RR Employment: What am I doing wrong?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for asking the question! The info recieved was informative and I hope more is on the way. I as well you will use the info recieved. Keep it coming!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for asking the question! The info recieved was informative and I hope more is on the way. I as well you will use the info recieved. Keep it coming!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 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?

Simple, first of all, what you make depends upon where you work and what you do. The $30,000 figure used by most RRs is based upon initial training pay and then assumes you go to a relatively low paying job on the RR. For example working a yard job 8 hours per day with no overtime. The places you can make more money is OT and on the road where you make money based upon mileage worked, not hours. There are also various "arbitrary payments" you may be entitled to under the agreements. Some of these can add literally a full days pay to your day (on CR a trainee working one minute of OT in a yard was a penalty day). Others add a few dollars here or there (working through lunch, or making a shove move for example). So, working the road or the extra board results in earnings much higher than those figures. Also, you make a LOT more when the railroad is congested and you are outlawing all over the place, like in the NS/CSX/CR deal or the UP/SP situation.

LC

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 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?

Simple, first of all, what you make depends upon where you work and what you do. The $30,000 figure used by most RRs is based upon initial training pay and then assumes you go to a relatively low paying job on the RR. For example working a yard job 8 hours per day with no overtime. The places you can make more money is OT and on the road where you make money based upon mileage worked, not hours. There are also various "arbitrary payments" you may be entitled to under the agreements. Some of these can add literally a full days pay to your day (on CR a trainee working one minute of OT in a yard was a penalty day). Others add a few dollars here or there (working through lunch, or making a shove move for example). So, working the road or the extra board results in earnings much higher than those figures. Also, you make a LOT more when the railroad is congested and you are outlawing all over the place, like in the NS/CSX/CR deal or the UP/SP situation.

LC

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ney1815

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.

First of all the name of the school is Modoc Railroad Academy, not MODAC.

Second, Modoc is far from the only school or even the best school for TY&E. For example the BNSF training center on the grounds of the Johnson County Community College (JCCC) just outside KC accepts outside applicants for their program as conductors. You will require a railroad sponsor for thei Locomotive Engineer program as you will anywhere if you ever want to get a card. Read 49 CFR 240 et seq. ONLY a common carrier railroad with an FRA approved 49 CFR 240 Program on file can certify a locomotive engineer. This is one reason that those training independently must repeat the RRs in house training for locomotive engineer certification.

Third, there is NO magic in having a bachelor's degree or an associate's degree in getting hired in TY&E service. I have not only a bachelor's, but a graduate professional degree and had both BEFORE hiring out on a Class 1 (I have worked for 2 Class 1s and a few Class 3 RRs as well). I think, if anything they made getting hired more difficult.

The fact that you are in Texas shouldn't hold you back. If you really want to work on the RR get ready to travel. You will have to go wherever you can hold to keep working on the RR when and if you do get hired. Based upon your responses so far, I am beginning to understand why perhaps you haven't been more successful so far. You need to realize that railroading is a way of life that will SUBSTANTIALLY change your life. Be prepared to adjust to it, if it is what you really want to do. It will not adjust to you.

Good luck,

LC

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ney1815

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.

First of all the name of the school is Modoc Railroad Academy, not MODAC.

Second, Modoc is far from the only school or even the best school for TY&E. For example the BNSF training center on the grounds of the Johnson County Community College (JCCC) just outside KC accepts outside applicants for their program as conductors. You will require a railroad sponsor for thei Locomotive Engineer program as you will anywhere if you ever want to get a card. Read 49 CFR 240 et seq. ONLY a common carrier railroad with an FRA approved 49 CFR 240 Program on file can certify a locomotive engineer. This is one reason that those training independently must repeat the RRs in house training for locomotive engineer certification.

Third, there is NO magic in having a bachelor's degree or an associate's degree in getting hired in TY&E service. I have not only a bachelor's, but a graduate professional degree and had both BEFORE hiring out on a Class 1 (I have worked for 2 Class 1s and a few Class 3 RRs as well). I think, if anything they made getting hired more difficult.

