CN wants Conductors to wave!

[selector]

Ok, folkses...time to get on with other things.  It's not happenin' here 'pparently.

-Crandell

[zugmann]

Where has RRKen ever said it won't happen to him?  He in fact is more aware it may happen to him. 

Trust me - RRKen takes his safety seriously (as do I).  It may take me a few more minutes to make a move than other people - but I can always get another job.  Can't say the same about another life.  Yes I know something bad can still happen to me - it can happen to all of us.  But we can try to minimize the risks we have DIRECT control of.  To do anything less is reckless and dangerous.  Have to remember - I am the new generation of RRer.   I have only been brought up to do things the safe way. 

 

And I still may not feel like waving - too bad, so sad. 

[youngengineer]

 

Sounds to me like walking and chewing gum is a challenge for you..... No where did I say that waving is more important than what I do, but I am capable of doing more than one thing.  One would hope that you would be looking at ANYONE who is even close to the track.  If your are mentaly incapable of putting your hand in the air while still looking down the tracks, please make sure that the car radio is off the next time you drive your car.  Make sure that you are sitting down the next time your cell phone rings.  I am sure that the cab of your locomotive is a "steril" enviorment like a commercial airliner below 10000 feet and there are no conversations that don't have to do with the task at hand. 

At work, my cell phone is off.   If someone needs me, I have a radio.   

 Even tho we use bay windows, I mount my own mirror so I can keep track of behind me, as well as ahead of me.   Thus is the nature of yard work.  

Don't assume anything about me, or my performance.   I leave what ever idle chatter for after work.   Waving at strangers is a waste of time.  

Their are 2 types of railoraders, those that have made a mistake and those that will make a mistake. No matter what you say, at some point in time you will forget something and you to will be one of another long line of people, that said, it can't happen to me I'm too safe. You don't take safety anymore serious than anyone else, you just think your the only safe person.

[wabash1]

This thread makes me wonder, if all you professional railroaders are too busy to wave (safety issues), maybe if the foamers here just flipped you off, do you think you'd be too busy to repond? I'll bet not.

We/I  get fliped off every trip I laugh any more it makes them madder.  remeber i dont lower myself to their weak minded standerd .  its amazing that you can laugh at them and make them madder and they stand dumb founded with out anything to come back at you with.  the public should understand we are not thin skinned on the railroad.

Where would one find the time to input all the information that the "foamer" got "madder" and stood dumfounded without a comeback. Would one actually have to turn and look backwards to see the reaction of the "foamer"? I bet there would be some conversation between the engineer and conductor and some chuckles.

In my opinion, truck driving is far more stressfull than running a train when it comes to paying attention to your surroundings. With the railroad, your on a fixed route (tracks), you know where your going. Trucks, you have many options. you have to mentally drive many more vehicles around you, you have to mentally think for many more people and what they are going to do around you, ect... The thing is, when you drive towards a trucker, lift a couple of fingers off the steering wheel (kinda like a peace sign) to acknowledge them, and most of the time, they are aware enough that you did that and will do the same back. Not to start a major arguement here but traversing the nations highways need more "paying attention" than riding the rails.

ROFLMAO....... Geez give it a break.....that is all you guys cry about is how stressful truck driving is and how much more attention it requires how brave and bad you are driving ...... in all conditions making america move.... all the while you have the cb mic in your hand cussing up a storm with a reverb and echo turn so high you cant understand anything half what your saying then you want someone to take you serious.....

[zugmann]

Sir, your statement about the wives is 100% out of line. I'm sorry, but me not wanting to wave to everyone has no bearing on my personal affairs or how I perform my job. I get paid to move freight within the rules. There is no rule requiring me to wave. And attitudes like yours that connect a lack of wave with being a bad RRer make me sick.

I said I wasn't going to say any more.  I lied.

I thought, regardless of the sarcasm employed in my previous posting, that it was a neat thing for CN to include in the "duty" list.  They're right--it's good PR, and the employees in the cab are the railroaders who are most likely to come face to face with the public.  No, you don't have to wave at everybody, but it's downright uncivil of a person to refuse to acknowledge somebody who thinks you are worth waving at.  If it's a trespasser who waves, wave back and turn him in later.

Willy, I'm not the only one who recognizes the shared trait of sensitivity--and that isn't a bad thing.  When some of these guys are licking the wounds from their third or fourth divorce, you'll still be making wife No. 1 very happy.  And you folks who picked on such a sensitive--and sensible--young man should be ashamed of yourselves.  Particularly when the most offensive part of his opinion was apologized for.

