Are you happy in your job as an RPI?

[Islineclear3_1]

To all RPIs out there...

Today I had reason to travel on TL. On two separate services, I had an RPI.

No disrespect - just an observation but both of them looked really happy in their work (not!). In fact, one of them looked so miserable, I thought there might have been a death in the family

I understand that they have to deal with all sorts of people in all walks of life but by contrast, a lot of guards I see walking up and down the trains on other TOCs are always cheerful and make the effort to smile etc.

So be honest, do you do the job just for the monthly wage or do you do it because you genuinely enjoy your job and dealing with the travelling public?

 

[notadriver]

Surely the nature of that job is dealing with fare evaders - not pleasant in my opinion.

 

[47802]

I never seen one who isn't miserable, as well as being extremely officious

 

[The Box Photter]

Its not a job I'd willingly do.

Most of the TL/FCC RPIs I've encountered are pleasant enough. They do have to interact with some pretty scummy people.

They've been out in force at Flitwick both days this week, morning and evening. In the long run, they do a good job of keeping fares down. I pay my fare, why should some scrote put the cost of my ticket up by "bunking".

Keep up the good work guys.

 

[Bodiddly]

I was on a Torquay train last summer when the RPI challenged a black bloke for not having a ticket. The abuse he took was absolutely fierce and was constantly being called a racist. He and his colleague were absolutely calm and talked very firmly but very fairly to the gentleman. The guy was at it and the RPI knew it. When he had finished with him and came over to us I told him he had handled that very well but you could tell he was drained by the whole episode and all he could say to me was ' I have to deal with people like him every day'. I do remember feeling a tad sorry for him!

 

[Antman]

It's not a job I'd fancy but I have met a few who have been quite cheerful.

I assume it's a job that has a higher rate of pay than most other roles?

 

[RJ]

I'm always cracking jokes with the local RPIs. One day I espied a couple on the platform and called out to one of them;

"Yes general! You look happy! How many people have you penalty fared today?"

"2 MGs, 3 Penalty Fares and 6 tickets sold" he responded in an ever so sprightly manner.

I shook my head and asked why it is that people still aren't buying tickets before travel. He laughed about it. They seem happy enough in their work, but then the company treats them well.

 

[185143]

I know several RPIs on the TOC I use most kften. On the whole they are great, however there is one miserable b*stard who is usually the one I meet when buying onboard (for valid reasons!) And always seems to have a negative attitude towards me and my perfectly valid reasons.

There's always one!

 

[RPI]

i was on a torquay train last summer when the rpi challenged a coloured bloke for not having a ticket. The abuse he took was absolutely fierce and was constantly being called a racist. He and his colleague were absolutely calm and talked very firmly but very fairly to the gentleman. The guy was at it and the rpi knew it. When he had finished with him and came over to us i told him he had handled that very well but you could tell he was drained by the whole episode and all he could say to me was ' i have to deal with people like him every day'. I do remember feeling a tad sorry for him!

........

 

[the sniper]

Personally I couldn't be an RPI, I'd find it soul destroying unless you were permanently accompanied by BTP. If they get rid of the Guard grade, I'd sooner leave the railway than be an RPI, but that's just me.

I know people who enjoyed it. Some liked the conflict of it, the sparring, which I think is the 'healthiest' way to live with the job. Most who did like it just 'enjoyed' it for the T&Cs and pay though, and tolerated the job. The RPIs T&Cs at my TOC formally meant that they had a pretty good deal, and they had ways and means of not having to do too much actual RPIing.

Sadly the good times came to an end for them though, the company wiped most of them out and employed a smaller number of new guys in a new grade with worse T&Cs. Of the 'old Guard' of RPIs that are now in Booking Offices or have become Guards, I've yet to find one who doesn't prefer their new role.

 

[theboywho]

When I was a lad there were two RPIs regularly knocking about (who shall remain nameless) who were incredibly pleasant. The chap was probably somebody you wouldn't want to cross and the lady a former guard until experiencing back problems. She is probably retired now but their 'round' included similar demographic to that the OP mentioned.

