Laser Eye Surgery for Conductors

[rjk89]

Hi Everyone,

I have an interview to become a trainee conductor with Transpennine on Friday but noticed on the application that they don't accept recruits who have undergone laser eye surgery.
This seems crazy to me considering how you are actually improving your eyesight. I was previously in the merchant navy as an officer and the regulations are nowhere near as strict. My surgeon even said he has performed surgery on airline pilots so it seems a bit over the top that TP won't accept laser eye.

Is there any chance they could still take me on having had the surgery or is it a waste of time to even go for the interview?
Any advice would be appreciated

 

[Stigy]

Hi Everyone,

I have an interview to become a trainee conductor with Transpennine on Friday but noticed on the application that they don't accept recruits who have undergone laser eye surgery.
This seems crazy to me considering how you are actually improving your eyesight. I was previously in the merchant navy as an officer and the regulations are nowhere near as strict. My surgeon even said he has performed surgery on airline pilots so it seems a bit over the top that TP won't accept laser eye.

Is there any chance they could still take me on having had the surgery or is it a waste of time to even go for the interview?
Any advice would be appreciated

It’s due to the likelihood of deterioration I believe. Best to speak to recruitment, but if they say they don’t accept candidates who’ve had it done...

 

[rjk89]

For the airline and Maritime industries to accept laser eye but the train industry seems a bit outdated considering the quality of surgery these days. Surely a person with glasses is more of a risk if they lose them.
Maybe they will make exceptions..

 

[ComUtoR]

For the airline and Maritime industries to accept laser eye but the train industry seems a bit outdated considering the quality of surgery these days.

The railway ISNT the airline or Maritime industry. Different industries have different rules. In a train you may be the only person. On a plane you tend to have a Co-Pilot and cabin crew. You also have autopilot.

Surely a person with glasses is more of a risk if they lose them.

There is requirement to carry a spare.

Maybe they will make exceptions..

They do. It is very TOC specific but some TOCs take on staff who have had Laser Surgery and allow existing staff to have it too. Some will allow Laser Surgery based on the type carried out.

 

[Stigy]

For the airline and Maritime industries to accept laser eye but the train industry seems a bit outdated considering the quality of surgery these days. Surely a person with glasses is more of a risk if they lose them.
Maybe they will make exceptions..

I wear glasses and I don’t ‘just lose them’. But as @ComUtoR says, there’s a requirement to carry a spare pair anyway.

It is TOC specific and you’ll find some are fine with it and some aren’t. You may find it’s an outdated advert and they simply use the same one for all driver recruitment campaigns. TOCs do this a lot so you might find they’re okay with it now.

 

[rjk89]

Thanks for the replies. I have emailed recruitment at TP and awaiting a response. Not something I can avoid declaring so hopefully I still have a chance

 

[rjk89]

Does anybody have a contact email for Transpennine recruitment? I just got an automated response from First Group in Aberdeen..

 

[Ducatist4]

I wear glasses and I don’t ‘just lose them’. But as @ComUtoR says, there’s a requirement to carry a spare pair anyway.

It is TOC specific and you’ll find some are fine with it and some aren’t. You may find it’s an outdated advert and they simply use the same one for all driver recruitment campaigns. TOCs do this a lot so you might find they’re okay with it now.

Say you got into an altercation with a passenger and he hit you in the face and smashed your specs. Having a spare pair would be handy and you’d be out of the game otherwise.

 

[na281093]

How can they check if you have had laser eye surgery or not? Is there a physical appearance of your eye which gives it away that is checked during the medical? I’m aware this may sound stupid haha.

 

[Ducatist4]

You can tell by examining your eyes with the appropriate equipment. My GP was able to see what I’d had done two years after the op. I think she just used one of those hand held magnifying things that shines a light in your eye.

 

[Stigy]

Say you got into an altercation with a passenger and he hit you in the face and smashed your specs. Having a spare pair would be handy and you’d be out of the game otherwise.

Which is why there’s a requirement to carry a spare pare (or they may fall off when poking your head out of the window when departing a station...that’s not happened to me by the way ).

 

[Stigy]

You can tell by examining your eyes with the appropriate equipment. My GP was able to see what I’d had done two years after the op. I think she just used one of those hand held magnifying things that shines a light in your eye.

It’s an interesting one though, as during a medical they don’t examine your eyes, so would probably not be able to tell?

It would be a risk, as if it emerged after an incident or further investigation that you have had the surgery carried out, no doubt you’d be for the high jump. May even face criminal charges if the incident was severe enough. It’s much the same as not disclosing any medication you’re on. You may be fine to take it, but if you don’t declare it when having a medical, you may find out the hard way that it’s not allowed.

 

[michael74]

I have been considering it for years, during my last (unsuccessful) Conductor application I asked GWR HR who told me that you can't apply for a Driver or Conductor role if you have had laser eye surgery.