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[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by powerlifter I've been itching to do some T&E work for a few years after I graduate from college. However, the issue of off time has me concerned. Are there any Class I railroads/subdivisions which would allow me to get around 7 hours of sleep and an hour or so to weightlift (not counting commute time)? I have my eye on NS or BNSF, but have no idea of the working conditions. Thanks. Carl [/quote] FOFLMAO... Carl, I don't want to sound mean spirited, but what you are suggesting is a VERY regular schedule compared to what you can expect on the RR, any RR. Remember, when you are starting out you will go through a few months training and after that will head for the extra board. That literally means being on call ALL the time. The schedule by arbfe above is pretty close to reality, but let me add a couple of twists from my own perspective. I live 90 minutes from my terminal at speed limit speeds (65). Back under Conrail our agreement was 2 hour call. The NS (Nickel Plate) is 90 minute call. As you can imagine, for me and many others that is a difficult way to work. I would move closer, but my wife has a good job here and the kids are in a good school district and established here. A typical run starts when I get home from the last trip. This assumes I am either on the extra board or holding a pool job. I get my clothes into the laundry que and grab some clean ones and repack my grip. I check my lantern and flashlight batteries, put my portable (radio) battery into the charger and make sandwiches and pull together most of a lunch for the next trip and put it in the fridge. Go through mail and e-mail, pay whatever bills that are my responsibility. Luckily, my wife handles most of the paperwork and food shopping. I then grab a shower and head for bed. Before I tuck in I check the stand line to see where I show, if I do and/or call the caller to check on when I can expect to be called again. This is usually a minimum of 2 hours after I walk in the door. So we are already at 3 1/2 hours since I marked off the last trip. Most times I get about 5 to 6 hours sleep and get right up. Remember, I can be and have been called out again after eight hours (unless I have worked 12 hours or more, then I get 10 hours rest time) so from the time I get home I can expect to be called in a minimum of five hours. I immediately shower and check with the caller, if he or she didn't wake me up. Most of the time I'm usually second or even first out by then. If there is time I handle other chores and errands and always fuel my car and check the oil. If there is time and they are home from school or activities I spend it with my kids reading or in the back yard. So, from my perspective your hope of 7 hours sleep on a minimum call I would get at best 3 hours. Forget about the weightlifting in those situations. There is no schedule in railroading only a kind of rythym that you develop with time and understanding how to play the system to make your life as tolerable as possible. LC
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