 

[lonogrol]

I used to manage a team of Revenue staff and regularly went out and about myself. In my current role some of my colleagues and staff are ex-Revenue.

Myself, I thought it was a great role for the following reasons:

1) Shifts tend to be less extreme than for key operational staff (i.e. drivers, control/signals, and station staff).
2) As you aren't important to the running of the railway, things are a lot more chilled out. Running late? No sweat, make it up another time. Want some annual leave? Coverage is less important so it's more likely to be granted. Need to have a chat with the boss? No need to worry about having someone cover your position whilst you do it.
3) A lot more flexible in where you work. Whilst you are told where to go, you can effectively follow the work and pick where to go, and managers are rarely likely to disagree. If you're bored of one location, then go somewhere else.
4) Plenty of time for breaks and to have time off your feet. Especially when you're doing big exercises.
5) The social aspect; almost all of the work was as part of a small team (unlike say drivers who spend most of the day alone). Outside your team you got to know the staff at stations you worked at regularly, as well as the train crew.
6) Great job for people-watching.

Yeah, you get the mouthy so and so's every now and again. But if they are seriously winding you up, or you think you can't be bothered, then walk away and let them go. No skin off my nose.

 

[Monty]

Before becoming a guard I worked as a RPI for five years, while at first I was relatively content with my work the last six months however were pure torture to me. The job made me a very cynical and suspicious person, I always seemed to be dealing with the same stereotypes with the same old excuses day in day out. I could actually see myself gradually become more and more embittered over time and it even began to have an effect my personal life at home. I was completely relieved to be moving on to other things when I was given the opportunity to become a guard. I am of the opinion nobody should do that job for too long, it can literally have an adverse effect on your state of mind.

 

[Chrisgr31]

I was on a Manchester Tram the other day when the revenue protection staff boarded. It was incredible how many people didn't have a ticket and at the next stop every passenger who was standing to board changed their minds when they saw the revenue staff on board and went to buy a ticket. As we pulled away the revnue staff were discussing it and one said something along the lines of

"It never fails to amaze me how many people don't buy a ticket, but I suppose the day it does fail to surprise me is the day I need to change jobs".

 

[misterredmist]

I was on a Manchester Tram the other day when the revenue protection staff boarded. It was incredible how many people didn't have a ticket and at the next stop every passenger who was standing to board changed their minds when they saw the revenue staff on board and went to buy a ticket. As we pulled away the revnue staff were discussing it and one said something along the lines of

"It never fails to amaze me how many people don't buy a ticket, but I suppose the day it does fail to surprise me is the day I need to change jobs".

Yes, those Metrolink "RP Teams" are a force to be reckoned with, nobody can escape or intimidate them when they lock a station down !
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I have known people change careers to become RPI's and they say the "ups" outweigh the "downs" but I do take on board some posters points regarding the attrition of the job on their mental well being !

 

[garethslee]

New here. What's a RPI?
Sorry if it's obvious.

 

[Antman]

New here. What's a RPI?
Sorry if it's obvious.

Revenue Protection Inspector

 

[garethslee]

Thank you

 

[Antman]

I was on a Manchester Tram the other day when the revenue protection staff boarded. It was incredible how many people didn't have a ticket and at the next stop every passenger who was standing to board changed their minds when they saw the revenue staff on board and went to buy a ticket. As we pulled away the revnue staff were discussing it and one said something along the lines of

"It never fails to amaze me how many people don't buy a ticket, but I suppose the day it does fail to surprise me is the day I need to change jobs".

I have seen people suddenly change direction when they see RPI's.

On a similar theme I was on a South Eastern train at Lewisham a while back and there was a request over the PA to have tickets ready for inspection...........several people suddently got off. I stayed on to Woolwich Arsenal and I didn't see any RPI's, maybe just a ploy to get one over on the fare dodgers?

 

[najaB]

I've never heard the phrase "people of colour" before.

