Stress of train driving and work/life balance

[John Bishop]

THIS ISN'T NEGATIVE..

As someone who has gone through the ringer with a relationship; in part due to work. I can honestly say it doesn't always get better. What does happen is that partners learn to understand and make adjustments for the ones they love. As already mentioned, there is a lot of psychological impacts with shift work specifically and also due to lack of sleep.

As Train Drivers, as well as others in similar situations, we are a little psychologically broken. If I went through my week, I could list all kinds of weird and stressful situations. My, now ex partner, never used to understand that when I come home I want to switch off and not think about it. I need a decent nights sleep and a partner who understands I'm gonna be Mr Grinch at times and sometimes I don't want to share that I almost killed someone due to a near miss or I almost stopped short because I drifted off thinking about the kitchen for the umpteenth time. I can't go to your Mother in laws birthday, not because she's the Devil, but because I need to get up at 0300 to drive a Choo Choo at 0434. If you can understand and take the rough with the smooth; I swear I will love you forever. Seriously, it often takes a very understanding and committed partner to be with a Train Driver; or generic Shift Worker.

The smooth really does have its benefits. Long weekends and being able to hit the shops during the week; avoiding the 9-5 crazy weekend mentality. Higher wages (Kerching !!!!) and the benefits that brings. I have had many benefits that have outweighed the hard parts of the job. I think maybe, your partner needs to also understand this part too. (open to any PMs)

My kids have been on the better side as they have grown up only knowing I'm a Train Driver so they generally understand that I might not be there for everything but I'm there for quite a lot; again, the money helps (little B'stewards ) Kids are a little more resilient than adults as their expectations are a little different and I do understand that mine grew up with me as a Driver but others have had the culture shock; and that is important to recognise.

I've met many 'Driver Wives' over the years and it truly does take a special kind of person to love us grumpy buggers but it IS worth it in the long run.

20yrs in and I'm still a miserable git when I've had a long shift/week/day/trip/assessment/shunt/etc.

Excellent post ComUtoR!!

 

[dk1]

I can’t say I’ve ever found it stressful or creates issues with a work/life balance as I have always arranged my life around my work. That way it never causes a problem.

 

[ID2425652]

The only stress in being a train driver is that which you make for yourself.

The only stress in being a train driver is that which your employer creates for you

 

[ExRes]

The only stress in being a train driver is that which your employer creates for you

I disagree, I've seen plenty of drivers creating their own stress, blaming management is always an easy excuse for not accepting personal responsibilty

 

[dk1]

I disagree, I've seen plenty of drivers creating their own stress, blaming management is always an easy excuse for not accepting personal responsibilty

Me too. I get little or no pressure from my employer but then I get on & do my job & cause them no problems.

 

[Train_manager]

THIS ISN'T NEGATIVE..

As someone who has gone through the ringer with a relationship; in part due to work. I can honestly say it doesn't always get better. What does happen is that partners learn to understand and make adjustments for the ones they love. As already mentioned, there is a lot of psychological impacts with shift work specifically and also due to lack of sleep.

As Train Drivers, as well as others in similar situations, we are a little psychologically broken. If I went through my week, I could list all kinds of weird and stressful situations. My, now ex partner, never used to understand that when I come home I want to switch off and not think about it. I need a decent nights sleep and a partner who understands I'm gonna be Mr Grinch at times and sometimes I don't want to share that I almost killed someone due to a near miss or I almost stopped short because I drifted off thinking about the kitchen for the umpteenth time. I can't go to your Mother in laws birthday, not because she's the Devil, but because I need to get up at 0300 to drive a Choo Choo at 0434. If you can understand and take the rough with the smooth; I swear I will love you forever. Seriously, it often takes a very understanding and committed partner to be with a Train Driver; or generic Shift Worker.

