Good Advice

[Anonymous]

I plan to remain in the railroad field(conductor/engineer) for as long as I possibly can. For the first time in my life, I can honestly say that I enjoy my occupation. The biggest problem with the short line that I work for is pay. Yea, I know it's not everything, but things aren't getting any cheaper and since the company is non union they basically pay us what they want. I realize they have expenses and can't pay everyone the big bucks, but I have expenses too. I was planning to get at least one year in before applying somewhere else. I have been thinking of going with CSX, but everyone talks down on them, saying the company is going down hill;and what if there was a merger? Then what? Then the option of all the other shortlines here in Ga.,a lot of options, so what to do. My guess is that the majority of class 3's pay about the same. So what do you think, try my luck with another shortline or take a chance with CSX? Any advice would be greatly appreaciated.

[Anonymous]

The longer you wait to hire with a class one, the more people that will hire ahead of you. It may seem like a few seniority numbers aren't that big of a deal. But when it comes time to furlough, one number may be the difference between working and sittin' on your butt.
Ken

[Anonymous]

Should I wait a few more months until I get a year worth of experience? I don't want the next company I apply with to think I am a job hopper.

[Anonymous]

Well, that would be a judgement call. They usually ask for a reason for leaving your previous job. I see what you are saying, but, from experience that if you do hire out, you will say, "dammit, I wi***hat I had hired out sooner." "If I had, I would have been able to hold such and such job." I find myself saying that alot.
Ken

[Anonymous]

Give the Class 1 thing a try. You can always return to a short line when you want to sleep in your own bed more often. I find I can pick up short line work when I am furloughed from relationships I have cultivated with short lines.

LC

[Anonymous]

Thank you both for the advice. I'm still seriously considering going with a class 1,just waiting around until I get my year in. The reason being is that the head of the conductor trainee program for CSX told me that after 1 year of railroad experience I could be hired on as a professional and not have to pay the nearly $5,000 tuition fee. She told me it's just a matter of there being an opening for a proffesional hire to work out of the location that I want. Do all class 1's offer this?

[Anonymous]

Many Class 1s won't make you spend the $5K or work a whole year. Check out www.rrb.gov. A bunch of places are hiring now. CSX does seem to have professional conductor hiring for those with over a year. They have postings for Conductor slots now.

NS, BNSF and UP send you to school at their expense. A lot of short lines will even teach you to be an Engineer if you hang out for a while.

LC