London Underground - CSA1 / CSA2 - Recruitment and Discussion

[GoldenChef]

Happy monday all,
has anybody recently got training dates?

I’m aware september training dates are being given to those who aren’t able to attend earlier dates, for those who have been job offered in mid november.

for reference, i’m mid dec offer and not had any training dates offered yet.

 

[Dakido]

Happy monday all,
has anybody recently got training dates?

I’m aware september training dates are being given to those who aren’t able to attend earlier dates, for those who have been job offered in mid november.

for reference, i’m mid dec offer and not had any training dates offered yet.

Just got a training date for 15th of June and I am to complete my OH next week.

 

[markazz]

Just got a training date for 15th of June and I am to complete my OH next week.

That's great news.

 

[GoldenChef]

Just got a training date for 15th of June and I am to complete my OH next week.

nice one!

When was you originally job offered?

 

[Dakido]

nice one!

When was you originally job offered?

My conditional offer came in 22nd of November.

I’ll like to ask anyone what the OH entails. Does it include Blood pressure checks?

 

[GoldenChef]

My conditional offer came in 22nd of November.

I’ll like to ask anyone what the OH entails. Does it include Blood pressure checks?

they do blood pressure check, eye sight, hearing and urine test

 

[jimmycconway]

My conditional offer came in 22nd of November.

I’ll like to ask anyone what the OH entails. Does it include Blood pressure checks?

Yes they do. If you have issues with your blood pressure, be sure to take medication with you, as well as any other medications that you take, as they will ask for it.

 

[Dakido]

Yes they do. If you have issues with your blood pressure, be sure to take medication with you, as well as any other medications that you take, as they will ask for it.

Yeah I’ve got issues with it, hopefully it doesn’t delay my start day or disqualify me. I’ll make sure to take along my medication.

Thank you

 

[Von11]

Yeah I’ve got issues with it, hopefully it doesn’t delay my start day or disqualify me. I’ll make sure to take along my medication.

Thank you

I had my OH in April and it was only eyes, ears and urine test

 

[bluegoblin7]

As long as your blood pressure is known about it shouldn't cause any issues: declare it when you get the paperwork and yes, if you're on any medication absolutely take it along, and be willing to answer any questions about how long you've been taking it, side effects etc.

It may have an issue for some promotional roles in the future, but it's very unlikely to be an issue for CSA.

 

[GoldenChef]

hope you all have had a fab long weekend,
just an update, I have just received my training date, will have to redo dbs as they only 3 months now, but that only took a day last time.

 

[mucksbucks]

How long between OH and training date?

 

[Von11]

hope you all have had a fab long weekend,
just an update, I have just received my training date, will have to redo dbs as they only 3 months now, but that only took a day last time.

Well done, I know you must be so happy. I had to redo the dbs aswell, but it will come back really quickly.
There will be some documents and that for you to sign and then I believe it’s about 2 weeks before starting all the details on what to expect for training will get emailed

 

[GoldenChef]

Well done, I know you must be so happy. I had to redo the dbs aswell, but it will come back really quickly.
There will be some documents and that for you to sign and then I believe it’s about 2 weeks before starting all the details on what to expect for training will get emailed

yes, i’m at ease now lol, i had been calling weekly to chase a date

I’m still waiting for further links, but have received the initial confirmation about the training date.

how soon after your confirmation did you redo the dbs?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 May 2026 ==

How long between OH and training date?

i done my oh mid april and my training is end of august, i will have to redo drugs and alcohol i think

 

[jimmycconway]

hope you all have had a fab long weekend,
just an update, I have just received my training date, will have to redo dbs as they only 3 months now, but that only took a day last time.

Hey, congrats on getting your start date! What month did they give you?

 

[GoldenChef]

Hey, congrats on getting your start date! What month did they give you?

I’m in august, I asked for the latest date they had so it’s worked out.

Remind me, did you get your date?

