Train driver work life balance

[kmw89]

I got 2 young kids. Never had a drama and feel like I'm at home all the time lol works for me. Id say go for it

Thank you !!

This is positive to hear. Someone sent me an example shift pattern (didn’t show the exact shifts but just the pattern) and having a block of 5 days off at the end/beginning of each month looks pretty neat.

 

[driverd]

Thank you. This reply is really helpful as it relates to GWR.

I wouldn't worry too much about what company it relates to - I've been in the industry 15 years now and worked for 3 different passenger companies (one of which was GWR) and a freight company and they are all broadly the same (as they all derived their terms and conditions from BR originally, with minor tweaks along the way to lead to where they are today - it's not as though each company has a completely different set of policies).

I’ve really wanted to do this for a long time but the idea of sacrificing my kids happiness doesn’t sit right with me.

So it's a bit of a balance really - yes, you might miss birthday parties and events on evenings or select weekends, but equally you'll get full days off with the family during school holidays. That'll typically be a few days in a row, too. During which time, you'll leave work at work and broadly not have to think about work - it's certainly not really a job you take home with you (don't know what you're doing now to compare, but worth thinking about).

So with the fixed roster, how far in advance do you know? Is it like others say where they are released twice a year for 6 months?

The whole industry (bar freight) works this way as the timetables that the trains run to come out 6 monthly. The train crew plan is then built around the timetable and runs for 6 months. The roster is fixed for that period, however some of your shifts will be "spare", which means you will have to be flexible as you can be moved +/- 3 hours (typically with the possibility of having the day extended by up to an hour) from the published roster times (eg: a 0500-1300 spare could become 0310-1155 etc).

What is the allocation like for holidays? Are you able to say in advance “I have kids so would prefer school holidays”.

No. Holidays are rostered on a rolling pattern (typically with 10 periods). You'll essentially move through it each year. The pattern will probably be something like:

A: W/C 1st Jan, 28th March, 1st June & 7th June, 21st Oct
B: w/c: 7th Jan, 14th April, 14th & 21st July, 28th Nov

Etc

You may start with pattern A in 2025, you'll then move to pattern B in 2026, pattern C in 2027 etc.

(Note - the dates I've put above I've just made up, dont take them as actual).

Typically from late the year prior, you can start swapping your leave weeks around. This can be by applying for vacancy weeks (eg: not every week will be full, there will be some weeks available to swap into) or you can arrange an exchange of leave with another colleague. Basically the bigger the depot, the easier this is. At one of the TOCs I worked for, we had in excess of 300 drivers at my depot and I never didn't get the leave I wanted as a result.

EDIT: Sorry, I should add that allocated weekly leave, as described above, accounts for approximately 25 days out of 34(ish). In addition to the weeks that you are allocated (and can subsequently swap), you'll have an additional 9 floating days that you can take as you please. These will always be subject to demand, however, so say you apply for the 22nd amd 23rd July, it's perfectly possible one day would be granted (there's a defined number of drivers that are automatically granted leave for a given day) and the other "subject to traffic" (they'll let you know if you've got the day off at 72 hours notice, subject to them being able to cover your shift). Essentially, subject to depot size, a certain number of drivers are automatically given the day off (at my depot it was 10 drivers per day). If you're the 12th person to apply for that day, you'll only be granted the day if they can cover your shift.

My partner is luckily very supportive of this and is a trade (electrician) so he can go self employed and arrange all his work around me. We could even pull our kids from childcare (not school) in this instance because he can always be at home when I’m working or sleeping and I can be at home when he’s working.

That sounds like a sensible and workable solution!

I used to do shift work so I know what it’s like. I’ve only been doing 9-5 since 2020. I actually miss the shift work sometimes. Like the random Tuesday off. Working 9-5 I do actually miss a lot. I basically pick them up, have to cook dinner in a rush and I’m stressed and then it’s Bath and bed. I basically get an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening with them and those hours are stressed and rushed getting them dressed, fed, washed and out the door / into bed. However, I’ve got loads of flexibility. I work for one of the big 6 banks and they’re so good to parents.

