Ticket Examiner - ScotRail

[Glasgow2024]

Hi all,

Looking for a bit of insight regarding the TE jobs at ScotRail. Can anyone advise if this is a good foot in the door ?

I have worked in the railway currently and looking to move to ScotRail but anxious at the changes. Is anyone able to give an accurate reflection of what a typical take home salary looks like each month for TE and the pros and cons to the job ??

I would be so grateful for any insight.

Many Thanks

 

[SouthernStar]

Foot in the door to do what eventually? And What are you currently doing in the railway? If you want to go into revenue protection it certainly would be the right move.

 

[Iamanoob]

Not a TE but have spoken to a few former Gateline staff who now are TE.
Take home pay anywhere between £2200 and £3000 depending on O/T and commission. This is before the possible new wage increase and peak fare returning.
The job itself is as easy as hard as you make it.
Some starts/finishes are before/after the trains so you have to make your own way in and home.
Downtime between trains range from a few minutes to a few hours.
Shifts range from anywhere between 6 - 10 hours.
1 Sunday per month booked shift.

Any new starts either external/internal say it's great but those TE's that have been in a few years say it sucks.

 

[Glasgow2024]

Thank you so much for your insight, greatly appreciated

Foot in the door to do what eventually? And What are you currently doing in the railway? If you want to go into revenue protection it certainly would be the right move.

I’m in customer service but not for ScotRail. I’m not sure I would just rather join a TOC, likely better opportunities I suspect.

 

[roymunson]

Worked as a TE for a few years before moving on to stations and trainer driver… depending on where you want to go there’s definitely scope to move between grades.

As a job I found it excellent. A lot of it comes down to your own attitude. You realise quite quickly you’re on your own out there so you need to learn to pick your battles. In the years I did it I was fortunate that I came into minimal conflict.

The pros and cons depends on you as a person, I liked being able to work on my own initiative and get the odd laugh with passengers. You have a degree of flexibility on how you work your train

I don’t really have anything negative to say about it, think it’s a great job overall and well paid too

 

[Glasgow2024]

Worked as a TE for a few years before moving on to stations and trainer driver… depending on where you want to go there’s definitely scope to move between grades.

As a job I found it excellent. A lot of it comes down to your own attitude. You realise quite quickly you’re on your own out there so you need to learn to pick your battles. In the years I did it I was fortunate that I came into minimal conflict.

The pros and cons depends on you as a person, I liked being able to work on my own initiative and get the odd laugh with passengers. You have a degree of flexibility on how you work your train

I don’t really have anything negative to say about it, think it’s a great job overall and well paid too

Thanks so much for your info. I just fear change and have an interview tomorrow. I’m anxious that I leave my job and can’t adapt. Do you recall what your take home pay on average was ? I always thought I was on a decent wage but judging by some observations on here….its been an average salary compared to other roles in the railway. Would you say there is room for moving into other positions once I have did my time ? I’m so conflicted

 

[Charladenz]

Good luck for your interview @Glasgow2024

There is a salary calculator on Google with an option to select scottish resident, gives a pretty close figure to what you would take home this year & next, just need to insert the prospective salary.

 

[Glasgow2024]

Hi, thanks very much clarladenz.


I did use something very similar which was pretty accurate although it does vary with certain tax codes and pension contributions.

I am led to believe the TE salary varies month to month due to ticket sales Sundays ect…so I was just looking for the inside scoop from people who do the job for the rough monthly take homes

 

[LockKeeper86]

Hi, thanks very much clarladenz.


I did use something very similar which was pretty accurate although it does vary with certain tax codes and pension contributions.

I am led to believe the TE salary varies month to month due to ticket sales Sundays ect…so I was just looking for the inside scoop from people who do the job for the rough monthly take homes

Good luck! Last month, I was seriously considering TE after not meeting the standard for Conductor. I decided not to apply due to a bereavement otherwise would have gone for it!

 

[roymunson]

Thanks so much for your info. I just fear change and have an interview tomorrow. I’m anxious that I leave my job and can’t adapt. Do you recall what your take home pay on average was ? I always thought I was on a decent wage but judging by some observations on here….its been an average salary compared to other roles in the railway. Would you say there is room for moving into other positions once I have did my time ? I’m so conflicted

I can’t really remember as it was a few years ago and there have been several pay rises since I was in the grade but you would earn extra from commission and mandatory/ voluntary overtime…

There will be other forum members who would be better placed to give a more accurate reflection

 

[Iamanoob]

Hi, thanks very much clarladenz.


I did use something very similar which was pretty accurate although it does vary with certain tax codes and pension contributions.

I am led to believe the TE salary varies month to month due to ticket sales Sundays ect…so I was just looking for the inside scoop from people who do the job for the rough monthly take homes

Every TE walk out wage will differ from other TE's, outwith O/T and commission, some will pay extra in their BRASS and credit union. Some TE's wait at the gates to sell tickets between trains. I know of one TE that made almost £60k last year due to working most of his rest days (got hammered in tax though).
A train driver told me his monthly take home pay and said if a TE works 2 rest days per month and gets good commission, they walk out with more than him. He does put aload of money in the CU though and rarely does O/T.

 

[Glasgow2024]

Hi folks,

Thank you so much for your input. You guys have been an absolutely fantastic help. I’ve been given a conditional offer subject to referencing checks. I am Looking forward to getting started. Thanks again

 

[Iamanoob]

Hi folks,

Thank you so much for your input. You guys have been an absolutely fantastic help. I’ve been given a conditional offer subject to referencing checks. I am Looking forward to getting started. Thanks again

Noice, which depot are based at?

