Night train: the conductors, the guardian angels of passengers
Night trains attract travelers eager for low prices and unique experiences. On board, ticket inspectors keep a close eye on passengers when they nod off. Our journalist followed the ticket inspectors on the Paris-Nice night train to learn more about their job.
The night train conductor's routine begins with inspecting the equipment. A 200-meter convoy, divided into 60 compartments and 340 beds, is checked. Everything is inspected, including the floor between the carriages. While the passengers are asleep, the conductor makes a round once an hour, before going to bed and being replaced by a second team for the remainder of the journey, all the way to Nice.
To become a flight attendant—the official title of a flight attendant—you must have a high school diploma before completing a four-month training course. Kevin, a young flight attendant, earns a net salary of €2,300 per month, including bonuses. This salary can rise to €2,800 after twenty years of service.
While the job allows for travel throughout France, it requires accepting shift work and spending up to 14 nights away from family. This is a career chosen by approximately 300 night train conductors in France.
Watch the full report in the video above.
Francetvinfo
