RR Employment: What am I doing wrong?

[Anonymous]

Hi, I need advice from the veterans here.
I have applied to UP, BNSF, and NS for a variety of positions.
I am looking for a career change since my company is outsourcing all of its IT jobs to India.
I have a 4 year college degree, am ex military, have worked 8-16 hour rotating shift work in all kinds of weather, and spent my last 7 years working in IT.
Problem is I cannot even get a response from any railroad!
Not even for "shop laborer" positions.
I dont care about the long hours, the dirty toilets, etc etc....I just want to work for the Railroad and do my best until retirement.
I am not even concerned about money...I am not greedy and will accept any fair wage.
How long does it usually take for a response?
Especially from UP?
Its been about a month since I first applied for the Shop Laborer and Train Service positions...albiet more recently for the remainder.
Any advice?

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

Hi, I need advice from the veterans here.
I have applied to UP, BNSF, and NS for a variety of positions.
I am looking for a career change since my company is outsourcing all of its IT jobs to India.
I have a 4 year college degree, am ex military, have worked 8-16 hour rotating shift work in all kinds of weather, and spent my last 7 years working in IT.
Problem is I cannot even get a response from any railroad!
Not even for "shop laborer" positions.
I dont care about the long hours, the dirty toilets, etc etc....I just want to work for the Railroad and do my best until retirement.
I am not even concerned about money...I am not greedy and will accept any fair wage.
How long does it usually take for a response?
Especially from UP?
Its been about a month since I first applied for the Shop Laborer and Train Service positions...albiet more recently for the remainder.
Any advice?

Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

What you are doing wrong is trying to hire out with the RR! A) that whole India IT outsourcing is a load of crap........screw that! B) our current administration would outsource America if he could...hell he is trying to kill overtime....thanks Bush, you ***.
If your lapse of sanity still persists, check out BNSF.com. They are hiring in Enid, OK., Kansas City (that's where I would look), and in Cali (I think). Your seniority will absolutely suck! By the time you get your seniority date if you hire, I will have over 1,400 people behind me in seniority and I still will probably get furloughed this winter. In prior Santa Flu***erminals, you will be subject to a 5 year primary recall. You may work elsewhere, but, for 5 yrs. you can be forced back if manpower dictates. I have seen it happen.
Ken

[Anonymous]

What you are doing wrong is trying to hire out with the RR! A) that whole India IT outsourcing is a load of crap........screw that! B) our current administration would outsource America if he could...hell he is trying to kill overtime....thanks Bush, you ***.
If your lapse of sanity still persists, check out BNSF.com. They are hiring in Enid, OK., Kansas City (that's where I would look), and in Cali (I think). Your seniority will absolutely suck! By the time you get your seniority date if you hire, I will have over 1,400 people behind me in seniority and I still will probably get furloughed this winter. In prior Santa Flu***erminals, you will be subject to a 5 year primary recall. You may work elsewhere, but, for 5 yrs. you can be forced back if manpower dictates. I have seen it happen.
Ken

[cabforward]

your enthusiasm for the industry is admirable.. you don't say how you made your interest known..

was there a personal interview? was there an application? if an application was made, was it online or written? the state-run job service offers referrals for r.r. vacancies..

with your experience, you should be a good candidate.. members of this forum have commented that those who admit to a 'railfan' have a less-than-favorable chance of selection.. this may be true in some cases, but not necessarily company policy..

keep trying.. you'll make it..

[cabforward]

your enthusiasm for the industry is admirable.. you don't say how you made your interest known..

was there a personal interview? was there an application? if an application was made, was it online or written? the state-run job service offers referrals for r.r. vacancies..

with your experience, you should be a good candidate.. members of this forum have commented that those who admit to a 'railfan' have a less-than-favorable chance of selection.. this may be true in some cases, but not necessarily company policy..

keep trying.. you'll make it..

[Anonymous]

I applied online at the each RR's website.
I am not a railfan, but I do like railroads and its technology, the same way I worked in IT and enjoyed the technology.
I have had no response at all yet...
Yes, Bush is really ticking me off...I now have no one to vote for...The Rebublicans are for big business and the Democrats are only pro worker for minorities.
Maybe I will vote for that guy in Alaska's dog.

