BNSF Conductor Training BUT,

[Rodney Beck]

Hi Will

Congrats rember the 7 deadly sins on the BNSF and you will do just fine. Rodney Beck conductor BNSF

[Anonymous]

Just passed the promotional exam friday and rodney I stand corrected it was only 280 questions and was a piece of cake. got a 96% only cuz I made some bone head mistakes. Also got cut off as soon as we finished. They want to send our entire class (7) guys up onto the fallbridge sub on the Northwest Div. They are very short handed up there. The Railroad is breaking contract with the union so I should be able to get some nice penalty pay out of the RR for it.
As far as the 100% pay, the way I heard it for the BNSF was you had to be marked up by July 1 to get it. I was told our class was the last one eligable for it on the NW & N Cal Div's and we started training in Feb. And with what alot of other people have said it is true about do as I say not as I do. the old heads I trained under said just follow 100% of the rules 100% of the time while you are a student. Because from what they say is if an exempt sees you breaking rules while training, what are you going to do when you are released and will most likely fire you before you can get over your derail. Well 15 weeks of following 100% of the rules programs you to continue to follow 100% of the rules after training. And its true about let them do what they want they are from the old school and learned things a whole different way. If you treat them with respect and keep your eyes and ears open to what they have to teach you, you will go far. If you dont and are all over them when they break a rule or as they are trying to tell you something you sit there and say "I know" you WILL get a target on your back. One of the guys from my class is finding that out the hard way. The money side of things, guys in my terminal are telling me that I should be able to make 60k this year and even more next year. So to all of you guys that are trying to get hired on amost sincere good luck to you. It's a wonderful career. out.
Will Windom
BNSF Conductor

[Anonymous]

Timing is everything when hiring out on the RR. I hired in 1974 and could never hold a regular position for 20 years. When I finally could hold a regular job year round the RR diverted most of our business to another line. Conversely a friend who hired in 73 has never been laid off, and has held regular jobs throughout the period.

[Anonymous]

Hey Jimiec!

Got my "Final Letter" on Friday! I start the 21st of June!

Talking to my local president, she made it clear that with BNSF, as long as we are HIRED by July 1, we will be at 100% after training. I think that other RRs are handling it differently, as Nathan said and a Div. mgr said at an interview session for UP...have to be marked up by July 1 for 100% on those RRs.

Tuesday I will be submitting my 4 week notice to the Air Force (full time civilian). I am looking forward to getting onboard. Will be doing my training at Bakersfield and Fresno.

Keep in touch!!

[Anonymous]

Jimiec,

Congrats on moving along. I know for CSX, I had to be marked up before July 1st to qualify for 100%. It may be different for you. I was also told I had to wait till July 1st to get my 100%, but I started getting it the first day I marked up earlier this month. And yes, if you stay marked up and let the company work you to death, which they will, you can make boookooo bucks. I just came off close to a $3,000 half and I worked every day besides my assigned off days. As long as I'm marked up I should be able to clear well over $30,000 for just half of this year. Overtime is how you really make money, so take your time when you're on the ground, walk your switch lineups in yards, do safety stops, etc.

The first two weeks of school is usually just railraoding basics, types of tracks, yards, switches, signals, safety rules, etc. In my RR school, you had to have an 85% minimum average to pass, but trust me it isn't hard, especially if you are interested to begin with! Come out of school with a good working knowledge of the rules, but don't be telling your fellow conductors how to do their jobs and point out safety violations, it's the quickest way to get ostracized by everyone in your terminal. Most old heads tell me "Do as I say, not as I do." They come from a different RR'ing era, so old habits can be hard to break. Listen to them, ask questions, and you will be fine.