Pros of driving would be far more time off when you're not working, and potentially more time at home when you are (eg: whilst you may be working the morning and miss that hour before the kids go to school, you won't be as stressed and have a lot more time to spend with them in the evening). It sounds like shifts appeal to you, so why not apply and ask these questions at interview? If the managers don't sell the role to you, you could always withdraw your application.

Cons would be the tiredness. As others have said, you do feel jetlagged 24/7, especially on some shifts that don't work as well with your circadian rhythm (for me, it was early shifts).

I'd recommend you go for it, pose the questions at interview and see how you feel!

 

[TheAnswer89]

Except summer holidays and Christmas you just book yourself time off for birthdays, anniversaries and all other significant days for you in advance and you will have no problem to attend those events or host them.

About childcare I have booked both breakfast club and afternoon club sessions 2 months in advance and just cancel them when see fit. This way we don’t have to worry about childcare, because by default he’s going to the club.

 

[Chucky]

I've got a family and I see far more of them working railways shifts than I would if I worked Monday to Friday 9 to 5. Four day week helps too.

 

[kmw89]

I wouldn't worry too much about what company it relates to - I've been in the industry 15 years now and worked for 3 different passenger companies (one of which was GWR) and a freight company and they are all broadly the same (as they all derived their terms and conditions from BR originally, with minor tweaks along the way to lead to where they are today - it's not as though each company has a completely different set of policies).



So it's a bit of a balance really - yes, you might miss birthday parties and events on evenings or select weekends, but equally you'll get full days off with the family during school holidays. That'll typically be a few days in a row, too. During which time, you'll leave work at work and broadly not have to think about work - it's certainly not really a job you take home with you (don't know what you're doing now to compare, but worth thinking about).



The whole industry (bar freight) works this way as the timetables that the trains run to come out 6 monthly. The train crew plan is then built around the timetable and runs for 6 months. The roster is fixed for that period, however some of your shifts will be "spare", which means you will have to be flexible as you can be moved +/- 3 hours (typically with the possibility of having the day extended by up to an hour) from the published roster times (eg: a 0500-1300 spare could become 0310-1155 etc).



No. Holidays are rostered on a rolling pattern (typically with 10 periods). You'll essentially move through it each year. The pattern will probably be something like:

A: W/C 1st Jan, 28th March, 1st June & 7th June, 21st Oct
B: w/c: 7th Jan, 14th April, 14th & 21st July, 28th Nov

Etc

You may start with pattern A in 2025, you'll then move to pattern B in 2026, pattern C in 2027 etc.

(Note - the dates I've put above I've just made up, dont take them as actual).

Typically from late the year prior, you can start swapping your leave weeks around. This can be by applying for vacancy weeks (eg: not every week will be full, there will be some weeks available to swap into) or you can arrange an exchange of leave with another colleague. Basically the bigger the depot, the easier this is. At one of the TOCs I worked for, we had in excess of 300 drivers at my depot and I never didn't get the leave I wanted as a result.

EDIT: Sorry, I should add that allocated weekly leave, as described above, accounts for approximately 25 days out of 34(ish). In addition to the weeks that you are allocated (and can subsequently swap), you'll have an additional 9 floating days that you can take as you please. These will always be subject to demand, however, so say you apply for the 22nd amd 23rd July, it's perfectly possible one day would be granted (there's a defined number of drivers that are automatically granted leave for a given day) and the other "subject to traffic" (they'll let you know if you've got the day off at 72 hours notice, subject to them being able to cover your shift). Essentially, subject to depot size, a certain number of drivers are automatically given the day off (at my depot it was 10 drivers per day). If you're the 12th person to apply for that day, you'll only be granted the day if they can cover your shift.



That sounds like a sensible and workable solution!



Pros of driving would be far more time off when you're not working, and potentially more time at home when you are (eg: whilst you may be working the morning and miss that hour before the kids go to school, you won't be as stressed and have a lot more time to spend with them in the evening). It sounds like shifts appeal to you, so why not apply and ask these questions at interview? If the managers don't sell the role to you, you could always withdraw your application.

Cons would be the tiredness. As others have said, you do feel jetlagged 24/7, especially on some shifts that don't work as well with your circadian rhythm (for me, it was early shifts).

I'd recommend you go for it, pose the questions at interview and see how you feel!

Thank you so much for this thorough reply. It’s really helpful.

