Chanchai
Rungruang, the BTS's training specialist, has been working for the electric
train service for 13 years. He started out as a driver. A year later, he was promoted to supervisor.
After
four years in that job, he became the BTS training specialist responsible not
only for training drivers but helping toscreen applicants.
Mr
Chanchai, or Ouan, 40, said he first worked as finance officer for a construction
firm after graduating. He spotted an advertisement for skytrain
drivers in a newspaper and decided to go for it.
"I
can drive a car and so I thought driving an electric train might be easier.
When I got the job, I felt honoured and proud at being part
of history."
Skytrain
drivers must have a bachelors degree in any field and be between 27
and 35 years old. Applicants sit a written test and after passing
they are extensively interviewed.
There
is also what is known in the trade as a "safety mind test",
the most important test for electric train drivers, before theyundergo health
checks, Mr Chanchai said.
"The
safety mind test will gauge your emotional stability. It will
check whether one exhibits a tendency to cut corners orbypass steps."
Skytrain drivers are responsible for
many lives.
Drivers
are prohibited from working for more than four consecutive hours.
"This
job is not limited to men. Female drivers are also accepted. The BTS
currently has 14 women drivers," Mr Chanchai said.
Explaining
a misconception about steering the trains, he said they are
not always on "automatic pilot". Drivers do more than push buttons to
open or close the train doors.
In
fact, drivers drive the trains manually from the BTS's Mor Chit depot to
Mor Chit station, from which point the trains are automatically engaged.
Driver
Mongkol Subwichai, 39, said he had worked for the elevated train
system for 11 years. He worked for a construction firm for six years before
quitting and going into the garment business for about a year before
applying to become a BTS driver. "I take pride in what I do.
It's different from other jobs," he said.
Mr
Mongkol said the job affords him a dramatic view of the
city.
But
safety takes utmost priority. Drivers must be cautious, particularly
during rush hour.
They
must see that no passengers are caught between doors when the train leaves the
station while keeping to schedule.
Nichakul
Ruomtham, 30, one of the 14 female drivers, said she has been in the job for
four years. While a political science student, she was a trainee in BTS's human
resources division. After graduating, she was employed on permanent staff
at the BTS Siam Square station. After three years, she was recruited as
a skytrain driver.
"This
job is challenging. I was among 40-50 applicants applying for four driver
positions and I passed the test,"she said.
Ms Nichakul said she did not tell her parents she was a train driver for the
first two years. She was afraid they would think the job was dangerous for a woman.
However,
when she broke the news to her parents, it was surprisingly well
received. "Dad called me one day and said to send him a photo of me
driving the train. It turned out his friends didn't believe I drive the
skytrain and he needed proof,"she said.
Vocabulary
promote VI. เลื่อตำแหน่ง syn.
responsible N. ความรับผิดชอบ syn. accountable, liable
screen VT. คัดแยก syn. select, eliminate, sift
financial ADJ.เกี่ยวกับการเงิน
construction firm N. บริษัทรับก่อสร้าง
spot VI. สังเกตเห็น syn. see, sight, detect
honour VI. รู้สึกเป็นเกียรติ
proud ADJ. ที่ภาคภมิใจ syn. arrogant,haughty, conceit
tendency N. นิสัย ท่าทาง
cut corner PHAR. ทำสิ่งที่ง่ายที่สุด เร็วที่สุด ถูกที่สุด
bypass VI. หลีกเลี่ยง syn. avoid, elude
depot N. คลัง สถานทีเก็บรถไฟ
garment ADJ.เกี่ยวกับเสื้อผ้า
pride N. ความภาคถูมิใจ
utmost ADJ. สุดขีด สุดเหวี่ยง syn. ultimate, highest
priority ADJ. ที่สำคัญเป็นอันดับแรก
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