Luas Drivers pay

SEPT 23 1989 · 10-02-2016 10:50AM

fullstop wrote: »

What qualifications do Luas drivers require?

they need to have two fully working eyes and the use of one hand for operating the handle

ThisRegard · 10-02-2016 10:51AM

Mint Sauce wrote: »

I'd imagine learning the routes,

Good point in fairness, those Luas I'd day are pretty hard to reverse around a corner when you take a wrong turn.

DeanAustin · 10-02-2016 10:54AM

Riskymove wrote: »

their demand seems to be based solely on the fact that the company is making more profits

nothing to do with productivity or new skills etc

They may have a point. However, based on that logic, their pay should be reduced if profits go down. I'd imagine if that happened, we'd have another strike on our hands.

Turtyturd · 10-02-2016 10:56AM

Learn the routes?

'Ah balls, I've pulled into Connolly when I was supposed to go to the point. However will I get out of this one?'

Greyian · 10-02-2016 10:58AM

Mint Sauce wrote: »

I'd imagine learning the routes

If only they had some sort of trail or path to follow...

Mint Sauce · 10-02-2016 11:06AM

Greyian wrote: »

If only they had some sort of trail or path to follow...

And with all the intersections, points, signals, stops, turns, bridges, cuttings, rises, and falls along them. Every single one with their own hazards, I'd imagine they would have to know how to react for everyone of them, thier location along the route, braking and slowing down points, etc etc etc.

Not saying they deserve the amount they are asking for, but it is a pretty responsible job, when you even just take the above into account.

ThisRegard · 10-02-2016 11:07AM

Mint Sauce wrote: »

And with all the intersections, points, signals, stops, turns, bridges, cuttings, rises, and falls along them. Every single one with their own hazards, I'd imagine they would have to know how to react for everyone of them, thier location along the route, braking and slowing down points, etc etc etc.

Not saying they deserve the amount they are asking for, but it is a pretty responsible job, when you even just take the above into account.

So you know, just like everyone else in the country who drive, walk or cycle the same route into and out of work on a daily basis?

How long do you think that would take to figure out, a day, two days?

fullstop · 10-02-2016 11:09AM

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Haven't a clue, I've never driven one. Plenty here seem to know a lot about how easy it is though, I was just curious.

The answer is none, so he wasn't far wrong.

maudgonner · 10-02-2016 11:11AM

Turtyturd wrote: »

Learn the routes?

'Ah balls, I've pulled into Connolly when I was supposed to go to the point. However will I get out of this one?'

In fairness, I'd say there's a good few Red Line drivers desperately trying to find their way onto the Green Line.

fullstop · 10-02-2016 11:12AM

Mint Sauce wrote: »

And with all the intersections, points, signals, stops, turns, bridges, cuttings, rises, and falls along them. Every single one with their own hazards, I'd imagine they would have to know how to react for everyone of them, thier location along the route, braking and slowing down points, etc etc etc.

Not saying they deserve the amount they are asking for, but it is a pretty responsible job, when you even just take the above into account.

So wait, let me get this right...they have to know to stop when a traffic light tells them and go when it tells them as well as make the tram go and slow down?

:D Lord above, give them 100k per year!

Mint Sauce · 10-02-2016 11:15AM

ThisRegard wrote: »

So you know, just like everyone else in the country who drive, walk or cycle the same route into and out of work on a daily basis?

How long do you think that would take to figure out, a day, two days?

I would say there's a slight difference between figuring out, and exact knowledge.

There's a slight difference to knowing the route on my commute, and a tram drivers route.

I only have my self in my car, a tram driver has the lives of hundreds in his, and will have a hell of allot more accountability and stuff to answer to if involved in an incident.

snickerpuss · 10-02-2016 11:15AM

Greyian wrote: »

If only they had some sort of trail or path to follow...

I'm sure it's different with Luas Drivers but people often don't believe that train drivers need to learn each route they drive. They need to know every metre of track - speed restrictions, gradients, bends, signals, boards, local landmarks etc. They are tested on each route annually as well as being monitored in real time while they are driving.

Private companies in UK also pay train drivers similar amounts (£50,000+) to here despite a general idea that they are overpaid. It's a hugely responsible job with a lot of knowledge required. Particularly on the disel intercity trains. I don't really feel that the Luas drivers are in the same category. They don't train for nearly as long for example. Train drivers do a year long driving course and then begin building up a few hundred driving hours before they are examined and passed out. They then do an annual 'rules' exam and other training courses.

Greyian · 10-02-2016 11:15AM

Mint Sauce wrote: »

And with all the intersections, points, signals, stops, turns, bridges, cuttings, rises, and falls along them. Every single one with their own hazards, I'd imagine they would have to know how to react for everyone of them, thier location along the route, braking and slowing down points, etc etc etc.

Not saying they deserve the amount they are asking for, but it is a pretty responsible job, when you even just take the above into account.

What you're saying is they have to know how to drive...just like millions of other people in this country. Should employers start paying an extra €10,000+ a year to any employees who drive to work, because of the pretty responsible commute they have?

In a car, red light means stop. In a tram, horizontal line means stop.
In a car, green light means go (provided it is safe to do so). In a tram, vertical line means go (provided it is safe to do so).

Bridges? You'll probably find that anyone driving a car also has to be aware of them, slow down, monitor road conditions, beware of being unsighted over hills etc etc.

Luas drivers don't have to worry about taking a wrong turn and going down a one way street the wrong way. They don't have to worry about refueling. They don't have to worry about parallel parking.

Ally Dick · 10-02-2016 11:16AM

Red line drivers should get more money than green line drivers for working in a war zone

ThisRegard · 10-02-2016 11:18AM

Mint Sauce wrote: »

I would say there's a slight difference between figuring out, and exact knowledge.

