Ex police as Train Drivers - Benefits

maccalad · 23 Oct 2016

Hi all, I am pending a medical before appointment with Northern, but I was just wondering if there are any benefits which you can subscribe to similar to those as a cop e.g like the Federation, Group Insurance, and if there are additional such as life cover with the pension?

Also,in terms of the pension, what are the amounts to pay and the rewards/structure of the scene, and can you or is it best to transfer your police pension over?

Thanks in advance.

RailUK Forums

Louby · 23 Oct 2016

maccalad said:
Hi all, I am pending a medical before appointment with Northern, but I was just wondering if there are any benefits which you can subscribe to similar to those as a cop e.g like the Federation, Group Insurance, and if there are additional such as life cover with the pension?

Also,in terms of the pension, what are the amounts to pay and the rewards/structure of the scene, and can you or is it best to transfer your police pension over?

Thanks in advance.

Only ones I can answer are that you can't transfer any other pension into the railway , it's roughly 5% you pay into but can pay more via brass( kind of a top up etc)

Aivilo · 23 Oct 2016

I was going to transfer my pension over but they wouldn't match it.

Louby · 23 Oct 2016

Aivilo said:
I was going to transfer my pension over but they wouldn't match it.

Just got my pack this week , won't let me transfer my civil service or Nhs

Aivilo · 23 Oct 2016

Interesting that? I was previously tfl so maybe that's why I could or maybe something has changed

greatkingrat · 23 Oct 2016

It depends on the TOC, some RPS sections allow external transfers, some don't.

SPADTrap · 23 Oct 2016

A slight digression if I may on a similar subject; we've had a lot of ex-police officers join my TOC recently. It is very worrying and a crying shame to see so many no doubt previously proud and enthusiastic people leaving the service with the same things to say 'my colleagues are jealous and counting down the days till they can do similar'.

Red Devil · 23 Oct 2016

I would contact RPS and hear it from the horse's mouth as to whether you can transfer pensions or not.
I've just transferred a small private pension with no problems. I'm a Northern employee as it happens

maccalad · 23 Oct 2016

SPADTrap..........you would be amazed as to how many experienced cops are looking to leave the service, and I can guarantee that they all say the same things:

- the government don't care about us
- the government are ruining our pay and conditions
- the Federation don't fight for us
- it's getting dangerous with all of these cuts
- the government have ruined the pension
- its harder to get leave
- I'm fed up of having rest days cancelled
- I'm fed up of being retained on duty

Call me cynical, but I'' convinced that the government have a plan to drive people out to keep costs down so that they can replace long-serving officers on top pay scale with younger officers, many of whom have no life experience.

A poorly thought-out plan by the government because of all the experience which will be lost!

IKB · 23 Oct 2016

Louby said:
Only ones I can answer are that you can't transfer any other pension into the railway , it's roughly 5% you pay into but can pay more via brass( kind of a top up etc)

This is incorrect. I transferred in my police pension. It depends on the TOC/RPS section.

TheEdge · 23 Oct 2016

maccalad said:
Hi all, I am pending a medical before appointment with Northern, but I was just wondering if there are any benefits which you can subscribe to similar to those as a cop e.g like the Federation, Group Insurance, and if there are additional such as life cover with the pension?

As I understand it the Police Federation is effectively the Police union isn't it? So, yes, plently of choice (ASLEF/RMT/TSSA). If you are going in as a driving grade join ASLEF, if you are operational but not driving (guard, dispatcher, station) its the RMT, if you are ticket office or admin then RMT or TSSA.

I'm not aware of any specialist insurances but the unions tend to offer things like credit unions, legal support, hardship support and the like.

Eccles1983 · 23 Oct 2016

This is very relevant to my needs.

I havent received my pack yet,(im sure my post man is on strike or something) but was wondering how much would the police pension get in railway terms.

For example 14 years of police pension.