I’ve already applied, I have my assessments in February. I had a video interview. Sounds like I’ll have my in person TOC interview if I pass the assessments. I’m just going to see how everything pans out and take it from there. I can’t pass up the opportunity. If I don’t do it now, I’ll never do it. I best start practicing.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Dec 2024 ==

I wouldn't worry too much about what company it relates to - I've been in the industry 15 years now and worked for 3 different passenger companies (one of which was GWR) and a freight company and they are all broadly the same (as they all derived their terms and conditions from BR originally, with minor tweaks along the way to lead to where they are today - it's not as though each company has a completely different set of policies).



So it's a bit of a balance really - yes, you might miss birthday parties and events on evenings or select weekends, but equally you'll get full days off with the family during school holidays. That'll typically be a few days in a row, too. During which time, you'll leave work at work and broadly not have to think about work - it's certainly not really a job you take home with you (don't know what you're doing now to compare, but worth thinking about).



The whole industry (bar freight) works this way as the timetables that the trains run to come out 6 monthly. The train crew plan is then built around the timetable and runs for 6 months. The roster is fixed for that period, however some of your shifts will be "spare", which means you will have to be flexible as you can be moved +/- 3 hours (typically with the possibility of having the day extended by up to an hour) from the published roster times (eg: a 0500-1300 spare could become 0310-1155 etc).



No. Holidays are rostered on a rolling pattern (typically with 10 periods). You'll essentially move through it each year. The pattern will probably be something like:

A: W/C 1st Jan, 28th March, 1st June & 7th June, 21st Oct
B: w/c: 7th Jan, 14th April, 14th & 21st July, 28th Nov

Etc

You may start with pattern A in 2025, you'll then move to pattern B in 2026, pattern C in 2027 etc.

(Note - the dates I've put above I've just made up, dont take them as actual).

Typically from late the year prior, you can start swapping your leave weeks around. This can be by applying for vacancy weeks (eg: not every week will be full, there will be some weeks available to swap into) or you can arrange an exchange of leave with another colleague. Basically the bigger the depot, the easier this is. At one of the TOCs I worked for, we had in excess of 300 drivers at my depot and I never didn't get the leave I wanted as a result.

EDIT: Sorry, I should add that allocated weekly leave, as described above, accounts for approximately 25 days out of 34(ish). In addition to the weeks that you are allocated (and can subsequently swap), you'll have an additional 9 floating days that you can take as you please. These will always be subject to demand, however, so say you apply for the 22nd amd 23rd July, it's perfectly possible one day would be granted (there's a defined number of drivers that are automatically granted leave for a given day) and the other "subject to traffic" (they'll let you know if you've got the day off at 72 hours notice, subject to them being able to cover your shift). Essentially, subject to depot size, a certain number of drivers are automatically given the day off (at my depot it was 10 drivers per day). If you're the 12th person to apply for that day, you'll only be granted the day if they can cover your shift.



That sounds like a sensible and workable solution!



Pros of driving would be far more time off when you're not working, and potentially more time at home when you are (eg: whilst you may be working the morning and miss that hour before the kids go to school, you won't be as stressed and have a lot more time to spend with them in the evening). It sounds like shifts appeal to you, so why not apply and ask these questions at interview? If the managers don't sell the role to you, you could always withdraw your application.

Cons would be the tiredness. As others have said, you do feel jetlagged 24/7, especially on some shifts that don't work as well with your circadian rhythm (for me, it was early shifts).

I'd recommend you go for it, pose the questions at interview and see how you feel!

Thank you so much for this thorough reply. It’s really helpful.

I’ve already applied, I have my assessments in February. I had a video interview. Sounds like I’ll have my in person TOC interview if I pass the assessments. I’m just going to see how everything pans out and take it from there. I can’t pass up the opportunity. If I don’t do it now, I’ll never do it. I best start practicing

 

[FlashingYellows]

With regards to work life balance. To some extent your work becomes your life and the job intrudes outside of just the hours you are at work. Preparing for shifts or being exhausted from them. You’ll get days off where you wouldn’t in a 9-5, but a random Tuesday isn’t as valuable as a Saturday when the kids are off school. You might finish at 1pm and be home for the school run, but you’ll likely be tired and in bed early to prepare for the next shift.

