https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/crossrail-paying-140-drivers-up-to-18-months-before-the-line-opens-3tfqg5nhr?shareToken=4a6a1b0d9555d782c503924051dda 2d8

On Fri, 4 Dec 2020 11:15:45 -0000 (UTC)
Recliner wrote:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/c...up-to-18-month
s-before-the-line-opens-3tfqg5nhr?shareToken=4a6a1b0d9555d782c503924051dda 2d8

I guess they should've waited a bit longer before hiring so many, but they
can hardly sack them now so not sure why the press are getting so worked up
given their salaries are probably a drop in the ocean compared to the overall
cost.

On 04/12/2020 11:15, Recliner wrote:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/crossrail-paying-140-drivers-up-to-18-months-before-the-line-opens-3tfqg5nhr?shareToken=4a6a1b0d9555d782c503924051dda 2d8

[Quote from The Times]
A TfL spokesman said: “All available drivers are driving TfL Rail trains
on routes out of Paddington and Liverpool Street that will become part
of the Elizabeth line, undertaking vital testing of the central section
or training on other sections of the railway.�
[End quote]

Perhaps they can drive the Reading and Shenfield stoppers on 23/24/27
December, so those with broader route knowledge can add a few badly
needed specials elsewhere.

Certes wrote:
On 04/12/2020 11:15, Recliner wrote:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/crossrail-paying-140-drivers-up-to-18-months-before-the-line-opens-3tfqg5nhr?shareToken=4a6a1b0d9555d782c503924051dda 2d8

[Quote from The Times]
A TfL spokesman said: “All available drivers are driving TfL Rail trains
on routes out of Paddington and Liverpool Street that will become part
of the Elizabeth line, undertaking vital testing of the central section
or training on other sections of the railway.�
[End quote]

Perhaps they can drive the Reading and Shenfield stoppers on 23/24/27
December, so those with broader route knowledge can add a few badly
needed specials elsewhere.


Only Crossrail drivers drive Crossrail trains; Crossrail drivers only drive
Crossrail trains; Crossrail drivers don't sign routes where Crossrail don't
run.

The Reading and Shenfield Crossrail stoppers will already be scheduled to
be crewed by Crossrail drivers.


Anna Noyd-Dryver

On Fri, 4 Dec 2020 15:18:43 -0000 (UTC), Anna Noyd-Dryver
wrote:


Only Crossrail drivers drive Crossrail trains; Crossrail drivers only drive
Crossrail trains; Crossrail drivers don't sign routes where Crossrail don't
run.

The Reading and Shenfield Crossrail stoppers will already be scheduled to
be crewed by Crossrail drivers.


There were a couple of TV programmes about the building of Crossrail
broadcast two/three years ago (BBC2?) that featured driver training on
the new trains.

On 04/12/2020 11:15, Recliner wrote:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/crossrail-paying-140-drivers-up-to-18-months-before-the-line-opens-3tfqg5nhr?shareToken=4a6a1b0d9555d782c503924051dda 2d8

It's nice "work" if you can get it. But the job will be a lot less attractive in a few years time when services actually start running, when the generous salary is combined with actual work, and on a shift system at that. Some of them might decide to move elsewhere.

I fully expect that when Crossrail actually starts, they will still need to use the excuse that's so common on Govia-Thameslink: "service cancelled because of shortage of staff".


--
Clive Page

Clive Page wrote:
On 04/12/2020 11:15, Recliner wrote:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/crossrail-paying-140-drivers-up-to-18-months-before-the-line-opens-3tfqg5nhr?shareToken=4a6a1b0d9555d782c503924051dda 2d8

It's nice "work" if you can get it. But the job will be a lot less
attractive in a few years time when services actually start running, when
the generous salary is combined with actual work, and on a shift system
at that. Some of them might decide to move elsewhere.

I fully expect that when Crossrail actually starts, they will still need
to use the excuse that's so common on Govia-Thameslink: "service
cancelled because of shortage of staff".

Yes, undoubtedly.

They may soon be busy, as intensive test service is due to start by the
Spring. They still have an internal target to start services through the
central tunnel by mid-Oct 2021, with all stations open.

On Sun, 6 Dec 2020 09:32:07 +0000
Clive Page wrote:
On 04/12/2020 11:15, Recliner wrote:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/c...up-to-18-month
s-before-the-line-opens-3tfqg5nhr?shareToken=4a6a1b0d9555d782c503924051dda 2d8

It's nice "work" if you can get it. But the job will be a lot less attractive
in a few years time when services actually start running, when the generous
salary is combined with actual work, and on a shift system at that. Some of
them might decide to move elsewhere.

Where would they move to? There arn't many blue collar jobs that pay north
of 60K these days. Deep sea diver perhaps and a few other risky trades but
hardly transferable skills and given what Covid has done to the economy and
Brexit may soon do too they'll probably be thinking themselves lucky to
have any job.

On Sun, 6 Dec 2020 10:41:00 -0000 (UTC)
Recliner wrote:
Clive Page wrote:
On 04/12/2020 11:15, Recliner wrote:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/c...up-to-18-month
s-before-the-line-opens-3tfqg5nhr?shareToken=4a6a1b0d9555d782c503924051dda 2d8

It's nice "work" if you can get it. But the job will be a lot less
attractive in a few years time when services actually start running, when
the generous salary is combined with actual work, and on a shift system
at that. Some of them might decide to move elsewhere.

I fully expect that when Crossrail actually starts, they will still need
to use the excuse that's so common on Govia-Thameslink: "service
cancelled because of shortage of staff".

Yes, undoubtedly.

They may soon be busy, as intensive test service is due to start by the
Spring. They still have an internal target to start services through the
central tunnel by mid-Oct 2021, with all stations open.

I wish them good luck with that.

wrote:
On Sun, 6 Dec 2020 09:32:07 +0000
Clive Page wrote:
On 04/12/2020 11:15, Recliner wrote:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/c...up-to-18-month
s-before-the-line-opens-3tfqg5nhr?shareToken=4a6a1b0d9555d782c503924051dda 2d8

It's nice "work" if you can get it. But the job will be a lot less attractive
in a few years time when services actually start running, when the generous
salary is combined with actual work, and on a shift system at that. Some of
them might decide to move elsewhere.

Where would they move to? There arn't many blue collar jobs that pay north
of 60K these days. Deep sea diver perhaps and a few other risky trades but
hardly transferable skills and given what Covid has done to the economy and
Brexit may soon do too they'll probably be thinking themselves lucky to
have any job.



To other TOCs with better work.


Anna Noyd-Dryver