CN wants Conductors to wave!

[JT22CW]

You really need to get out more

Get out more where?

I think you should appreciate the view from behind the throttle that is afforded you here.  It's not an amusement park ride; it's a job.

[RRKen]

  You *really* need to get out more.............

In what way?    I spend a good portion of my time observing behaviors.   I work with fellow employees to help make them safer.   So this is not just my observation, but that of my fellow employees too.  Just ask the five who died on UP in the last 35 days what situational awareness is about. 

 Oh, that's right, dead men tell no tales.    Every last incident had to do with situational awareness.  And anything that takes away from that, causes incidents sooner or later.  I hope never.  

So it is YOU who needs to get out of your paradigm some, not I.

[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?

[zugmann]

here's #1...

 

 

[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?

 

[RRKen]

Pathetic?  I don't count the safety of my fellow employees as pathetic kid.  

Anyone who needs a wave is in serious psychological trouble.

[CNW 6000]

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?

Thanks for your vote of confidence Willy. 

A search of the forum regarding how many threads that have a specific job description as the discussion point revealed...this one.  As I read it you're the only one upset here.

[Mailman56701]

  You *really* need to get out more.............

In what way?    I spend a good portion of my time observing behaviors.   I work with fellow employees to help make them safer.   So this is not just my observation, but that of my fellow employees too.  Just ask the five who died on UP in the last 35 days what situational awareness is about. 

 Oh, that's right, dead men tell no tales.    Every last incident had to do with situational awareness.  And anything that takes away from that, causes incidents sooner or later.  I hope never.  

So it is YOU who needs to get out of your paradigm some, not I.

  Stop taking yourself so seriously.

  I assume your railroad hires people capable of doing two things at once. 

  And for the record, I could care less if someone waves or not.  Hell, I don't wave myself.

[K. P. Harrier]

I find it absolutely refreshing that a rail job description mentions friendly waving.  THAT SURE BEATS the trend toward sour faced communistic-like retards in the cabs and decaling locomotives with large red, white, and blue swastikas on the sides!  (You can tell I am vocal about subtle threats to America!)

[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?

Thanks for your vote of confidence Willy. 

A search of the forum regarding how many threads that have a specific job description as the discussion point revealed...this one.  As I read it you're the only one upset here.

Here are a few to start with. They did not all start with being about waving, but all of them evolved to have the same end result that I described in my first post.

http://cs.trains.com/forums/1183772/ShowPost.aspx

http://cs.trains.com/forums/1337558/ShowPost.aspx

http://cs.trains.com/forums/1445709/ShowPost.aspx

RRKen - I am absolutely not saying that safety is pathetic. It just seems to me that going over this topic time after time with the same result is not getting anywhere. If you could all come to a different conclusion on the subject than before, then perhaps it would be a different story.

[zugmann]

And today's HUH? award goes to....

I find it absolutely refreshing that a rail job description mentions friendly waving.  THAT SURE BEATS the trend toward sour faced communistic-like retards in the cabs and decaling locomotives with large red, white, and blue swastikas on the sides!  (You can tell I am vocal about subtle threats to America!)

[n012944]

Pathetic?  I don't count the safety of my fellow employees as pathetic kid.  

Anyone who needs a wave is in serious psychological trouble.

As someone who has spent more time in the cab of a locomotive then I would have liked to, I can say that if waving puts your saftey as risk, it might be time to find a different job.... 

[Anonymous]

And today's HUH? award goes to....

I find it absolutely refreshing that a rail job description mentions friendly waving.  THAT SURE BEATS the trend toward sour faced communistic-like retards in the cabs and decaling locomotives with large red, white, and blue swastikas on the sides!  (You can tell I am vocal about subtle threats to America!)

KP sounds like a frustrated Libertarian....

 

[RRKen]

Pathetic?  I don't count the safety of my fellow employees as pathetic kid.  

Anyone who needs a wave is in serious psychological trouble.

As someone who has spent more time in the cab of a locomotive then I would have liked to, I can say that if waving puts your saftey as risk, it might be time to find a different job.... 

Writing a list at 10 mph are things we naturally do.   Waving to strangers, however is not in my job description. 

[n012944]

Pathetic?  I don't count the safety of my fellow employees as pathetic kid.  

Anyone who needs a wave is in serious psychological trouble.

As someone who has spent more time in the cab of a locomotive then I would have liked to, I can say that if waving puts your saftey as risk, it might be time to find a different job.... 

Writing a list at 10 mph are things we naturally do.   Waving to strangers, however is not in my job description. 

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.

[Mookie]

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

[tree68]

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.

[zardoz]

And today's HUH? award goes to....

I find it absolutely refreshing that a rail job description mentions friendly waving.  THAT SURE BEATS the trend toward sour faced communistic-like retards in the cabs and decaling locomotives with large red, white, and blue swastikas on the sides!  (You can tell I am vocal about subtle threats to America!)

KP sounds like a frustrated Libertarian....

 

I would imagine most Libertarians are rather frustrated right about now....

[zardoz]

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......

[RRKen]

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

What list would that be?

[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.

[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.  

[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.

[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. 

[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. 

 

 

[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!

[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.

[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.  

[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]

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.