Very tough for young people starting out today. Around here houses start at a million dollars..condos can still be purchased for half that, and for that you get less than a thousand square feet. And now interest rates are going up. Even the hardest worker is going to struggle for a long time unless he or she gets help from family or a lucky break. Wages and salaries have not kept up..
UlrichVery tough for young people starting out today. Around here houses start at a million dollars..condos can still be purchased for half that, and for that you get less than a thousand square feet. And now interest rates are going up. Even the hardest worker is going to struggle for a long time unless he or she gets help from family or a lucky break. Wages and salaries have not kept up..
Of course, because most of us are in the USA, your prices are discounted against the US dollar.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Purchasers here generally get paid in Canadian dollars also..
BaltACDOf course, because most of us are in the USA, your prices are discounted against the US dollar.
Any way you look at it, one million either in Canadian or American dollars is pretty heavy money.
I have to ask Ulrich, how are the home prices if the prospective buyers go further out from the metropolitan areas? Young homebuyers who want "The nightlife, high life, and good-timin' friends" in the city are usually shocked when they find out what living in the city, any city, is really going to cost them.
Flintlock76 BaltACD Of course, because most of us are in the USA, your prices are discounted against the US dollar. Any way you look at it, one million either in Canadian or American dollars is pretty heavy money. I have ask Ulrich, how are the home prices if the prospective buyers go further out from the metropolitan areas? Young homebuyers who want "The nightlife, high life, and good-timin' friends" in the city are usually shocked when they find out what living in the city, any city, is really going to cost them.
BaltACD Of course, because most of us are in the USA, your prices are discounted against the US dollar.
I have ask Ulrich, how are the home prices if the prospective buyers go further out from the metropolitan areas? Young homebuyers who want "The nightlife, high life, and good-timin' friends" in the city are usually shocked when they find out what living in the city, any city, is really going to cost them.
Houses are much more affordable outside of the metro areas. My parents' house in Sherbrooke, Quebec sold for $163,000 in 2019... a nice 4000 square foot country estate with two acres of land in the countryside. Of course, wages are alot lower there, and moving to Quebec is out of the question altogether for people who don't speak French. Houses in Atlantic Canada are also much cheaper, but prices are climbing as so many people now are able to work remotely.. i.e. they can get the Toronto wage with the Nova Scotia cost of living. I guess it isn't all gloom and doom.. if I were 20 something today I would move to Monction or Pedicodiac.. or Kenora or maybe even stay in Sherbrooke..there's something to be said for sending your kids and grand kids to the same schools you went to..
In the late 80's I was forced into a situation of having to rent living space with another individual in his house. He had a sister that had approximately the same size and kind of house. Where I was living was outside Annapolis, MD; his sister was living near Palo Alto, CA. The Maryland house was on the market for approximately $150K, the similar house in CA was marketable at $750K.
As is said - Location, Location, Location.
Doubt Urich's house would be $1M were it on a 1/4 acre lot on the plains of Manitoba.
Yes absolutely.. location.. But if you're a locomotive engineer out of Toronto or you drive a bus here then you're likely living here too. The price of houses in Manitoba is really not relevant. The silver lining for some is that their jobs are now more portable.. if you're a software engineer or a consultant then you might be able to move to Manitoba without giving up your big city wage. The people who are the hardest hit are those who can't move.. the locomotive engineer with a million dollar mortgage.. I bet there are a few of them around here.
jeffhergert It took me about 90 minutes to post my reply. I kept getting a 403 Forbidden message. Finally went through. Jeff Jeff have found almost any type of odd puncination will cause a 403
It took me about 90 minutes to post my reply. I kept getting a 403 Forbidden message. Finally went through.
Jeff
Jeff have found almost any type of odd puncination will cause a 403
EDIT: @#$%&*+ Works by editing this post.
UlrichHouses are much more affordable outside of the metro areas.
Thanks Ulrich!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHE9vSty9N0
n012944 SD70Dude n012944 Those same people that choose "quality of life" over a higher wage are often the same ones who complain about being priced out of the housing market......Hmm Typical management response. Is it really too much to ask for both? If only I was management. Nothing is given to you, you have to work for it. As someone who didn't party through my 20's but worked many 16 hour days in the dispatch office, who left plenty of family party's early or arrived late to them because of the railroad I have little sympathy for those not willing to give it all for a house. Due to my choices in my 20's, I am able to enjoy my 40's, in a house worth a lot of money.
SD70Dude n012944 Those same people that choose "quality of life" over a higher wage are often the same ones who complain about being priced out of the housing market......Hmm Typical management response. Is it really too much to ask for both?
n012944 Those same people that choose "quality of life" over a higher wage are often the same ones who complain about being priced out of the housing market......Hmm
Those same people that choose "quality of life" over a higher wage are often the same ones who complain about being priced out of the housing market......Hmm
Typical management response. Is it really too much to ask for both?