If you stay awake, ask questions, and respect your conductor/engineer you should have a good beginning to your career. And if you are lucky some engineers will show you how to run the train, just "show" you that is.... My engineer wanted to show me how to stop the train in another besides throwing the emergency lever. It's tempting to want to sit in the engineers chair, but just watch, you'll be there soon enough one day. Getting caught operating behind the controls can get you and your engineer fired, so keep that in mind. Always ask questions here on the forum, in school, and out on the job, you will never stop learning from day one to the very last day of your career! Good luck and stay safe!!!!

nathan

[Anonymous]

Hey sam.,
Guess what?
I already have a recall location change from Richmond CA to Stockton CA
due to a verifacation problem and by time it got back it was too late and my start date changed and so did my location. Hey is it true that new hires start at 100% of top pay b4 July 1st? Thats the rumor I heard and does that mean I'm going to be @ 100% or does it go by graduation date? It would suck if I had to start @ 75% at least thats the tale I heard. What is top pay over at the railroads? At where I'm working now it's $21.74 hr. But the pay formala makes it an average of over $60,000 a year. I f you don't want to work you make a bout $50,000, but if you kick azz on the day time extra board 7 days a week top operator made over $121,000 last year then just over $110,000 at top pay. What's the average a conductor makes 1st year? I'm exited about going and ready for the challenges that I will be facing. What is the curiculim of the 1st 2 weeks in class? Quizs everyday? Tests every other day? Whats the % to pass? I do have a long term goal of operating a locomotive! Whats the wait time on that? Boy I better stop just 2 more weeks and I'll be there and hope to pass by on the rails!!!

Thanks,
JimieC

[Anonymous]

Hi Jimiec...In my 1st 3 yrs w/ BNSF, I was cut off from my home terminal for 6 months right after 9/11. I packed my bags and hit the boomer trail, working as far as 500 miles from home, while my wife and 3 kids had to fend for themselves. That sobered me up right away. It was tough time, but somehow we made it. I've got a great wife and awesome kids, but I don't want them to go thru that ever again. Thankfully, business has since been heavy. Some guys have never been cut off, and others I've worked with tell me of being cut off for a year or more. Have a backup job so you can stay home if it happens.

[Anonymous]

Jordan,

Stretching is all fine and good, but you don't have to join a gym or anything. SIt ups and push ups work wonders. And in the interview, make sure you stress that you understand that you can work all hours of the day and night and that weather doesn't bother you. Shift work and outside work are great prerequisites, so make sure if you worked outside or in the military that they know that. Also show your interviewer your desire to learn and if they ask you where you want to be in five years tell them you want to move up to engineer, management, dispatcher, yardmaster, whatever, just show them you're a trooper. Most of all the RR's just want people who will be there to answer the phone so that they can have people on thier trains. Good Luck Jordan, you'll do fine!!

[Jordan6]

Thank's Nathan,

After I get off work, I'll begin my stretches and some weight training!

I shouldn't make any predictions, but with the massive crew shortages nationwide, I'm feeling quite good (despite my high anxiety level) about getting a job with the BNSF.

[Anonymous]

Jordan,

For CSX the pysical strenght test consisted of me sitting in a chair similar to one you'd sit in at a dentist's office. The test consisted of one of my legs getting strapped to a foot rest. Then you have to raise your leg and lower it with as much force as you can. Also, the more force you exert, the more the machine resits you. You are also tested on your arms as well and its the same motions. The only people who failed the test were really out of shape or didn't put a consistent effort into the machine. Just do your best and you'll be fine. But, who knows if BNSF and CSX use the same type of tests???? All I know is BNSF has the best locomotives I have ever ridden in!!! Comfy seats, working fridge, toilets, AC, ahhhh!!!

[Jordan6]

In a few days I have an interview and some sort of test at Overland Park, KS for BNSF conductor training. I'm thinking I'll do a resume, but I'm not sure. I'm wondering what does the physical strength test consist of? As always, any advice is GREATLY appreciated.

