Home > Rail Work Experience > Wednesday 22nd March 2006

WEDNESDAY 22ND MARCH 2006

The day started with Matthew (my fellow student) and I travelling down to Southampton Central on our new passes which allowed us anywhere on the SWT network until it's expiration date on the last day of the course. We arrived on the 09:10 off Basingstoke (a Virgin Voyager bound for Bournemouth). This got us into Southampton with plenty of time to spare before the meeting began between 10:00 and 10:15.

It consisted of about 13 guards (both 'normal' and commercial), a guard manager called Ian and a man named Simon James (Institute of Customer Service - Front-line Customer Service Professional of the Year) talking about the new 'On Train Manual' that the guards would soon be receiving. The guards had to answer questions and put it into practice by talking into a microphone. There isn't much I can say about today, but the food was nice!

The below aspects were discussed during the day:

• The new on-train manual that is due to be printed in the next few weeks (until lunchtime).
• New announcements and systems, such as the trialling of a female voice on the Desiros.
• Any major problems that the group wanted to discuss. No 'local issues' were discussed.
• Personal security when aboard trains.
• Any suggestions that guards had on how to make the railway safer for them and the customers.
• The 'Joint Commercial Briefing' - a handout that details various things for the commercial guards.

One thing I picked up from the 'personal security' section of the meeting was the 'A-H' reporting guideline. This is used when reporting an assault by a customer and is as follows:

A = Age - bands 16-20, 20-25, 25-30 etc.
B = Build - small, medium or large.
C = Clothing - colour and style of clothes.
D = Distinguishing features - hair, broken/discoloured teeth, moles, tattoos, scars etc.
E = Ethnic origin.
F = Face - to include shape, eyes, hair style/colour etc.
G = Gender.
H = Height - bands 4'6"-5', 5'-5'6", 5'6"-6'.

As you can see, it wasn't the most exciting day but it was very interesting all the same - all part of the job for guards on South West Trains. They have a 'company day' about four times a year. There were a variety of guards from depots including Fratton, Woking and Bournemouth. It's the Desiro driving simulator tomorrow!

<< Previous Day | Next Day >>