The job of Conductor on a First Gt Western Train . PLEASE HELP ME ?

[whole diary]

[gerry01]

Im looking at applying to be a train conductor on first gt western . Id like to know more about it although ive read the job description in the job section . The pay is  20,500  pa  gross but i understand with add ons such as overtime it works out alot more . Can anyone out there tell me what please . Also the job im looking at is centred at Reading . I would travel there from my home in Basingstoke . Would i log on work on reaching the link first gt western train at Basingstoke or when i reached Reading ? Again if anyone has the answer please do so . Hours of duty , what are they . I understand its shift, but what shifts , what hours do you do . Where do you satrt and where do you finish . How do you get home ? do you finish at Reading or can i finish at Basingstoke ?  If im taking the link train home that way ? Regarding the job , guards on south western cant issue penalty fines , Revenue do that , is this different on Fisr Gt western .  What are Fisrt Gt Western like as employers, what union am i expected to belong to ? What are my break times and where do i take them as a conductor , are there canteens , do they eat food from train buffets , or is it best to take a packed lunch ? If attending a interview or assesment for this job what are the things one must know , what is expected of one ? I hope some one can help me on this if so please reply on here . Thanks in advance .   

[grahame]

We only have a few "train crew" around here - we're mainly answering / talking by passengers, for passengers.

You may do better on the railchat forum at http://www.railchat.co.uk/phpBB2/ (which isn't something we look after here, although I personally post there very occasionally)

What attracts you about working for FGW^▸ (First Great Western) when you're very much in SWT^▸ (South West Trains) land?

[gerry01]

I use both from Basingstoke , and my mother lives in Oxford so i use the Reading connection for that . I find the trains on First better ,  something about the service appears smoother , their customer care seems better to .  Staff on South West trains arent happy either , they want to do away with guards /conductors and let drivers do it all doors etc . But the platforms in many cases are to short so I dont think that will happen once Unions and health and safety get involved . I just think Fisrt are the better of the two companys / Also Soth west use the 450 train for long journeys when it appears built for short trips . The First trains are smoother and more comfortable at speed . There you have it .