If only I was management. Nothing is given to you, you have to work for it. As someone who didn't party through my 20's but worked many 16 hour days in the dispatch office, who left plenty of family party's early or arrived late to them because of the railroad I have little sympathy for those not willing to give it all for a house.
Due to my choices in my 20's, I am able to enjoy my 40's, in a house worth a lot of money.
A good number of our Dispatchers could also be easily mistaken for managers at times........
Since we're measuring, I too know the 'pain' of 16+ hour days/nights/whatevers, turns out of the AFHT, and missing all sorts of things because of the job.
I'm not a party animal either, but if you can't afford a house on 40 hrs/week, or if you have to work endlessly with no real schedule or days off, then something is wrong.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
That money talks,
I'll not deny.
I heard it once.
It said "Goodbye".
And with rampant inflation it is leaving all of us faster than ever.
Flintlock76 Ulrich Years ago the fax machines would hum away all day long... now they sit mostly silent. A big exception to that are hospitals and medical offices, they're still big users of faxes, or at least they were when I retired in 2018. Doctors and nurses like having that paper handy immediately, not running information through a computer and then to a printer. Not that they don't do the latter, but the fax was more efficient. A fax was also a lot easier to read than info off a smart phone screen.
Ulrich Years ago the fax machines would hum away all day long... now they sit mostly silent.
A big exception to that are hospitals and medical offices, they're still big users of faxes, or at least they were when I retired in 2018. Doctors and nurses like having that paper handy immediately, not running information through a computer and then to a printer. Not that they don't do the latter, but the fax was more efficient. A fax was also a lot easier to read than info off a smart phone screen.
Until about 3 or 5 years ago in a lot of places CN was completely dependent on fax, landline telephones (can't use cellphones while on duty), our antiquated two-way radio system, and mountains upon mountains of paper (every time you did work you got a whole brand new train journal).
Things have gradually started to change, fax has been replaced by scanning and emailing and our train journals and rulebooks are now on a company supplied tablet.
This is an interesting "layperson's primer" on the railroad industry published in February 2022 by CNBC, but some of the general statements about personnel that they make are actually a big cause of the current meltdown issues.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q79BHfxfaSI
SD70Dude n012944 SD70Dude n012944 Those same people that choose "quality of life" over a higher wage are often the same ones who complain about being priced out of the housing market......Hmm Typical management response. Is it really too much to ask for both? If only I was management. Nothing is given to you, you have to work for it. As someone who didn't party through my 20's but worked many 16 hour days in the dispatch office, who left plenty of family party's early or arrived late to them because of the railroad I have little sympathy for those not willing to give it all for a house. Due to my choices in my 20's, I am able to enjoy my 40's, in a house worth a lot of money. A good number of our Dispatchers could also be easily mistaken for managers at times........
Why, because they expect you to do your job?
SD70Dude I'm not a party animal either, but if you can't afford a house on 40 hrs/week, or if you have to work endlessly with no real schedule or days off, then something is wrong.
I doubt there are many places where T&E can't afford to buy a house. It might not be a brand new 3000 square foot house on water in a golf cart community, but they are out there.
An "expensive model collector"
n012944 Why, because they expect you to do your job?
Backshop n012944 Why, because they expect you to do your job? That's just a little bit nasty (and uncalled for). I'm sure T&E crews do their jobs because that's the only way that they can get back home. Your continual undertone lets me know what you think of employees lower on the totem pole than you.
That's just a little bit nasty (and uncalled for). I'm sure T&E crews do their jobs because that's the only way that they can get back home. Your continual undertone lets me know what you think of employees lower on the totem pole than you.
There is no "totem pole". T&E are not below dispatchers, so I have no idea what you are talking about. And it seems you don't either
UP dispatchers are management.
In the past dispatchers were a bit higher than other crafts. Something like a management support position. Of course we're talking before the current micromanagement of everything.
The guy sitting on the left side of the video Balt linked to is a friend of mine. He's an engineer, currently working the extra board out of my home terminal. Although an engineer, he belongs to SMART-TD/Engineers instead of the BLE&T.
jeffhergertUP dispatchers are management. In the past dispatchers were a bit higher than other crafts. Something like a management support position. Of course we're talking before the current micromanagement of everything. The guy sitting on the left side of the video Balt linked to is a friend of mine. He's an engineer, currently working the extra board out of my home terminal. Although an engineer, he belongs to SMART-TD/Engineers instead of the BLE&T. Jeff
UP Dispatchers are non-contract. BNSF, NS & CSX Dispatchers are all contract employees. I don't know about CP/KCS & CN.