[Rodney Beck]

Hey Bettis35 I am a Navy retiree and got hired 2 years ago part of the hireing process is testing math, reading & how well you play with others if you pass the testing next is the interview STRESS SAFETY that is a major plus if you do good and get a phone call for the offer of employment they will send you a packet with forms to fill out then they will do the drug screen if you get by all of that your phone will ring again lettingyou know when training will start. Rodney Beck conductor BNSF

P.S. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Hey BETTIS,
I've heard a lot positive things about this occupation and has a lot of great perks. If you read some of the posts it should give you a good idea of how the job is like. FOr me all I have is a high school diploma a little bit of college but employed in a in a DOT safety sensitve job. They stress safety very very much. Having a big responsibilty in a safety sensitive field like dealing with hazardous materials, a public transit bus operator, seems to help but I don't know. I hear it's great but one told me if I don't make the move I'll just keep wondering and I have a term go of operating a locomotive. So I hope this helps and good luck in your decisions.
Jimiec

[Anonymous]

Hi, I have a quick question. I am currently in the military and have 1 year left on my contract. I have heard that BNSF is hiring for Conductor positions. I looked at their web-site and seen that do not require a college degree. I have completed high school and taken some college courses and drug free of course. i was wondering what else to they look for on the resume? Will be prior military for 8 years help at all? Would this be a good career move? Thanks in advance.

[pmsteamman]

I worked for csx for 6 years living out of a suitcase and as stated before loved being a engineer just hated csx. I have since started with a shortline and LOVE IT. Home every night and still make just as much $$ as I was before, plus I get weekends off!!!! On a class 1 that is unheard of unless you have 100 years senority. So now I get to live the best of both worlds, have the job of my dreams and spend time with my family. Now if I could only win the lotto. [^][:D][8D][:)][:P][;)]

[Rodney Beck]

Hi Wiil I work out of Galesburg the runs out of can go to these divisions Chicago, Nebraska, Springfield and Kansas. I just got bumped today from the Galesburg to Kansas City pool. That is another thing new hires have to look forward to is being bumped your first year you will hate being bumped but after that you will be glad that you got bumped for the time off. Rodney Beck conductor BNSF

[Anonymous]

I remember meeting the railroad superintendant the first day I hired out, and he gave me advice that has gotten me through five years of railroading without much trouble.

1. You will know after the first day if railroading is for you, you either love it or hate it.

2. No one ever got fired for setting to many hand brakes

3. If you don't know, ask

4. And finally, don't get exited until you see me get exited.

All of this is great advice to follow. Here's some additional advice from my own personal experience. Trust the old heads, most of them have been doing this longer than you've probably been alive. If they're making fun of you and giving you a rough time, it means they like you. This will most likely stop after someone newer than you hires out.

Some classic old head pranks to watch out for are the car stretcher, in which some old conductor will tell you to grab after making a hard joint. A bucket of steam, which someone will send you to find just for a laugh. And finally, dumping the air from the locomotive while you are trying to cut a car in for the first time, just so they can make you think that the engineer is going to eat your *** alive when you get back to the loco.

So what ever you decide, good luck and stay safe

[Anonymous]

the exam is 280 questions.

Hey Rodney.

Taking the promotional exam in 2 weeks when I get done with the RCO training. Test is up to 730 questions now. Also what Div. you on. Im on Northern Cal in Klamath Falls, OR.

Jimiec, All I can say is I left a Firefighter position to goto work for BNSF. Best thing I ever did. If you can stomach long hours away from home and the odd hours then you will love the job. Most the old heads in my terminal say they still love the job just not who they work for. And like everyone else has said, the pay is awesome, bennies wonderful. good luck to you on whatever you decide.

Will Windom
BNSF Conductor

[Anonymous]

Living out of a suitcase can really get old quickly, but i always remind myself that I'm making good money. And in this day and age with cellular phones and laptops you can keep in conctact with your family much better than before. Also, if i get bored I take a walk around and chit chat with the other crews BS'ing. If you like to read, you will be in luck because this career allows you all the time in the world to read, the rulebooks that is![swg]

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you gotta get used to the "living out of a suitcase" lifestyle if you go for this kind of a career.