(I'll bet nobody any more goes as far as one engineer I knew while growing up--he regularly tossed out wrapped pieces of candy to throngs of adoring young friends.  Good old Mac--eyes on the rail, one hand on the horn cord, and the other tossing out the goodies; and never a bad thing said about him by anyone!  Perhaps the "retrievers" were trespassing, but he did have a good pitching arm, so they might not have been.) 

[Soo 6604]

I was watching the NASCAR race today where they raced at Pocono, Pa. During a pass going into turn 1 at 200mph, the guy in front stuck his hand out the window and waved at the guy he just got done passing. Actually, you see that all the time with the drivers either waving to the guy they just passed with ease or telling the guy behind them where they want to be passed.

[Lord Atmo]

Yeah Willy's cool. He gave me some smart advice in one of my older topics before. No reason to jab him.

 

I'm waving at the screen now too. HERRO EVERYONE! 

[CShaveRR]

I said I wasn't going to say any more.  I lied.

I thought, regardless of the sarcasm employed in my previous posting, that it was a neat thing for CN to include in the "duty" list.  They're right--it's good PR, and the employees in the cab are the railroaders who are most likely to come face to face with the public.  No, you don't have to wave at everybody, but it's downright uncivil of a person to refuse to acknowledge somebody who thinks you are worth waving at.  If it's a trespasser who waves, wave back and turn him in later.

Willy, I'm not the only one who recognizes the shared trait of sensitivity--and that isn't a bad thing.  When some of these guys are licking the wounds from their third or fourth divorce, you'll still be making wife No. 1 very happy.  And you folks who picked on such a sensitive--and sensible--young man should be ashamed of yourselves.  Particularly when the most offensive part of his opinion was apologized for.

(I'll bet nobody any more goes as far as one engineer I knew while growing up--he regularly tossed out wrapped pieces of candy to throngs of adoring young friends.  Good old Mac--eyes on the rail, one hand on the horn cord, and the other tossing out the goodies; and never a bad thing said about him by anyone!  Perhaps the "retrievers" were trespassing, but he did have a good pitching arm, so they might not have been.) 

[zugmann]

I like lots of people... and believe it or not, some people like me.  I also go through dozens of grade crossings every day.  Am I going to wave at every car at every one of them?  Nah.  And if I didn't like anyone - why would I post on here?  I like to share my opinions and thoughts. 

I think we have a failure to communicate here.  It is one thing to say that it is a nice thing to wave - it is another thing to say we aren't capable railroaders because we don't wave at eery tom, dick and harry waiting impatiently at the gates.  Or wave to those happy railfans out at 6am sunday morning when all we want to do is go home and go to bed....

[Anonymous]

Just consider that zugmann,murray and KrabbyKen don't like anybody, and go from there.  I could always trade you them for my arch-nemesis MichaelSol.

I like my Cat...

I like my Jeep...

I get along really well with the wife...even after 20 years...

I'm going to the B&O Museum next month for the dedication of the refurbished Chessie unit.

So how could you possibly know what I like or not like?

 

  You caught me at my stupidest!  I thought I was sending a PM, not posting on the forum.  For that, I apologize.   We can only judge people by the persona they put forth on the forum.  I'll take you at your word, that I'm misreading you.

 

No worries...its all good! 

[Murphy Siding]

Just consider that zugmann,murray and KrabbyKen don't like anybody, and go from there.  I could always trade you them for my arch-nemesis MichaelSol.

I like my Cat...

I like my Jeep...

I get along really well with the wife...even after 20 years...

I'm going to the B&O Museum next month for the dedication of the refurbished Chessie unit.

So how could you possibly know what I like or not like?

 

  You caught me at my stupidest!  I thought I was sending a PM, not posting on the forum.  For that, I apologize.   We can only judge people by the persona they put forth on the forum.  I'll take you at your word, that I'm misreading you.

[Anonymous]

Just consider that zugmann,murray and KrabbyKen don't like anybody, and go from there.  I could always trade you them for my arch-nemesis MichaelSol.

I like my Cat...

I like my Jeep...

I get along really well with the wife...even after 20 years...

I'm going to the B&O Museum next month for the dedication of the refurbished Chessie unit.

So how could you possibly know what I like or not like?

 

[Lord Atmo]

I don't even wave in Eau Claire.

ok...? good for you, I guess....

I don't get it. Why does everyone care so much? Wave or don't. Most of us understand if you choose not to. At least I do. Why act so offended when the subject comes up?

