(20 Nov 2016, 10:36 am)James101 wrote Southern aren't proposing to go DOO - they're proposing to downgrade the guard's role to customer care assistant. This would remove operational duties such as door operation but they would remain onboard to assist in any emergency/first aid situation. Of course this reclassification would mean a change in pay and conditions for those who are currently guards. It's the RMT's purpose to campaign against such changes but they're hiding behind safety issues in order to win public favour as passengers wouldn't stand for so many unreasonable strikes when every other sector in the economy has faced cost-cutting already. 

The link you provide is as much an argument for DDO as against it. In the most extreme of circumstances, the process in place worked - the train stopped itself and so were others around it and a person was sent to investigate. It's pure speculation to suggest the driver could have saved by a guard's presence. But while we're talking about c2c; they're the holder of a British Safety Council Sword of Honour - not bad for a guard-less operation. 
https://www.c2c-online.co.uk/about-us/la...d-for-c2c/

I used C2C a number of times over the summer.
Whilst I didn't feel threatened at any point on my trips, I can see how and why some passengers may feel they could be in some circumstances. 

Whilst there have been incidents on trains with staff on board, that extra body will provide that element of reassurance I am sure.

Re Sword of Honour. Is that specific to depots/offices or does it include the rolling stock operations too?