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.
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.
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!
RRKen wrote: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 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.
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RRKen wrote: 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...
Dan
I don't work for CN.
I'll wave when I want to...
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
Mr_Ash wrote: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.
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
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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.
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
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.
WOW, right from the CN website under job description.
This is going to open a whole new can of worms to a few
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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...
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