Conductor Job - What is it like?

[Ciel]

Hello.

I'd really like be a train driver, but I understand that posts are very hard to get into, and don't come about very often.

I'd also like to be a conductor though! I just love trains, really - I just want to work on it while it's moving with the landscape whooshing past...

Could anyone tell me what the role of a conductor is like? Any personal experiences? What makes a good conductor? What experience should I have? Any tips or hints with regard to applying for the job and what's involved? (I assume it's not as involved as becoming a trainee driver).

Anything would be helpful. I really want to work in the rail industry!

 

[387star]

Safety safety safety
Strict rules and regs
Strong communication skills
Customer centric
Good memory
Team player
Strong concentration and focus
Ability to multi task
Able to deal with money
Work under pressure

 

[Ciel]

Safety safety safety
Strict rules and regs
Strong communication skills
Customer centric
Good memory
Team player
Strong concentration and focus
Ability to multi task
Able to deal with money
Work under pressure

I definitely have all of those and have at least two examples for each!

Are you, by any chance, a conductor? Is it a very satisfying job? What do you do if someone refuses to pay a fare or is uncooperative?

 

[pompeyfan]

If you have a driving licence then the bus industry will give you good experience in my opinion, there are many similarities, but obviously there are also a few differences. Good luck.

 

[notadriver]

Don't go into the buses if you can get a job like conductor on the railway. For a start the buses will tie you in for two years to repay training costs and you'll work far more hours than a conductor does for a lot less money. I'm a bus driver.

 

[pompeyfan]

notadriver, I'm also a driver for one of the big 4 groups, and agree with what you're saying, however the experience you gain from the job will help you if you ever did get to interview. The OP from the sounds of things is relatively young, and so a job on the buses could help them gain valuable experience in a customer and safety critical role.

 

[Ciel]

notadriver, I'm also a driver for one of the big 4 groups, and agree with what you're saying, however the experience you gain from the job will help you if you ever did get to interview. The OP from the sounds of things is relatively young, and so a job on the buses could help them gain valuable experience in a customer and safety critical role.

I'm currently a Fire Fighter, and have been in the role for a number of years. Customer service wise, I also worked for John Lewis as a Customer Service Assistant in the Food Hall, and as a Technical Advisor with Sky and BT.

I think I have the safety and customer service side sorted. All I really want to gain is some insight from conductors about the job.

 

[302PS]

Insecure?

 

[tony6499]

Not the job security there once was, you'll be the one always in the wrong too, whether it is commercial or operating.

 

[red2005]

Not the job security there once was, you'll be the one always in the wrong too, whether it is commercial or operating.

that's far too much of a sweeping generalisation for me!.........one slip of the tongue and DOO mentioned and everyone panics and says the conductor grade isn't secure!

some toc's still see the conductor grade as pivotal and wouldn't dream of getting rid!......besides three quarters of the network is light years away from being able to cater DOO!.

always in the wrong?? i did 7 years as a guard and that certainly wasn't the case at all!..........in fact i would say it's completely the opposite of that.......i find it more like do your job right and you're left alone!........stick your head above the parapet and take risks whether that be safety of poor customer service and you make a rod for your own back!

it's still a great job and one i'd recommend to anyone!.........i passed out as a driver 2 months ago and i know i wouldn't be where i am without the conductor job!.

 

[Ciel]

Insecure?

The job? How so?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

that's far too much of a sweeping generalisation for me!.........one slip of the tongue and DOO mentioned and everyone panics and says the conductor grade isn't secure!

some toc's still see the conductor grade as pivotal and wouldn't dream of getting rid!......besides three quarters of the network is light years away from being able to cater DOO!.

always in the wrong?? i did 7 years as a guard and that certainly wasn't the case at all!..........in fact i would say it's completely the opposite of that.......i find it more like do your job right and you're left alone!........stick your head above the parapet and take risks whether that be safety of poor customer service and you make a rod for your own back!

it's still a great job and one i'd recommend to anyone!.........i passed out as a driver 2 months ago and i know i wouldn't be where i am without the conductor job!.

Hi!

Can I just ask, how did you feel in the conductor job? What things did you like and dislike, and do you think there are any things which I should be conscious of?

 

[red2005]

The job? How so?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Hi!

