Potential industrial action over IEP introduction

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

What about fallen trees, track workers, and trespassers for example.

The DLR^▸ (Docklands Light Railway) has all those....

And much lower speeds.

[TaplowGreen]

That's funny. Last time I flew by plane there was a pilot, co-pilot and six cabin crew. I make that 8 people resonsible for mine and a much smaller number of passenger's safety.

Apologies for introducing a little levity into this serious discussion..... The last (but one) time I flew, the airline was obviously using the POO system ('Pilot Only Operation') and, yes, he did appear to be flying by the seat of his pants given the amount of severe turbulence over the Grand Canyon! 

I've done that trip too! Over Lake Mead and then down to the Grand Canyon in a 6 seater - the pilot was a Vietnam veteran although the way the turbulence was taking us up,down and around brought a Battle of Britain dogfight to mind!!!

[4064ReadingAbbey]

What about fallen trees, track workers, and trespassers for example.

The DLR^▸ (Docklands Light Railway) has all those....

And much lower speeds.

Yes, but...at high speeds and because of the braking distances the train driver is essentially helpless in the face of demolished bridge parapets, vehicles on level crossings, fallen signals and trees, track workers and trespassers.

It is arguable that the number of deaths and injuries would be reduced if the driver wasn't in the line of fire.

[broadgage]

Even at relatively high speeds such as 100/125 mph, the train driver is not "essentially helpless", a driver sighting an obstruction would brake hard, and although probably unable to stop the train before impact, would at least significantly reduce the speed.
Striking a tree at half line speed is by no means trivial, and could result in loss of life, but the consequences are less serious than at full speed.

If persons be on the line, then the sounding of the horn by the driver gives them vital seconds to get clear.

[4064ReadingAbbey]

How does all that work at night, or in fog or in falling snow...?

(It's not that I want to see or travel in driverless trains, but I am not sure that the arguments commonly used for retaining the driver really stand up to analysis).

[TonyK]

That's funny. Last time I flew by plane there was a pilot, co-pilot and six cabin crew. I make that 8 people responsible for mine and a much smaller number of passenger's safety.

A train with engine problems will coast gracefully to a halt, unlike an aircraft, where if "it all goes quiet" the skills of the crew in navigation and energy management will be greatly tested. Of course, some train problems in the past put passengers at risk of harm in deciding to get of the train by themselves without appreciating the risks of doing so on an active railway - rare events, but justifying, IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion), the presence of a second highly trained staff member.

I came home Friday with two pilots and four cabin crew. One pilot alone can easily fly in an emergency, but even in modern aircraft, there can be a high workload at times. You are right to include the cabin crew, who are there for safety primarily, with the service of indifferent coffee at premium rates a secondary activity to be done only when there is no emergency.

I also have experience of being in an aircraft containing a single pilot/passenger combination (me) which is fun, if not quite as safe, although I was well trained before being let go alone.

[didcotdean]

Now confirmed industrial action.

According to the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Breaking News twitter 48 hour strike from 18:30 BST on 8 July.

Additional: RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) site.

[ChrisB]

That nicely dovetails with the tube strike!

[bobm]

...and the one on the Underground.   

Seriously though anyone placing bets on whether it gets suspended/called off at the last minute as per the recent RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers)/NR^» (Network Rail - home page) dispute?

[ChrisB]

Not this time, unless FGW^▸ (First Great Western) settle

[didcotdean]

My thoughts were it was not necessarily a coincidence that there is a Test Match in Cardiff on the Wednesday.

At least some of the things look beyond the responsibility of FGW^▸ (First Great Western).

[ChrisB]

Right through until Sunday. Obertime ban from the end of the strike until start of Sunday

[TaplowGreen]

What's the reason for this week's strike threat exactly?

[Timmer]

What's the reason for this week's strike threat exactly?

Who opens and closes the new IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) train doors.

[bobm]

From the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) website

At the end of May the union confirmed that it had entered into dispute with First Great Western over the introduction of Super Express Trains on their franchise. We made it clear that RMT were seeking the following assurances from management to resolve this matter:-
 
^    To keep a safety competent Guard on every train.
^    To keep safety critical station Despatch staff.
^    To keep buffet car facilities on every train.
^    To ensure that the maintenance of new rolling stock remains in-house.
^    No job losses.