All Dispatchers are supervisory employees in that they have to coordinate and control the work action/functions of multiple classes of employees on a specific segment of track.
It is far too easy to fall into a us vs. them mindset during the heat of chaotic operations for whatever of the hundreds of reasons.
n012944 SD70Dude n012944 SD70Dude n012944 Those same people that choose "quality of life" over a higher wage are often the same ones who complain about being priced out of the housing market......Hmm Typical management response. Is it really too much to ask for both? If only I was management. Nothing is given to you, you have to work for it. As someone who didn't party through my 20's but worked many 16 hour days in the dispatch office, who left plenty of family party's early or arrived late to them because of the railroad I have little sympathy for those not willing to give it all for a house. Due to my choices in my 20's, I am able to enjoy my 40's, in a house worth a lot of money. A good number of our Dispatchers could also be easily mistaken for managers at times........ Why, because they expect you to do your job?
I was thinking more of the ones who always have a arrogant, condescending attitude and talk down to crews on the radio. Or those who just want to dictate the plan and never ask for our opinion or advice in tough or unusual situations, or when they are working a territory they are not familiar with.
This is definitely a two-way street, there are plenty of conductors and engineers who think they could do a better job and aren't afraid to 'inform' the dispatcher of their opinion.
n012944 SD70Dude I'm not a party animal either, but if you can't afford a house on 40 hrs/week, or if you have to work endlessly with no real schedule or days off, then something is wrong. I doubt there are many places where T&E can't afford to buy a house. It might not be a brand new 3000 square foot house on water in a golf cart community, but they are out there.
I would find it very difficult to afford a house in Toronto or Vancouver and likely Montreal, especially if I were working a yard assignment. Edmonton and Calgary aren't quite at that point yet, but house prices just seem to keep rising.....
On the other hand if you're willing to transfer to somewhere like Chetwynd, McLennan or Humboldt the prices become a lot more reasonable.
SD70Dude A good number of our Dispatchers could also be easily mistaken for managers at times........ Why, because they expect you to do your job? I was thinking more of the ones who always have a arrogant, condescending attitude and talk down to crews on the radio. Or those who just want to dictate the plan and never ask for our opinion or advice in tough or unusual situations, or when they are working a territory they are not familiar with. This is definitely a two-way street, there are plenty of conductors and engineers who think they could do a better job and aren't afraid to 'inform' the dispatcher of their opinion.
A good number of our Dispatchers could also be easily mistaken for managers at times........ Why, because they expect you to do your job?
One thing that can't be overlooked - Dispatchers are people. People all have different viewpoints in seeing what a problem is and how to solve that problem. there are two or more political parties in the civic lives of our countries - each offering different views on what the problems are and what the solutions to those problems are.
There are Dispachers that solicit ideas from those they supervise; there are Dispatchers that don't and feel the know all they need to know about what they are facing on a daily basis. There are Dispatchers that fall in between the extremes. Dispatchers are people, and like all people vary greatly.
Yes, they're people.. and different viewpoints are great. The trouble starts when levels of competence and attitudes aren't up to snuff.
UlrichYes, they're people.. and different viewpoints are great. The trouble starts when levels of competence and attitudes aren't up to snuff.
As in anything - cream rises to the top. Those with bad levels of competence and attitude generally get frustrated and move on to other endeavors - some never find a job that fits them and become frustrated old people that are against everything that happens in the world - featuring that the world is specifically against THEM.
As humans we do in fact make the enviornment in which we live and work.
BaltACDAs in anything - cream rises to the top.
Overmod BaltACD As in anything - cream rises to the top. And so does scum.
BaltACD As in anything - cream rises to the top.
And so does scum.
When you are dealing with a septic tank.
BaltACD SD70Dude A good number of our Dispatchers could also be easily mistaken for managers at times........ Why, because they expect you to do your job? I was thinking more of the ones who always have a arrogant, condescending attitude and talk down to crews on the radio. Or those who just want to dictate the plan and never ask for our opinion or advice in tough or unusual situations, or when they are working a territory they are not familiar with. This is definitely a two-way street, there are plenty of conductors and engineers who think they could do a better job and aren't afraid to 'inform' the dispatcher of their opinion. One thing that can't be overlooked - Dispatchers are people. People all have different viewpoints in seeing what a problem is and how to solve that problem. there are two or more political parties in the civic lives of our countries - each offering different views on what the problems are and what the solutions to those problems are. There are Dispachers that solicit ideas from those they supervise; there are Dispatchers that don't and feel the know all they need to know about what they are facing on a daily basis. There are Dispatchers that fall in between the extremes. Dispatchers are people, and like all people vary greatly.