Apples&Pears · 23 Oct 2016

I'm also applying for driving (and a few other roles) and am in the job.....just had enough

russmcp · 23 Oct 2016

maccalad said:
SPADTrap..........you would be amazed as to how many experienced cops are looking to leave the service, and I can guarantee that they all say the same things:

- the government don't care about us
- the government are ruining our pay and conditions
- the Federation don't fight for us
- it's getting dangerous with all of these cuts
- the government have ruined the pension
- its harder to get leave
- I'm fed up of having rest days cancelled
- I'm fed up of being retained on duty

Call me cynical, but I'' convinced that the government have a plan to drive people out to keep costs down so that they can replace long-serving officers on top pay scale with younger officers, many of whom have no life experience.

A poorly thought-out plan by the government because of all the experience which will be lost!

You sound like me. And I too as well as many echo your cynicism.

Much happier, no regrets and even though getting up some mornings at silly o'clock, the work love balance is so much better on the railways than in the job.

In fact some of my old colleagues seem to think i don't do any work!

If someone told me they wanted to be a copper, I'd tell them think again, I wouldn't give that same advice if someone wanted to join the railway.

greatkingrat · 23 Oct 2016

Eccles1983 said:
This is very relevant to my needs.

I havent received my pack yet,(im sure my post man is on strike or something) but was wondering how much would the police pension get in railway terms.

For example 14 years of police pension.

Impossible to say, it will depend on what your salary was in your old job and how it compares to your new salary.

atochopefull · 23 Oct 2016

maccalad said:
SPADTrap..........you would be amazed as to how many experienced cops are looking to leave the service, and I can guarantee that they all say the same things:

- the government don't care about us
- the government are ruining our pay and conditions
- the Federation don't fight for us
- it's getting dangerous with all of these cuts
- the government have ruined the pension
- its harder to get leave
- I'm fed up of having rest days cancelled
- I'm fed up of being retained on duty

Call me cynical, but I'' convinced that the government have a plan to drive people out to keep costs down so that they can replace long-serving officers on top pay scale with younger officers, many of whom have no life experience.

A poorly thought-out plan by the government because of all the experience which will be lost!

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick to all of the above. Absolutely shocking.

Louby · 23 Oct 2016

IKB said:
This is incorrect. I transferred in my police pension. It depends on the TOC/RPS section.

I've just re read my pack and can't find anywhere where it says I can transfer external ? I shall make some enquiries as they need to be all in the same pot !

whoosh · 24 Oct 2016

Life cover:

Yes a lump sum 'Death in Service' is paid. There have been some changes to the pension scheme recently, but a rough guide is four times your salary. There is a Widow's pension too.

Despite recent changes to the pension scheme, it is still very good.

marshyc · 24 Oct 2016

maccalad said:
SPADTrap..........you would be amazed as to how many experienced cops are looking to leave the service, and I can guarantee that they all say the same things:

- the government don't care about us
- the government are ruining our pay and conditions
- the Federation don't fight for us
- it's getting dangerous with all of these cuts
- the government have ruined the pension
- its harder to get leave
- I'm fed up of having rest days cancelled
- I'm fed up of being retained on duty

Call me cynical, but I'' convinced that the government have a plan to drive people out to keep costs down so that they can replace long-serving officers on top pay scale with younger officers, many of whom have no life experience.

A poorly thought-out plan by the government because of all the experience which will be lost!

atochopefull said:
Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick to all of the above. Absolutely shocking.

Couldn't agree more. I need out now. 10 years and it's not the job I joined or want to be in anymore.

Trico382 · 24 Oct 2016

10 years in for me and in a talent pool waiting to start with a TOC. Really can't wait, excited for the change and excited to get away from the police!

IKB · 24 Oct 2016

Trico382 said:
10 years in for me and in a talent pool waiting to start with a TOC. Really can't wait, excited for the change and excited to get away from the police!

You won't regret it. I've not looked back. Far happier.

notadriver · 24 Oct 2016

Should (ex) police get priority for training driving jobs compared to those in other professions ?

NickR · 24 Oct 2016

notadriver said:
Should (ex) police get priority for training driving jobs compared to those in other professions ?

