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Drivers using mobiles while waiting for their train.

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michael769

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I can't quite remember the rules for using a phone in a car (and I have a handsfree car kit in any case) but isn't it okay if the hand brake is on, or is only if the engine is off?

It is a bit of a grey area. People have been successful prosecuted whilst sitting stationary at traffic lights. It should be OK if you are properly parked up - but there will be some cases where it can be a little ambiguous if a car is actually parked or not - hence the advice is to turn off the engine to remove the ambiguity.
 

jon0844

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I'd have said parked up only - but it would be rather tough if they then did you because you had the engine running (e.g. to keep the heaters or aircon on).

If you're in traffic, even with the handbrake on, it would be fairly likely that you might find yourself having to move before you've had time to hang up. Thus, you'd either drive while still on the phone or stay still for longer than needed, hindering other motorists.

Anyway - hands free kits are dirt cheap, from a full car system (which many new cars will have as standard) to a headset or clip-on sun visor speakerphone. Most phones will happily voice dial, so there's no real need to hold a phone (and risk dropping it in the footwell and scratching it to pieces).
 

Michael.Y

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I tell ya what we SHOULD do, and that's ban the public from using their mobiles on the platform. Not only do they end up missing important announcements, platform changes etc., but because people tend to speak louder when they're on the phone, they also drown them out for any nearby pax who are trying to hear them. And then, guess which pax gets on the wrong train/misses their platform change and blames the staff?
 

notadriver

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But using a mobile phone in a car that isn't even running can land you in hot water... why should a train be any different?

I can understand why drivers and crew members need mobile phones but I frown upon them being used in the public eye. Why? Because it's unprofessional. But then previous roles I have worked in have made my work ethic a very high standard.
What would you think if you saw someone at Asda texting or chatting on a mobile phone while waiting for a punter? I'd not think it was professional or giving Asda a good image.

For me, mobiles comes under the same rule as smoking... that I don't like people in uniforms doing it as it doesn't give a good image to the company. Then again I am warming (or relaxing) to the idea about phones.

So you're comparing a checkout operator in Asda with a highly specialised and skilled train driver? What planet are you on? Train drivers salaries would rival the the Asda managers salary (smaller stores)
 

jon0844

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Probably a better comparison would be customer service staff chatting on their mobile, and even then only if it was a personal call.

I've never seen any staff on the railway in a public facing role making a personal call while on duty either. A driver isn't someone most people would expect to approach and if I've ever spoken to one I've always asked if he is okay to talk first.
 

Hydro

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Do what you like, as long as it isn't against the Rule Book/company standards. It's not up to people outside of the loop to pass judgement about "not looking professional" or such like. Hardly gross negligence talking on a mobile phone whilst waiting for something. Sounds like some folk have a rod inserted somewhere uncomfortable.
 

Rugd1022

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These days, especially on the freight side, our company issued mobiles are essential tools of the trade. The rule book allows us to use them in certain emergency situations anyway when no other means of communication are available, but when things go belly up our Control often needs to get in touch as quick as possible. I usually switch mine on when detained for long periods at certain locations to find a text asking me to contact them when it's safe to do so for one reason or another - the job is being diverted at short notice or an unplanned loco swap / shunt may be needed etc.... it gets the job done, simple as that really. I know we managed to get by without them once upon a time, but things are very different nowadays when you're on your own and the controlling signalbox could be thirty odd miles away.... it's a perfectly legitimate means of communication on today's railway.... get over it.
 

Pumbaa

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To be fair, I do find it really irritating when onboard hosts are on their phones. I have no problem before departure/post departure, but when you have customers lining up at the Shop, to be having a conversation on Facebook with your pal is really quite rude and disrespectful to your customers.

That goes for any business really.
 

O L Leigh

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In the cab with the paper
There are two things getting mixed up here. Firstly, what are the rules. Secondly, what looks professional. The first question has hopefully been kicked into the long grass with sufficient force for it to be lost for good. Quite frankly it is a total nonsense.

As for looking professional I'm afraid that we are never going to please all the people all the time. I remember not so long back a VERY heated discussion about wearing union ties which highlights this problem nicely.

My own personal view is that there are far too many busybodies about. If I'm waiting for my train to arrive I see no reason why anyone should be taking me to task about using my mobile phone (I'm probably actually switching it off before taking charge, as required by my employer). But once my train arrives the phone goes away and I switch to work mode. That seems more than sufficiently professional and no less than I would expect from anyone else doing a job of work that requires concentration.

