Hello all, apologies for the long post. I was wondering if any of you train drivers on here (or anyone in the know) could shed some light on the subject of work/life balance and what train drivers can look forward to in terms of a life outside of work?
I've read various posts on forums where anything outside of work (time to pursue hobbies and interests or even enjoy a meal and a late-ish night with friends) is almost a taboo subject! I'm in my very late 20s so my late night party days and drinking until I'm very drunk periods are long gone, but as any normal guy I do like the odd beer now and then and I enjoy spending time with both my partner, my friends and having an active social life outside of work.
I'm hoping to one day work in the rail industry, hopefully as a driver, but surely things can't be that bad for drivers outside of work? I read one post on a forum which basically said "your kids will forget you, your wife will consider leaving you and your mates won't even bother asking you do anything anymore?"
I realise train driving is a safety critical role and all drivers will need to use common sense (no drinking the night before, getting enough sleep to be fully refreshed for your shift) but come on guys, surely these grumblings of being 'married to the railway' are just old timers wanting to make the job seem even more unattainable for people looking for a foot in the door?
Or is it really the case that if one ever does manage to get a job as a driver you give up everything else to do it?
I've read various posts on forums where anything outside of work (time to pursue hobbies and interests or even enjoy a meal and a late-ish night with friends) is almost a taboo subject! I'm in my very late 20s so my late night party days and drinking until I'm very drunk periods are long gone, but as any normal guy I do like the odd beer now and then and I enjoy spending time with both my partner, my friends and having an active social life outside of work.
I'm hoping to one day work in the rail industry, hopefully as a driver, but surely things can't be that bad for drivers outside of work? I read one post on a forum which basically said "your kids will forget you, your wife will consider leaving you and your mates won't even bother asking you do anything anymore?"
I realise train driving is a safety critical role and all drivers will need to use common sense (no drinking the night before, getting enough sleep to be fully refreshed for your shift) but come on guys, surely these grumblings of being 'married to the railway' are just old timers wanting to make the job seem even more unattainable for people looking for a foot in the door?
Or is it really the case that if one ever does manage to get a job as a driver you give up everything else to do it?