Railroad jobs

[rich747us]

I'm about to get out of the Air Force, and I'd love to start a carear with a railroad. I'd like to start off as a conductor and work up to engineer or possibly try to get a dispatcher job. I'd like to know if anyone here has any advice for my job search or input regarding things I ought to consider in trying for a RR job. I'm already aware of the crappy hours (both of the jobs I've done in the AF, which were air traffic control and meteorology, required rotating shift work), but I'd appreciate any input (especially from those who now are or once were working as conductors, engineers or dispatchers).

[Anonymous]

Rich, check your e-mail from me.

[Anonymous]

Rich, I sent you 2 e-mails, the 2nd one has an Amtrak web address & phone number (toll free). Let me know if the e-mails came thru ok for you.

tom

[shrek623]

Rich,
I'm training right now with BNSF so my overall experience isn't much, but I can give you some heads up on the way they hire now. At your hiring session preach SAFETY, SAFETY, and SAFETY, AND how you have experience with odd hours. That will help incredibly. Oh yeah, and pass the drug tests also.(Incredibly, it is very common for people hiring out to fail.) They did a hair test for the company and a urine test for federal screening for me. I'm going into week 10 out of a 19 week training schedule. I know BNSF and UP are hiring like mad, but not sure about specific railroads hiring in New York as I'm assuming that's where you would hire out at.(That takes BNSF(andUP?) out of the running right there.) Good luck in whatever you do and be safe.

Shrek

[dehusman]

Numerous ex-military air traffic controllers are dispatchers. Contact the class ones about dispatcher positions. The UP starts a new dispatcher's class every several months.

Dave H.