which track is better?

[cabforward]

i have attended hiring sessions for r.rs. and read info about getting hired and moving up the promotion path for train crewman.. i have been given 2 ways that u.s. r.r. workers move up the ladder and they contradict.. if someone can square this, i would be grateful..

#1
applicant completes training, is hired as probie for a year; completes probie period, moves onto extra board as conductor.. stays on e.b. 10 yrs or more.. finally promoted from e.b. to perm., f/t status with regular assignment..

#2
applicant completes training, is hired as probie for a year; completes probie period, promoted to conductor.. works as cond. for 2-4 yrs., then is notified of opening for engineer.. enters school, graduates and returns as engineer.. this 'plan' does not mention extra board, or time off waiting for next call..

i know i have heard both of these routes from those who understand how the r.r. crewman enters the system and moves upward.. can both be right? are both used by certain r.rs.? is one used more in certain areas, depending on the way it's been since the beginning?

the question is mainly for class 1 systems, but input is welcome from any freight hauler: class 1, regional, short line, terminal r.r..

[cabforward]

i have attended hiring sessions for r.rs. and read info about getting hired and moving up the promotion path for train crewman.. i have been given 2 ways that u.s. r.r. workers move up the ladder and they contradict.. if someone can square this, i would be grateful..

#1
applicant completes training, is hired as probie for a year; completes probie period, moves onto extra board as conductor.. stays on e.b. 10 yrs or more.. finally promoted from e.b. to perm., f/t status with regular assignment..

#2
applicant completes training, is hired as probie for a year; completes probie period, promoted to conductor.. works as cond. for 2-4 yrs., then is notified of opening for engineer.. enters school, graduates and returns as engineer.. this 'plan' does not mention extra board, or time off waiting for next call..

i know i have heard both of these routes from those who understand how the r.r. crewman enters the system and moves upward.. can both be right? are both used by certain r.rs.? is one used more in certain areas, depending on the way it's been since the beginning?

the question is mainly for class 1 systems, but input is welcome from any freight hauler: class 1, regional, short line, terminal r.r..

[kenneo]

The transition from Extra Board to a Regular Assignment is dependent on vacancies. As business increases, people retire or otherwise depart the pool, Extra Board persons move to the Pool. I know of no mandatory time period, but it can be as long as 10 years when no-one moves out of the pools. I've seen men stay on the Extra Board for as long as 15 years.

As to engine service training, that is up to each road, but unless you already have train, yard or engine service experience, they want you to get a good grounding in how the real railroad works first.

[kenneo]

The transition from Extra Board to a Regular Assignment is dependent on vacancies. As business increases, people retire or otherwise depart the pool, Extra Board persons move to the Pool. I know of no mandatory time period, but it can be as long as 10 years when no-one moves out of the pools. I've seen men stay on the Extra Board for as long as 15 years.

As to engine service training, that is up to each road, but unless you already have train, yard or engine service experience, they want you to get a good grounding in how the real railroad works first.

[wabash1]

the class 1 is like this when you go to school you are a tranee and you get your promotion after about 1 month. now you trane for 6-8 months before you get qualified then you are one probation for 60 days if i remeber correctly. so if you count the time you are hired and the time you are qualified and working on your own for 60days this accumilates almost a year. you are marked you on the extra board right away if you can hold a job in pool service then you take it. there are some jobs nobody wants so they force it to the young guys. it depends on senority on how soon you can get off the extra board. I have senority to hold pool jobs i prefer the extra board right now. and have no plans on getting off it.

as far as engine service goes it is also by senortity and also need if they need engineers you will go to school and train it takes almost a year before you get qualified to run a engine on your own and get a licens to do it. ( getting your engineers lic and getting rid of your learners is like when you pass you lic test when you get one to drive a car. its a great feeling but you still going to get the lecture of responability) and you need atleast 1 year with the railroad before you can go to engine school.

[wabash1]

the class 1 is like this when you go to school you are a tranee and you get your promotion after about 1 month. now you trane for 6-8 months before you get qualified then you are one probation for 60 days if i remeber correctly. so if you count the time you are hired and the time you are qualified and working on your own for 60days this accumilates almost a year. you are marked you on the extra board right away if you can hold a job in pool service then you take it. there are some jobs nobody wants so they force it to the young guys. it depends on senority on how soon you can get off the extra board. I have senority to hold pool jobs i prefer the extra board right now. and have no plans on getting off it.

as far as engine service goes it is also by senortity and also need if they need engineers you will go to school and train it takes almost a year before you get qualified to run a engine on your own and get a licens to do it. ( getting your engineers lic and getting rid of your learners is like when you pass you lic test when you get one to drive a car. its a great feeling but you still going to get the lecture of responability) and you need atleast 1 year with the railroad before you can go to engine school.

