Train crew transportation

[sanvtoman]

 

         The last job i could have bid was called a "messenger checker" i think. Anyway it was a person in a company van that picked up train crews. I am not sure about on the road but around terminals and yards that was the job in the 80s. I think it was part of BRAC or the clerks union.
 

[CShaveRR]

We have at least one Forum poster here who would take issue with the generalizations being made here.  I happen to know that she's an excellent driver.

At our yard, we have regularly-assigned Renzenberger drivers.  If there are problems, the railroaders have no qualms about calling our Safety Hotline, and they are dealt with.

[nbrodar]

Because of issues similar to those post above, we use Amtrak to transport crews whenever possible.

Nick

[Namerifrats]

I work for NS in North Carolina. We had Cimmaron Coach and now we have PTI. The drivers are terrible. Always late, running off the road, or always turned around in our business worrying about what the crew is talking about more than driving the van. They are also bad for bumming money off the crews. I don't give them anything personally but I know of a couple of other crew members that have gave them money or bought them food. Hell, one even pulled a gun on a crew because they wanted to stop for something to eat, he got fired at the end of that run.

[ericsp]

Around here both UP and BNSF use Renzenberger. BNSF used Milepost for a while.

[J. Edgar]

I've always thought they get those drivers from some kind of work release program. 98% should not be on the road. No matter how long I have been up and working, I could never muster up the nerve to go to sleep with some of these jokers at the wheel. Most had been up just as long as us so we had to stay awake to keep them up. I know some crew members who have actually had to drive theirself so the driver could sleep, but you didn't hear that from me. Correct me if I'm wrong but I beleive CSX uses PTI exclusively unless there is a driver shortage.

 atleast on the Detroit service lane yes its PTI....and they admit theyre....overworked underpaid and driving with minimal rest....sometimes it beats 36+ hours in the away term

[J. Edgar]

if riding in a PTI van is scary.... and ive riden a few over the years....try this....many PTI drivers in Mi end up getting hired into train service.....i was hired by CSX in 97 out of Grand Rapids and there was 2 others in my class.....they both were PTI drivers.....and it took them 2 4 weeks longer to get set up.....even with cell phones maps and a CSX radio PTI drivers still get lost.....but realy its not as bad as riding in a regular taxi....ive rejected taxi cabs on account of unsafe cars or drivers....doesnt make the DSPR or TM's happy but hey.....safety first.....the other side of it is that there are a few safe responsible drivers on their payroll.......as well as some hotties

[Anonymous]

I've always thought they get those drivers from some kind of work release program. 98% should not be on the road. No matter how long I have been up and working, I could never muster up the nerve to go to sleep with some of these jokers at the wheel. Most had been up just as long as us so we had to stay awake to keep them up. I know some crew members who have actually had to drive theirself so the driver could sleep, but you didn't hear that from me. Correct me if I'm wrong but I beleive CSX uses PTI exclusively unless there is a driver shortage.

[wabash1]

 

  I saw something about a company that hauls train crews to where they are needed. Are these vans and drivers part of the railroad or a contractor? Heard on called "armadillo". Is there one company that hauls for lets say the Union Pacific or many different ones for a railroad that big?  I know from my short time on the CNW they use one cab company for their needs around the Chicago area. Can anyone give me more info?  Thanks.

Yes there is more than 1 cab company and they haul for all the carriers. the class of driver is just 1 step higher than a drunk. some can just see the dash and others just over the dash.  on are trips to the motel we are 60 % driving on the shoulder ( either side) the other 30% we are in are lane ( or the one they drifted to ) that leaves 10% I cant tell you what is going on at that time or can the others as this is the time we are changing are shorts.  this is why we have had are off property insurance increased, and someone says that the ns uses a cab called PTI what terminals do they service

[BaltACD]

Most crew transportation is done by contracted carriage.  One contractor that provides service (and service is used with great reservation) to both CSX and NS is Professional Transportation Inc. (PTI) that is headquartered in Evansville, IN. 

[Expresslane]

 

  I saw something about a company that hauls train crews to where they are needed. Are these vans and drivers part of the railroad or a contractor? Heard on called "armadillo". Is there one company that hauls for lets say the Union Pacific or many different ones for a railroad that big?  I know from my short time on the CNW they use one cab company for their needs around the Chicago area. Can anyone give me more info?  Thanks.