Another question about Platform assistants

[wessexen]

Well done mate, now you just need to focus on building your confidence and get as much experience as possible. You should be able to turn that temporary placement into something more permanent! Keep checking SWTs recruitment page, they have been trying to recruit a fair few CSAs and ROs lately.

Thank you for the advice, I'm incorporating that as a weekly event. I'd be grateful if someone does update me too. However, it looks like I've done really well as my station master seems to praise me a lot! I guess how I handled Wednesday night was one good thing which worked in my favour, except there was only 4 of us there.

It seems like I've now got a lot of new respect with the regulars as well now. Despite what everyone tells you, the passengers at Haslemere are quite nice, all they want is the fact you'll do your best to get them from A-B. Just like most customers on the railway.


Edit: Rota I got from yesterday (Thursday), double shifts all week. Someone did ask the question, "is it worth it?". Well, the fact I drive, I have about the same amount of expenses to worry about between my younger sister and me (even though I also own 3 cars, one she currently drives, looks after, taxes it and insures it.) and she currently works in Guildford. Per week, we do about the same amount of miles but I never really run into negative figures in my bank account but she does. Worse, she ran out of petrol this morning (Friday) about half a mile from home, because she couldn't afford another tenner for the tank. So considering that, I would say yes and I much rather work on the railways. (Not only that, but now where would my future go? My sister only does work in a pet shop and she's not challenging herself really. But nor am I.) Its cost effective, its workable and doable, at least my Clio does 51.5MPG maximum. So, 50 pounds should take me about 350 to 400 miles (that's about 4 days worth of fuel, including my weekly Bognor Regis trip).
At least I get a pool car to do my duties at West Sussex County Council these days. As long as its anything but a 3 cylinder 61 plate Nissan Micra, then I am happy. (Just don't! I really wanted to drive my 16 year old Clio everywhere, in fact, I refuse to drive it now!)

 

[wessexen]

So, a little while later from my message and now I think I can safely say that this thread should now be closed.


Despite my absence and lack of updates, I've now been accepted, gone for my medical and full time training and I've hit my goal. I'm permanent with South West Trains and I thought I'll never make it! Ok, its 2 hours a week, but its a brilliant start, I work on the gateline and I continue where I left off as agency.

Now I am in the company, I can enjoy some great benefits (like err.. not needing a ticket again for a lot of trains I use ), but more importantly, I can now do a job in an industry I enjoy working in.

It just shows that if you work hard, you will get there eventually, even if you have some barriers like my autistic tendencies. All I have to do is wait until my 6 months is over and go over to full time, although, it may happen sooner or later, depending what happens in the future.



So, if you fancy reading my journey from applying with Southern to working in South West Trains via the scenic route, there's 5 pages of advice, learning and inspiration for everyone. But most of the hard work is over (Thankfully! Unless I am asked to work on Guildford's gateline again!) now lets see if I survive the 3 month and 6 month probationary interviews.

 

[Urban Gateline]

Many congrats Wessexen!

I remember reading your thread a few months ago so it's great to hear you got somewhere in the end!

From experience, just stick to the rules and you will be fine. SWT prefer customer service to actual revenue protection so if you don't have an inspector there just let the person go. I'm saying this in the hope that you won't fall into the same trap that I did of getting too dedicated in the job that you end up breaking their "no touch" policy. (Put it this way, it cost my job)

Best of luck mate, you'll soon build your confidence up, covering other stations makes it interesting and helps, you'll soon get used to it!

 

[CC 72100]

I'm saying this in the hope that you won't fall into the same trap that I did of getting too dedicated in the job that you end up breaking their "no touch" policy. (Put it this way, it cost my job)

You no longer on the gateline then UG? Hope you've not had too much of a tough time in finding alternative employment if the case.