Hello,
I am new here, I have a couple of applications to work in the rail industry, one with First Capital connect and one with Southern. Can anyone advise me on these companies?
I've been invited to an interview day with FCC for a ticket inspector (on train and barrier, based at Brighton) and awaiting word on the job with Southern selling tickets at a minor station. Any views from people doing these jobs would also be great.
I presently work for a Train Operating Company selling tickets at a minor station. I'm contracted to work less than 10 hours a week, but over the summer holidays I have been working plenty of rest days. I have been working at several different ticket offices on the network, many of them at minor stations, some more busy.
No two stations are the same - each has its own charms and nuances. You soon get to know the locale at the smaller places and it can be great, if you get on with them. At smaller stations the ticket office staff have to perform tasks that team leaders/supervisors would normally do, such as sort out the machines, change orders and stock replenishment ordering. I also have to do the security checks at stations where there are no platform staff. Where I'm the only member of staff, I sometimes do announcements if the train goes from the "wrong" platform or if there are delays.
I was at one of the quietest stations on the network yesterday with customers only coming sporadically, so I found other ways to keep myself busy. I do enjoy my time at busy stations with 5+ windows as the transactions are more interesting and your attitude/aptitude as a clerk really needs to kick in to avoid having arguments with customers who either know more than you, or expect you to be able to advise on travel plans and ticketing with competence. Clerks are always gossiping about who's "good" and who is a nightmare to have to work with.
I actually love the job I have now. I like the culture at the TOC I'm at. They seem to take on quite a few people my age (I was 21 when I started) and I'm always cracking jokes with the RPIs, who like to stop off at my home station for their meal breaks. Individual's skills do seem to be utilised too - I was drafted in to solve a riddle over why a customer was able to use a certain ticket to legitimately circumvent the morning peak restriction into London. Of all the stations I've worked at, I have to say I prefer the quieter stations where I'm the only member of staff, to the busier places - I've done my time working at a London Terminal and I'm quite happy where I am
The only thing is the rolling stock on the line - not sure I'm too keen on the smell of diesel infiltrating the office when the trains pass by!
