smallspy
Senior Member
I did not mean to minimize the training that they have. I wonder if perhaps with modern technology, and for commuter trains where help is alway close at hand, perhaps some type of reduced training may be acceptable for certain trains. It is probably similar to pilots in a way since 99% of the time the plain can almost fly itself - but for that 1%, a trained pilot is essential.
Absolutely, positively......no.
All fixed-wing pilots have to go through the same amount of training, regardless of what or where they are flying. And it is very, very thorough and comprehensive. This means that even the guy at Air Canada flying a state-of-the-art A330 is capable of flying a simpler-than-a-board Chipmunk.
The same goes for railways. It doesn't matter where they operate - there is a huge list of rules and regulations that they must know and memorize before they can even step foot on the equipment. This way, they know all of the same rules and regulations as the guys operating the 10,000 foot, 15,000 ton freight train coming the opposite way. Then, and only then, can they think about learning the peculiarities of their equipment and territories.
Dan
Toronto, Ont.