RR Employment: What am I doing wrong?

[edblysard]

Yes Tim,
They do.
In fact they check you through the FBI also.
If you have a DUI, or DWI, you dont get hired. If your a current employee, and you have either, you lose your engineer license.
Kinda hard to set up your own mafia now that you put it out on a public web site.
Mookie was all set to knock over a Hersey's boxcar, but noooo...someone had to go and talk.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[edblysard]

Yes Tim,
They do.
In fact they check you through the FBI also.
If you have a DUI, or DWI, you dont get hired. If your a current employee, and you have either, you lose your engineer license.
Kinda hard to set up your own mafia now that you put it out on a public web site.
Mookie was all set to knock over a Hersey's boxcar, but noooo...someone had to go and talk.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard
Mookie was all set to knock over a Hersey's boxcar, but noooo...someone had to go and talk.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[V] The blabbermouth! I will get them for that, too! Just as soon as I find out who!

Mookie

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard
Mookie was all set to knock over a Hersey's boxcar, but noooo...someone had to go and talk.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[V] The blabbermouth! I will get them for that, too! Just as soon as I find out who!

Mookie

[wabash1]

Ed

Just because you get a dui dont mean you lose your engineers lic. if you have a dui before going to engine service you wont get one. but the last person who recieved a dui on our road was watch continously to see if he showed up drunk. if there been a problem then he was to be fired.

[wabash1]

Ed

Just because you get a dui dont mean you lose your engineers lic. if you have a dui before going to engine service you wont get one. but the last person who recieved a dui on our road was watch continously to see if he showed up drunk. if there been a problem then he was to be fired.

[Anonymous]

Well, I received a response from BNSF for a system engineer (IT) job that I currently have experience in.
I got the generic automated response letter to my online application saying blah blah blah adios, etc.
Maybe they will be more interested in me for the positions I am "not" already qualified for.
LOL!

[Anonymous]

Well, I received a response from BNSF for a system engineer (IT) job that I currently have experience in.
I got the generic automated response letter to my online application saying blah blah blah adios, etc.
Maybe they will be more interested in me for the positions I am "not" already qualified for.
LOL!

[JoeKoh]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard
Mookie was all set to knock over a Hersey's boxcar, but noooo...someone had to go and talk.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[V] The blabbermouth! I will get them for that, too! Just as soon as I find out who!

Mookie

its hard for Matt to talk with all that chocolate in his mouth[:p]
My understanding is CSX is training in Cincinnati and you'd be placed up at walbridge yard in toledo.good luck
stay safe
Joe

[JoeKoh]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard
Mookie was all set to knock over a Hersey's boxcar, but noooo...someone had to go and talk.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

[V] The blabbermouth! I will get them for that, too! Just as soon as I find out who!

Mookie

its hard for Matt to talk with all that chocolate in his mouth[:p]
My understanding is CSX is training in Cincinnati and you'd be placed up at walbridge yard in toledo.good luck
stay safe
Joe

[Anonymous]

Here are a few basic truths about working on the railroad.

1. The railroad is a difficult place to work, but the compensation is significant when compared to many jobs at a similar level with other industrial concerns.

2. Railroads have high turnover in certain areas particularly train and engine service. I have heard figures as high as 90% quit in the first 5 years. In my experience it is not that high, but it is higher than many jobs because of the nature of the work. (24/7 call, on the road and away from family, no social life, etc)

3. It takes a certain independent kind of woman to be a railroad wife. My wife refers to herself as a "Railroad Widow".

4. Other jobs on the railroad have issues too and pay is not as good as TY&E. Take for example the Signal Maintainer having a large district. Called out in the worst weather to fix signals and interlockings or make sure the switch heaters work. MOW folks laboring in the hot sun or extreme cold with heavy steel and ties, always looking over your shoulder to avoid that pasing train... The Dispatcher struggling to keep the railroad fluid with too much territory to ever know. Even the Train Master and Roadforeman with too many employees to supervise and unrealistic demands and quotas passed down from more senior management.

Working on the railroad is no picnic and it isn't always as good as it looks.

That said, where else can someone with a high school level of education reach a position to earn $80,000+ annually (in the past this could be $100,000+, but new employees don't have many of the old agreement rights that pre-85 hires have. Even that is changing in the most recent agreements with trip rates and other new methods of pay.

There is also, of course the side benefits of getting to run the train, not that anyone would hire out for that...[;)]

LC

[Anonymous]

Here are a few basic truths about working on the railroad.

1. The railroad is a difficult place to work, but the compensation is significant when compared to many jobs at a similar level with other industrial concerns.