I go trackside to watch trains and take pictures. I do my best to ensure I stay out of the crew's way at all times. And I've been waved to several times. Hell, I even get cheerful greetings from conductors when they walk past me to get to the head end of the departing MBUVP. Maybe everyone around here is more laid back about their job? Maybe it's because I'm being polite? I don't know. 

But if you don't want to wave, THEN DON'T! It won't hurt us or anything. No need to fuss about it.

phew. I need some pasta. All this ranting made me hungry.

[zugmann]

I don't want a surgeon that waves during an operation...

[Anonymous]

I don't think I want a surgeon who doesn't wave.

[CNW 6000]

...wow.

All of this because I thought it was interesting that a Class 1 included waving in a job description.  I'm sorry I opened this topic. 

However...fear not!  I won't be repeating this mistake (or even posting) much here any longer.

[tree68]

So...perhaps it best that this "waving thread" shrivel and die on the vine...preferably by being locked once and for all.

I agree.  As Willy pointed out, it always turns into the same thing.

[tree68]

Why?  What do they do for me besides staying off the property?

Think of you and your employer favorably - sometimes an important thing when RR vs the public disputes arise.

Do you all expect a wave from the pilot of a 737? 

Sure - if he's at the gate and sees me (or rather my kids, who will appreciate it far more than me)

  From an ambulance driver? 

I get them all the time.  In fact, if they recognize my vehicle, they wave first.  I know a lot of the crews around here.

  From a bloody truck driver? 

Come on!  You have never stood by the side of the road and "pulled the rope" for a truck driver to honk for you?

  From a surgeon? 

I don't spend much time in hospital operating theaters - but if I see a doc I know, of course I do! 

- whether it's in your job description or not.  You are the face of the railroad.  

That is why we have so many PR people in Omaha.   I am paid to make sure my fellow employees go home at night the same way they walked in that morning.  Anything that effects their safety, is my concern.  That is why they put me in this position.

Try something for me/us.  Next time your train is going across a highway crossing, make careful note of any pedestrians, as well as ensuring that the drivers at the gates aren't going to try to beat you across, and as you pass them, raise your hand off the armrest.  Then put it down.  Keep track of the pedestrians, vehicles, and the track ahead, just as you would if you didn't raise your arm.  Now, did that hurt?  And you just made a friend in that community.

[Anonymous]

Well it appears that some of the "wave" posters are carrying this over to the cyber diner forum...and are now making comments about some of the posters here.

I don't find that to be at all appropriate.

So...perhaps it best that this "waving thread" shivel and die on the vine...preferably by being locked once and for all.

 

[RRKen]

I don't think you'll find many folks here who think that waving is more important than the job.  If you are busy only a very few will fault you for concentrating on what you are doing and not waving.  And those very few are on the fringe anyhow.

However, I suspect most are having trouble understanding what is so difficult about raising a hand (with all fingers used) to someone trackside (and very few of those trackside are actually 'foamers' - many are just John and Jane Q. Public, and their kids) as you roll down the line. 

As I posted before - a simple acknowledgement is all anyone is asking. 

Why?  What do they do for me besides staying off the property?  Do you all expect a wave from the pilot of a 737?   From an ambulance driver?   From a bloody truck driver?   From a surgeon?   Of course not.  

 

 

- whether it's in your job description or not.  You are the face of the railroad.   

That is why we have so many PR people in Omaha.   I am paid to make sure my fellow employees go home at night the same way they walked in that morning.  Anything that effects their safety, is my concern.  That is why they put me in this position.

[Murphy Siding]

Ken - can you tell us what might be on that list? 

What list would that be?

I think it's a Christmas card list, and none of us are on it.

[RRKen]

 

Sounds to me like walking and chewing gum is a challenge for you..... No where did I say that waving is more important than what I do, but I am capable of doing more than one thing.  One would hope that you would be looking at ANYONE who is even close to the track.  If your are mentaly incapable of putting your hand in the air while still looking down the tracks, please make sure that the car radio is off the next time you drive your car.  Make sure that you are sitting down the next time your cell phone rings.  I am sure that the cab of your locomotive is a "steril" enviorment like a commercial airliner below 10000 feet and there are no conversations that don't have to do with the task at hand. 

At work, my cell phone is off.   If someone needs me, I have a radio.   

 Even tho we use bay windows, I mount my own mirror so I can keep track of behind me, as well as ahead of me.   Thus is the nature of yard work.  

Don't assume anything about me, or my performance.   I leave what ever idle chatter for after work.   Waving at strangers is a waste of time.  