It's an Americanism and it's just as good/bad as coloured to me as it lumps me in with Asians, Native Americans, Aborigines and any other non-whites. Just call me Black and be done with it - I promise I won't be offended.

Edit: This reminded me of this stand-up routine.

 

[crehld]

Most RPIs I have come across on my travels are seem genuinely pleasant, but of course you do get the odd bad egg every now and then. In my experience it seems to vary by TOC. SWT RPI staff seem to be excellent on the whole - friendly and professional. The two who handed me a penalty fare (which was quashed on appeal) were very polite and courteous about the whole thing. Whereas I have yet to witness a SouthEastern or FGW RPI who doesn't come across as officious, moody and/or bitter about the whole thing, regardless of whether a passenger has a valid ticket or not (I'm sure there are nice professional staff out there, but I've yet to meet them!). So it's probably a training issue which is TOC specific. Some TOCs obviously place a greater emphasis on customer service than others, and this will be reflected in the attitude and professionalism of their staff.

 

[Agent_c]

Do any RPI's here have any good "war stories", crazy excuses for unticketed travel, etc?

 

[bramling]

I've never heard the phrase "people of colour" before.

I don't want to side track this debate in another direction but I used the term 'coloured' to a police officer (I was describing a suspect) and he didn't bat an eyelid, and yes the police officer was a "person of colour"

I suspect he was more interested in catching the suspect than the finer points of political correctness?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


I have seen people suddenly change direction when they see RPI's.

On a similar theme I was on a South Eastern train at Lewisham a while back and there was a request over the PA to have tickets ready for inspection...........several people suddently got off. I stayed on to Woolwich Arsenal and I didn't see any RPI's, maybe just a ploy to get one over on the fare dodgers?

I know a few drivers on London Underground who sometimes make announcements approaching selected locations, referring to a revenue and police operation including random searches. Certainly get to see some worried faces in the front car. Stratford used to be a good place for this in the days when the station was not gated, Finsbury Park also a favourite.

 

[ScotGG]

I have seen people suddenly change direction when they see RPI's.

On a similar theme I was on a South Eastern train at Lewisham a while back and there was a request over the PA to have tickets ready for inspection...........several people suddently got off. I stayed on to Woolwich Arsenal and I didn't see any RPI's, maybe just a ploy to get one over on the fare dodgers?

I don't know why SE do that - I've heard it before. Mind you when they don't announce it I've seen half the carriage to two-thirds of people get off or move down the train (no exaggeration!) like the Manchester tram example, at a place you'd not expect people to suddenly stand en-masse. Fare evasion seems rife with DOO and no/unused barriers at stations.

 

[Flamingo]

The last time I was called Racist, the guy also said "I'll tell the police you called me a black *******". He was white!

 

[najaB]

"How do I describe the fare-dodging scrote so I don't offend them" thing?

"Fare dodging scrote" works for me.

 

[hounddog]

I never seen one who isn't miserable, as well as being extremely officious

I have yet to witness a SouthEastern or FGW RPI who doesn't come across as officious, moody and/or bitter about the whole thing, regardless of whether a passenger has a valid ticket or not

And yet whenever someone says on the 'disputes' forum that an RPI was rude or unpleasant they're immediately accused of lying.

 

[222007]

Yes i do enjoy my job. Its the same old cliche but no two days or people are the same. Yes there are times i receive abuse but thats the nature of the job, No one likes being caught out. Always enjoy the being called a jobsworth i accept it the person realises im doing my job correctly

 

[Antman]

Yes i do enjoy my job. Its the same old cliche but no two days or people are the same. Yes there are times i receive abuse but thats the nature of the job, No one likes being caught out. Always enjoy the being called a jobsworth i accept it the person realises im doing my job correctly

Just about anybody trying to enforce any rules and regulations these days seems to be regarded as a jobsworth

 

[Flamingo]

"Fare dodging scrote" works for me.

Works for me too, but for some reason they seem to think I'm picking on them