I failed

[Anonymous]

While you didn't pass, you really didn't fail, either. You should be proudof yourself for going as long as you did andcoming very close. Ofcourse it isa disappointment to come so close and not make it, but you will definetly get it next time. And then, it will be all worth it! Keep it up! We're rooting for you!

[mudchicken]

Setback? - Yes
Failure? - NO

Keep pluggin' !

[CShaveRR]

I don't think I'd want to arm-wrestle with Nora! It's been decades since I've had to do my railroading from the side of a freight car.

Around here, the remote operators have to ride and control the hump shoves for the entire length of the lead, several thousand feet. That would involve holding on with one hand while one's operating the control.

I know I used to climb up to the bottom rung (as opposed to the stirrup) to ride the cars when I had to--I just figured that it was more comfortable for me, at my particular height.

And Nora, when I told Pat, her response was "She's going to try again, isn't she?". And that was before I mentioned the four-second figure. You've gotta go for it!

[jchnhtfd]

Hey Nora -- courage! And hang in there; I'm sure you can do it! Of course it's a disappointment now, but come back and have at the dang thing again. It's worth it!

[Anonymous]

Nora- I failed that test a good number of times-

Luckily I was allowed to redo it to give you the exact amount- well let's just say-- a few

I started pumping Iron, buying bigger garbage bagsand filling them to the top and taking them out, holding them up for longer- then putting them in the trash- and then after 2 months when i went back, 2 minutes felt like nothing, i could of held on for hours-

Trust me, just work on the arms and you'll do perfect next round.

[Anonymous]

At least it's fixable, as stated above it's a simple matter of building up your strength a little more.

If you can do something about it, you should, and you should be ready to go back for the next round..... at this time it seems that there will be lots of opportunities in the next few years, so just fix that and you can go do it all over again.

Good Luck!

[dehusman]

The thing that always made me realize how big a railcar or engine was was grabbing ahold of a moving car. It is a real jolt when it picks you up an carries you away, you instantly respect how small you are and how heavy it is.

Dave H.

[jeaton]

I assume that the test is made with a mock-up or a stationary car spotted over a "soft" landing. After you do the suggested strength training and you are again up for the test, convince yourself that letting go would cause you to drop into a switch stand or other less desireable landing area. I wouldn't suggest that anyone go into it without having passed the test, but you would be surprised at how danger can strengthen your grip and muscle stamina.

Not that it is necessarily the best way to do it, but I recall holding so tight that I could have been squeezing the juice out of the grab iron or railing.

Jay

[Anonymous]

don't feel bad, you made it farther than most people. i appied with NS twice and didn't even get close to an interview. i failed a personality test for CSX. you know how dumb that made me feel? so i re-took it and passed it. i never once gave up because i'm an extremely determined person. so hang in there and keep trying, if you want it bad enough it will happen.

[Randy Stahl]

Hi,
I found a computer to use here in Maine. I will check in as often as I can. I havn't got my own computer yet so I'm borrowing time on the storeroom computer.
Nora, A real failure is someonewho doesn't try...
Randy

[Willy2]

Nora - I'm really sorry to hear about that. As said by so many others, you have not failed. Keep on working at it!