There will be pros, but for family life, I’d say that the job has more negatives than positives and wouldn’t describe it as being family friendly. However, plenty of people make it work and a supportive partner and knowing what to expect will help massively.

 

[Twotwo]

The main thing I'd say is fatigue. So even if you are at home present are you really there? Imagine having a 4.15 start but finishing and being at home at 11 but are you really yourself? Same with nights, yeah you are at home all day, but your tired and recovering from the shift before and preparing for the next shift. It's not easy but if you have a supportive partner and family then it could work for you. I'm tired just looking after myself I cannot fathom what I would do if I had children!

Im permanent lates as it worked for me for a little while but I do miss the social aspect of things.

The pros is we do have a lot of time off and the money is great for holidays and extra things, but it does come with a cost. I'm always tired but i guess I'm just used to it now.

 

[whoosh]

@kmw89
I was able to go to a lot of school assemblies and have always managed to get some time off in school holidays, even if it's putting together some ad-hoc days to make a week off.

In fact I don't think I've ever not had a week off in August!

One year I got to go to Sports Day as I was either late PMs or Rest Day, and my partner couldn't get time off from her conventional hours job.

You will know what your days off are when the 'base roster' comes out. This will be in November for the December timetable change, and April for the May timetable change. However, GWR have a fixed rest day pattern, so it would be very unlikely you would change from that. Other companies do not have a fixed rest day pattern, so rest days can change each timetable period.
Your roster will be populated with 'booked jobs' - a turn of duty driving trains which will have a start and finish time. If this is cancelled or amended (changed for engineering works for example) then there are parameters around how much your start time can be moved, how much the duty length can change, and what notice you have to be given.

To give an idea, where I am it's +/- one hour start time change, extended by upto one hour, and at least 48 hours notice.

It's normally an amendment in the late evenings to allow extra time to go via a diversionary route, but sometimes weekends can be quite different to what they were supposed to be if engineering works are planned. Bank holidays and Christmas week are really the only time weekdays are significantly changed.

The other sort of job In the roster is 'As required' (which is also known as 'spare' or 'Time Available' depending where you are in the country.)
You can be moved +/- 3 hours and extended to the maximum duty length to be allocated to an uncovered duty. So let's say you are 06:00 - 14:45 as required. You can be given a duty up to 10 hours long that starts anywhere from 03:00 to 09:00. So you could get given 04:50 - 14:50 for example. You'd get paid the overtime for the difference, which in this case would be 1h15.
However - swings and roundabouts! You could get allocated a shorter job, maybe 06:32 - 13:49, in which case you won't lose out.

Where I am we get next week's daily alteration sheets by Thursday, so I'll often know what I am allocated to on my 'as required' days then. However, if not allocated at that stage I can still be moved about and allocated to a duty upto 48 hours before.
If I still haven't been allocated to a duty, I come in for my 'as required' hours and can be used to cover uncovered work within them, whether that's a whole duty or part of a duty, or sit in the messroom ready to be called into action to move a train in/out of sidings or cover work during disruption.

Again, the amount you can be moved by, and the notice you must have will be a parameter that will be agreed at GWR. I'm guessing with the three hours, and 48 hours, as it is at most places.

My partner not knowing what I can be when it says AR [as required] on my base roster, is the thing that drives her mad the most!

 

[Traindriver40]

shifts can be tiring but a great work life balance, i do half the hours of my previous jobs and earn twice as much. You will feel fatigued at times but I've been working shifts for 15 years in various jobs and i find it no worse on the railway, the days are shorter on avg and more time off.

I find overtime is what causes me fatigue as it can vary from your booked shifts which can throw you out of sync.

But ultimately a good work life balance although i do agree with some of the above you can often spend the day with the family knackered but thats being a dad to a young family and having a full-time job, you won't find many that aren't tired whatever they do i can assure you.

Having 2 young children and a full-time job is tiring whatever shifts or hours you work.

PS ...its the best job iv'e ever had by a considerable distance

 

[SiTheTrainGuy]

I’ve got 2 kids (8 & 10). I’m generally either around for dropping them off a school but not bedtime, or miss breakfast etc but can pick them up from school and take them to their various evening activities.

Miss some weekend stuff, football matches and school events but that’s the nature of shift work. The job itself is the best thing I’ve ever done, the money is insane and I’m definitely home a lot more than I was in my office 9-5 job when I’d be out the door at 7:30 and not back till after 6.