The fact that you are in Texas shouldn't hold you back. If you really want to work on the RR get ready to travel. You will have to go wherever you can hold to keep working on the RR when and if you do get hired. Based upon your responses so far, I am beginning to understand why perhaps you haven't been more successful so far. You need to realize that railroading is a way of life that will SUBSTANTIALLY change your life. Be prepared to adjust to it, if it is what you really want to do. It will not adjust to you.

Good luck,

LC

[Anonymous]

Ney, shop laborer work sucks! I wouldn't suggest the 'ol getting your foot in the door bit. Most class 1's won't allow craft transfer within the first year, or until a year after your apprenticeship program is complete. As L.C. said. The RR is a way of life! I got forced to a board that I don't wanna work on. I tied up at 2300 and I'll be back out in the morning. This 8-12 on and 8 off can go on indefinitely. I'm surprised that BNSF won't look at you. We have NHs that used to work at grocry stores, chicks that couldn't change a knuckle, and other asst. lots.
Ken

[Anonymous]

Ney, shop laborer work sucks! I wouldn't suggest the 'ol getting your foot in the door bit. Most class 1's won't allow craft transfer within the first year, or until a year after your apprenticeship program is complete. As L.C. said. The RR is a way of life! I got forced to a board that I don't wanna work on. I tied up at 2300 and I'll be back out in the morning. This 8-12 on and 8 off can go on indefinitely. I'm surprised that BNSF won't look at you. We have NHs that used to work at grocry stores, chicks that couldn't change a knuckle, and other asst. lots.
Ken

[Anonymous]

Oh I understand 100% that working for a RR completely changes your entire life.
I have never claimed the contrary.
LOL! Based on UP's job description I thought "Shop Laborer" sounded pretty cool.
I guess I am just easily pleased.
I worked 8-16 hr shifts before and during my military stint in all kinds of weather.
In addition, the 16 hour shifts were seperated by only 8 hours off and I had to wear a Chemical Suit in 100 degree weather with a Heat Index of 110-130+ for 8-12 hours for a week twice a year.
In fact, even with my white collar job right now, I only get 5-6 hours sleep.
I guess I am a glutton for punishment.

[Anonymous]

Oh I understand 100% that working for a RR completely changes your entire life.
I have never claimed the contrary.
LOL! Based on UP's job description I thought "Shop Laborer" sounded pretty cool.
I guess I am just easily pleased.
I worked 8-16 hr shifts before and during my military stint in all kinds of weather.
In addition, the 16 hour shifts were seperated by only 8 hours off and I had to wear a Chemical Suit in 100 degree weather with a Heat Index of 110-130+ for 8-12 hours for a week twice a year.
In fact, even with my white collar job right now, I only get 5-6 hours sleep.
I guess I am a glutton for punishment.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear


You need to realize that railroading is a way of life that will SUBSTANTIALLY change your life. Be prepared to adjust to it, if it is what you really want

Thats what I like about railroading, I do not view that as a negative.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear


You need to realize that railroading is a way of life that will SUBSTANTIALLY change your life. Be prepared to adjust to it, if it is what you really want

Thats what I like about railroading, I do not view that as a negative.

[wabash1]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 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?

Working the yard around here will pay more to a conductor. due to overtime same as engineer. then the road jobs but the just of the matter is the engineer works all the time on the train the conductor dont. and the differance in pay is more than a few bucks. about $15 more per hour. remeber the railroads want to see who is applying. the internet is a way to see the jobs but go to the hiring sessions. this is where you will get hired. and know it that day.

[wabash1]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 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?