 

[Glasgow2024]

Good luck! Last month, I was seriously considering TE after not meeting the standard for Conductor. I decided not to apply due to a bereavement otherwise would have gone for it!

Speak to bluearrow they are still recruiting I believe

Noice, which depot are based at?

Hopefully Dalmuir :P

 

[LockKeeper86]

Speak to bluearrow they are still recruiting I believe


Hopefully Dalmuir :P

Thank you for that. I went and applied with Blue Arrow and heard back from the recruiter for TE in Bathgate. I'd need to relocate, which I am more than happy to do as I don't like where I live and don't have a job rn. IDK what the recruiter will make of it. All he said in his email said was that he needs four people with costumer service and cash handling experience who can get to the job before 6am. Fingers crossed.

 

[bambino]

Speak to bluearrow they are still recruiting I believe


Hopefully Dalmuir :P

Hey Glasgow2024, I’m in a similar situation, I have an interview with Blue arrow tomorrow, I’ve been in my job for 12 years now, a 9-5 and am thinking of moving to something totally new, if that’s you in the job now, how are you finding it!

 

[bambino]

Hey Guys, does anyone know what the current shift pattern is as a ticket examiner or the usual hours with Scotrail. I know it’s early starts and late starts. Heard most places it’s a 7 day working week then 2 days off but also heard of 4 Day working weeks. I’m applying as been in my job for 12 years with no room for progression but nervous to if this is a good idea.

 

[ClippyBob]

Hey Guys, does anyone know what the current shift pattern is as a ticket examiner or the usual hours with Scotrail. I know it’s early starts and late starts. Heard most places it’s a 7 day working week then 2 days off but also heard of 4 Day working weeks. I’m applying as been in my job for 12 years with no room for progression but nervous to if this is a good idea.

I’m waiting on my Occ health appointment this week and all well will have a start date. At interview they said something about working 7 days then off for 3 and then back in for 3 then off for 5 (I think that what was said) averages out at 4 days a week 35hrs. Apparently it’s 4 weekly pay but no idea when the pay cycle starts. Excited to get started

 

[Iamanoob]

Hey Guys, does anyone know what the current shift pattern is as a ticket examiner or the usual hours with Scotrail. I know it’s early starts and late starts. Heard most places it’s a 7 day working week then 2 days off but also heard of 4 Day working weeks. I’m applying as been in my job for 12 years with no room for progression but nervous to if this is a good idea.

You will be contracted to 13 Sundays per year, and that will tie in with the 7 day week. Most of the month, it will be a 4 day week and a long weekend (Fri-Tues off) every 3 weeks. Shifts will generally be earlies and lates, so getting into work with no public transport is a must.

 

[Glasgow74]

I’m waiting on my Occ health appointment this week and all well will have a start date. At interview they said something about working 7 days then off for 3 and then back in for 3 then off for 5 (I think that what was said) averages out at 4 days a week 35hrs. Apparently it’s 4 weekly pay but no idea when the pay cycle starts. Excited to get started

When do you start ? i have an online induction 7th November and then atrium court starting 11th november

 

[ClippyBob]

When do you start ? i have an online induction 7th November and then atrium court starting 11th november

No confirmed date yet, should come through today as I cleared occ health earlier but likely 14th Nov.

 

[Glasgow74]

No confirmed date yet, should come through today as I cleared occ health earlier but likely 14th Nov.

cheers mate

 

[ClippyBob]

cheers mate

Now confirmed. Start 14th Nov

You will be contracted to 13 Sundays per year, and that will tie in with the 7 day week. Most of the month, it will be a 4 day week and a long weekend (Fri-Tues off) every 3 weeks. Shifts will generally be earlies and lates, so getting into work with no public transport is a must.

I’ll be based at central and there’s currently is a waiting list for parking so if there is no public transport it’ll be a long walk lol

 

[Iamanoob]

Now confirmed. Start 14th Nov


I’ll be based at central and there’s currently is a waiting list for parking so if there is no public transport it’ll be a long walk lol

Couple of years and if you're not safety critical (TE's are not), then you have no chance. Most staff park around Bridge Street which is around a 10 minutes walk.

 

[denny]

Hi guys
I have my interview with blue arrow soon for scotrail as a TE also.
Just wondering does anyone know when pay day is.
I understand it’s 4 weekly but wondering if anyone knows what date the next one would be so I can work out my finances. Thanks!

 

[chuff chuff]

Hi guys
I have my interview with blue arrow soon for scotrail as a TE also.
Just wondering does anyone know when pay day is.
I understand it’s 4 weekly but wondering if anyone knows what date the next one would be so I can work out my finances. Thanks!

8th November.

 

[ClippyBob]

Couple of years and if you're not safety critical (TE's are not), then you have no chance. Most staff park around Bridge Street which is around a 10 minutes walk.

Thanks for the info

 

[FlyinScotsman.]

Would anyone be able to advise on some of the questions that may be asked during interview?

 

[Iamanoob]

Would anyone be able to advise on some of the questions that may be asked during interview?

They'll be give me an example type questions.
When did you give good customer service.
How did you deal with a difficult situation.
How did you deal with a setback.

Answers can be work related or personal.
It is hard to say what they will ask as there are a list of approx 20 questions and they usually ask 4 of them. Give as much detail on the question asked using STAR method.

 

[Glasgow74]

Can anyone advise when and where you pick up your uniform? I completed the form and I start 7th November and been asked to attend in uniform