 

[Trainrave]

I’m a driver & parent to a 1 year old.

It’s hard graft working extreme shifts whilst performing the usual parent duties, but I am at home to spend time with her more than any other working parent that I know, and I am able to be more present in their life than most working people.

It is tiring, for example, waking up at 0200 for work, returning home at 1200 and then having to be dad until bedtime, but this job enables me to provide for my family better than I could ever dream, and I spend so much more time with them than a 9-5 office worker would be able to.

Go for it. I highly doubt you will regret it.

 

[nolypops83]

Thank you so much for this thorough reply. It’s really helpful.

I’ve already applied, I have my assessments in February. I had a video interview. Sounds like I’ll have my in person TOC interview if I pass the assessments. I’m just going to see how everything pans out and take it from there. I can’t pass up the opportunity. If I don’t do it now, I’ll never do it. I best start practicing.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Dec 2024 ==


Thank you so much for this thorough reply. It’s really helpful.

I’ve already applied, I have my assessments in February. I had a video interview. Sounds like I’ll have my in person TOC interview if I pass the assessments. I’m just going to see how everything pans out and take it from there. I can’t pass up the opportunity. If I don’t do it now, I’ll never do it. I best start practicing

Good luck with the assessments! I'm sure you'll smash it. I'm not a mum (no thanks ) or a driver (yet) but it's great to see how many people love the job despite the obvious drawbacks with shifts and fatigue. I work 9-5 two days in the office and three at home. My colleagues with kids often have to put them in breakfast and after-school clubs, barely see them during the week, often stressed running out of the house and making tea/homework/bedtime etc so I don't think it seems any easier whichever way you look at it. Parenting is bloody hard, I salute you all! My dad was a musician and we never had family holidays growing up. My mum took us away with family or friends. He worked evenings and weekends, all the school holidays and over Christmas but that was just the norm for us, I don't remember ever feeling like I missed out. When we spent time with him he mad sure it was quality time, that's what mattered.

With a supportive network, anything is possible. Plus the great salary will allow you to outsource some of the chores. Having a cleaner is probably a must. I had one and the amount of arguments it saved between me and my OH was incredible. Plus think how cool it will be for your kids to say their mum (I'm assuming you're female but correct me if I'm wrong) is a train driver.

 

[D3WY]

I am starting training in Jan, I already do shift work in my current job. Although this will be a wider range of shift times it's also still goong to be less. I currently do 10-11 hour shifts sometimes 5-6-7 days straight. Maybe more if I'm covering a manager.

I am joining now because my 2 kids are older now and my wife works from home. Not only that she's always been very supportive of my role as a recovery driver let alone now I have got my dream job. So in that respect I am very blessed and I know whatever shift I need to do and whatever sleep I need I will have full support of my family. I think this would be too big a change if I was coming from a 9-5 job

 

[AverageJoe]

I am starting training in Jan, I already do shift work in my current job. Although this will be a wider range of shift times it's also still goong to be less. I currently do 10-11 hour shifts sometimes 5-6-7 days straight. Maybe more if I'm covering a manager.

I am joining now because my 2 kids are older now and my wife works from home. Not only that she's always been very supportive of my role as a recovery driver let alone now I have got my dream job. So in that respect I am very blessed and I know whatever shift I need to do and whatever sleep I need I will have full support of my family. I think this would be too big a change if I was coming from a 9-5 job

I’ll be interested to see what your take on it is in a few years.

I’ve done shift work before but I’ve never had it like I do on the trains where the start and finish time can change each day and the shift pattern can change frequently.

That’s the challenging part I’d say.

Is your current job also safety critical and relies on you being able to maintain focus all day?

Again another thing with this job is you can become reliant on caffeine to keep you up which in turn has the knock on effect of stopping you sleeping when you get to bed.
Can be a vicious circle sometimes.

