Amazulu

Pretty common

I used to work in rail in London. There is an average of 1 one-under (industry term for someone jumping in front of a train/tube) a week - so 50-odd a year

It's a real problem

Beoz

I wonder how many charred corpses or dead bodies in car wreck a fireman sees a year. I bet it beats a tube driver.

Pollyana

There is a difference in the expectation though.

A firefighter accepts that their job will involve some very painful scenarios, and they go to every shift with the knowledge that they may see exceptionally tragic scenes by the end of it. Also, and possibly more importantly, the firefighter is not responsibe for the death of the fire victime.

A tube train driver goes to work to drive a train. They do not expect to reach the end of their shift having actually killed someone.

Beoz

So does that mean they should expect to earn considerably more than a fireman? The boss of a London fire station earns 20% less than a tube driver.

rammygirl

I assume the OP has moved on and started another thread as this has strayed rather.

ozzieeagle

It's up to him to contribute and any deviation along the way is a natural progression of dialogue loosely evolving around the original topic.

If he chooses to come back the thread will go back fully on topic.

ozzieeagle

It does mean you have to make sure that Tube Drivers can cope with these situations. Not sure how you put a figure on that. Remember these drivers are quite likely to "Partake" in someones suicide...not many people can handle that.


They are also responsible for moving 10,000's of people weekly..... day in day out 365 days per year. surely thats enough reason for above average pay. You want a person with more than average reliance surely ??? Total dependence I would want.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicid...on_Underground


Like I said some drivers are luckier or unluckier than others.

Beoz

So are bus drivers. Speaking of drivers here...... What's your driver ..... unionism?

OzTennis

You think you win debates in your own mind - e.g. how do you get rid of a teacher now you say. I give you the reality that anyone going into the profession now usually gets a short term renewable contract and no FS pension scheme so very dispensable (compared to job for life for every teacher which you have in your right wing mind). No response to the reality on that one for example.

I see you've gone on to make umpteen dozen more posts about effing tube drivers and the millions they earn for the job they do, with people's lives in their hands and many giving up their lives in front of their eyes. Give it a rest or get a job as a tube driver ffs.

For a change let's lay into these guys!

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/trans...-10307511.html

413 and they work in the public sector and for you and me - shocking.

ozzieeagle

Quite simply it doesnt happen to bus drivers........Suicide on the tube network is a real job hazard....people working in the network wont apply for the job because they know rhe imllications...

Beoz

So are you saying they should be paid more than firefighters because of potential jumpers? Just clarifying. If so that's cool. We just differ on the opinion.

ozzieeagle

I'm not saying that you are. It's up to the firefighters to sort that one out... you dont lower the bar you raise it.

Dont forget a Tube Driver has to be totally dependable, whilst working totally alone...... Thats even on a very very bad day.... which we all have now and again. So they are well and truly vetted and necessarily so.

Pollyana

Just out of interest.....our fire service (like most others I assume) has a strong network of chaplains, psychologists peer support workers etc who are called into action when there are fatalities etc. Even the toughest Firies feel the need to talk sometimes.
Ozzie, do you know if there is a similar system in place for Tube drivers? Do they have peole watching out for them and available after 'incidents' occur?

ozzieeagle

I'll see if I can find out.

Beoz

I have to admit, I'm amazed you find the tube drivers salary acceptable in comparision to other public service jobs, and arguing that they may see the odd jumper and have to work alone ...... sometimes, there's 3 in the cabin here. Good article too just to put it all in perspective.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/03/15/how-well-off-are-londons-tube-drivers-and-why-are-they-striking/

Well the union has done its job well here, for a bare few, whilst ripping off the rest.