Dilemma regarding laser eye surgery

[mangetout]

Hello all, first time poster but long time reader (so to speak),

Right, as the title suggests I've got a bit of an issue. I applied for the trainee driver job with Chiltern some months ago. On one of the forms they sent through with the application it says that applicants must have good vision without having undergone laser eye surgery. Now I had laser eye surgery (LASIK) six years ago, and I've had near perfect vision ever since, with no real issues. Having read the previous topics regarding this on these forums I've decided to apply anyway, especially with Chiltern easily being the closest TOC to where I live. I declared that I've had the eye surgery on the application form, stating when it was and what type it is, and to be honest, I expected to eventually be knocked back because of this. The thing is I haven't.

I've got through both parts of the new assessments without any issues, and went on to the driver manager interview where I expected it would be mentioned. It wasn't. I've now had the medical where again, it wasn't mentioned. I passed both the the distance and colour vision tests without any issues, and once the urine drug test part comes back ok that'll leave just the references before getting a start date...

My big worry at the moment is have they made a mistake with me and not read my application form properly, or could it be that they've decided it's now acceptable and have yet to update their forms? I haven't lied about it, and I'm not going to start to do so, but the fact it hasn't been mentioned once worries me. I don't want to put myself in a situation where they realise it afterwards and then decide to get rid of me. My feeling is at the moment is that I'll be giving personnel a call on Monday to 'remind' them of this, even though I fear it'll mean they'll be telling me thanks and goodbye. It's going to be a long weekend...

What do you guys think? Do you think it is very likely that they have made a mistake and not realised it, or do you think I need to relax a bit and not worry so much? All advice appreciated.

 

[bengley]

You're not lying to them. Don't phone them to remind them, it's not your fault if they haven't read your application properly.

You are not lying to them by not mentioning it so save yourself the hassle and just don't. You may regret it.

 

[Pumbaa]

If you have passed their medical satisfactorily with it, should be no problem. There is a list in the RGS (a little out of date now) of TOCs that accept laser surgery.

I wouldn't worry about it, they will have looked through all your paperwork many times up until this point. They will know.

 

[455driver]

Some types of laser eye surgery are acceptable now, the rules were changed a couple of years ago.

 

[patrolman pete]

I'm assuming that as i wear glasses and can't see without them due to being shortsighted, i would be wasting my time even trying to apply for a driving position.

 

[455driver]

Not necessarily, as long as you can pass the first part of it without glasses and the main part of it with glasses you will be fine.

The only 'rule' when working is that you have to carry a spare pair of glasses with you when on duty.

I would go and have an eyesight test on the high street and tell them it is for the railway and they will tell you if you are up to the standard or not.

 

[patrolman pete]

Thank you . I'm overdue an eyetest so will ask the question when i have my eyes tested. I will turn 50 next year and i'm unhappy in my demanding job after 16 years with the same company. I've always had a massive interest in railways from an early age and need to find a job on the railways to see out my last 18 years of working life so it's now or never!

 

[mangetout]

Thanks for the initial responses. I've stopped worrying and now will just wait and see as to what happens next...

 

[fowler9]

Good luck chaps. I hope all goes well. I am short sighted and have passed all the tests to be both an air traffic controller and also an engineer in the Royal Fleet Auxilliary. (Keeping my options open, ha ha). Wait and see what happens and fingers crossed.

 

[Silv1983]

Good luck chaps. I hope all goes well. I am short sighted and have passed all the tests to be both an air traffic controller and also an engineer in the Royal Fleet Auxilliary. (Keeping my options open, ha ha). Wait and see what happens and fingers crossed.

Well that should be a no-brainer for you! Aren't ATCs very well paid...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Thanks for the initial responses. I've stopped worrying and now will just wait and see as to what happens next...

RSSB have lasik as one of their 3 acceptable types of surgery im sure. Do an advanced search on the subject and you should find a post by me earlier in the year quoting the RSSB statment in relation to Northern drivers (but should apply to all TOCs?). As others have said you've put it on your application form and have at no point lied, denied or mislead - get your foot in the door.

 

[fowler9]

Well that should be a no-brainer for you! Aren't ATCs very well paid...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


RSSB have lasik as one of their 3 acceptable types of surgery im sure. Do an advanced search on the subject and you should find a post by me earlier in the year quoting the RSSB statment in relation to Northern drivers (but should apply to all TOCs?). As others have said you've put it on your application form and have at no point lied, denied or mislead - get your foot in the door.

Ha ha. It would seem that way mate. I'd be very happy doing either job though. I'm applying to the railways as well and they would all be dream jobs. Got my hopes up for the RFA because less people seem to know about it and fewer still are willing to put up with being away from home for months on end in a possible hostile environment whilst being a civilian. It pays well and is really interesting though, plus I find myself having no ties.