[cabforward]

thanks for your info..

o.k., see if this is right..

1) i have no r.r. exp..
2) complete r.r. school,
3) hire as cond. trainee,
train 1/2 a year,
4) work as probie couple more months,
5) enter e. b. pool service,
acquire seniority..

6) next step-- engineer school, if asked ?

is the service pool the same as e.b.?

what jobs are passed down by seniors? holiday work, out-of-town fill-in, long-haul, odd hours? do seniors pass-down work because some customers are difficult to handle?

if the list above is complete, what is the earliest stage that must be completed before the name comes up for engineer school?

this is speaking generally, usually, most of the time, on class 1 lines.. input welcome from any exp..

any variations on this schedule by major or regional systems?

[cabforward]

thanks for your info..

o.k., see if this is right..

1) i have no r.r. exp..
2) complete r.r. school,
3) hire as cond. trainee,
train 1/2 a year,
4) work as probie couple more months,
5) enter e. b. pool service,
acquire seniority..

6) next step-- engineer school, if asked ?

is the service pool the same as e.b.?

what jobs are passed down by seniors? holiday work, out-of-town fill-in, long-haul, odd hours? do seniors pass-down work because some customers are difficult to handle?

if the list above is complete, what is the earliest stage that must be completed before the name comes up for engineer school?

this is speaking generally, usually, most of the time, on class 1 lines.. input welcome from any exp..

any variations on this schedule by major or regional systems?

[wabash1]

1st the railroad will train you to be a conductor the way they want you to be. all paid by the railroad. after your training period you go to the extra board and hold pool jobs as your senority allows.

2 when asked ( or told ) you are going to engine service ( as you have no choice in this matter) you train for a 8 months to a year. then either stay in engine service or get cut back to the ground. when you start engine service its like you started all over again cause you are building your senority again. if you want the 5 or 6 day a week local with nights off you wont get it with out 20 years senority as a engineer as a conductor or brake man you might hold it. with no senority. that is the way it works. the engineers job might be easy and the graound people jobs might be a pain lots of work and most conductors are getting lazy anymore. some love switching cars in all weather and being in control some dont.

to make it easier to understand all jobs are bid in senority rule, pool jobs ( what i call pool frieght over the road ) locals ( road switchers) yard switchers etc. are all bid jobs with set days and set times ( except pool jobs no time just days) if your job is to work on a holiday you work ( the only exception is if they abolish your job and then you get paid for it anyways) why is the jobs bid in and held by senor men. work conditions hours and who you work with. ( this is true no matter if you are a conductor or a engineer) sometimes you just want a change and go to another job. the extra board is just a board to fill vacancies due to vacations displine actions sickness injuries, and people who just want a day off.

there is no way to tell how soon you would go to engine service. it could be 1 year or 20 years it is by need only if you have plenty of guys that wont retire for 15 years or so then that is how long it will be before you go. then you might hire on were guys are going to retire by the masses in 5 years you then will hire on as a conductor and be in engine service in a year.

[wabash1]

1st the railroad will train you to be a conductor the way they want you to be. all paid by the railroad. after your training period you go to the extra board and hold pool jobs as your senority allows.

2 when asked ( or told ) you are going to engine service ( as you have no choice in this matter) you train for a 8 months to a year. then either stay in engine service or get cut back to the ground. when you start engine service its like you started all over again cause you are building your senority again. if you want the 5 or 6 day a week local with nights off you wont get it with out 20 years senority as a engineer as a conductor or brake man you might hold it. with no senority. that is the way it works. the engineers job might be easy and the graound people jobs might be a pain lots of work and most conductors are getting lazy anymore. some love switching cars in all weather and being in control some dont.

to make it easier to understand all jobs are bid in senority rule, pool jobs ( what i call pool frieght over the road ) locals ( road switchers) yard switchers etc. are all bid jobs with set days and set times ( except pool jobs no time just days) if your job is to work on a holiday you work ( the only exception is if they abolish your job and then you get paid for it anyways) why is the jobs bid in and held by senor men. work conditions hours and who you work with. ( this is true no matter if you are a conductor or a engineer) sometimes you just want a change and go to another job. the extra board is just a board to fill vacancies due to vacations displine actions sickness injuries, and people who just want a day off.

there is no way to tell how soon you would go to engine service. it could be 1 year or 20 years it is by need only if you have plenty of guys that wont retire for 15 years or so then that is how long it will be before you go. then you might hire on were guys are going to retire by the masses in 5 years you then will hire on as a conductor and be in engine service in a year.