hiya,
Dont worry to much about written confirmation re training course. I completed mine in December and probably only received it a week before. If you are in any doubt ring recruitment as they are helpful and will reasure you that everything is okay.
As far as commuting I would stay put 1.5 hours seems great to me. I commute from the North East, and you will find that crew commute from all over Europe not just the Uk.
Anyway enjoy and will prob see you on the LHR-NCL shuttle in the summer.
M
