Your Last Day

[Anonymous]

This one comes up now & then in discussions. It's your last day on the rr. Ending a miserable career. You get called for the final job. What would you do? Accept the call but not show up, lay off on call, miss the call, take the call and show up to work then tell the company big wigs to take the job and shove it or everyones favorite; have someone arrange to meet you at a crossing somewhere and when the train gets there stop and get off. Its all in fun but interesting various thoughts of what some would do.

[kenneo]

Even if you do have it all signed, sealed and delivered, it can be rescinded. Even if you are several years into retirement. You can do all the things that you suggested (and I have seen other things done as well) but it is best all around to show up, do your job to the best of your ability, and then politely depart.

My experience is, however, if this is your "last run" or "last shift", and the company has an available extra man, he will be callied to cover your position and you will get to ride the cushions for the rest of the trip. If you have provided good service to the company, your local supervisors will not forget - nor will they neglect to let you know.

[MP173]

Do the job and take satisfaction in getting it done right...for the last time.

I had a similar experience years ago and i ended up having to cover for a second shift person (I was in management). So, I just did it and shut off the lights when I left.

ed

[edblysard]

Got to watch it happen just a few weeks ago...
Old timer engineer, number 1 on the roster, who had more than enough years in gave it up, his wife was ill and needed him home full time.
From what I understand, he used to come to work with his uncle back when he was a teenager, and this is the only place he has ever worked, at all.

He showed up, just like every other day, readied his motor, and did his job.
No noise, no complaining, no griping and, at his request, no ceremony from the brass.

They did give him get a quit that day.

He tied the motor down when they were done, came in, tied up at the computer, went back and took the few things left in his locker, dumped them in a grocery bag...came back and left the bag and his grip outside the front door to the locker room...went back out to the yard, shook a few hands, then climbed back up on his motor, sat down on the engineers seat, put his hand on the controls one last time, and just sat there for a few minutes...
He finally shook his head a little, checked to make sure he had it all tied down right, and climbed back down.

He stood there a few seconds, then, of all things, patted the side of the motor, like you would pat a good horse on the flank, then he stepped out into the yard for one last look at the place he had spent so much time.

It took him a few seconds to realize everyone had stopped working...we were all watching him.

Someone, (I'm not telling him who, ever) started to clap...then one of the yard engineers started to sound off a grade crossing signal, and then the rest of them followed suit, and laid on with the horns and bells...the guys in the tower hit the big warning air horn on the side of the tower...

He grinned, shot us all the bird, walked over, picked up his grocery bag and grip, threw them in the back of his car, and drove off property.
Hope I am that lucky when I give it up...

Ed

[Modelcar]

....Never been a railroader but if I had been, the manner the above long time employee used to wind it up would be a very satisfactory way to say goodby to it all on the last day....One to look back on and be proud of.

[amtrakjackson]

Wow, Ed, that engineer had a great exit. With any luck, mine wilI be similar, someday. Hope he enjoys his retirement!

Ian Smith

[edblysard]

Well,
The guy had been there so long, he trained most of the engineers running for us now...and for the most part, he is a class act, and funny as all get out...
He has the attitude that you don’t let the little crap wear you down...you can choose to enjoy life, or choose to be miserable...he chose to enjoy..

[CNW 6000]

That'd be what I'd want if I worked for a RR...just how the above story went. Heck I can even picture it in my mind.

[MP173]

Ed:

That was first class.

ed

[bnsfkline]

Hope that will happen to me when I retire....I may be retiring from a combined -BNSF/KCS/CN/NS in 50 years

[Anonymous]

Most rr workers do provide good services to their employer but mgmt rarely cares. Just recently, we had a footboard ydmstr/eng frmn, who was very good at his job, got it done and rarely layed off. One night about 2200 he has a family emergency as his wife had a severe migrane headache and lost her vision for awhile. He calls the trnmstr to let him know he is leaving for the hospital. Trnmstr wanted to know if so so trks were switched and if paperwork was ready for a mainline pickup. Of course at the time this meant nothing. Frmn left to take care of what he had to do, yd was shut down until morning ,period. You would think that atleast the TM could show some slight concern for his employee--he never did. This is why most workers out on the ballast have bad feelings towards the company. As for me, I'll do my job on the last day but no gifts, speeches, handshakes or such. Just finish and get the heck out of there for the final time.