Sounds like fun at first, but I hear a lot of guys get sick of the motel life pretty quick.

[Rodney Beck]

Jimiec I spend anywhere from 24 to 30 hours from home sorry it took so long to respond presently work in the Galesburg to Kansas City pool. Rodney

[heavyd]

Sounds like the same story everywhere, the railroads don't like to hire adequate staff to keep individual working hours in the normal range. They just want to work who they have more to make up for it. Are there provisions where once you work so many assignments in a pay period you get to go to a special board. From this board if you are called it is automatically time and a half. Or if you choose they can't call you untill the next peroid starts. Maybe it is better in Canada?

[pmsteamman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 9thss

hi,as a 20yr railroader for cn i can tell u, u better consider the family ramifications of your future job!! the money is good but [especially the american roads] work their employees to death....think about how being away for say 30 hours then home for eight and then called again for work will play on your married life!! making good money is fine but no weekends off,called at all hours,and little home time make a good recipe for divorce!!...not to mention head on collision when the crew falls asleep because of exaustion....read the newswire and see that most head on's occur in the wee hours of the morning...in canada we can book 24 hrs rest at the home terminal and have milage limits of 3800 miles for engineman and 4300 for conductors....i believe our american brothers and sisters have no such provisions

Is this milage cap for a month, because on my division we were making that in three weeks on the extra board! What happens if you hit the cap?, do you get marked off (booked in your case)? We can get 10 hours undisturbed rest so the phone will ring is 12 hours. And for heavyd come and work on a US line and then try to mark off, its darn near imposible. So when people complain they are tired its for a reason.

[heavyd]

Yah, I was just going to say... The hours do suck, but I have never been too tired to go back. I always took the 24 hours, or booked off if I was getting over my head. I think the biggest thing is lifestyle. If you get your rest when you should you will be ok. I was only tired when I was "bad" and went out when I knew I would get minimum sleep if the call came as soon as I was off rest. The money is good, if you are tired from working then you must be working alot! If you are working alot then you are making GOOD money. I don't feel sorry for people who work, work, work and make great money and then female dog that they are tired!

[Anonymous]

hi,as a 20yr railroader for cn i can tell u, u better consider the family ramifications of your future job!! the money is good but [especially the american roads] work their employees to death....think about how being away for say 30 hours then home for eight and then called again for work will play on your married life!! making good money is fine but no weekends off,called at all hours,and little home time make a good recipe for divorce!!...not to mention head on collision when the crew falls asleep because of exaustion....read the newswire and see that most head on's occur in the wee hours of the morning...in canada we can book 24 hrs rest at the home terminal and have milage limits of 3800 miles for engineman and 4300 for conductors....i believe our american brothers and sisters have no such provisions

[Anonymous]

Hey Rodney,
Just wanted to know the longest period you have been away from home, my primary recall location will also be in Richmond, CA which is great, do you know anything about that location for example the work enviorment, xtra board, busyness, ect. I'm getting closer to class date and should be getting something very soon. It seemed like BNSF was calling me when I took a drive down to Vegas because I saw a lot trains and it was BNSF calling my name. Also what your union, I sure would love to check out the contract.

Thanks,
Futrue BNSF conductor

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kevinstheRRman

I'm still not over the shock that they have Training in the first place...

Is this a late April fools day joke?

Man.. tough Crowd.

[Anonymous]

I'd agree with the advice given above regarding a leave of absence or furlough. Something where you can "keep your foot in the door" of your old job before you burn all your bridges behind you. The railroad is so different a job from any other that it's pretty difficult to know how you will like it until you've been in it. The pay you will get depends alot on where you will be working. If you work a major terminal along the transcon, that also has a large number of young employees (I'm referring to seniority, not necessarily age), you could be seeing close to triple-digit income in a few years. 70K or more is probably normal to expect if you work the road and don't layoff too much.

[moelarrycurly4]

what kind of starting pay for a trainman/ switchman