Sorry mate, I forgot about the thread.
How much say you get depends on how flexible you are prepared to be. Lots of people are willing to relocate for a job offer, you just have to see how lucky you get. I ticked about 15 stations on the list that I was willing to commute to when I applied and I had to wait 18 months to get a position. If I was willing to move home then I would’ve got a job quicker.
As for transferring to a different station once you’re in, you usually have to wait 12 or 24 months before you can apply to go on to a list. But there’s alway exceptions and negotiations to be made.
Back to the riding , this week on Wednesday I’m heading up the quantocks with some work mates, and then on Thursday we’ll be up at Bike Park Wales. All on my days off.