MOM Role V Train Driver

[rollupandshine]

Hi all,
First time posting here!
I find myself in the very fortunate position of deciding between sticking with my current MOM role out in the Home Counties, or taking a train driver role in central London.

Anyone else made the switch and can share some pros and cons?

I love the downtime the MOM role gives, I’m not particularly busy, lots of freedom. But can be slow days sometimes. I love my 12 hour shift pattern which has plenty of rest days. I do feel I need to be busier…

Train driver I have worked out salary wise (once qualified) is probably around 10k more roughly…. Although current extra perks seem to be Sunday payment (contracted or not) will I only be paid extra for Sundays on overtime!?

Has anyone been or is a driver for southern? Would you recommend.

Any help/ suggestions welcome and thanks for your time!

N

 

[GingerRH]

Not a driver or ever would want to be, but I’d definitely stick to the MOM role rather than driving. Going from having the somewhat freedom and perks of being a MOM, into a cab being told what to do by control and a signallers, when you more than likely would know more than them through your experience, would do your head in.

Why not apply for MIO for more money, or become a signaller which is above G7 for the extra money on a 12hr roster?

 

[Swall]

I did it, can’t tell you whether it was the right choice just yet as it’s only been a year. The time off the mom role gave me was a big miss but I still get a long weekend every 3 weeks so it’s not all bad and I see my kids more now as it’s not 12 hours so I know I can either see them in the morning or evening where as a mom I could miss both for days. The money difference in training is a big draw back and even with some planning it’s been a struggle. Hopefully it works out. Any questions you have feel free to send me a PM

Edit: not southern tho

 

[Horizon22]

They are quite different roles really, so this is going to be about what you find better. As you said you like the "downtime" and "lots of freedom" but you also "need to be busier" - these are a contradiction in terms.

On the other hand a driver will need to be attentive for long stretches of their drive, multiple times a day, including stopping multiple times a day (I'm presuming a Southern metro driver). You'll have a diagram you'll need to follow and a large set of rules (not that MOMs don't either). You won't have the same freedom as you'll be in a driving cab mostly by yourself. Unlike a MOM you won't have set start and end times.

There is really only so much that we can advise, especially as in your MOM role you are saying pros and cons which directly contradict each other. It is about what sort of work environment you enoy more. Personally it sounds like driving might make you miserable but again, can only assume.

 

[GemGem]

Hi I made the move 6 years ago from MOM to driver. Personally I wish I had done it a long time ago. I love driving.

 

[rollupandshine]

Hi I made the move 6 years ago from MOM to driver. Personally I wish I had done it a long time ago. I love driving.

Can I ask who you drive for and what additional allowances you get??
Thanks !

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Yesterday at 18:54 ==

I did it, can’t tell you whether it was the right choice just yet as it’s only been a year. The time off the mom role gave me was a big miss but I still get a long weekend every 3 weeks so it’s not all bad and I see my kids more now as it’s not 12 hours so I know I can either see them in the morning or evening where as a mom I could miss both for days. The money difference in training is a big draw back and even with some planning it’s been a struggle. Hopefully it works out. Any questions you have feel free to send me a PM

Edit: not southern tho

I can understand that! Thanks for the heads up
Can I ask what additional allowances you get as a driver!?

 

[GemGem]

Can I ask who you drive for and what additional allowances you get??
Thanks !

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Yesterday at 18:54 ==


I can understand that! Thanks for the heads up
Can I ask what additional allowances you get as a driver!?

What do you mean by additional allowances? I work for SWR but not in London. I was a MOM in London however. My work life balance now is so much better as I have children. I feel personally I have more time off. I suppose a con would be the rostered leave and time off over Christmas. I loved being a MOM but I love driving even more.

 

[rollupandshine]

What do you mean by additional allowances? I work for SWR but not in London. I was a MOM in London however. My work life balance now is so much better as I have children. I feel personally I have more time off. I suppose a con would be the rostered leave and time off over Christmas. I loved being a MOM but I love driving even more.

in terms of pay i mean.
So i heard the train drivers only get sunday rate pay if its on OT, where as ive probably made 15k in sundays this year (mixture of contract and OT).
I think im considering applying for a MOM role in London and i believe the pay would be similar to that of a driver, im just making sure my calculations are adding up

 

[BigEasy]

in terms of pay i mean.
So i heard the train drivers only get sunday rate pay if its on OT, where as ive probably made 15k in sundays this year (mixture of contract and OT).
I think im considering applying for a MOM role in London and i believe the pay would be similar to that of a driver, im just making sure my calculations are adding up

All Sunday's for Southern drivers are effectively overtime (as Sunday working is not included in the annual salary), but drivers are rostered to do 1 in 3 Sundays, for which you get paid 1.2x normal rate. If you don't want to work the Sunday there are generally others who will happily take the work.

 

[Horizon22]

in terms of pay i mean.
So i heard the train drivers only get sunday rate pay if its on OT, where as ive probably made 15k in sundays this year (mixture of contract and OT).
I think im considering applying for a MOM role in London and i believe the pay would be similar to that of a driver, im just making sure my calculations are adding up

This is going to be highly dependent on which TOC you work for and even sometimes which depot.

I'm a bit confused - in your first post you already said you are a MOM? So are you looking to transfer instead? That wasn't one of the options you listed.

 

[Flange Squeal]

If downtime is important to you then you won't get much as a driver, particularly at a TOC like Southern. Turnarounds of less than 10 minutes are common, not just in the Metro area but also in the outer areas, for example Brighton to Seaford services see you with about 7 mins at Brighton and just 5 mins at Seaford to change ends and start driving the next trip. You say you love the 12 hour shift pattern which is something you'd lose, but you also say you feel you need to be busier which you almost certainly would be! I guess it depends exactly how much more on the go you want to be, as a 9.5 hour shift with the odd 5-10 mins here and there (reduced by delays during disruption, so end up chasing your tail) and a single 40 minute or so break somewhere in the middle sounds like it could be quite a bit busier than the picture you paint of your current role.