There's a slight difference to knowing the route on my commute, and a tram drivers route.

I only have my self in my car, a tram driver has the lives of hundreds in his, and will have a hell of allot more accountability and stuff to answer to if involved in an incident.

For the most part, Luas lines don't interact with other traffic, the Red line more so than the Green. But you're really trying to make it out a lot more complicated than it actually is. Hundreds of thousands of us manage this on a daily basis.

Using your logic, how much money should bus drivers been given to differentiate their job from the relatively simple Luas drivers job, if their wage claims are even partially justified?

Mint Sauce · 10-02-2016 11:19AM

snickerpuss wrote: »

I'm sure it's different with Luas Drivers but people often don't believe that train drivers need to learn each route they drive. They need to know every metre of track - speed restrictions, gradients, bends, signals, boards, local landmarks etc. They are tested on each route annually as well as being monitored in real time while they are driving.

Private companies in UK also pay train drivers similar amounts (£50,000+) to here despite a general idea that they are overpaid. It's a hugely responsible job with a lot of knowledge required. Particularly on the disel intercity trains. I don't really feel that the Luas drivers are in the same category. They don't train for nearly as long for example. Train drivers do a year long driving course and then begin building up a few hundred driving hours before they are examined and passed out. They then do an annual 'rules' exam and other training courses.

Thank you, at last someone one on the same thinking as me.

eeguy · 10-02-2016 11:19AM

fullstop wrote: »

What qualifications do Luas drivers require?

They do 5 weeks of classroom training, then a few weeks of supervised driving

Greyian · 10-02-2016 11:20AM

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Thank you, at last someone one on the same thinking as me.

Seems you missed this line in his post

snickerpuss wrote:

I don't really feel that the Luas drivers are in the same category.

Mint Sauce · 10-02-2016 11:21AM

Greyian wrote: »

What you're saying is they have to know how to drive...just like millions of other people in this country. Should employers start paying an extra €10,000+ a year to any employees who drive to work, because of the pretty responsible commute they have?

In a car, red light means stop. In a tram, horizontal line means stop.
In a car, green light means go (provided it is safe to do so). In a tram, vertical line means go (provided it is safe to do so).

Bridges? You'll probably find that anyone driving a car also has to be aware of them, slow down, monitor road conditions, beware of being unsighted over hills etc etc.

Luas drivers don't have to worry about taking a wrong turn and going down a one way street the wrong way. They don't have to worry about refueling. They don't have to worry about parallel parking.

And for all of the above, they have a lot higher level of accountability and more to answer for compared to me in my car.

The Backwards Man · 10-02-2016 11:22AM

fullstop wrote: »

The answer is none, so he wasn't far wrong.

Must be an easy job so.

eeguy · 10-02-2016 11:22AM

Mint Sauce wrote: »

And for all of the above, they have a lot higher level of accountability and more to answer for compared to me in my car.

HGV and bus drivers do all that and much more, with much greater risks and much less pay.

Mint Sauce · 10-02-2016 11:23AM

Greyian wrote: »

Seems you missed this line in his post

A Luas Tram may be on a smaller scale, but would be sure some of the same applies.

Its not exactly something you can swerve out of the way if the unexpected happens.

The Backwards Man · 10-02-2016 11:26AM

eeguy wrote: »

HGV and bus drivers do all that and much more, with much greater risks and much less pay.

Sure that's just driving a big car, most people that drive to work get no extra money for doing it and they're using the same roads. They should be paying their employers for having such a handy number in fairness.

fullstop · 10-02-2016 11:26AM

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Must be an easy job so.

Which is what he said, was it not?

eeguy · 10-02-2016 11:27AM

Mint Sauce wrote: »

A Luas Tram may be on a smaller scale, but would be sure some of the same applies.

Its not exactly something you can swerve out of the way if the unexpected happens.

It also means you don't need to worry about swerving into anything, should you lose concentration or get distracted.

sbsquarepants · 10-02-2016 11:28AM

Now I've never driven a luas, but it looks to me like something you'd pick up after a half an hours training. 60k plus? Would you piss off with yourself!

The Backwards Man · 10-02-2016 11:29AM

fullstop wrote: »

Which is what he said, was it not?

Aye, that's what he said. Have to hold my hands up and bow his superior knowledge about how easy a job neither of us have ever done is. Credit where credit's due and all that.

TallGlass · 10-02-2016 11:30AM

Mint Sauce wrote: »

And for all of the above, they have a lot higher level of accountability and more to answer for compared to me in my car.

Your absolutely 100% accountable to the same level as someone driving a Luas even in a car, it doesn't matter if it's 1/100/1000 people travelling with you, you have an accident/incident then your accountable. It's why we have insurance and obey the rules of the road.

You can't cause an accident then not be as accountable as someone who has an accident in a Luas. Take for example that incident with the Bus a few years back on the quays, if that had of been a car/Luas it would have been the exact same investigation as it was for the bus. Yes there might be more passengers, but your just as accountable.

The Backwards Man · 10-02-2016 11:32AM

eeguy wrote: »

It also means you don't need to worry about swerving into anything, should you lose concentration or get distracted.

I could probably do it blindfolded with one hand tied behind my back and my foot up my own hole, it's that easy.

Mint Sauce · 10-02-2016 11:35AM

So it seems people have only focused on one or two lines of my several posts on this topic, so will end my contribution on this subject with a couple of lines that everybody seemed to miss during my contribution and the points I was trying to make.

Are all the people saying it takes little training, anyone can do it, its skilled, semi skilled, actually work for Luas?

Not saying they deserve the amount they are asking for, but it is a pretty responsible job, when you even just take the above into account.

Luas Drivers pay

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