[Anonymous]

I applied online at the each RR's website.
I am not a railfan, but I do like railroads and its technology, the same way I worked in IT and enjoyed the technology.
I have had no response at all yet...
Yes, Bush is really ticking me off...I now have no one to vote for...The Rebublicans are for big business and the Democrats are only pro worker for minorities.
Maybe I will vote for that guy in Alaska's dog.

[Anonymous]

BTW, what actually is a furlough?

[Anonymous]

BTW, what actually is a furlough?

[edblysard]

Furlough is the railroads term for temporay layoff.
You are subject to recall under provisions of whatever contract you work under.
Which means they can lay you off, you go find a new job you really like, and they can call you back to the rr when they need you, which means you either have to quit your new job, or quit railroading.
I would suggest you check the short lines and regional railroads in your area, or a terminal road first, they offer you a little better conditions and seniority. After 7 years, I am halfway up the roster where I work.
Be persistent.
Find the HR manager of the road you want to work at and keep sending applications.
If you know someone who works there, have them put in a word for you.
Last, you are going to have to go where the work is, if you want a job railroading.
Check their web sites and apply there.
Be prepared to move, at a moments notice.
And remember, it aint what the magazines and books portray it as, its hard, dirty work around machines that, given a moments disregard, will kill you.Stay Frosty, and good luck!
Ed

QUOTE: Originally posted by ney1815

BTW, what actually is a furlough?

[edblysard]

Furlough is the railroads term for temporay layoff.
You are subject to recall under provisions of whatever contract you work under.
Which means they can lay you off, you go find a new job you really like, and they can call you back to the rr when they need you, which means you either have to quit your new job, or quit railroading.
I would suggest you check the short lines and regional railroads in your area, or a terminal road first, they offer you a little better conditions and seniority. After 7 years, I am halfway up the roster where I work.
Be persistent.
Find the HR manager of the road you want to work at and keep sending applications.
If you know someone who works there, have them put in a word for you.
Last, you are going to have to go where the work is, if you want a job railroading.
Check their web sites and apply there.
Be prepared to move, at a moments notice.
And remember, it aint what the magazines and books portray it as, its hard, dirty work around machines that, given a moments disregard, will kill you.Stay Frosty, and good luck!
Ed

QUOTE: Originally posted by ney1815

BTW, what actually is a furlough?

[JoeKoh]

keep knocking at the door someone will answer but as Ed said please be careful
stay safe
joe

[JoeKoh]

keep knocking at the door someone will answer but as Ed said please be careful
stay safe
joe

[Puckdropper]

A "Furlow" is an article written by Malcolm Furlow, Model Railroader published one almost every month in the mid-'80s.

The exact definition of a furlough is:
a.A leave of absence or vacation, especially one granted to a member of the armed forces.
b.A usually temporary layoff from work.
c.A leave of absence from prison granted to a prisoner.
2.The papers or documents authorizing a leave: The soldiers had their furloughs in their *** pockets.

[Puckdropper]

A "Furlow" is an article written by Malcolm Furlow, Model Railroader published one almost every month in the mid-'80s.

The exact definition of a furlough is:
a.A leave of absence or vacation, especially one granted to a member of the armed forces.
b.A usually temporary layoff from work.
c.A leave of absence from prison granted to a prisoner.
2.The papers or documents authorizing a leave: The soldiers had their furloughs in their *** pockets.

[Anonymous]

Interesting...you know for all the negatives you read about working on the railroad, I find it amazing how many years most of these guys have put in and stayed on.
Outside of the railroad, at least in the big corporations I have worked for, its rare to find anyone with 10 years+.
Regarding "Furloughs"...it sounds like the best way to view them; based on some of the posters who claim 25 working days a month, is kind of like an unpaid vacation.

