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Virgin CSA job - onboard or platform?
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Where do you want to end up?
What do you want out of a job?
One's indoor, one's outdoor in all weathers. Think about what the job actually involves, and go from there.
Silv1983
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LoL - sorry your thread header reminded me of a scene in Mrs Doubtfire: "I.....am......job!"
If it was me I think the CSA role is slightly more dynamic and thus more appealing.
If it was me I think the CSA role is slightly more dynamic and thus more appealing.
I've never done either, but I was going to give the opposite answer!
The platform role is a bit more "manly" - outdoors, more physical, some involvement with the "railway" aspect of the job. Would sooner do that, than what's essentially a waiting/ cabin crew task (and I have done that type of work as a student).
I think the key, is to work hard, show initiative and stick at it. Grab opportnities that may arise, and don't stick too firmly to any pre - conceived ideas. Plenty of people have a decent career, with a decent pension at the end of it, and never leave either of these grades. On the other hand, from little acorns, some serious careers have flourished.....
craigybagel
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I've done both and loved both.
Which depots/stations are you looking at? Working at Euston station is obviously very different from working at a smaller station up the line, and with the on-board side, there are also differences between different depots.
Other than that, both jobs have their pros and cons - I found that on-board there was more variety, and it could be more fun. On platforms though, because you were always working with the same people, you got to know them better, there was a bigger sense of team work. Platforms can be more challenging in terms of your use of people skills (you get a lot more abuse) which is both a good and bad thing.
Shift patterns vary so much I can't even comment on that without knowing what location you're at, but it can have a big impact.
T&C's are different as well. Onboard is normally Monday to Friday work, with about 1 in 6 weekends that are part of your contract, you can't get out of them. Full time is normally a 41 hour week. Platforms is 35 hours, Sundays are outside, but you can be made to do 1 in 3 of them. If you do, you get paid for them on top of your salary for the rest of the week.
Which depots/stations are you looking at? Working at Euston station is obviously very different from working at a smaller station up the line, and with the on-board side, there are also differences between different depots.
Other than that, both jobs have their pros and cons - I found that on-board there was more variety, and it could be more fun. On platforms though, because you were always working with the same people, you got to know them better, there was a bigger sense of team work. Platforms can be more challenging in terms of your use of people skills (you get a lot more abuse) which is both a good and bad thing.
Shift patterns vary so much I can't even comment on that without knowing what location you're at, but it can have a big impact.
T&C's are different as well. Onboard is normally Monday to Friday work, with about 1 in 6 weekends that are part of your contract, you can't get out of them. Full time is normally a 41 hour week. Platforms is 35 hours, Sundays are outside, but you can be made to do 1 in 3 of them. If you do, you get paid for them on top of your salary for the rest of the week.
Thanks for all the comments. Glasgow would be my station, recently applied for CSA on-board, and unfortunately got an email saying due to the high response they were unable to invite me to a recruitment event on this occasion. However to continue applying. Now a platform position has come up & just wondering ??
craigybagel
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It's certainly worth applying for. It's a decent job, it gets you safety critical experience and other things that look good, and it can be a lot of fun. AFAIK the guys at Glasgow are mostly just responsible for train dispatch, and checking they're empty when they terminate, so you don't need to worry about the more unpleasant duties like station cleaning that the platform staff at smaller stations have to worry about. And at least Glasgow has a roof 
It might be worth checking through your old application before you submit it though - make sure you've got as many examples of good customer service experience as possible, it's one of the big things they look for, and unfortunately there is always a lot of competition whenever any job comes up.
Good luck!
It might be worth checking through your old application before you submit it though - make sure you've got as many examples of good customer service experience as possible, it's one of the big things they look for, and unfortunately there is always a lot of competition whenever any job comes up.
Good luck!
AlexS
Established Member
I work on the platforms for an Intercity operator (not Virgin, although I believe the makeup is similar - they pay better though!!) and it's a great job - I love it. I work closely with my grade of platform staff, the barrier staff and the station supervisors, as well as the station cleaners so there's about 25 of us in all. You have to take the rough with the smooth though - when it's freezing cold and you're shoveling snow or dealing with the Saturday night drunks it can get a bit challenging. On a given shift there's 2 chargemen (train dispatchers/platform supervisors etc) and 2 platform assistants (passenger assistance, second man for slam door dispatch, meal break relief) drawn from my grade - you work closely with your partner and spend 50% of your time per roster as chargeman and 50% of your time as assistant on a cycle. Responsibilities are train dispatch, security/fire warden, assisted travel, answering queries, keeping an eye on the general maintenance and upkeep of the place in general.
At a location like Glasgow Central assisted travel and security etc are likely to be the responsibility of Network Rail however.
There's a good rapport with the management, fitters and traincrew based at the station and I couldn't think of anywhere better to work. If you get a good location it's a cracking little job
At a location like Glasgow Central assisted travel and security etc are likely to be the responsibility of Network Rail however.
There's a good rapport with the management, fitters and traincrew based at the station and I couldn't think of anywhere better to work. If you get a good location it's a cracking little job
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