As another officer with 10 years in and just trying to get past some medical issues before joining Thameslink I would say absolutely not. Some skills learnt in the police hold you in good stead (for example response driving) but certainly not enough to give you priority.

IKB · 24 Oct 2016

notadriver said:
Should (ex) police get priority for training driving jobs compared to those in other professions ?

I wouldn't go that far, but I would suggest the failure/attrition rate is probably less than people coming from some other walks of life.

They have high levels of resilience, calm under pressure, accustomed to shift work, reliability, 'can do' people, used to shouldering responsibility, absorbing legislation etc.

Of course I'm not for a moment suggesting people from other professions don't have these qualities too, but they are common/predictable character traits in the guys and gals I used to work with.

There are lots of people in other 999 services and the military who would jump at the chance of driving jobs. Railway companies would do well to undertake targeted recruitment towards these services due to the aforementioned attributes...but obviously that would not go down well with applicants from other professions who might fit the bill equally as well.

Surreytraveller · 24 Oct 2016

The railway is going the same way as other jobs. The railway is not immune from the world. You will get just as fed up.

Sam Slade · 24 Oct 2016

IKB said:
I wouldn't go that far, but I would suggest the failure/attrition rate is probably less than people coming from some other walks of life.

Railway companies would do well to undertake targeted recruitment towards these services due to the aforementioned attributes...but obviously that would not go down well with applicants from other professions who might fit the bill equally as well.

Hahaha we're not worthy! :roll:

IKB · 24 Oct 2016

Sam Slade said:
Hahaha we're not worthy! :roll:

Selective editing.

I'm not sure how you managed to take offence at my post as it was deliberately worded in such a way as to acknowledge that the attributes I described could equally be possessed by persons not from a 999 background. But my point being those attributes are more likely than not to be found among that group of workers.

But at least you're living up to the reputation of the forum.

Sam Slade · 24 Oct 2016

Really?

With 149 posts to my 4, i'd say you're more entrenched in whatever reputation this forum has. You also said yourself " that may not go down well with applicants from other professions who might fit the bill equally as well "...

I agree with your statement, then you get huffy about it?

notadriver · 24 Oct 2016

IKB said:
I wouldn't go that far, but I would suggest the failure/attrition rate is probably less than people coming from some other walks of life.

They have high levels of resilience, calm under pressure, accustomed to shift work, reliability, 'can do' people, used to shouldering responsibility, absorbing legislation etc.

Of course I'm not for a moment suggesting people from other professions don't have these qualities too, but they are common/predictable character traits in the guys and gals I used to work with.

There are lots of people in other 999 services and the military who would jump at the chance of driving jobs. Railway companies would do well to undertake targeted recruitment towards these services due to the aforementioned attributes...but obviously that would not go down well with applicants from other professions who might fit the bill equally as well.

See here's the thing. I got my current job because of the high levels of customer service I demonstrated during my interview. They weren't as interested in those character traits you mention although candidates obviously have to have those abilities. I'm also a genuinely nice person and can be self deprecating. Quite frankly I think ex police or ex armed forces personnel can be quite arrogant at times.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Tooktook · 24 Oct 2016

notadriver said:
See here's the thing. I got my current job because of the high levels of customer service I demonstrated during my interview. They weren't as interested in those character traits you mention although candidates obviously have to have those abilities. I'm also a genuinely nice person and can be self deprecating. Quite frankly I think ex police or ex armed forces personnel can be quite arrogant at times.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I imagine at times people from all professions can be. But that is more of a individual character trait rather than attaching it to police or ex forces. Which in itself sounds unfair and generalised in my opinion.

Ex police as Train Drivers - Benefits

Member

RailUK Forums

Member

Member

Member

Member

Established Member

Established Member

Member

Member

Member

Established Member

On Moderation

Member

Member

Established Member

Member

Member

Established Member

Member

Member

Member

Established Member

Member

Member

On Moderation

Member

Member

Member

Established Member

Member