When I did my BNSF interview in 1998, my boss had a fit over it, wasn't going to allow me to take a vac day so I could do the interview. Simply put, he expected me to drop it like it was nothing. We were not friends by any stretch at all.Only reason i was trying for the rr was that my overtime was cut, as well as double pay on Sunday. I simply told him I will be off on that day and when he knew I was standing my ground and not backing down, he angerly granted me the vac day. Then he asks after 17 yrs why I want to make a carer change. This is where I socked to him by telling him it pays much better, has better retirement and less manual labor. Then I really went for the kill when I explained how the guarantee xtra brds work and how one can get paid for not even working that day. He knew then that I probably soon would be gone.Several weeks later, I walked into his office and kindly gave my two wks notice. Man was that a release of stress and one of the most happy days of my life. On the rr side, I interviewed for a class @ Newton,KS which that class was pushed back to Jan '99. I was given a option of keeping that slot or hiring in Kan City on the date Newton was first to begin. Wasn't happy about it, but did elect to go w/KC class so to have a higher seniority number which was a very wise choice in terms of job secuirty later on.
Did you attend one of the training academies (Modoc or NARS in Kansas) and if so does that help?
Dan
I survived!! That was a tad rough though. I'll know Thursday night between 6 and 8 if I made the cut. then it's Oct. 8 to start the 16 weeks of training. I hope I look spiffy in the bright orange vest I'd have to wear the first year . Those classes seem pretty intense. I was amazed to see some people from Texas, Kansas and even New Mexico there.
I also realized that I knew I'd be away from home alot but I could actually be away for possibly weeks before going back to my home terminal. That would be the hardest to get used too as I have four kids but when I can afford to send them to college they'll be thanking me. I can handle the rest fine. I'm still going for it so we'll see.
Jeremy
Yes we are on time but this is yesterdays train
23 17 46 11
Tomorrow's the day. I'm to be there at 7:30 am so I figure I'll be there at 7:00am. Wish me luck
If you're hiring on with the Union Pacific at Boone, Iowa, you may want to ask the hiring officer about the size of the seniority district. Does it encompass all of Iowa? Do you have seniority rights at Mason City, Sioux City, Missouri Valley, Clinton, Marshalltown, Des Moines, southern Minnesota, and possibly Kansas City? If he or she doesn't know, a local officer based at Boone, who may participate in a subsequent interview, likely will know.
After you pass all of your required examinations, make all of your student trips, and get ready to "mark-up" as a fully qualified switchman/brakeman/conductor, try to find out where it is that you'll most likely go to work first. It may not be Boone, Iowa. But even if it isn't, you'll have established that all important seniority date; and you will always have seniority over anyone the railroad hires behind you!
First...don't wear a suit...try clean, almost new jeans, nice shirt, boots or nice loafers.
Your right, don't lie...if they consider you, they will do a pretty through background check anyway, so anything you fib about they will discover.
Don't tell them about your modeling interest, they will assume your wanting to work there because of that.
Use your common sense when answering...what they will be looking for is someone who is willing to work in all kinds of bad weather, out doors, with minimum supervision, but who will follow orders and not take risks...personal safety is a big thing.
Ex military are their favorites...
They will expect you to show up for work, ready to depart with all your gear about an hour and a half after you get the call to report...they expect you to willingly skip kids birthdays, all holidays, marriages and such.
If your married, tell your wife she will be raising the kids pretty much on her own...soccer, foot ball, after school stuff will all drop on her, along with most of the "secretary" type stuff...pretty much the only thing you will have time for at home is eating and sleeping, and not a lot of either.
It's a hard lifestyle, but once you try it....if its for you, you will know in a few weeks...
Good luck.
I was invited to a hiring session here in Boone next week. I'm pretty excited to get going through this process. Any dos and don't or any advice you guys can give? I know the obvious one to not lie which I have no intention of doing along with stating that I am also a modeller. I'm going in some preconcieved notions but I will keep them to a minimum and to myself. I could see how that could be a deterent. Any advice would be appreciated.
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