Norfolk Southern Interview

[Anonymous]

Today I went to a hiring session for Freight Conductor and was invited back next week for an interview. I am retiring from the US Navy and they seem to really want me to sign on. I have heard horror stories about the Conductor position, being on call 24/7 and never able to plan anything at home. I flew for the Navy as a Loadmaster and knew I was on call 24/7, but rarely was ever called unexpected. If I was it was either a rare pop-up flight, an emergency crew change, or more likely the schedulers screwed up. I pretty well knew at least 3 days out when I was scheduled for a flight. How well organized is the scheduling of train crews? Is it always "crisis management" and will I always be called unexpected?

[dwil89]

Are you the same gentleman that posted on this here the other day? Good Luck on your next phase of the interview process! I hope you make it in, and let us know how things turn out! Dave Williams http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nsaltoonajohnstown

[anb740]

They tend to look for people from the military.(I believe there's actually a "preference" box to fill in for military service rendered) I guess they figure that if you can make it through military training, then you can make it through their own little boot camp...err....training facility down here in McDonough, GA.
For the most part, you can make a pretty good prediction when you will be called out. You have both the crew caller's office, and the NS computer to let you know how far out you are on the extra board, and which train you'll likely get screwed with. Of course, you'll also have the occasional a** on the extra board who will mark off at the last second and instantaneously bump you up another notch on the board. This really sucks, but just remember that you can do the same thing to that person on the next round! (payback's a [censored] !)

At any rate, good luck on the interview.

anb740

[ValleyX]

Three days in advance? No. You might guess that you'll be in three days from now but you don't know that. Usually, if you've planned to do something on that day, the railroad will screw it up somehow.

As for trying to play the payback game with someone who marked off in front of you, remember that is a trip that you lose in lost wages and unless you wanted to be off, you're only getting self-satisfaction at the expense of your pocketbook. If you're on the extra board, some places have rules that once you mark off, you have to stay off for 12 hours or some other set amount of time before making yourself available. Usually, if you want to work, you're better off taking whatever you're called for, it all comes out in the wash.

[Anonymous]

Valley makes a great point. From my personal experience it is just best to stay on an off day that you want and can hopefully hold. Simply take your calls and be available as much as possible. I never thought that I'd be making such good money this late in the year. I actually figured to be furloughed by now, but it just hasn't happened due to traffic volumes. Instead, I'm working more in the past few weeks than I ever have. There are always ups and downs on the extraboard. Some halves you'll maybe work three starts and others you'll have at least ten. You just never know.

[jeaton]

dmac730

Since you retired, that would be at least 20 years in the service, so you obviously are not inclined to quit a job when the going gets tough. Of course as a civilian, you are allowed to resign from a job without having to apologize and you won't be considered a "quiter". My advice? If they take you on, go through the program, go to work and see how it suits you.

Some might argue this, but the compensation is pretty decent. Although the job often makes planning personal time dificult, there are many jobs out there that can be just as demanding on personal life that pay much less money.

Good luck.

Jay

[Anonymous]

Wanting a conductor position sounds too much like responsibility. Hell, I thought after your time till retirement in the service, you'd want to take it easy. I was USN too, Norfolk NOB, USS Yellowstone, from '86-'90 ... discharged as EM3 never wanting to make it a career.

Good luck. All the same, you should get what you are wanting. The railroad will likely grant your wish.