CN wants Conductors to wave!

[CNW 6000]

I couldn't believe what I was reading.  The following is part of a Conductors job description.

Whole Description

"...Other job requirements include: - good teamwork skills - some public relations skill, for example waving to people by the tracks ..."

I had to laugh when I saw this.  Apparently it will be someone's job to wave at people by the tracks...

[eolafan]

Very interesting to read and very good to see in today's world.

[cnwfan51]

       I am working for the wrong company LOL But that is still one of the perks of the Job   Larry

[Soo 6604]

WOW, right from the CN website under job description.

This is going to open a whole new can of worms to a few

[CNW 6000]

That's why I felt the need to post it: a new worm for that can!

[Andrew Falconer]

This is just hand waving, right.

Some places they might need to wave No Trespassing signs and other places they might need to wave firearms.

Andrew

[Richard C]

amazing!

[CNW 6000]

As I read it (especially following a mention of Public Relations) it's to mean a wave of the hand.

[CShaveRR]

Larry, it's far better to wave because you want to than because you're afraid of suffering consequences if you don't!  I should say no more on this subject.

 

[wabash1]

And I guess they want us to use all of our fingers??????

[RRKen]

I feel that is at-risk behavior without a doubt.  

 

 I just happen to be doing risk accessment for our terminal when this topic was pointed out to me.    Anything that takes your focus from your job, is at-risk behavior.    Number 1 on my list is cell phones, specifically texting.   More so in yard operations.

 Waving diverts attention from the task at hand, which is safe operation of your train.  And it's just plain dumb.

[Mr_Ash]

Waving and continuing to do your job aint that hard, its not like its walking and chewing gum at the same time

[Andrew Falconer]

To get a consistently waving and safe waving Conductor they could have animated Robot Conductors built and mounted on single truck platforms that are coupled to the last car on the train. This way the robot conductor can wave and never get tired.

Andrew

[RRKen]

Waving and continuing to do your job aint that hard, its not like its walking and chewing gum at the same time

 

That depends upon what you consider safe versus at-risk behavior is.   I will reduce your situational awareness.

[zugmann]

 I don't work for CN. 

 I'll wave when I want to... 

[CNW 6000]

I feel that is at-risk behavior without a doubt.  

 

 I just happen to be doing risk accessment for our terminal when this topic was pointed out to me.    Anything that takes your focus from your job, is at-risk behavior.    Number 1 on my list is cell phones, specifically texting.   More so in yard operations.

 Waving diverts attention from the task at hand, which is safe operation of your train.  And it's just plain dumb.

So things like consuming liquids, eating, and talking to a fellow crewmember must also distract you too.  Good thing none of that takes place in a cab.  The TSA should be on that like white on rice!  The danger!    It must suck-clearly that's why some rails act crabby...12 hours without eating and talking...

[trainboyH16-44]

I feel that is at-risk behavior without a doubt.  

 

 I just happen to be doing risk accessment for our terminal when this topic was pointed out to me.    Anything that takes your focus from your job, is at-risk behavior.    Number 1 on my list is cell phones, specifically texting.   More so in yard operations.

 Waving diverts attention from the task at hand, which is safe operation of your train.  And it's just plain dumb.

I lol'd. 

[daveklepper]

My reading of the message indicates that the job description indicates the employee must have the ABILITY to wave, but the times and places and circumstances for waving are not specifically defined so much is still left to the individual.   Trackside is a very general term.

 

Michael Sol:  I would appreciate your viewpoint on this matter! 

[StillGrande]

It would seem to me that waving would show that you are aware of your surroundings, acknowledging that there is a person there, which may deter them from certain activities.  They would be made aware that at least one person has seen them in that spot, so if anything untoward were to happen to the train, at least one description of that person would be available for law enforcement, should the need arise. 

Don't let your employer know you are distracted by things outside the cab.  From what I have heard around here they may try to save a buck on new locomotives by taking the windows out.  You can get all your information from cab signals and a video monitor. 

[Anonymous]

I sit in a cubicle at work...I can't wave at anyone.

Of course if I did start waving...I think people would begin to wonder. 

 

 

[rixflix]

It doesn't cost anything to wave, smile or say g'mornin' or evenin' to someone. Here in DC, I can spot a likely respondee 30 to 50 feet away and am always gratified...it makes for a little "GOOD WILL" and "HAPPY" in both our lives. It's the handicapped or ailing, the sad, angry, dour, harried, pre-occupied, blithe, waiting-for-something, and kids that are my tough targets.