Working the yard around here will pay more to a conductor. due to overtime same as engineer. then the road jobs but the just of the matter is the engineer works all the time on the train the conductor dont. and the differance in pay is more than a few bucks. about $15 more per hour. remeber the railroads want to see who is applying. the internet is a way to see the jobs but go to the hiring sessions. this is where you will get hired. and know it that day.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ney1815

Oh I understand 100% that working for a RR completely changes your entire life.
I have never claimed the contrary.
LOL! Based on UP's job description I thought "Shop Laborer" sounded pretty cool.
I guess I am just easily pleased.
I worked 8-16 hr shifts before and during my military stint in all kinds of weather.
In addition, the 16 hour shifts were seperated by only 8 hours off and I had to wear a Chemical Suit in 100 degree weather with a Heat Index of 110-130+ for 8-12 hours for a week twice a year.
In fact, even with my white collar job right now, I only get 5-6 hours sleep.
I guess I am a glutton for punishment.

That glutton for punishment thing will serve you well. I as well as others with military backgrounds tend to do fairly well on the RR. Also, in my experience RRs like hiring ex-Mils. Some things are similar to the military, such as the old "hurry up and wait" experience. Arbitrary and capricious supervision is another (some even wear fatigues and watch you through night vision devices).

On the other hand, at least in the military you knew when you were going into the field or being deployed and knew you would be going away for some period of time (known or unknown). On the RR it is truly 24/7 from the day you get on the property until you quit or retire. Even having an assigned job (like me, finally, at least until after deer season) the caller will still try to get you to take an extra train when they don't have anybody else. This means NEVER being able to plan anything, sleeping in your car as much as at home, missing all sorts of important events (births, deaths, Christmas, anniversaries, weddings, etc), always eating on the run, and many other things that will affect the quality of your life in ways you can't now imagine.

I am not saying don't do it, I am saying you need to be absolutely flexible as the railroad is unbending.

LC

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ney1815

Oh I understand 100% that working for a RR completely changes your entire life.
I have never claimed the contrary.
LOL! Based on UP's job description I thought "Shop Laborer" sounded pretty cool.
I guess I am just easily pleased.
I worked 8-16 hr shifts before and during my military stint in all kinds of weather.
In addition, the 16 hour shifts were seperated by only 8 hours off and I had to wear a Chemical Suit in 100 degree weather with a Heat Index of 110-130+ for 8-12 hours for a week twice a year.
In fact, even with my white collar job right now, I only get 5-6 hours sleep.
I guess I am a glutton for punishment.

That glutton for punishment thing will serve you well. I as well as others with military backgrounds tend to do fairly well on the RR. Also, in my experience RRs like hiring ex-Mils. Some things are similar to the military, such as the old "hurry up and wait" experience. Arbitrary and capricious supervision is another (some even wear fatigues and watch you through night vision devices).

On the other hand, at least in the military you knew when you were going into the field or being deployed and knew you would be going away for some period of time (known or unknown). On the RR it is truly 24/7 from the day you get on the property until you quit or retire. Even having an assigned job (like me, finally, at least until after deer season) the caller will still try to get you to take an extra train when they don't have anybody else. This means NEVER being able to plan anything, sleeping in your car as much as at home, missing all sorts of important events (births, deaths, Christmas, anniversaries, weddings, etc), always eating on the run, and many other things that will affect the quality of your life in ways you can't now imagine.

I am not saying don't do it, I am saying you need to be absolutely flexible as the railroad is unbending.

LC

[Anonymous]

Try here. They will help you get on somewhere:
http://www.modocrailroadacademy.com/

[Anonymous]

Try here. They will help you get on somewhere:
http://www.modocrailroadacademy.com/

[Rodney Beck]

Hi Ney1815 your best bet for railroad employment is to go to their web sites here are a few www.bnsf.com, www.uprr.com, www.nscorp.com and www.csx.com they are your best bets. They have a employment section. The up is hireing for conductor positions all over it's system. Rodney Beck conductor BNSF

[Rodney Beck]

Hi Ney1815 your best bet for railroad employment is to go to their web sites here are a few www.bnsf.com, www.uprr.com, www.nscorp.com and www.csx.com they are your best bets. They have a employment section. The up is hireing for conductor positions all over it's system. Rodney Beck conductor BNSF

[Anonymous]

