with your career change, if you decide to go through with it & can get a start.

NC 5ltr · 08-02-2006, 11:59 PM

Good career move.

I'd go passenger trains then frieght trains as its pretty hard to get into frieght straight away(been tryin for 14 months) and with experience behind your belt you'd get straight in.

but if your based in nsw you can do a 2 week course near bass hill (southern cross rail training) that will teach you everything regarding frieght or passenger train operations.about 2 g though.

Racecraft · 09-02-2006, 12:04 AM

Yea Kenny, to confirm what Vino said.. I have two ticket inspectors that drive for me on the sneak.. THey both make great money but the hours are a shocker, both have all but given up actually moving up the ladder any further and are happy to wait it out and get good money for doing next to jack sh|t

TheSneakiness · 09-02-2006, 02:11 PM

I got an e-mail back from QR saying that they do driver hiring internally.

I'll have to find some other way in...

BlueRaven · 09-02-2006, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUII_SE_Ute

I got an e-mail back from QR saying that they do driver hiring internally.

I'll have to find some other way in...

Sleep with the manager!

:

Im sure the oppertunity would present itself somewhere around Bowen Hills station...

blackers10 · 09-02-2006, 03:32 PM

my girlfriends dad is a senior training officer for QR
he has been in the bizz for 23 years i think..

he started as a fireman.. then as a freight driver.. and has moved up thru train controler etc..
he is on $36 an hour or there abouts with 2 more pay rises to come this year..
and he gets extra $$ when he flys to mackay..tville..even going 2 sydney this year some time..

its crazy

he said the easiest way 2 get into QR is to apply for jobs sellin tickets at the station then just transfer out after a few months and apply for better jobs inside QR..
it seems like a GREAT company to be able to get UP the ladder via in hiring.. rather than have jobs taken by outsiders..

good luck matey..
im considering a move to QR if i can..(failed year 10.. so my choices are limited:()

Casper · 09-02-2006, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flathead 276

How do I put this? As someone who drives freight trains for a living, you would be better off starting there. Get your driving qualifications that way, transfer to passenger trains later. You will get a better understanding of train handling this way.

My stepfather has been driving trains for almost 30 years. I am also a professional IT person specialising in Time and Attendance and award payments. You and I both know that the "glory" may be on the 'Pas' but the money is on the superfreighters.

Freight allowences are awesome. The Qld "dead dog" allowance is the best scam I've ever heard of!

flathead 276 · 09-02-2006, 05:00 PM

Enlighten me Casper, never heard of that one. I've been on the "road" 14 years, as far as I know NSW didn't have it.

Casper · 09-02-2006, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flathead 276

Enlighten me Casper, never heard of that one. I've been on the "road" 14 years, as far as I know NSW didn't have it.

I think its a Qld only allowance in this case. The drivers basically get a set $ allowance if they remove a dead carcass from the tracks. This does not (and yes it was written) include humans.

:

TheSneakiness · 09-02-2006, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackers10

he said the easiest way 2 get into QR is to apply for jobs sellin tickets at the station then just transfer out after a few months and apply for better jobs inside QR..
it seems like a GREAT company to be able to get UP the ladder via in hiring.. rather than have jobs taken by outsiders..

That's pretty much how I read the e-mail re: drivers, even though it was about 30 words long.