[tree68]

If you all think waving at strangers is more important than your job, please don't transfer here. 

I don't think you'll find many folks here who think that waving is more important than the job.  If you are busy only a very few will fault you for concentrating on what you are doing and not waving.  And those very few are on the fringe anyhow.

However, I suspect most are having trouble understanding what is so difficult about raising a hand (with all fingers used) to someone trackside (and very few of those trackside are actually 'foamers' - many are just John and Jane Q. Public, and their kids) as you roll down the line. 

As I posted before - a simple acknowledgement is all anyone is asking.  You're not being asked to drop everything and focus on waving to that one person or group.  Ever "wave" to a friend or neighbor from your car by simply lifting a finger or two off the steering wheel while you're backing out of your driveway?  Did that action put anyone at risk, or did you have matters well in hand?

And remember - you are a member of the PR department for your railroad - whether it's in your job description or not.  You are the face of the railroad. 

BTW - Those of us who volunteer on our tourist line are often trackside as freights of all varieties roll through a city passenger station at 50 mph on a very busy mainline.  We invariably get a reply wave and/or a toot from the passing crews.  They don't seem to have a problem doing it.  I got an acknowledgement one day from an engineer who was in the process of bringing a lengthy local to a stop for a car pickup.   Everything went just fine.

[Willy2]

Do any of you have any idea how pathetic you all are? This topic has been discussed numerous times over the past several months. Each time, it ends with the same result... some railfans are obsessed with waving and their day is ruined if the engineer or conductor doesn't acknowledge them, some like a wave but don't need one, and some could care less. Some crew members are happy to wave if they aren't busy, some wave only sometimes, and some never wave for various reasons.

I just summed up the last 60 posts in a few sentences. Now let's see if we can get 60 more from this topic, plus about 10 more topics on waving before the year ends. I'm not saying that this topic needs to be banned, but it seems very frivolous to go through this time after time. Don't you have family and friends to spend time with? Maybe a beer to drink?

 

I sense anger and stress coming from you Willy.

Do you need a hug?

 

Maybe school's getting to him.....

Willy: lighten up. Nobody forced you to read all "60" posts.

Yeah, I know it's a silly discussion; yet.....here we both are reading it and replying to it......

What we have here, is a failure to communicate.

Let's get this straight:

1) No, nobody forced me to read this entire topic. I did it of my own accord.

2) I thought I made a very reasonable statement. I still believe I did, but in the eyes of some people, it was not reasonable. Those who seemed offended by my recent posts have my most sincere apologies. I acknowledge that "pathetic" was not the best choice of words.

3) The fact that school ended two weeks ago means that it isn't "getting to me". I'm sure that it's fun to discuss what might or might not be happening in my life, but I would appreciate it if you would be kind enough to stop doing so. To be honest, there aren't any ongoing calamities.

4) A hug would be nice.

5) I'll now leave all of you to continue your animated discussion on waving and I won't interrupt again. I've learned my lesson... it's not right to break into a discussion about waving.

Relax will ya?  You're gonna be ulcer ridden before you are 20. 

I don't want that to happen!

[Anonymous]

Do any of you have any idea how pathetic you all are? This topic has been discussed numerous times over the past several months. Each time, it ends with the same result... some railfans are obsessed with waving and their day is ruined if the engineer or conductor doesn't acknowledge them, some like a wave but don't need one, and some could care less. Some crew members are happy to wave if they aren't busy, some wave only sometimes, and some never wave for various reasons.

I just summed up the last 60 posts in a few sentences. Now let's see if we can get 60 more from this topic, plus about 10 more topics on waving before the year ends. I'm not saying that this topic needs to be banned, but it seems very frivolous to go through this time after time. Don't you have family and friends to spend time with? Maybe a beer to drink?

 

I sense anger and stress coming from you Willy.

Do you need a hug?

 

Maybe school's getting to him.....

Willy: lighten up. Nobody forced you to read all "60" posts.

Yeah, I know it's a silly discussion; yet.....here we both are reading it and replying to it......

What we have here, is a failure to communicate.

Let's get this straight:

1) No, nobody forced me to read this entire topic. I did it of my own accord.

2) I thought I made a very reasonable statement. I still believe I did, but in the eyes of some people, it was not reasonable. Those who seemed offended by my recent posts have my most sincere apologies. I acknowledge that "pathetic" was not the best choice of words.