[Anonymous]

Interesting...you know for all the negatives you read about working on the railroad, I find it amazing how many years most of these guys have put in and stayed on.
Outside of the railroad, at least in the big corporations I have worked for, its rare to find anyone with 10 years+.
Regarding "Furloughs"...it sounds like the best way to view them; based on some of the posters who claim 25 working days a month, is kind of like an unpaid vacation.

[Anonymous]

I DONT KNOW YOUR AGE OR YOUR LOCATION IN THE US. BUT CSX HAS BEEN HIRING MACHINIST AND
CAR MEN FOR ALABAMA BOYLES YARD . I M LOCOMOTIVE ELECTRICIAN.

[Anonymous]

I DONT KNOW YOUR AGE OR YOUR LOCATION IN THE US. BUT CSX HAS BEEN HIRING MACHINIST AND
CAR MEN FOR ALABAMA BOYLES YARD . I M LOCOMOTIVE ELECTRICIAN.

[Anonymous]

Thx bro...I am looking at the CSX site right now....its a slow loader!
BTW, can anyone explain how Social Security is effected by working for the railroad?
I understand there is a RR Social Security?
Does that mean if I have 20 years contributing to Social Security at age 41, that if I work for the RR...I contribute to a seperate fund...
So for example...if I work for 10 years on the RR....when I retire its either SS or RRSS not both and if I take SS, its minus the 10 years I contributed to the RR SS?
Correct?

[Anonymous]

Thx bro...I am looking at the CSX site right now....its a slow loader!
BTW, can anyone explain how Social Security is effected by working for the railroad?
I understand there is a RR Social Security?
Does that mean if I have 20 years contributing to Social Security at age 41, that if I work for the RR...I contribute to a seperate fund...
So for example...if I work for 10 years on the RR....when I retire its either SS or RRSS not both and if I take SS, its minus the 10 years I contributed to the RR SS?
Correct?

[edblysard]

Yup, you pay into the railroad retirement boards fund, then, when you retire from the railroad, you draw that first.
When that is exhausted, then and only then do you draw your SS benifit.
Ed

[edblysard]

Yup, you pay into the railroad retirement boards fund, then, when you retire from the railroad, you draw that first.
When that is exhausted, then and only then do you draw your SS benifit.
Ed

[Anonymous]

Thats pretty good then.
I was afraid it was one or the other.
Sounds like a good deal.
Now if I can just land a RR job!

[Anonymous]

Thats pretty good then.
I was afraid it was one or the other.
Sounds like a good deal.
Now if I can just land a RR job!

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ney1815

I applied online at the each RR's website.
I am not a railfan, but I do like railroads and its technology, the same way I worked in IT and enjoyed the technology.
I have had no response at all yet...
Yes, Bush is really ticking me off...I now have no one to vote for...The Rebublicans are for big business and the Democrats are only pro worker for minorities.
Maybe I will vote for that guy in Alaska's dog.

[;)] vote for Ed - maybe he will run!

Mook

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ney1815

I applied online at the each RR's website.
I am not a railfan, but I do like railroads and its technology, the same way I worked in IT and enjoyed the technology.
I have had no response at all yet...
Yes, Bush is really ticking me off...I now have no one to vote for...The Rebublicans are for big business and the Democrats are only pro worker for minorities.
Maybe I will vote for that guy in Alaska's dog.

[;)] vote for Ed - maybe he will run!

Mook

[Anonymous]

The Conrail Boy'z articles have been in several newspaper's. Sounds to me, the money is not in working for the railroad. The money is in knocking off the cars that ride on the railroad. If we were to organize, come up with a coded message system using this WEB site, with all the contacts we have over the rail system, we can make BOO-KOO bucks. Are criminal back ground checks required to work for the railroad?? Were I work they took are finger-prints and ran them. Do railroads do the same??
TIM A

[Anonymous]

The Conrail Boy'z articles have been in several newspaper's. Sounds to me, the money is not in working for the railroad. The money is in knocking off the cars that ride on the railroad. If we were to organize, come up with a coded message system using this WEB site, with all the contacts we have over the rail system, we can make BOO-KOO bucks. Are criminal back ground checks required to work for the railroad?? Were I work they took are finger-prints and ran them. Do railroads do the same??
TIM A