2. Railroads have high turnover in certain areas particularly train and engine service. I have heard figures as high as 90% quit in the first 5 years. In my experience it is not that high, but it is higher than many jobs because of the nature of the work. (24/7 call, on the road and away from family, no social life, etc)

3. It takes a certain independent kind of woman to be a railroad wife. My wife refers to herself as a "Railroad Widow".

4. Other jobs on the railroad have issues too and pay is not as good as TY&E. Take for example the Signal Maintainer having a large district. Called out in the worst weather to fix signals and interlockings or make sure the switch heaters work. MOW folks laboring in the hot sun or extreme cold with heavy steel and ties, always looking over your shoulder to avoid that pasing train... The Dispatcher struggling to keep the railroad fluid with too much territory to ever know. Even the Train Master and Roadforeman with too many employees to supervise and unrealistic demands and quotas passed down from more senior management.

Working on the railroad is no picnic and it isn't always as good as it looks.

That said, where else can someone with a high school level of education reach a position to earn $80,000+ annually (in the past this could be $100,000+, but new employees don't have many of the old agreement rights that pre-85 hires have. Even that is changing in the most recent agreements with trip rates and other new methods of pay.

There is also, of course the side benefits of getting to run the train, not that anyone would hire out for that...[;)]

LC

[mikeyuhas]

Hey ney1815,

Another avenue you might wi***o consider is getting trained *before* you go out railroadin'. For instance, you might care to speak with the people at Modoc Railroad Academy (as advertised in TRAINS magazine) about their programs, and how they might be able to assist with placement.

Kind regards,
Mike

[mikeyuhas]

Hey ney1815,

Another avenue you might wi***o consider is getting trained *before* you go out railroadin'. For instance, you might care to speak with the people at Modoc Railroad Academy (as advertised in TRAINS magazine) about their programs, and how they might be able to assist with placement.

Kind regards,
Mike

[Anonymous]

Thanks Mike, I was considering doing so, except that elsewhere in these forums I have read numerous times that Railroads prefer to train you "their way".
There is a college just north of me which once offered an Associates Degree in Railroad Operations, but now just offers Dispatcher....
Since, I already have a Bachelors Degree I am not really interested in an Associates degree of any type.
However, I would like to take a course....CSX sounded good but you must live in the area to take the course at the Jacksonville School...I am in Texas...which disqualifies me.
I will check out MODAC if you all have a contrary opinion to whats already been posted about the schools...i.e. not to go.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Mike, I was considering doing so, except that elsewhere in these forums I have read numerous times that Railroads prefer to train you "their way".
There is a college just north of me which once offered an Associates Degree in Railroad Operations, but now just offers Dispatcher....
Since, I already have a Bachelors Degree I am not really interested in an Associates degree of any type.
However, I would like to take a course....CSX sounded good but you must live in the area to take the course at the Jacksonville School...I am in Texas...which disqualifies me.
I will check out MODAC if you all have a contrary opinion to whats already been posted about the schools...i.e. not to go.

[Anonymous]

MODAC Engineer Course is $12,000!

[Anonymous]

MODAC Engineer Course is $12,000!

[oltmannd]

Try the mgt training program(s). Here's a link to the NS http://www.nscorp.com/nscorp/application?pageid=Careers&category=Careers&contentId=english/nscorp/careers/management_trainees.html

[oltmannd]

Try the mgt training program(s). Here's a link to the NS http://www.nscorp.com/nscorp/application?pageid=Careers&category=Careers&contentId=english/nscorp/careers/management_trainees.html

[Anonymous]

Thanks, i went ahead and applied.
Hopefully NS will work out better than my luck with BNSF....
As I just received another automated application response from BNSF.
They are not interested in interviewing me for Conductor School.
Ugh.....

Maybe I should work for free.
[:)]

[Anonymous]

Thanks, i went ahead and applied.
Hopefully NS will work out better than my luck with BNSF....
As I just received another automated application response from BNSF.
They are not interested in interviewing me for Conductor School.
Ugh.....

