Working on the RailRoad

[Anonymous]

I am scheduled to retire from the US Navy in about a month. I would like very much to work for UP railroad. Throwing this question out here, does anyone on the forum actually work for them? I was just wondering how hard it is to get into a position with them, and is there a key to taking the comprehension test they give for the Train Service position that I would like to start at? Any information or help would be greatly appreciated. [:)]

Thanks !!!!
John O.

[arbfbe]

Go to the www.uprr.com website and see if there are any listings for openings. Even if there are not, send them a letter, a resume and ask for an application. If you are not picky about where you are willing to work there will likely be something open now or soon. Don't worry about the comprehension test, if you have advanced in the Navy you will not have any trouble with the questions they will be asking. They will take note of your military experience and level of maturity. If you go into train service you must realize you will be signing up for a job given to 18-20 yr olds account their physical dexterity. Your bones and muscles will ache after a long day in the yard. If you work a yard or local job for a week or two, it will really hurt......then you survived basic, you will survive this as well.

Good Luck.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by UPLOCOFAN

I am scheduled to retire from the US Navy in about a month. I would like very much to work for UP railroad. Throwing this question out here, does anyone on the forum actually work for them? I was just wondering how hard it is to get into a position with them, and is there a key to taking the comprehension test they give for the Train Service position that I would like to start at? Any information or help would be greatly appreciated. [:)]

Thanks !!!!
John O.

Having recently completed the testing and interview process with UP in Colorado (albeit I am now working for a different railroad in North Carolina rather than UP) I can tell you that the Comprehension Test is not anything to worry about. It is a series of 20 questions on GCOR rules (they give you the entire relevant rule word for word) where you are asked to draw a conclusion about the rule or apply it to a situation. You must get 14 of the 20 questions correct (70 %) to advance to an interview. The main thing to remember for the Comprehension Test is that there are no trick questions - just use good ole' common sense [:)]. BNSF or CP's testing batteries are far more difficult than UP's.

I would be more concerned also with the physical dexterity part of the hiring session. They will be testing three key physical characteristics: hand-grip strength, the amount of weight you can lift vertically when standing all the way up (i.e. not using your legs but upper body strength) and the number of sit-ups that you can do in one minute. Despite my good health and young age (22) I somehow managed to fail this part of the hiring session, which is why I did not get hired on there, although as a man of science I have some distrust in their computations of these physical characteristics to determine a pass / fail score.

If things don't work out with UP, you can also check out shortlnes offering positions on the Railroad Retirement Board website at http://www.RRB.gov .

Good luck and best wishes [8D].