The smooth really does have its benefits. Long weekends and being able to hit the shops during the week; avoiding the 9-5 crazy weekend mentality. Higher wages (Kerching !!!!) and the benefits that brings. I have had many benefits that have outweighed the hard parts of the job. I think maybe, your partner needs to also understand this part too. (open to any PMs)

My kids have been on the better side as they have grown up only knowing I'm a Train Driver so they generally understand that I might not be there for everything but I'm there for quite a lot; again, the money helps (little B'stewards ) Kids are a little more resilient than adults as their expectations are a little different and I do understand that mine grew up with me as a Driver but others have had the culture shock; and that is important to recognise.

I've met many 'Driver Wives' over the years and it truly does take a special kind of person to love us grumpy buggers but it IS worth it in the long run.

20yrs in and I'm still a miserable git when I've had a long shift/week/day/trip/assessment/shunt/etc.

100 % spot on!! Excellent post and agree.

Train driving isn't a job but a way of life.

"little psychologically broken" love that bit. I tell people I'm wired differently. Lol

 

[id799862]

I disagree, I've seen plenty of drivers creating their own stress, blaming management is always an easy excuse for not accepting personal responsibilty

When I worked for GBRf, I was on the same 12hour diagram every working day, Monday to Friday.

12 on 12 off.

It regularly exceeded, and when I resumed after rest I would lose the money for the hours I wasn't working because I resumed after the start of the diagram. (I've kept the contract hours statement emails, just in case I need to prove it)

After a while I found that increasingly stressful.

The 12hour T3s without the hours traveling to and from included in the diagram were stressful as well, particularly when emails to control asking what they were going to do to prevent me exceeding were not answered until after the job was done.

Personal Responsibility or Management Responsibility?

 

[EZJ]

egularly exceeded, and when I resumed after rest I would lose the money for the hours I wasn't working because I resumed after the start of the diagram. (I've kept the contract hours statement emails, just in case I need to prove it)

Not doubting you but I find that unbelievable, your company docked your money because you finished late on a shift and needed your 12 hour rest period?? I've only ever seen in both in pax and freight that you get the OT and full pay on your next shift after rest.
Also 100% agree you need a very special partner to put with the train driving lifestyle, I like many others have experience of a relationship breaking down as they just didn't get that you couldn't do certain things at certain times.

 

[Carl98k]

When I worked for GBRf, I was on the same 12hour diagram every working day, Monday to Friday.

12 on 12 off.

It regularly exceeded, and when I resumed after rest I would lose the money for the hours I wasn't working because I resumed after the start of the diagram. (I've kept the contract hours statement emails, just in case I need to prove it)

After a while I found that increasingly stressful.

The 12hour T3s without the hours traveling to and from included in the diagram were stressful as well, particularly when emails to control asking what they were going to do to prevent me exceeding were not answered until after the job was done.

Personal Responsibility or Management Responsibility?

I’m not doubting you, but this has never happened to me. Infact, I was held just outside the yard awaiting acceptance so I was delayed by 30 minutes. I emailed control and they put the hours on.

With regards to T3s, my travel time has always been included in the diagram. Some are 12 hours but some can be as short as 6, including travel time.

 

[id799862]

I’m not doubting you, but this has never happened to me. Infact, I was held just outside the yard awaiting acceptance so I was delayed by 30 minutes. I emailed control and they put the hours on.

With regards to T3s, my travel time has always been included in the diagram. Some are 12 hours but some can be as short as 6, including travel time.

GB Railfreight Flightplan Report for *******

Date - **-***-**
Book On - **:**
Book Off - EXCEEDED BY OVER TWO HOURS
Hours Booked - OVER FOURTEEN


Date - NEXT DAY
Book On - AFTER 12 HOURS REST, MORE THAN TWO HOURS INTO THE DIAGRAM
Book Off - NORMAL TIME
Hours Booked - OVER TWO HOURS LESS THAN THE DIAGRAM

**Redacted.

 

[66701GBRF]

If you booked the exceeded hours (over 2 hours) and then came in later the next day by the same amount then you would not have lost hours/money. If the following day was a RDW you could have rang control or emailed the people that do the hours and still be credited the original 12 hours even if you ended up working less than that.

