Physical Agility Test For UP

[wcfan4ever]

What does the Union Pacific Agility Test consist of? I am attending the UP Hiring Sesion for Train Service in Rochelle, IL in Dekalb, IL on May 12th. I just want to know what to be expecting. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

hey, yea... i was going to ask that question but never got around to it. what pre-requisits, if any, are needed to snag a job on the railroad (engineer, conductor or what have you)..? i'm 23 years old some college, no fancy papers though. i just want a rough idea. some of you professionals throw in your 2 cents please...

[Anonymous]

A recent new hire told me they were very interested in "sit ups". Most likely to check your back, so I would start doing some now and everyday until the hiring session.

Of course this wouldn't hurt those of us who are not hiring out for UP either. [:D] [8D] [;)]

My indoor bike seems to be a spare closet. [:D] [:)] [:D] It is just great for hanging things on it. [B)]

[Rustyrex]

Bear with me on this as it has been about two years ago I did this:
The Physical Agility Test For UP consists of:
1. Pull ups on a bar chained to a board and you pull with all your strength for a minute(I think?). Still not sure how they monitor this one?
2.Sittups, as many as you can do in a minute(once again I think, maybe 2 minutes?) with the next name on the list being your spot partner.

There is a third test but off the top of my head can't remember it, but if anyone can refresh my memory that would be great.

Also bear in mind if you are in a class of quite a few people and your name begins with an A, you go first in front of everyone and so on down the line.

I beleive this is the same test for all new hires currently, as they have a specific group that goes around and does this, but if anyone else has any different experiences at these, chime in here.

I was alittle concerned going into it but passed although I hadn't regularly done sittups in about a year[:D] and it showed.[:D]. Its pass or fail no scoring on these tests. They give you alittle slip of paper at the end telling you this.
Hope this kinda gies you a little idea.

--Rusty

[jeffhergert]

The third test is a grip strength test. It is the Important one. Unless it has changed, the grip strength and pulling on the bar (testing upper body strength) you do 3 times and they average it out. The situps are done once for one minute. All the scores are averaged out and then pass/fail. They average out the score so if your a bit low on one, another test can make up for it. They told us that once a big muscular guy passed only doing one situp. I myself did 19 and passed. A small statured women did 54 and failed.
Talking with one of our local officers, this test keeps a lot of women from being hired. I'm not saying it's ment to, just most women have trouble passing this test. I know a sectionman who works for the CP who failed the test. This officer said they probably started testing because of a lawsuit from someone who was injured. The UP seems to really be afraid of being sued.
The grip test is to measure if you have the strength to get on and hold on while riding the side of a car. A friend of mine who is small statured, but lifts parts at his job weighing 80-100 lbs has trouble passing because of his grip test. He was offered a job on the CP.
I sometimes think this test is used to limit the pool of available applicants. They say they need to hire so many people but even without the testing, around here they don't get the number of applicants like they used to. So the testing cuts some more. The UP employees site the other day said railroads will need to hire 80,000 in the next 4 or 5 years assuming growth and other conditions remain the same. Where are they going to get these numbers? What do they do if they can't? Maybe go to engineer-only on thru trains?
You know they want one man crews and not enough qualifed applicants would give them a compelling reason to go to the unions, government and the public in general saying we need to do this. My own opinion.
PS. Anyone facing this test, its fine to strengthen up for it. When you go, don't worry about it, just do it and do your best. I failed my first time because I worried about it, wasn't expecting it. I passed the second time.

[Anonymous]

You forgot the "Jump off a moving train" test to see if you can survive the jump before colliding with another train. [:D]

Jay

[wcfan4ever]

Thanks, I will indeed start doing these things. I know I'm good at sit ups and i can easily do pull ups because I don't wiegh that much but the gripping test sounds to be the challenging one. Well, I can only hope for the best.

[zardoz]

Don't forget about the lesser-known tests for officials:

Jumping to conclusions.
Taking a leap of faith.
Turning the other cheek.
Running at the mouth.
Throwing the bull.
Sitting up and taking notice.
Ducking responsibility.
Hiding in the bushes.
[;)]

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by wcfan4ever

Thanks, I will indeed start doing these things. I know I'm good at sit ups and i can easily do pull ups because I don't wiegh that much but the gripping test sounds to be the challenging one. Well, I can only hope for the best.

When you do the grip test - stick your tongue out slightly. Trust me, you will impress them! [:p]