Ceres Magazine Issue 2 - Winter 2016 | Page 33

them. But anyone in any job that deals with the public knows it’s hard because you can’t please everybody. Things go wrong. Delays happen and some people choose not to understand that and refuse to remain calm and patient. The job of a rail operator, itself, is easy once you’ve learned the job and you know the tasks that you have to do every day. Though it’s not for everybody. You have to be able to monitor the radio, have to know the terminology when you talk on the

radio. You have to know your signals, your switch points. It's a lot of knowledge that comes with it. So, when I say it's not for everybody… not everybody adapts to it easily, especially the tunnel environment, with the illusion of the flashing lights of the tunnel as the train makes its way through. It adversely affects some people. Not saying that they’re any less of a person if they can’t deal with this or if they didn’t make it through the process, just like driving a bus isn't for everybody, operating a train isn’t for everybody, either.

For example, there's very little room for error working on rail as opposed to driving a bus. I always tell new students, if you run a red light on the bus, and you get lucky, you get through the intersection, you didn't hit anybody, nobody hit you, you’re safe, there was no camera, you’ll just think, “Whew, I got through that!” Here, you run a red signal, you're talking about serious consequences, you're talking about discipline, days off. And you can’t get away with it because everything here is electronic. Every movement of the train is monitored. The consequences are much higher for a train operator than they are for a bus operator because the potential for a catastrophe is much higher if negligence on the part of the operator is involved.

Ceres: Easily understandable, train versus train

is unforgivable. Have you ever had any accident involving passengers? What about safety?

Andrea: In my nine years, I have not had an accident, yet. Thank God, but that could happen. The possibility is always looming. Last night, I encountered someone under the crawlspace (the crawlspace is the refuge area under the edge of the platform). I came into the station and on approach I noticed that someone was under there. Fortunately, I was able to stop the train on time. So, we had to power down everything, and we had to try to get him back on the platform. To me, I guess it would be the most stressful… dealing with situations like that, trying to reason with someone who has some mental or emotional challenge, or somebody who has been struggling in life, and would choose to place his or her own life in danger.

Now regarding safety, I could see that being an issue on the bus side, because of the close interaction with the passengers. You're out there, late at night, one o'clock or two o'clock in the

"So driving a train could be a bit intimidating, too. Maybe they think it’s too much for a woman to handle."

33 - Ceres Magazine - Winter 2016