Maybe I should work for free.
[:)]

[Anonymous]

The bad thing about these schools, is that you pay to be trained as a conductor, or even worse, pay to be Mr. engineer and guess what.........You still have to go to the class 1's training and that is if you have enough seniority to get the bid (for engineer). Yeah good luck! Ney, what's wrong with an Associates degree? Your Bachelor's degree seems to be doing you no good now.
Ken

[Anonymous]

The bad thing about these schools, is that you pay to be trained as a conductor, or even worse, pay to be Mr. engineer and guess what.........You still have to go to the class 1's training and that is if you have enough seniority to get the bid (for engineer). Yeah good luck! Ney, what's wrong with an Associates degree? Your Bachelor's degree seems to be doing you no good now.
Ken

[Anonymous]

Hey Ken...the problem is the time it takes to get an Associates in RR versus a certificate.
Time is not on my side right now.
To be honest I am not even sure what to take anymore.
I have no RR experience, but I do have brains, am physically strong and tough, experienced with shift work , and ex military.
Hell, I would love a Shop Laborer Job here in Houston for UP which is just cleaning and servicing Engines, and moving them around the yard.
I applied for it...and waiting for a response...hey its a start!
Hell, I will even clean the Engine toilets!
Im sure thats in the job description.
[:)]

[Anonymous]

Hey Ken...the problem is the time it takes to get an Associates in RR versus a certificate.
Time is not on my side right now.
To be honest I am not even sure what to take anymore.
I have no RR experience, but I do have brains, am physically strong and tough, experienced with shift work , and ex military.
Hell, I would love a Shop Laborer Job here in Houston for UP which is just cleaning and servicing Engines, and moving them around the yard.
I applied for it...and waiting for a response...hey its a start!
Hell, I will even clean the Engine toilets!
Im sure thats in the job description.
[:)]

[jrw249]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

Here are a few basic truths about working on the railroad.

1. The railroad is a difficult place to work, but the compensation is significant when compared to many jobs at a similar level with other industrial concerns.

2. Railroads have high turnover in certain areas particularly train and engine service. I have heard figures as high as 90% quit in the first 5 years. In my experience it is not that high, but it is higher than many jobs because of the nature of the work. (24/7 call, on the road and away from family, no social life, etc)

3. It takes a certain independent kind of woman to be a railroad wife. My wife refers to herself as a "Railroad Widow".

4. Other jobs on the railroad have issues too and pay is not as good as TY&E. Take for example the Signal Maintainer having a large district. Called out in the worst weather to fix signals and interlockings or make sure the switch heaters work. MOW folks laboring in the hot sun or extreme cold with heavy steel and ties, always looking over your shoulder to avoid that pasing train... The Dispatcher struggling to keep the railroad fluid with too much territory to ever know. Even the Train Master and Roadforeman with too many employees to supervise and unrealistic demands and quotas passed down from more senior management.

Working on the railroad is no picnic and it isn't always as good as it looks.

That said, where else can someone with a high school level of education reach a position to earn $80,000+ annually (in the past this could be $100,000+, but new employees don't have many of the old agreement rights that pre-85 hires have. Even that is changing in the most recent agreements with trip rates and other new methods of pay.

There is also, of course the side benefits of getting to run the train, not that anyone would hire out for that...[;)]

LC

[jrw249]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

Here are a few basic truths about working on the railroad.

1. The railroad is a difficult place to work, but the compensation is significant when compared to many jobs at a similar level with other industrial concerns.

2. Railroads have high turnover in certain areas particularly train and engine service. I have heard figures as high as 90% quit in the first 5 years. In my experience it is not that high, but it is higher than many jobs because of the nature of the work. (24/7 call, on the road and away from family, no social life, etc)

3. It takes a certain independent kind of woman to be a railroad wife. My wife refers to herself as a "Railroad Widow".

4. Other jobs on the railroad have issues too and pay is not as good as TY&E. Take for example the Signal Maintainer having a large district. Called out in the worst weather to fix signals and interlockings or make sure the switch heaters work. MOW folks laboring in the hot sun or extreme cold with heavy steel and ties, always looking over your shoulder to avoid that pasing train... The Dispatcher struggling to keep the railroad fluid with too much territory to ever know. Even the Train Master and Roadforeman with too many employees to supervise and unrealistic demands and quotas passed down from more senior management.

Working on the railroad is no picnic and it isn't always as good as it looks.

That said, where else can someone with a high school level of education reach a position to earn $80,000+ annually (in the past this could be $100,000+, but new employees don't have many of the old agreement rights that pre-85 hires have. Even that is changing in the most recent agreements with trip rates and other new methods of pay.

There is also, of course the side benefits of getting to run the train, not that anyone would hire out for that...[;)]

LC

[jrw249]

Conductors only start out around $30000 a year. Engineers make a couple bucks more a hour. How can they end up making $80000 to $100000 a year?

[jrw249]

Conductors only start out around $30000 a year. Engineers make a couple bucks more a hour. How can they end up making $80000 to $100000 a year?