SWT non-commercial guards - future?

[Cavan]

Hi,

I'm currently going through the selection process for a position as a non-commercial guard in one of SWT's London depots.

I'm interested in the job but maybe jumping the gun a bit, what are people's opinions on the long term future of this role? Obviously the SWT franchise is ending this year and I don't really want to start a job and suddenly SWT goes through the whole Southern type lets mess around with guards scenario.

SWT seem to constantly have job adverts out for non-commercial guards in recent months though.

I'm getting on a bit so want something secure, or as secure as anything can be.....

 

[pompeyfan]

It'll be interesting to see what comes, currently only stock that can be DOO is the 707's, the 455s and 456s are long in the tooth so their replacements will certainly be DOO capable out the box and the 450s and 444s will be due a midlife refresh soon, maybe work will be done to make them DOO capable? I don't think it'll be long until the southern battle makes its way to the other side of Clapham Junction.

 

[Spankthemonkey]

Hi,

I'm currently going through the selection process for a position as a non-commercial guard in one of SWT's London depots.

I'm interested in the job but maybe jumping the gun a bit, what are people's opinions on the long term future of this role? Obviously the SWT franchise is ending this year and I don't really want to start a job and suddenly SWT goes through the whole Southern type lets mess around with guards scenario.

SWT seem to constantly have job adverts out for non-commercial guards in recent months though.

I'm getting on a bit so want something secure, or as secure as anything can be.....

I would recommend you apply all the same. Even if the non-commercial guards are possibly removed in a few years time from the suburban services (and there's no guarantee any other franchise has the appetite for an industrial dispute like Govia's - note how Abellio Scotrail backed down from DOO) guards would probably be rehired as RPIs or customer hosts or on board supervisors where possible. It's still a railway career, highly sought after at almost every level.

 

[Cavan]

I guess I will think more if I pass everything!

 

[godfreycomplex]

444/450/458 becoming DOO capable is probably going to be very difficult if not impossible owing to the cab layout being physically and electrically fundamentally unsuited to a bank of monitors being slapped in, so they'll probably have guards until replacement. Plus the cost of rejigging all the SDO equipment for DOO would probably be more than the guards' wage bill.
Just do what everyone else does, take the job if you get the chance, you'll have a great time and what happens happens. It'll do you for a few years at least, I'll wager 455s and 456s will be around a few years yet. Plus, not wishing to open any cans of worms, but just because DOO can happen doesn't mean that it will.

 

[Lrd]

The Desiros are getting a redesigned cab layout are they not?

 

[dctraindriver]

The Desiros are getting a redesigned cab layout are they not?

Only moving things about for a couple of add ons. I doubt they will be able to move things significantly to allow DOO

Same with 458s.

 

[Cavan]

Thanks for peoples thoughts

 

[TEW]

The Desiros are getting a redesigned cab layout are they not?

For the addition of TPWS MK4 and the new Driver Advisory System. Means there's even less space in the cab for any DOO equipment.

 

[Failed Unit]

Irrespective - if you have your foot through the door if can lead to other things. You will understand railway safety. It could be a road to becoming a driver should the guards get removed. (Or even if they don't if that is what you want to do later in life)

Once your are on the railway who knows what will take your fancy.