RCG Inside
28. 06. 2022
ÖBB offers a workplace with a lot of history and cohesion. We often talk about our ÖBB family, where everyone pitches in and makes an important contribution. Something you don't find so often anymore are whole families with a passion for the railway - which is why we are all the more proud of the Pollak family, who bring exactly this passion to the table.
In 1963, Alois Pollak Senior started as a stoker with ÖBB at the train haulage station in Gmünd. He worked his way up to head stoker in Schwarzenau and loved working with old steam locomotives. This love he shared with his family and started every holiday with a train ride. He also wanted to share the pride he felt for his work with his four boys Alois, Herbert, Andreas and Helmut and wanted nothing more than to get them excited about the railway as well. And he succeeded.
Today, they are united not only by their love of the railway, but also of coffee. In the interview, with the exception of son Mathias, they all cited daily coffee as either a highlight or a necessity for a successful start to the day.
In the meantime, the family is represented by seven motivated heads in different positions in #TeamÖBB, which would certainly have put a smile on the face of Pollak Senior, a full-blooded railwayman. In Rail Cargo and passenger transport, the railway family ensures smooth operations and safe transports from A to B. We asked the members of the Pollak family a few questions each to get to know them better:
Who set the course for you to start working for ÖBB?
My father
Does work come to the dinner table?
The locomotive has no business at the dining table
What do you look forward to most before starting work?
When I get on my locomotive
I have been a railway employee since: September 1980
Nickname: Lois
What I love most about my job: That nobody tells me what to do.
ÖBB means to me: breadwinner and dream job
Who set the course for the start at ÖBB?
Definitely our father, who was a railwayman with heart and soul. Moreover, jobs in the Waldviertel (northwestern region of Lower Austria) were rather rare at that time.
What does a working day look like for you?
I've been an early riser for many years and I'm lucky enough to be able to organise my working hours myself to a large extent.
I have been a railway employee since: September 1980
ÖBB means to me: stability for almost 42 years
If I were an animal, I would be: Definitely a cat: Lying around lazily, always being well looked after with food and cuddles.
This superpower I would like to have: Seeing the future and guessing lottery numbers
Lukas, Andreas, Helmut, Kerstin, Herbert, Mathias
What is special about your job/occupation?
That I can or have to make certain decisions myself, and actually every day is different and there are always challenges waiting to be overcome.
What are you most looking forward to before starting work?
Now, of course, after more than two years of home office, that I can see my colleagues in person again.
I have been a railway employee since: 3 August 1985
What I love most about my job: when I started as a car mechanic, the physical activity and generally the work as a mechanic. Today, I love the many hours of free time during the day due to the rotational service. This means I can pursue my passion for fitness sports during the day and have enough time for my girlfriend and my dog.
For me, ÖBB means: job, employer, cohesion and also a little bit of family.
In 10 years' time: I would like to be able to enjoy my retirement in good health and happiness.
Helmut
Was it a collective decision to work for ÖBB or rather a gradual one?
For me there were only two options: ÖBB - apprenticeship as a car mechanic or the police. But I decided on the former!
Does work come to the dinner table?
At dinner with my children, yes.
What are you most looking forward to before starting work?
The new challenge and tasks that await me for the next 12 hours.
I have been a railway employee since: 1 September 1981
Nickname: Heli
In 10 years I would like to: have been retired for 6 years and travel around a lot
In that time I would like to have lived: Monarchy
Who set the course for the start at ÖBB?
Helmut Pollak
What do you look forward to most before starting work?
Everything that awaits me on that day, professionally or privately. In my private life I am very spontaneous, so it can happen that I go on a spontaneous trip with my equally spontaneous friends.
I have been a railway employee since: 2 August 2021
What I love most about my job: The challenges, activities and also the development opportunities that the company offers.
This superpower I would like to have: That of the Marvel hero - Doctor Strange
Andreas, Lukas, Kerstin, Helmut, Herbert and on the knees: Mathias
What is special about your job/occupation?
Every shift brings something new
What does a working day look like for you?
I work in shifts, which means I am also on duty at night. I am mainly responsible for planning freight trains, proactive train running monitoring and deviation management.
What do you look forward to most before starting work?
To be able to "make a difference" and to respond to the various wishes of the customers.
I have been a railway employee since: 1 September 2011
ÖBB means to me: a sense of responsibility
In 10 years I would like to: still work for ÖBB, of course
In this time I would have liked to live: In the days of steam locomotives
Kerstin
Was it a collective decision to join ÖBB or did the desire come more gradually?
Rather gradually, my interest only came after my apprenticeship.
My job in one word? Versatile
What is special about your job/occupation?
The personal contact with customers and shunting, as well as acting as an interface between the two.
I have been a railway employee since: 2021
What I love most about my job: That you can rely on our team.
If I were an animal, I would be: Koala