 

[id799862]

If you booked the exceeded hours (over 2 hours) and then came in later the next day by the same amount then you would not have lost hours/money. If the following day was a RDW you could have rang control or emailed the people that do the hours and still be credited the original 12 hours even if you ended up working less than that.

Either you are saying that the above (which was challenged) is untrue or that it is the right thing for them to do.

Now I work for a different company and when I exceed one day and resume after rest the next day, I get paid the Full diagram on both days and the overtime for the day that I exceeded.

 

[66701GBRF]

Either you are saying that the above (which was challenged) is untrue or that it is the right thing for them to do.

I have never not got my booked amount of hours if I have exceeded and come in later the next day or if I have had to finish earlier to catch an earlier job the next day.

Right for them to do what?

 

[Wrexhamfc]

If a driver gets paid 10% of the revenue they produce for the company, then GBRf have lost a driver who clearly is willing to put in the hours, a driver who probably drove over a million pounds of work in a year and they have lost that driver over two hours pay. That really is stupid, no wonder they have to lock everybpdy they train in with five or six figure training agreements.

Me and my large valuable route card, I will never take a job at GBRf because I like being treated decently.

 

[12LDA28C]

Either you are saying that the above (which was challenged) is untrue or that it is the right thing for them to do.

Now I work for a different company and when I exceed one day and resume after rest the next day, I get paid the Full diagram on both days and the overtime for the day that I exceeded.

If that happened to me at work, it would only happen once. You make it quite clear that next time you expect to be paid fully or you won't be staying late, or coming in the next day. Pretty sure it would be sorted sharpish.

 

[Carl98k]

If a driver gets paid 10% of the revenue they produce for the company, then GBRf have lost a driver who clearly is willing to put in the hours, a driver who probably drove over a million pounds of work in a year and they have lost that driver over two hours pay. That really is stupid, no wonder they have to lock everybpdy they train in with five or six figure training agreements.

Me and my large valuable route card, I will never take a job at GBRf because I like being treated decently.

I’ll be honest, before I started with GB I’d heard of all these horror stories, and I was a little put off. I’m not saying they’re perfect (no company is), but I’ve not had an issue.

I’d heard the rumours that you’re called on your day off to cover work ect. I’ve received one email asking if I’d cover a job for them, but that’s it.

I’m paid on time and correctly. I’ve only gone over my hours a few times. Once because I was held outside a yard awaiting acceptance, and the rest due to passenger being cancelled or running late. Either way, I was paid what I was owed and had my full 12 hours off.

 

[Tube driver]

I’m scumbag tube but there can be many reasons why he may be a bit ‘off’

It is certainly a different way of life and one that can take considerable adjustment. Rotational shift work is pants, it really is. You are forever trying to catch up with yourself and it can take a long time to adjust and you do find yourself dreading a particular bad set of shifts weeks before you do them. Been on the job 20 years and I still dread lates and will do anything up to offering my first born to get rid of them!

it can be lonely! Honestly, if he’s used to working in a team it can be daunting going out on your own with only your brain for company. Many people need others to bounce off of and to help when things go wrong. Yes, there’s always someone at the end of a radio to assist if need be but generally it’s up you to get things moving after a failure. This pressure can be counter productive. He will in time grow in confidence and be at one with himself but it will take a little time.

it can be political. This can be wearing. Whether it’s management, unions, other drivers being negative, the press being critical (again!) it can bring you down as you’re always focused on the negatives of the job. It’s easy to get swept up in a tide of negativity and think everyone is out to get you but you must sometimes step back and realise that as long as you turn up on time, just do the bloody job and ignore everyone else then the job will work itself out. I turn up, I drive my train, I go home and that’s it. I don’t involve myself with ‘office politics’.

It is knackering! Especially when new. People just think that it’s a few levers or buttons and it’s like driving a car stopping at traffic lights and whatnot. It’s anything but. you are solely focused on the road ahead for your entire shift. You are in a comfy seat in a non-stimulating environment for hours on end and the fight to keep your brain engaged on the job can be difficult and it can be draining. Add that to shift work and you can see why he may be grumpy.

