Oral history; Interview with Danny Thompson, 2017
Main details
| Reference number | 2018/1923 |
|---|---|
| Description | Danny Thompson discusses his role as a Transport for London Night tube Customer Service assistant. |
| Interviewee | Danny Thompson |
| Dates | 01/12/2017 |
| Collection | |
| Object type |
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| Topics | |
| Completeness | 62% |
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Interview summary
Track1 of 1 [00:58:03]. Danny Thompson [DT] was born in Kensal Rise in 1964. His parents Merlin (mother) and Guy (father) met in the UK having come separately from Jamaica. [00:01:43] DT went to school in Kensal Rise. [02:13] DT explains that when he was around 10 the family moved to Wembley. DT describes his parents having lived the 'immigrants' dream', discussing a move to suburbia and being the first black family on the street. [00:02:53] DT describes prospects at John Kelly Boys School which included a car factory, 'borstal' [a type of youth detention centre] or signing on the dole. His Mum petitioned for his move to Preston Manor High School, which was an improvement in several ways. [00:05:36] DT begins to talk about the things he enjoyed at school which included sports and music and writing. DT reminisces about playing guitar along to radio and remarks on lack of internet. [00:06:47] DT describes early aspirations of wanting to be a 'star' musician, actor or performer. DT describes how music videos were viewed in the 1980's such as Michael Jackson's Thriller. [00:07:32] DT explains that he left school early, worked various jobs and went back to college to do a BTEC in 'Third World Studies', Sociology and History but left following disputes with the teachers due to differences in opinion and his political awareness, which he goes on to give more detail about. [00:10:06] DT begins to discuss his decision to become a music teacher. DT became a father at 23, which impacted his choices. [00:11:38] Topic changes to TFL. DT joined TFL in 2015. DT went to Nation Film & Television School in 1992 and worked in film with Channel 4, BBC, BFI in the 1990's. DT went to Goldsmiths and did a two-year course to become a community musician and then became a music teacher. [00:13:03] DT describes deciding to change his career and joining TFL. Was going to be a bus driver but couldn't because of lack of own transport. Humorously describes not wanting to drive school children. [00:15:09] Topic moves on to first day of training. Explains that he was initially hired to work on the night tube and briefly describes how Boris Johnson had promised the night tube service before it was ready. Tells story of working with a 'VIP' (Visually Impaired Person) which includes a big mistake made on his first morning. [00:19:11] Conversation moves on to the peculiarities of working on the night tube and what makes a good day, including helping people to find their destination, people needing someone to talk to and the impact that a 'good morning' can have on regular passengers. [00:20:58] Discusses never having experienced some of the worst potential occurrences such as a 'one under' (someone having been killed by a train) a bomb scare or an evacuation of a station. [00:21:53] DT talks about his favourite station to work at which are Clapham Common and Clapham South. DT describes the differences between these two stations. [00:23:40] DT talks about his recent shifts and describes dancing with a fellow CSA to keep warm. Continues to discuss this and notes that staff, Wi-Fi and wind chill are among the factors that influence favourite stations. [00:24:52] Topic moves to rotas, including the 'Meal Break' shift. [00:25:44] DT is asked what the function of the iPads is within this role. DT discusses the successes and frustrations of using the iPad and its various apps. These include inter-staff messaging, double-gate reporting (when someone goes through the barriers directly after someone else to avoid paying) and training apps. [00:28:41] Conversation moves to busy/quiet times of the day. DT gives busiest time:12am-2am, and describes some common occurrences on the night shift. These include women crying over relationships, people with no money or idea how to get home and homeless people trying to keep warm. [00:32:25] DT tells story of a distressed young women who had had an argument with her boyfriend and was in the station for a prolonged time. DT goes on to explain more. [00:34:34] DT tells a second story about a young Asian woman who needed help climbing the stairs as she was in pain and goes on to talk about her story and how it and other stories have impacted him. [00:37:37] DT remarks that the underground is the best place for people watching. He goes on to describe a time where he and his colleague had been watching a young man, expecting him to double-gate based on his appearance. They were pleasantly surprised when their stereotypes were challenged. DT goes on to repeat that he sees the 'full spectrum of life' on the underground. DT explains the role of negotiation in his job, explaining situations to people without creating anger. [00:40:13] DT is asked about double-gating specifically. DT explains the controversial rule of not physically impeding 'double-gaters' as the people who do it are aware that they cannot be stopped. He worries that this opens staff up to abuse. DT comments on the impracticality of the British Transport Police and its lack of efficiency. [00:43:17] DT talks about his preference for working in the daytime over the night time. He comments on the effects of night work on the body, on sleep schedules and on his social life. [00:45:17] DT is asked about his involvement in a BAME staff group. He talks about the various online groups that he is a member of. He gives an account of his involvement in the groups and describes his presentation 'How Black History Can Change your Life'. [00:49:12] DT is asked why he thinks the tube has had such long-lasting appeal. He describes tube travel as the simplest, most efficient way of travelling. Discussion of 'thought for the day'. [00:51:25] DT talks about a highlight of doing the SATS (announcing on the platform) when there was a hold up and he improved the situation. DT goes on to discuss the controversy surrounding the removal of ticket offices and people's need for human interaction. [00:53:54] Talking about the future of the night tube, DT envisages a future system like that of New York, generally hoping for the expansion of the night tube. This is followed by mentions of a fully automated tube system. [00:54:35] DT discusses a colleague allowing him to travel with her to see how the train is driven. DT explains the simple process of driving the train. He remarks that most the training is to support staff when things go wrong. [00:55:48] DT is asked for potential improvements. He complains about the loop of classical music. DT also describes the small size of the staff 'mess' room and the lack of provisions such as a replacement bin. He describes the impact of this on staff morale. End of Track[00:58:03] -
People involved
Role Person(s) involved Interviewer Donata Miller, 01/12/2017Interviewee Danny Thompson -
Associated companies, people and places
Places Interview location London Transport Museum, 01/12/2017