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Train Drivers, Medicals and careers

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Duvet Dave

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3 Oct 2016
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Hello all,

Firstly my apologies if this is covered elsewhere. Despite searching I haven't found anything that does cover this but it may be I am not using the correct search terms? I'm happy to be educated though... :D

So my query is this...I am 48 years old and considering a career change. Train driving is something I have considered and I appreciate that it is a lengthy process to go through so I'd be more like 50 if the chance arose to apply! I can also appreciate the need to have regular medicals etc.

I'd be interested to learn what happens to drivers that are unable to continue driving as result of a medical condition, a condition that could occur through no fault of their own. Understandably if this will cause a danger to themselves or anyone else they shouldn't drive but does this mean they are 'sacked' or are they offered other roles? What happens to their pay in the meantime?

I'm also finding it difficult to find the retirement age for drivers. I want to keep working as long as I can and as long as I'm deemed safe to do so if I did end up being successful in a driver role. For info and in case it makes any difference I would be looking for train driver roles in the south east, South Eastern, Southern or Thameslink.

Thanks in advance for any comments,

Dave (who does not spend all day in a duvet) :lol:
 
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RailUK Forums

Onedirection

Member
Joined
26 Jan 2016
Messages
30
Hello all,

Firstly my apologies if this is covered elsewhere. Despite searching I haven't found anything that does cover this but it may be I am not using the correct search terms? I'm happy to be educated though... :D

So my query is this...I am 48 years old and considering a career change. Train driving is something I have considered and I appreciate that it is a lengthy process to go through so I'd be more like 50 if the chance arose to apply! I can also appreciate the need to have regular medicals etc.

I'd be interested to learn what happens to drivers that are unable to continue driving as result of a medical condition, a condition that could occur through no fault of their own. Understandably if this will cause a danger to themselves or anyone else they shouldn't drive but does this mean they are 'sacked' or are they offered other roles? What happens to their pay in the meantime?

I'm also finding it difficult to find the retirement age for drivers. I want to keep working as long as I can and as long as I'm deemed safe to do so if I did end up being successful in a driver role. For info and in case it makes any difference I would be looking for train driver roles in the south east, South Eastern, Southern or Thameslink.

Thanks in advance for any comments,

Dave (who does not spend all day in a duvet) :lol:



Hi Dave, to put it simply, if you develop a medical condition whilst driving which is deemed as one which can affect your position, generally you are made not fit for duty and have to then undergo medical tests and treatment etc depending on what the condition is by your own specialist doctor and company doctor.
drivers who are able to come back to work do so and carry on with whatever new medication they may now need to take not forgetting the medication itself also needs to be permitted to take whilst in the driver role.

however, if you find yourself not able to return to the drivers role, I hve seen 'Ex' drivers return to roles such as ticket sellers, customer service roles, basically any other non-safety critical role within the company. So you are not sacked, but it still requires for the company to still have these positions to fill in the first place and generally their does seem to be roles available.

As far as sickness pay is concerned it varies from company to company, but generally the one I'm involved with pays 6 months full pay and then reduces down to 50% for the remaining year. After that it's the usual statutory pay.

If you are near retirement or are thinking of retiring, the company would sometimes look at offering you a pay off to retire you early. This is entirely up to you as their is no retirement age anymore. Generally, health seems to force a lot of long term drivers off the rails who have been stubborn in the first place not to leave, but that's just Mother Nature doing her bit and telling them it's time to go.

Hope that helps.
 
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