Sometimes it's not the dispatcher, but their boss sitting behind the trick dispatcher.
I'm thinking of one I just heard a few days ago who told the trick dispatcher to "think outside of the box" when telling him to set up a meet at a CTC siding between two trains. Neither of which fit in the siding. He was the trick dispatcher's boss, but I don't believe ever sat in the actual chair.
That's the trouble with our's being company officers. Instead of a career path within the dispatching sphere, people go in and out as they rise up the ladder.
jeffhergert BaltACD SD70Dude A good number of our Dispatchers could also be easily mistaken for managers at times........ Why, because they expect you to do your job? I was thinking more of the ones who always have a arrogant, condescending attitude and talk down to crews on the radio. Or those who just want to dictate the plan and never ask for our opinion or advice in tough or unusual situations, or when they are working a territory they are not familiar with. This is definitely a two-way street, there are plenty of conductors and engineers who think they could do a better job and aren't afraid to 'inform' the dispatcher of their opinion. One thing that can't be overlooked - Dispatchers are people. People all have different viewpoints in seeing what a problem is and how to solve that problem. there are two or more political parties in the civic lives of our countries - each offering different views on what the problems are and what the solutions to those problems are. There are Dispachers that solicit ideas from those they supervise; there are Dispatchers that don't and feel the know all they need to know about what they are facing on a daily basis. There are Dispatchers that fall in between the extremes. Dispatchers are people, and like all people vary greatly. Sometimes it's not the dispatcher, but their boss sitting behind the trick dispatcher. I'm thinking of one I just heard a few days ago who told the trick dispatcher to "think outside of the box" when telling him to set up a meet at a CTC siding between two trains. Neither of which fit in the siding. He was the trick dispatcher's boss, but I don't believe ever sat in the actual chair. That's the trouble with our's being company officers. Instead of a career path within the dispatching sphere, people go in and out as they rise up the ladder. Jeff
I had supervisors who thought that because the sidings showed being the same size on the model board representation that the sidings were the same size in the field. On the model board representation a 10K foot siding looks the same as a 3K foot siding. Such a misunderstanding can create grevious decisions by the unknowing with more rank than brains.
Had a supervisor prioritize three auto rack trains down the W&A into Atlanta despite the trains would be blocking out operations at Atlanta because those particular trains had Assigned crews with a specified on duty time. With the priority the trains would be sitting in Atlanta for 4 to 5 hours - using track space that other trains needed.
Note - these supervisors had had their position for a number of years.
BaltACD jeffhergert BaltACD SD70Dude A good number of our Dispatchers could also be easily mistaken for managers at times........ Why, because they expect you to do your job? I was thinking more of the ones who always have a arrogant, condescending attitude and talk down to crews on the radio. Or those who just want to dictate the plan and never ask for our opinion or advice in tough or unusual situations, or when they are working a territory they are not familiar with. This is definitely a two-way street, there are plenty of conductors and engineers who think they could do a better job and aren't afraid to 'inform' the dispatcher of their opinion. One thing that can't be overlooked - Dispatchers are people. People all have different viewpoints in seeing what a problem is and how to solve that problem. there are two or more political parties in the civic lives of our countries - each offering different views on what the problems are and what the solutions to those problems are. There are Dispachers that solicit ideas from those they supervise; there are Dispatchers that don't and feel the know all they need to know about what they are facing on a daily basis. There are Dispatchers that fall in between the extremes. Dispatchers are people, and like all people vary greatly. Sometimes it's not the dispatcher, but their boss sitting behind the trick dispatcher. I'm thinking of one I just heard a few days ago who told the trick dispatcher to "think outside of the box" when telling him to set up a meet at a CTC siding between two trains. Neither of which fit in the siding. He was the trick dispatcher's boss, but I don't believe ever sat in the actual chair. That's the trouble with our's being company officers. Instead of a career path within the dispatching sphere, people go in and out as they rise up the ladder. Jeff I had supervisors who thought that because the sidings showed being the same size on the model board representation that the sidings were the same size in the field. On the model board representation a 10K foot siding looks the same as a 3K foot siding. Such a misunderstanding can create grevious decisions by the unknowing with more rank than brains. Had a supervisor prioritize three auto rack trains down the W&A into Atlanta despite the trains would be blocking out operations at Atlanta because those particular trains had Assigned crews with a specified on duty time. With the priority the trains would be sitting in Atlanta for 4 to 5 hours - using track space that other trains needed. Note - these supervisors had had their position for a number of years.
This corridor manager was told the trains wouldn't fit. That's when he said you need to think outside the box. I don't believe there was any place either train could "double over" to clear.
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