 

[D3WY]

Yes it can be I work on motorways etc so to a degree yes. I am lucky also I have a friend who's been driver for thameslink for a few years now so I have had alot of advice and inside info so I have a good grasp on what to expect. Of course until I do it I won't know for sure but I think I'm pretty well prepared

 

[AverageJoe]

Yes it can be I work on motorways etc so to a degree yes. I am lucky also I have a friend who's been driver for thameslink for a few years now so I have had alot of advice and inside info so I have a good grasp on what to expect. Of course until I do it I won't know for sure but I think I'm pretty well prepared

I’m not saying you won’t handle it, just curious to if it would be worse or better than you expect.

 

[D3WY]

Yeah I see what you mean, that's the unknown. Only time will tell on that one. Fingers crossed it's all I expect

 

[baz962]

To add to this. I would also say that it depends on how close you live to your home depot and how you would get in. I live in Bedfordshire and I'm based in London , I'm a few miles from my local station and I live on the line as they say . During the day I give myself half an hour to get to the station and sometimes struggle to get a parking space and then it's 40 minutes on the train. Ironically on very early shifts i can leave home with around 12 minutes to spare , but as our trains aren't running and I have to get on another operators train i still have the same commute time as their trains take an hour ish. I'm currently writing this post having had to go over to the East coast Mainline as our line is shut for 9 days and I had to get a train at 07.15 for a few stops and then a second train at 08.00 to London and change again, due at work around 09.15. I left home at 06.50. Having said that I personally love train driving and the commute has never bothered me , but I know a few drivers that absolutely hate it.

 

[muz379]

Is it that a happy family life doesn’t exist for train drivers, or it just doesn’t exist for you? It must be possible else nobody would do it!

Money is good but money won’t buy my kids happiness or my love so I have to put them first. I can just play my train simulator games

I suspect in some cases people are a bit trapped because they do have to make sacrafices on family time that they otherwise wouldn't want but cannot get a more family friendly job paying anywhere near the same money .

So with the fixed roster, how far in advance do you know? Is it like others say where they are released twice a year for 6 months? What is the allocation like for holidays? Are you able to say in advance “I have kids so would prefer school holidays”. My partner is luckily very supportive of this and is a trade (electrician) so he can go self employed and arrange all his work around me. We could even pull our kids from childcare (not school) in this instance because he can always be at home when I’m working or sleeping and I can be at home when he’s working. My Mum is also incredibly helpful and she’d be there when he we cant.

Links are set twice a year , and if GWR have fixed rest days then in reality you can at the very least say what days you will have off for years in advance , the only thing that will change is the times that you are in work on working days . Spare turns are the aspect I think I struggled with the most when I was a guard (same movement parameters as drivers at our toc) . You might be booked As required 11:00-19:00 but then moved to a turn of duty at 14:00 to 00:30 , but you could also be moved to a turn at 08:00 - 16:00 which might mean you have to change plans at short notice if you had planned to do the school run in the morning . In reality you will get used to just not planning to do anything like that when on spare until the roster is published .

Same with your booked leave , it is arranged on a rotational basis so everyone gets fair opportunity to take the more desirable weeks off , you should be able to plot for years to come what booked leave you have . Equally there is always the opportunity to swap , I didn't havee children when I was a guard and had 2-3 people that I would regularly swap my school holiday leave with when it fell to me because I didn't want to pay double the price to go on a plane full of kids .

One area I would absolutely prepre yourself to have to compromise on is getting ad hoc days off you want , particularly friday late turns and saturday turns at short notice . A common system is for there to be a quota for any ad hoc leave (at my depot it was 5 allowed off for 130 guards so not very many ) Say you need a saturday off in 3-4 weeks time , I would say the only chance you have getting that off would be to find someone to swap , so they would have to agree to come in and work when it should be their rest day , in return you would have to work a turn for them on one of your rest days . People will generaly only do like for like , so I wouldn't do someones saturday late turn in return for them doing me a tuesday early turn . This can be difficult to arrange if you already have plans for a lot of your saturdays off likewise at short notice you will struggle to find someone who has not got plans . I think most people will have a time that they have had to come to work when they have had leave declined whilst their family/friends are doing something they would much rather have been at. Personally it just made me become more organised and book leave as soon as I could , but that won't help you with things that come up at short notice but again your family and friends will get used to the fact that you cannot always make plans at the drop of a hat .

