Carine Pochon, Région Sud’s first woman TGV driver
Carine Pochon—whose father, grandfather and uncle were all rail employees—is the first woman TGV driver in Région Sud, southeastern France. She speaks about her job with passion and encourages women to simply ask themselves: “Why not me?”.
How did you become a train driver?
I joined SNCF as a depot driver at Aix-en-Provence station, in southeastern France, but was eager for a new challenge. So I trained as a mainline driver and passed the exam in 2002. Once qualified, I set my sights on a higher goal and got my TGV license1 in 2019.
What do you like most about the job?
I’m always on the move! There’s no routine. I meet different people every day—you never run into the same colleagues. And it’s very satisfying to take people to work or on holiday. I also love the responsibility—I have real authority to make decisions in tough situations.
How do you handle the unconventional working hours?
A lot of people think the non-traditional working hours are a drawback to being a train driver. But I’ve always worked like that, even before I was a train driver. The truth is, I rather like this lifestyle. I’ve been working part time since my son was born 11 years ago. Which means I’m on the job from Friday to Monday and then have Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday off. On weekdays, I can take my son to school and to his activities and still have time for myself!
Why are so few women attracted to these jobs?
I expect it’s because very few imagined they could be truck or train drivers when they were little girls. They probably saw themselves in medical, teaching or sales professions. And some may think the job is too challenging, particularly because of the unconventional hours. But you know, every job has its issues. Obviously, you can’t have non-standard working hours if you don’t have a supportive partner who can step in when you’re not available.
What helped you when you started out?
I had train drivers in the family—even though they were all men—which gave me a realistic image of the job from a very early age. I’ve now been driving trains for 18 years and have never seen myself as an exception because I’m a woman. In this profession, you earn your colleagues’ esteem if you do the job well.
How can more women be encouraged to become drivers?
To women who believe certain careers aren’t for them, I’d say, “Start by keeping all your options open—don’t create barriers for yourself. Always ask “why not?” and take a closer look, even if you don’t initially picture yourself doing it.” I’d also remind them that we’re fortunate to work in a company that provides training and qualifications, and allows you to demonstrate your value on the job. That’s a real bonus, and they should make the most of it!
Why become a TGV driver?
Because it’s a great job—it’s fun, rewarding and downright thrilling, and it brings me immense pride and joy. The first time you’re alone at the controls at 300 km/h and responsible for 1,000 passengers, it’s exhilarating! For me, the thrill is still new, as I’ve only had my TGV1 license for a few months, but I’m confident there’ll always be that “wow” factor.