 

[Von11]

yes, i’m at ease now lol, i had been calling weekly to chase a date

I’m still waiting for further links, but have received the initial confirmation about the training date.

how soon after your confirmation did you redo the dbs?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 May 2026 ==


i done my oh mid april and my training is end of august, i will have to redo drugs and alcohol i think

Once I got the date I think it was within a couple of days that I received the text. If you are training in August, maybe they will send yours closer to your start date

 

[PizzaKing52]

Today, I managed to get another chance to retake the role play interview part of the second assessment to do with this job which I last carried out in February and did well in, getting a borderline score according to my feedback but frustratingly, the assessors made it EVEN MORE difficult for me which I really did not expect to happen at all

The customer had FOUR goddamn problems that I needed to find solutions for altogether which was her injured right leg, a lost wallet, no money except for international dollars to travel and being late in a hurry to get to a meeting. It went HORRIBLY badly because it was far too much pressure having to deal with all of these problems at once and I am completely unsatisfied with my painful performance, especially as I kept accidentally talking over the customer whenever I thought she stopped speaking and wasted too much of her time behind the barriers by repeatedly saying things like, "I'm sorry this happened to you" and "I understand" as well as trying to offer her the perfect solutions like enquiring the lost property services, buying a new ticket for her to travel and giving out the quickest route she could take to get to her destination but she was STILL miserable and didn't have time to convert her dollars into pounds or buy a new ticket and I also did not take much priority for her broken leg either!

Just WHY OH WHY did these goddamn assessors have to ultimately challenge me in the role play interview to an overkill level of difficulty this time?! I did not deserve this at all and this should've been aimed at any internal candidates who already have had previous experience working in a customer facing role on the train network and I feel SO cheated and heartbroken because of this, just knowing that there is absolutely no way I will be able to pass the assessment all as I REALLY REALLY want to do this job BADLY as my life hugely depends on it

 

[MrJeeves]

I REALLY REALLY want to do this job BADLY as my life hugely depends on it

For what reason does your life depend so heavily on a role that, as per your assessments, you clearly are not well suited for?

 

[bluegoblin7]

One of my worst days on stations was dealing with a line suspension due to a person under a train, significant disruption 'upstairs' due to a person under a train, three adjacent stations closed due to a power failure and all of the usual tribulations that occur on a live railway network - all whilst holding a safety critical license, being the sole first aider on the station and the only one who was able to look after the ticket machines.

With respect, your assessment is as much about remaining calm and collected under pressure, even if you don't have the necessary knowledge or experience. Four problems at once is the absolute basic of the job.

 

[GoldenChef]

Today, I managed to get another chance to retake the role play interview part of the second assessment to do with this job which I last carried out in February

How were you able to redo the roleplay? Did you make an appeal following your last outcome??

Also, I have definitely heard of others get this scenario, I hope you don’t feel targeted in any way. It does seem the role could be slightly overwhelming, just from initial reactions.

Without getting into your personal circumstances, maybe a shift in perspective could benefit you. I’m really unsure in what situation your life would depend on this specific role. It is no news that the recruitment is extremely challenging, lengthy and at times, disheartening, so many people (like myself) don’t put all their eggs in one basket, in the early stages. Please do look into other avenues, I personally feel like maybe getting more experience in other customer facing roles could help with reapplying in the future.

It’s silly but working in Tesco when I was 18 helped so much with my confidence and set groundings for my customer skills.

 

[Zb0905]

One of my worst days on stations was dealing with a line suspension due to a person under a train, significant disruption 'upstairs' due to a person under a train, three adjacent stations closed due to a power failure and all of the usual tribulations that occur on a live railway network - all whilst holding a safety critical license, being the sole first aider on the station and the only one who was able to look after the ticket machines.

With respect, your assessment is as much about remaining calm and collected under pressure, even if you don't have the necessary knowledge or experience. Four problems at once is the absolute basic of the job.

