I failed

[locomutt]

NORA, [#ditto] To all the above. And FIRST AND FOREMOST You haven't failed.
To actually fail at something,means that you haven't,or are not trying. This one I
know better than that. You have only had a "setback" Pick your self up and get on
that sucker again,and again,again if you have too.

Eolafan said "I think I can",etc. That's a great one to think;but possibly I might
change it to: "I Know I Can","I Know I Can", And I know you can.

While right at this particular moment,I can't think of any particular people,
but some of this countries greatest people haven't made the grade the
first time around.

Good Luck,Best Wishes and take that bull by the horns and show him who's Boss.

Walt

[ValleyX]

Well, try it again, it's really important that you be able to do this because you'd be faced by situations such as this many times. Really sorry to read your bad news, though.

[arbfbe]

When you turn in your equipment note the closeness to your passing the test and ask if you can retake it.
Go home and do a few finger tip push ups every day. Next time wear padded gloves no matter how hot it is and they wil make it easier on your fingers.
One sign of a switchman is they can always open up a jar of bottle with the strength they have in their hands.
Good luck.

[Overmod]

This is one of the easiest things to 'fix' I can think of, but it'll require some discipline.

First: You really DO need to be able to hang off the side of a car using only one hand for more than 'two minutes.' The initial question I'll ask is: "What made you have to let go at 1:56" -- was it a question of slipping strength, numbness, grip?

Once we know that, we can figure out the right combination of exercises for you to do to build up the right kinds of strength and stamina to pass the test. This won't require much effort or time, but needs to be 'designed' with care so you only build up what you need.

Believe me, your instructors wouldn't be encouraging you, let alone strongly, if they didn't believe in you!

[Anonymous]

DEAR NORA, PLEASE DONT BE MAD AT YOURSELF. JUST BE THANKFUL THAT YOU WERNT IN A SITUATION THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED YOU MORE GRIEF THAN JUST FAILING..LOOK IM 6FT 5IN 450 LBS I TRAINED AND WORKED OUT TO DO THE TASKS AT HAND WORING ON THE RAILROAD.. IM PRAYING FOR YOU NOT TO QUIT..GOOD LUCK ..........

[eolafan]

Nora, just remember those famous words..."I THINK I CAN, I THINK I CAN, I THINK I CAN", and you will!

[Junctionfan]

You may have failed this time, but next time it will be different. Look at it this way, you now know what they want so the next time,the test should be a snap.

Good luck,

Andrew

[cherokee woman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by UPTRAIN

Sorry to hear this, but I know with your determination you'll get back on and in a few months we will be speaking with a qualified conductor. You can't feel too sorry for yourself because many people passed up an opprotunity to get hired and never had the chance again. You are truly blessed to have had the desire to work for a railroad at this time. Many years in the past have bought layoffs and long dry spells for hiring. I really hope they are hiring when I get that age.

Nora,

Just don't give up. You've made it this far. With your determination and willpower,
I KNOW you will succeed!! Go for it again, dear heart, and you'll succeed!!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by UPTRAIN

Sorry to hear this, but I know with your determination you'll get back on and in a few months we will be speaking with a qualified conductor. You can't feel too sorry for yourself because many people passed up an opprotunity to get hired and never had the chance again. You are truly blessed to have had the desire to work for a railroad at this time. Many years in the past have bought layoffs and long dry spells for hiring. I really hope they are hiring when I get that age.

Zach put it very well. I am one of the people who passed on my best chance to get on with a railroad and have never had as good a chance since. And yes I am still kicking myself memtally because of it.

I am sorry to hear you missed it by only a few second. But now you know what to expect and might be able to actually find a way to practice and improve on your time.

Best Wishes and Good Luck.

[Mikeygaw]

[:O][:(][:(]

I am very sorry to hear that Nora
make sure you stick at and try again, and not just say that you will...
you made it this far, i know you can go all the way

[UPTRAIN]

Sorry to hear this, but I know with your determination you'll get back on and in a few months we will be speaking with a qualified conductor. You can't feel too sorry for yourself because many people passed up an opprotunity to get hired and never had the chance again. You are truly blessed to have had the desire to work for a railroad at this time. Many years in the past have bought layoffs and long dry spells for hiring. I really hope they are hiring when I get that age.

[Nora]

That's really the only way I can put it...I failed one of my tests at class in Georgia on Friday night, and I was sent home. I am really mad at myself, but I was strongly encouraged by my instructors to reapply and plan to do that.

The test involved hanging on the side of a car with one hand and giving hand signals with the other for two minutes. I made it as close as 1:56, so with some work I know I can do it. I was the seventh person to be sent home that day and they hadn't even gotten to the third shift yet.

Well, I have a couple dumb looking hats and a couple funny stories to remember my misadventure in Georgia. I plan to spend the rest of the day feeling really, really sorry for myself, then tomorrow I'll go turn in my equipment, talk to the superintendent and start working on getting back down to Georgia.