3) The fact that school ended two weeks ago means that it isn't "getting to me". I'm sure that it's fun to discuss what might or might not be happening in my life, but I would appreciate it if you would be kind enough to stop doing so. To be honest, there aren't any ongoing calamities.

4) A hug would be nice.

5) I'll now leave all of you to continue your animated discussion on waving and I won't interrupt again. I've learned my lesson... it's not right to break into a discussion about waving.

Relax will ya?  You're gonna be ulcer ridden before you are 20. 

 

 

[n012944]

Which is fine.  If you don't want to wave, then don't wave.  I just don't understand why you have to hide behind a safety argument.  It is a bunch of crap, and any of us who work for a railroad know it.

 Waving at strangers, is a waste of time and attention.   A crews attention should be on work.  And last I looked, unless they are trespassing, people with cameras are not our affair.   If they are trespassing, report them of course. 

I work for a railroad.  And Situational Awareness is quite the subject right now from the CEO on down.    Given that all the fatalities this year were because of a lack of attention, a lack of focus.   From new folks, up to old heads, they took a mental vacation, that lapse of attention, got them killed.

If you all think waving at strangers is more important than your job, please don't transfer here.   And get extra disability insurance.  

Sounds to me like walking and chewing gum is a challenge for you..... No where did I say that waving is more important than what I do, but I am capable of doing more than one thing.  One would hope that you would be looking at ANYONE who is even close to the track.  If your are mentaly incapable of putting your hand in the air while still looking down the tracks, please make sure that the car radio is off the next time you drive your car.  Make sure that you are sitting down the next time your cell phone rings.  I am sure that the cab of your locomotive is a "steril" enviorment like a commercial airliner below 10000 feet and there are no conversations that don't have to do with the task at hand. 

[Willy2]

Do any of you have any idea how pathetic you all are? This topic has been discussed numerous times over the past several months. Each time, it ends with the same result... some railfans are obsessed with waving and their day is ruined if the engineer or conductor doesn't acknowledge them, some like a wave but don't need one, and some could care less. Some crew members are happy to wave if they aren't busy, some wave only sometimes, and some never wave for various reasons.

I just summed up the last 60 posts in a few sentences. Now let's see if we can get 60 more from this topic, plus about 10 more topics on waving before the year ends. I'm not saying that this topic needs to be banned, but it seems very frivolous to go through this time after time. Don't you have family and friends to spend time with? Maybe a beer to drink?

 

I sense anger and stress coming from you Willy.

Do you need a hug?

 

Maybe school's getting to him.....

Willy: lighten up. Nobody forced you to read all "60" posts.

Yeah, I know it's a silly discussion; yet.....here we both are reading it and replying to it......

What we have here, is a failure to communicate.

Let's get this straight:

1) No, nobody forced me to read this entire topic. I did it of my own accord.

2) I thought I made a very reasonable statement. I still believe I did, but in the eyes of some people, it was not reasonable. Those who seemed offended by my recent posts have my most sincere apologies. I acknowledge that "pathetic" was not the best choice of words.

3) The fact that school ended two weeks ago means that it isn't "getting to me". I'm sure that it's fun to discuss what might or might not be happening in my life, but I would appreciate it if you would be kind enough to stop doing so. To be honest, there aren't any ongoing calamities.

4) A hug would be nice.

5) I'll now leave all of you to continue your animated discussion on waving and I won't interrupt again. I've learned my lesson... it's not right to break into a discussion about waving.

[RRKen]

Which is fine.  If you don't want to wave, then don't wave.  I just don't understand why you have to hide behind a safety argument.  It is a bunch of crap, and any of us who work for a railroad know it.

 Waving at strangers, is a waste of time and attention.   A crews attention should be on work.  And last I looked, unless they are trespassing, people with cameras are not our affair.   If they are trespassing, report them of course. 

I work for a railroad.  And Situational Awareness is quite the subject right now from the CEO on down.    Given that all the fatalities this year were because of a lack of attention, a lack of focus.   From new folks, up to old heads, they took a mental vacation, that lapse of attention, got them killed.

If you all think waving at strangers is more important than your job, please don't transfer here.   And get extra disability insurance.  

[RRKen]

Writing a list at 10 mph are things we naturally do.

I would submit that you are far more distracted by writing a list than briefly raising a hand.   For the sake of your fellow employees, please put the pencil and paper away and pay attention to your surroundings.

Pardon me while I get our my asbestos suit.

 When you pull cars, you make a list as they go by.   Much easier and safer than walking a list.   My job required me to make sure I had an accurate list of my train.   Not waving like a mind numbed robot at strangers.