Can I just ask, how did you feel in the conductor job? What things did you like and dislike, and do you think there are any things which I should be conscious of?

well from a personal perspective i was happy to be leaving the grade when i got the drivers job but that's simply because i only joined the grade to help me get to the driving position........but as i say it truly is a great little job!........the downsides are just the obvious really......unsociable hours and stroppy/miserable passengers......but obviously things like that you'll get to know when you do your research on the role!

but as i said earlier it really is a great job and it's the same as many others in the industry......keep your head down.........do your job in accordance of the rules and regs and you'll be left alone and you can pretty much get what you want out of the job!

yeah there are negatives but in my eyes they certainly ain't negative enough to pick another career/industry

 

[KaiBurton]

I've been a Conductor for the past ten years and I hate everything about it. I can't wait to leave the rail industry altogether next month!

 

[scott118]

I've been a Conductor for the past ten years and I hate everything about it. I can't wait to leave the rail industry altogether next month!

where are you going to?

 

[KaiBurton]

I've been a semi professional magician for years and now I'm finally in a position to be able to go fully professional. Everyone I know has told me I'm mad for just walking away from a 30k+ job but when you're not happy in your job, it makes your whole life miserable

 

[scott118]

I've been a semi professional magician for years and now I'm finally in a position to be able to go fully professional. Everyone I know has told me I'm mad for just walking away from a 30k+ job but when you're not happy in your job, it makes your whole life miserable

well if anyone should be able to pull a rabbit out of a hat, then it should be you. Railway's can make you miserable, however you have to be in it, to understand that. The grass isn't always greener for sure, however good luck with your new adventure. Like you said, happiness has no monetary value..

 

[Ciel]

I've been a Conductor for the past ten years and I hate everything about it. I can't wait to leave the rail industry altogether next month!

Hi. Sorry if it's personal, but could you tell me a bit about why you hate your conductor job? It might give me some further insight into the role, for me.

 

[notadriver]

I've been a semi professional magician for years and now I'm finally in a position to be able to go fully professional. Everyone I know has told me I'm mad for just walking away from a 30k+ job but when you're not happy in your job, it makes your whole life miserable

Did you not want to try driving ?

 

[scott118]

not everyone wants to 'progress'. Each role has their different stresses. What might suit one person, clearly doesn't suit another. Having made their decision to leave, I'm sure it's one decision, that they haven't taken lightly...

 

[grumblingalong]

If you actually care about people getting from A-B in relative comfort then it's a good job. If you're prepared to sometimes go a bit further it can be very rewarding.

As others have said, do your job SAFELY and maintain decent revenue figures and you'll be left to it. Start taking risks, failing to show up or if your revenue figures show you to be a bit of a "back cab Barry" you'll start coming to the attention of those above.

Always remember the 99% rule, most people are great, if you can learn to focus on that rather than the 1% who are horrid, purely horrid and often childish you'll be fine!

It is a good job overall, pay and benefits outway the negatives greatly. Be careful which TOC you work for, research your assault stats and the routes you will work to ensure decent work quality.

 

[Ciel]

If you actually care about people getting from A-B in relative comfort then it's a good job. If you're prepared to sometimes go a bit further it can be very rewarding.

As others have said, do your job SAFELY and maintain decent revenue figures and you'll be left to it. Start taking risks, failing to show up or if your revenue figures show you to be a bit of a "back cab Barry" you'll start coming to the attention of those above.

Always remember the 99% rule, most people are great, if you can learn to focus on that rather than the 1% who are horrid, purely horrid and often childish you'll be fine!

It is a good job overall, pay and benefits outway the negatives greatly. Be careful which TOC you work for, research your assault stats and the routes you will work to ensure decent work quality.

Thanks for the great reply!

Excuse my ignorance, but what are 'assault stats'?

Also, which TOCs would you advise me to be wary of?

 

[TheEdge]

Excuse my ignorance, but what are 'assault stats'?

Assault stats would just be how often assaults occur on certain routes. Although they are not clear cut, sometimes something as minor as a few choice single syllable words will go down as a verbal assault and add to the stats. As well as that one person and their attitude put into a situation may lead to an assault while the next person could be in the same situation and get nothing.

 

[KaiBurton]

The job just isn't for me. It was a spare of the moment decision to apply and it was less than a month from me sending the application in to the start of my training. I didn't really think wether or not it was the job for me. I've stuck it out for ten years and now I've made the decision to leave and let someone in who'll appreciate it much more than I do.

