Telling people you're a train driver

[Turtle]

I was once asked seriously about the mythical steering wheel.

But it's not mythical. They've seen them - as I mentioned in an earlier comment on the ship's wheel style handbrake!

 

[baz962]

I thought doctors where supposed to have some sort of intelligence.

To be fair I think he might have been trying his hand at comedy , couldn't be sure though.

 

[Daytona600]

But it's not mythical. They've seen them - as I mentioned in an earlier comment on the ship's wheel style handbrake!

Of course. How could I have missed it

 

[43066]

Even our staff taxi drivers think we get to retire on full pay if we hit three people....

I think that myth came from the film “Three and Out” starting Mackenzie Crook (or maybe the film came from the myth!). Either way, the film has helped solidify it in a lot of peoples’ minds.

They watch too many budget films.

Great minds!

 

[dk1]

Great minds!

Think alike

 

[whoosh]

The previous time was my new doctor who asked aren't you usually striking, about three months ago.

"Well I like to improve my chances of actually having a face to face appointment!"

Good old 'what I should've said' hindsight, eh?!

Even our staff taxi drivers think we get to retire on full pay if we hit three people....

They watch too many budget films.

I think that myth came from the film “Three and Out” starting Mackenzie Crook (or maybe the film came from the myth!). Either way, the film has helped solidify it in a lot of peoples' minds.

Yes it was that film. I've not seen it, but it's about a tube driver who's had two 'jumpers' and his workmates tell him that he'll be able to retire on a full pension if he has a third. He manages to find someone who wants to end it all and they mutually agree a plan. Apparently the twist is that Mackensie Crook's character's mates were having him on about it the whole time.
No one ever remembers that bit though!

Because even in fiction IT ISN'T TRUE!!

It has made an impression though, which is rather a shame.

 

[43066]

Apparently the twist is that Mackensie Crook's character's mates were having him on about it the whole time.
No one ever remembers that bit though!

Because even in fiction IT ISN'T TRUE!!

Ironically that suits railway dark humour down to a tee. Much of which is not repeatable on here, of course.

 

[Sifyu]

Whenever I get asked what I do or whenever I tell people what I do. They always find it fascinating that I drive trains.

When I first got the job, my family would ask with interest as to why and I would simply tell them because I get paid a lot to sit on my arse lol. There are the usual questions of "Why you on strike all the time?" ofc. I also find those that are younger find it more interesting then the older lot.

 

[Stigy]

I’ve found recently, usually on Twitter, that people

a) Think the railway only consists of drivers and;

b) Believe that driving a train is literally button pushing.

I usually tell them that I reckon I could do their job as it’s a doddle (although usually swear…), even though I don’t know what it is they do for a living. That is literally how stupid some people seem. It’s often those who one would think would be relatively well educated and able to read between the lines.

Off topic a little, so apologies.

I find that when I tell people I’m a driver, it’s usually the usual salary question that comes up. Most recently now we’re also compared to nurses.

 

[GalaxyDog]

"Driving a train is button pushing". I get people asking (telling me) this even once it's estabished I'm a guard. And every time I have to patiently explain to them how it isn't and how specialised driving is - route knowledge, traction knowledge, the fact that some TOCs drivers seem to be a first line mechanic on top of driving duties. Ignorance is bliss.