O L Leigh
 
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GB

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But using a mobile phone in a car that isn't even running can land you in hot water... why should a train be any different?

I can understand why drivers and crew members need mobile phones but I frown upon them being used in the public eye. Why? Because it's unprofessional. But then previous roles I have worked in have made my work ethic a very high standard.
What would you think if you saw someone at Asda texting or chatting on a mobile phone while waiting for a punter? I'd not think it was professional or giving Asda a good image.

For me, mobiles comes under the same rule as smoking... that I don't like people in uniforms doing it as it doesn't give a good image to the company. Then again I am warming (or relaxing) to the idea about phones.

Then again, it is what is to be expected as to the culture of the railways, certainly at operational levels. People urinating on the tracks / cess, not exactly the best view of a person and does give a view of down-trodden, council, 3rd class sort of feelings. But then this is far from talking on a mobile phone.

Well thats your opinion, fortunately for the rest of us those that actually matter don't seem to mind.
 

scotsman

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Who suggested this, the person who had a strop when the loco he went to see didn't turn up, took it out on Platform Staff and reported them?

Sounds like the person is trying to put some feelers out to see if they can get away for reporting a driver as part of some petty grudge. How pleasant.

Much like a fairly unpleasant twitter user who seems to have been rejected from the rail industry so many times that they want to feel part of it by grassing on any staff member doing anything which appears to be wrong.
 

Bellwater

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Know who you mean, Scotsman. I suspect it could be a native of the North East..

That being said its not got to the stage here of the last two railway forums I used where everything revolved around one person's agenda and opinion.
 

Nonsense

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So you're comparing a checkout operator in Asda with a highly specialised and skilled train driver? What planet are you on? Train drivers salaries would rival the the Asda managers salary (smaller stores)

Not planet Snob I'd guess. What does salary have to do with comparing the public perception of a uniformed service sector employee with a uniformed service sector employee?
 

KA4C

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public perception of a uniformed service sector employee with a uniformed service sector employee?

Public perception? wonder how many public complaints there have been concerning drivers standing on platforms using a mobile. somewhere between bugger all and zero I would think?

As those who understand the subject have pointed out, there are many reasons why a driver would be doing such a thing as part of his duty, seems that some do not or don't wish to understand that
 

Nonsense

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Public perception? wonder how many public complaints there have been concerning drivers standing on platforms using a mobile. somewhere between bugger all and zero I would think?

As those who understand the subject have pointed out, there are many reasons why a driver would be doing such a thing as part of his duty, seems that some do not or don't wish to understand that

I agree, complaints would be thin on the ground. I wasn't passing comment on the Driver's use of a mobile, only the suggestion that an ASDA checkout person is in anyway inferior to a train driver.
 

WL113

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If the train is not moving the Driver can use his or her phone as they wish. Anyone making judgements on such use of mobiles is advised to mind their own business.
 

455driver

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At some TOCs the driver must have all phones switched off when in the cab (driving or not), there are no restrictions when on a platform.

As for "in my opinion it looks unprofessional", its a good thing your opinion doesnt hold much weight then isnt it.
 

ex-railwayman

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This reminds me of the time many years ago when a guard walked into my office at work and asked me to leave for a few minutes as he wanted to make a personal phone call, and guess what, I did......

Cheerz. ex-railwayman.
 

davido39

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Just a thought, what has this got to do with you? It's not as if he is driving the train and after all the driver is only human, there could be various reasons why the driver in question may have to use his mobile phone!

Not trying to be argumentative here it just seems a bit odd posting something like this when there are far worse things happening around the world! :)
 

gswindale

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Why is using a mobile in public unprofessional?

At my place of work; only the staff based permanently in the office have a desk phone. Everyone else has either a mobile or blackberry.

This improves our perception amongst our existing & potential customers as they can ring somebody's DDI and get through to them wherever they are!

In the case of train drivers, if they're on a break (which I would class waiting for their train to arrive at a platform as), then what is the issue? As long as they are not making a call that could cause offence to passers by (language for example), then let them.
 

wessex

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I was told not to use a mobile in the cab when at a stand as it looks unprofessional, but to use it on the platform, but what if it is raining :lol:

The day will come when a driver using his mobile in the cab as he cant call the signalman on the csr gets reported by an over zealous enthusiast :roll:
 
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