 

[red2005]

The job just isn't for me. It was a spare of the moment decision to apply and it was less than a month from me sending the application in to the start of my training. I didn't really think wether or not it was the job for me. I've stuck it out for ten years and now I've made the decision to leave and let someone in who'll appreciate it much more than I do.

Gotta say Kai your approach and honesty is really refreshing!......one of the most annoying things in this industry is the people who constantly moan about the job and how it feels like everyday the world is gonna end yet they stick around and do nothing about it and take up a position someone else would value!

as good as this job/industry is it really isn't for everyone.....there are a few negatives which can take there toll and it takes a lot of guts no matter who you are to come out and admit it ain't for you!....more guts still to take the plunge and leave for another industry!......my hat comes off to you buddy.

p.s i feel like i am almost patronising and insulting you the way i've worded this but please believe me i'm not trying to!.......i've racked my brains to try and think of a more easy on the eye way of putting it across but i failed lol!!

i do genuinely admire you for the decision you've made and the reasons for it pal....good luck in your new career mate

 

[grumblingalong]

Thanks for the great reply!

Excuse my ignorance, but what are 'assault stats'?

Also, which TOCs would you advise me to be wary of?

As answered previosuly it's the amount of assaults that take place on staff, a good measure of the calibre of passenger you'll be meeting. I wouldn't say avoid any entire TOC, for example I know FGW have issues around Bristol sometimes, in the same way VTEC have their dry trains from Aberdeen and how ScotRail have some of their more dodgy coastal routes. I'm also told the Northen "Ale Trails" are interesting trains to work.....

Come down and join us in the ex-Anglia depots not much occurs down here!

 

[scott118]

Come down and join us in the ex-Anglia depots not much occurs down here!

Anglia - trouble free?

 

[grumblingalong]

Anglia - trouble free?

Will be when I've finished with 'em

 

[Ciel]

As answered previosuly it's the amount of assaults that take place on staff, a good measure of the calibre of passenger you'll be meeting. I wouldn't say avoid any entire TOC, for example I know FGW have issues around Bristol sometimes, in the same way VTEC have their dry trains from Aberdeen and how ScotRail have some of their more dodgy coastal routes. I'm also told the Northen "Ale Trails" are interesting trains to work.....

Come down and join us in the ex-Anglia depots not much occurs down here!

Wow. You're really well versed in a lot the different routes!

Do you by any chance know what the shift times and patterns for conductors are like?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The job just isn't for me. It was a spare of the moment decision to apply and it was less than a month from me sending the application in to the start of my training. I didn't really think wether or not it was the job for me. I've stuck it out for ten years and now I've made the decision to leave and let someone in who'll appreciate it much more than I do.

I hope your next job is more fulfilling!

Could you tell me what your shift pattern and times were like?

 

[scott118]

Railways are essentially 24/7. Some weeks, you will be rostered earlies, some weeks lates, some even nights, depending on your TOC. Some swap their turns for all earlies, or lates, should your rostering be that flexible. Usually it is something you sort, between yourselves. once the roster has been posted. As long as the shift is covered, it matters not by whom, providing nothing has been exceeded in between. Earlies, tend to be where the commission is, however 3am starts/finishes, don't always suit yourself, or your household, depending on your personal circumstances...

 

[grumblingalong]

Wow. You're really well versed in a lot the different routes!

Do you by any chance know what the shift times and patterns for conductors are like?

I always like to know some poor sod is worse of than I am.

We go by a set of regulations called "Hidden" (not secret, that was the blokes name). These define our working hours, perhaps the most important part of this is a minimum 12 hours between shifts or "jobs".

Picking a fairly standard week for me my shifts would go something like this:

Sunday: Rest Day
Monday: 0454-1008 (Best job in the depot!)
Tuesday: 0434-1002 (Second best job in the depot!)
Wednesday: 0540-1336
Thursday: 0450-1328

4 Days rest then back in at 0845, finishing that set of work 5 days later at 2222.

So you see the days progress round earlies into lates then back into earlies. Or at least for me. Start/Finish times vary nationwide and are depot specific.

You will work trains not many people know exist they're so early/late. You will often ponder the existence of said trains yourself, then you will remember you're getting paid to sit there and all will be ok!