ALL TRAIN DRIVERS LIKE TO MOAN!! Honestly, I think it’s in the job description or something. You’re not a proper driver unless you’re complaining about something and inevitably that gets taking home. It’s kinda normal.

My fellow tubist said it earlier, it will take about two years before you feel properly comfortable in the job and feel that it was the right decision. Just be supportive and a shoulder to lean on and he’ll be fine.

 

[ThePeakNed]

You are in a comfy seat

What's a comfy seat...?

 

[Chucky]

Is that perception or have you measured it in some way?

I only ask as I perceive the majority of car driving as not stressful, but when measured it is a high stress activity? (concentration, focus, etc)

My perception.

 

[soswales]

This always puzzles me. I drive from signal to signal. If a signal is red, I stop. When it turns green I go, never thinking twice about the red signal I’ve just stopped at.

Some at my depot act like it’s a personal vendetta from the signalman aimed at them when they receive a red signal. Certainly can think of a few signals passed at danger because the driver was focussed more on getting angry at the signaller for being cautioned then they were focussed on stopping at the red signal.

That made me laugh with being a signaller
I've accidently forgot to clear many signals in my time and didn't think of drivers getting furious, just thought they were assuming a trains ahead or a reason why signal hasn't cleared (line block handed back late, waiting to be told info etc)... I am now going to have that in my mind next time I do it and have this image of a driver seething to the core at his/her controls (oops haha)

 

[Juliet Barvo]

I am new to the forum and couldn't find an obvious place to ask this question, so I am hoping this sub-forum is best suited (if not, let me know). I read the guidelines and think it falls under the topic of "Wider discussions about careers and jobs in the railway industry"

My question....

My partner became a qualified train driver about a year ago, after a long period of training.

We're both early 40s, been together 7 years. There has been quite a dramatic change in his personality since he started the job/started driving on his own without an instructor. He has become incredibly irritable, distant. I am very sympathetic to what intense work stress can do to your mind and body from experience.

I think it comes from a combination of stress (I understand drivers are under enormous pressure never to make mistakes), being messed around by his employer (they will send him halfway across the network to drive random trains), low morale from union strikes and also the added stress from doing split shift work and a messed up body clock.

I should also add that my partner is not a train enthusiast and so that joy from looking forward to driving just isn't there. He does it because he has been in the railway industry for a long time and wanted a better job (he was an internal hire).

Is this high stress typical for someone in his position? I think he's been qualified about a year or so, does it get any better? I'm hoping over time he will get more relaxed with his job and chill out a bit.

I remember being very stressed when I joined the industry. The company trained up trainees who'd joined the company and my depot after I'd joined the company, months before they trained me. I remember sitting in the mess room on training money waiting for a DI while those who'd joined the company after me were on full drivers money. Bad things happened to those who voiced unhappiness. That was stressful. I think it was a breach of the Peterborough Agreement and seniority. I left the company soon after because of that. They wasted the £100k+ that they invested in me.

 

[387star]

I remember being very stressed when I joined the industry. The company trained up trainees who'd joined the company and my depot after I'd joined the company, months before they trained me. I remember sitting in the mess room on training money waiting for a DI while those who'd joined the company after me were on full drivers money. Bad things happened to those who voiced unhappiness. That was stressful. I think it was a breach of the Peterborough Agreement and seniority. I left the company soon after. They wasted the £100k+ that they invested in me.

Sounds like the Gillingham/Cricklewood saga

 

[ID2425652]

I remember being very stressed when I joined the industry. The company trained up trainees who'd joined the company and my depot after I'd joined the company, months before they trained me. I remember sitting in the mess room on training money waiting for a DI while those who'd joined the company after me were on full drivers money. Bad things happened to those who voiced unhappiness. That was stressful. I think it was a breach of the Peterborough Agreement and seniority. I left the company soon after because of that. They wasted the £100k+ that they invested in me.

Sounds like the Elizabeth line and being placed in training on the East or West

 

[NSEWonderer]

Sounds like the Elizabeth line and being placed in training on the East or West

That was awfully specific.