 One thing that helps is my Klein leather lineman's shoulder bag. I've outfitted it with a curlicue bike horn (bulb and bell in front outside and connecting tube inside) and 1/2 of a bongo drum to jam with Tony Williams or Max Roach tunes on WPFW-FM. All in easy reach with arm on top of the bag. The back of the bag has a WASHDC bike plate, red reflectors, a BMW badge, and my motto, Bus Metro Walk. Full leather interior AND exterior with a really nice patina. I love ambushing kids and seniors and musicians often ambush me!!! People might think I'm nuts but for me it's mental health.

Just trying to chip away at the shortage of good will and public relations, while hating cell phones (they seem kind of rude to me), I remain

Rixflix

[RRKen]

I feel that is at-risk behavior without a doubt.  

 

 I just happen to be doing risk accessment for our terminal when this topic was pointed out to me.    Anything that takes your focus from your job, is at-risk behavior.    Number 1 on my list is cell phones, specifically texting.   More so in yard operations.

 Waving diverts attention from the task at hand, which is safe operation of your train.  And it's just plain dumb.

I lol'd. 

You might think it is a joke, I do not take safety as a joke.   Of course, since you hang out with leK and Joe, the "real" railroaders, take their word for it, not mine.  They have all the combined experience of a new hire.    Ask Joe about his co-workers who ride the tops of cars shoving our Main Line.   Real safe behaviors eh? 

 People who joke about at-risk behaviors are usually the ones we pick up off the ground in pieces.   If you people want wavers, go to some darned parade and wave.   We have work to do.

[wabash1]

The truth is if they want are conductors to wave the engineer is going to haft to get up out of his seat walk over and wake the conductor up so he can wave at people.

[CNW 6000]

The truth is if they want are conductors to wave the engineer is going to haft to get up out of his seat walk over and wake the conductor up so he can wave at people.

[zardoz]

I feel that is at-risk behavior without a doubt.  

 

 I just happen to be doing risk accessment for our terminal when this topic was pointed out to me.    Anything that takes your focus from your job, is at-risk behavior.    Number 1 on my list is cell phones, specifically texting.   More so in yard operations.

 Waving diverts attention from the task at hand, which is safe operation of your train.  And it's just plain dumb.

I lol'd. 

You might think it is a joke, I do not take safety as a joke.   Of course, since you hang out with leK and Joe, the "real" railroaders, take their word for it, not mine.  They have all the combined experience of a new hire.    Ask Joe about his co-workers who ride the tops of cars shoving our Main Line.   Real safe behaviors eh? 

 People who joke about at-risk behaviors are usually the ones we pick up off the ground in pieces.   If you people want wavers, go to some darned parade and wave.   We have work to do.

Oh, PUHLEEASEEE!!!! Get off your high horse (pun intended).  You're not the only "real" railroader here.  Perhaps when you get sufficient experience it will not be that difficult for you to wave and be able to push the horn button at the same time.

[zardoz]

The truth is if they want are conductors to wave the engineer is going to haft to get up out of his seat walk over and wake the conductor up so he can wave at people.

Good one!

[Murphy Siding]

     RRKen: I think we all understand where you stand on this issue by now.  But I have to wonder.....When you train in a new employee, do you specifically tell them not to wave, so they can concentrate on their work?  Does your railroad look for workers who can multi-task, for example, do a conductor's job, and wave occasionally at the same time?  If waving is prohibited, is smiling on the job prohibited as well?

[zugmann]

And thus we separate the foam from the rails...

 PS.  I wave when I want (and able to).  Our rulebook does not dictate we wave, so that is my choice. And yes, I am aware you are there. 

 

[Anonymous]

Oh, PUHLEEASEEE!!!! Get off your high horse (pun intended).  You're not the only "real" railroader here.  Perhaps when you get sufficient experience it will not be that difficult for you to wave and be able to push the horn button at the same time.

Young man, RRKen has been a good friend of mine for years, I can personally vouch for his many years of railroad operating experience.

And how many years of railroad operating experience do you have?

I am consistenty amazed that this forum keeps repeating this "waving" thread.  Don't you think that its getting kind of pointless by now?

Let it go already!

 

[zugmann]

I will second Murray.  Why are some people so concerned obsessed with whether the dude in the cab waves or not?  99.99999999% of railfans are just concerned with the engine anyhow.