It sounds like with your partner being self employed and being understanding that there will at least be some flexibility so you won't be struggling for childcare when shift times get changed at short notice or you don't get a saturday off that you want . But also be wary that arranging your time like this doesn't take its toll on the relationship either , I have seen quite a lot of couples with young children both working as traincrew and they often worked opposite shifts and rest day patterns to ensure that they could be at home for childcare reasons , but the couple then never really got any time together which can be difficult .

The trade off for the negatives of course is the money , but also don't underestimate some of the less talked about beenfits like the job security , decent sick pay ,decent pension . All of which can help provide a stable future for your family .

 

[D3WY]

@baz962 That sounds very long winded, may I ask how did you get into that commute? I was under the impression with all rail companies that you HAD to be less than 60min from your station?

(Sorry had to tag you, I quoted your comment and it didn't quote it for some reason)

 

[Sly Old Fox]

You can either have the life or you can have the work but you can’t have both.

If you’re on lates you miss stuff in the evening because you’re at work. If you’re on earlies you miss stuff in the evening because you need to be in bed early. If you’re off both days you’re ok, but that only comes around once every three weeks.

How couples where both are drivers manage I have no idea.

 

[dk1]

How couples where both are drivers manage I have no idea.

Not so bad if they have no children and follow the same shift/RD pattern. Sounds perfect for a very early dual retirement.

 

[AverageJoe]

We have a few younger trainee and newly qualified drivers at my toc.

Some in the mid to low twenties and I hear a lot of comments of people being shocked and a little jealous that they are earning such high wages at a young age.

Personally I look at it differently.
Throughout my teens and twenties I was earning a very average wage but I absolutely loved working a 9-5 and have my weekends every week.

I definitely wouldn’t go back in time and start this job any earlier than my late 20’s.

 

[baz962]

@baz962 That sounds very long winded, may I ask how did you get into that commute? I was under the impression with all rail companies that you HAD to be less than 60min from your station?

(Sorry had to tag you, I quoted your comment and it didn't quote it for some reason)

My normal commute is 5 miles from home to station and a 40 minute train journey. I give myself around 30 minutes to get to the station during the day but it sometimes takes around 15 minutes , but as I say it can take forever to find a parking space. The toc i started with were ok with that. My point is just to make sure you know what commute times are and take it into account.

 

[Sly Old Fox]

Not so bad if they have no children and follow the same shift/RD pattern. Sounds perfect for a very early dual retirement.

Yeah I meant those couples who have young children. I’m sure it’s manageable but it must be hard.

 

[Twotwo]

Yeah I meant those couples who have young children. I’m sure it’s manageable but it must be hard.

Quite a few couples at my toc do a permanent shift. So one does permanent earlies and the other does permanent lates. Honestly I don't know how they do it.

 

[AverageJoe]

Quite a few couples at my toc do a permanent shift. So one does permanent earlies and the other does permanent lates. Honestly I don't know how they do it.

Many tocs that isn’t even an option so it must be a nightmare to balance childcare and actually have regular quality time as a family.

 

[Krokodil]

I suppose most people who don’t have kids, don’t want schools holidays off though so are always willing to swap?

Some will, but others will have grandchildren who they help with childcare for. Others may be in relationships with teachers.

but I don't think you'll find anyone who says a) it's easy or b) it is possible to get to 100% of events/bedtimes/achievements.

That cuts both ways. My dad worked 9-5. If he did the school pickup it was an unusual event, I'm not sure if he ever made a sports day. Having rest days during the week can be quite handy at times, working earlies means that you can usually be there at the end of the school day, while working lates means that you can be there for the beginning.

 

[Stigy]

[I think GWR get flat rate for a Sunday though, so ignore the rate of pay I mention that Southern get for Sundays.]
.

We get time and a quarter for Sundays…at present.

 

[Fittermat]

I am starting training in Jan, I already do shift work in my current job. Although this will be a wider range of shift times it's also still goong to be less. I currently do 10-11 hour shifts sometimes 5-6-7 days straight. Maybe more if I'm covering a manager.

I am joining now because my 2 kids are older now and my wife works from home. Not only that she's always been very supportive of my role as a recovery driver let alone now I have got my dream job. So in that respect I am very blessed and I know whatever shift I need to do and whatever sleep I need I will have full support of my family. I think this would be too big a change if I was coming from a 9-5 job

Are you starting on the 6ths for a FOC if so you’ll be on the same course as me.