I saw you at Earl’s Court couple a weeks ago but was to busy to say hi my bad

 

[jimmycconway]

Today, I managed to get another chance to retake the role play interview part of the second assessment to do with this job which I last carried out in February and did well in, getting a borderline score according to my feedback but frustratingly, the assessors made it EVEN MORE difficult for me which I really did not expect to happen at all

The customer had FOUR goddamn problems that I needed to find solutions for altogether which was her injured right leg, a lost wallet, no money except for international dollars to travel and being late in a hurry to get to a meeting. It went HORRIBLY badly because it was far too much pressure having to deal with all of these problems at once and I am completely unsatisfied with my painful performance, especially as I kept accidentally talking over the customer whenever I thought she stopped speaking and wasted too much of her time behind the barriers by repeatedly saying things like, "I'm sorry this happened to you" and "I understand" as well as trying to offer her the perfect solutions like enquiring the lost property services, buying a new ticket for her to travel and giving out the quickest route she could take to get to her destination but she was STILL miserable and didn't have time to convert her dollars into pounds or buy a new ticket and I also did not take much priority for her broken leg either!

Just WHY OH WHY did these goddamn assessors have to ultimately challenge me in the role play interview to an overkill level of difficulty this time?! I did not deserve this at all and this should've been aimed at any internal candidates who already have had previous experience working in a customer facing role on the train network and I feel SO cheated and heartbroken because of this, just knowing that there is absolutely no way I will be able to pass the assessment all as I REALLY REALLY want to do this job BADLY as my life hugely depends on it

Youre not going to like the sound of this, but it's possible that you're just not ready for this role right now. The way that you're lashing out in this response alone (and it isn't the first time you've done this) shows that you don't have the basic requirements to deal with customers at such a level. You are pointing fingers rather than looking inward.


My honest suggestion to you would be to build your profile some more in jobs that are customer-facing, put yourself in more situations where you have to think fast, if something goes wrong, deduce how it did and what you would/could do to either avoid that issue or mitigate it and lastly, but absolutely most importantly, TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY.


This is constructive criticism, mate, don't take it as anything disparaging or negative. You can do better, but you need some self-belief, tweaking and training before that happens. I wish you the very best in your future.

 

[koalakitten]

Anyone know how to actually solve that issue? Would be interesting to hear from some csa's

 

[GoldenChef]

which issue was that?

 

[hydroman]

If it’s regarding the 4 issues I’d solve as follows:



Ask them if they require an ambulance or medical help. Offer glass of water.
We want to calm them down without saying calm down.

Ask them let’s have a seat and go through where they came from, which line, which part of train, when they realised lost wallet. Call to supervisor to contact the relevant stations to see if handed in. If not then fill out form and also give info on how to make a request to lost property office.

Regarding the money exchange issue, let them know where the nearest money exchange is.

If they are late to a meeting it doesn’t mean we should rush in the help we provide. Recommend they call up whoever the meeting is with, to explain the situation. We’ve done our part on this matter

Remember our concern is safety first as csa’s. And then assistance.

Remember to stay calm throughout. The person in front of you will panic more if you panic too.

Just my opinion

 

[heretohelp]

If it’s regarding the 4 issues I’d solve as follows:



Ask them if they require an ambulance or medical help. Offer glass of water.
We want to calm them down without saying calm down.

Ask them let’s have a seat and go through where they came from, which line, which part of train, when they realised lost wallet. Call to supervisor to contact the relevant stations to see if handed in. If not then fill out form and also give info on how to make a request to lost property office.

Regarding the money exchange issue, let them know where the nearest money exchange is.

If they are late to a meeting it doesn’t mean we should rush in the help we provide. Recommend they call up whoever the meeting is with, to explain the situation. We’ve done our part on this matter

Remember our concern is safety first as csa’s. And then assistance.

Just my opinion

I Agree to all of this

 

[koalakitten]

For the above response the initial person said the customer didnt have time to exchange money. How do you deal with that?

 

[bluegoblin7]

Explain that London Underground operates a frequent train service, and direct them to the nearest place that can exchange money, ultimately. Be persistent, but courteous.

 

[koalakitten]

Thanks! Anyone know when vacancies open for csa2 again?