Well I have said it before and will say it again. The best way to get on with a railroad is to have relatives working there already. EVERYONE I know who has been hired by UP around here has relatives there. Everyone who has applied but didn't receive dilly squat didn't have relatives there. My dad told me while I was in high school it is not what you know BUT WHO you know. I didn't believe him then, but sure do now. It seems as HE grew older HE grew smarter. [;)] [}:)] [:D]

[Anonymous]

Well I have said it before and will say it again. The best way to get on with a railroad is to have relatives working there already. EVERYONE I know who has been hired by UP around here has relatives there. Everyone who has applied but didn't receive dilly squat didn't have relatives there. My dad told me while I was in high school it is not what you know BUT WHO you know. I didn't believe him then, but sure do now. It seems as HE grew older HE grew smarter. [;)] [}:)] [:D]

[Anonymous]

The way things are going in my terminal this summer, i can probably make 30K this summer alone! I just marked up two weeks ago and I"m averaging 7 time tickets a week, and that's with an off day! I'm called out on my rest almost every time. Staying marked up in my terminal is all you need to do to make money. All I know is that my terminal has had a 50% increase in trains compared to last year with about a third less manpower. Well, I gotta get on an AutoRack train to Chicago, see ya!

[Anonymous]

The way things are going in my terminal this summer, i can probably make 30K this summer alone! I just marked up two weeks ago and I"m averaging 7 time tickets a week, and that's with an off day! I'm called out on my rest almost every time. Staying marked up in my terminal is all you need to do to make money. All I know is that my terminal has had a 50% increase in trains compared to last year with about a third less manpower. Well, I gotta get on an AutoRack train to Chicago, see ya!

[Anonymous]

Nathan [:)]

Must be nice. Honk the horn once for me. [;)]

Oh, and RING THE BELL. [:D] [:D] [:D]

[Anonymous]

Nathan [:)]

Must be nice. Honk the horn once for me. [;)]

Oh, and RING THE BELL. [:D] [:D] [:D]

[wallyworld]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

Well I have said it before and will say it again. The best way to get on with a railroad is to have relatives working there already. EVERYONE I know who has been hired by UP around here has relatives there. Everyone who has applied but didn't receive dilly squat didn't have relatives there. My dad told me while I was in high school it is not what you know BUT WHO you know. I didn't believe him then, but sure do now. It seems as HE grew older HE grew smarter. [;)] [}:)] [:D]

I agree with you. On two different roads there was a group of us all applying for one job. All of us did well on the exams. In both circumstances there were comparitive kids who could not have been greener if they had foliage sprouting from their armpits. In each circumstance, it was apparent these "kids" were already known to those applying the test as they greeted them by name and enquired about their relations and what position they held before any test was given. The rest of us quietly exchanged disheartened looks of dismay tinged with disgust with one
another. One fellow turned to me and whispered, "We might as well all go home.."In both cases, the less experienced guys who had family working for the road got the jobs. One fellow was pretty upset as we walked away from the office back to our cars and proclaimed the whole situation was a set up and we were just used as props for the "process." whose outcome had
already been determined. I was not that upset, however I could not help but walk away from both experiences thinking what a bizarre experience it had been and how skewed the supposedly objective evaluation had been. It reminded me of dealing with aldermen in Chicago. Anything can be fixed. And so it goes.

[wallyworld]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

Well I have said it before and will say it again. The best way to get on with a railroad is to have relatives working there already. EVERYONE I know who has been hired by UP around here has relatives there. Everyone who has applied but didn't receive dilly squat didn't have relatives there. My dad told me while I was in high school it is not what you know BUT WHO you know. I didn't believe him then, but sure do now. It seems as HE grew older HE grew smarter. [;)] [}:)] [:D]

I agree with you. On two different roads there was a group of us all applying for one job. All of us did well on the exams. In both circumstances there were comparitive kids who could not have been greener if they had foliage sprouting from their armpits. In each circumstance, it was apparent these "kids" were already known to those applying the test as they greeted them by name and enquired about their relations and what position they held before any test was given. The rest of us quietly exchanged disheartened looks of dismay tinged with disgust with one
another. One fellow turned to me and whispered, "We might as well all go home.."In both cases, the less experienced guys who had family working for the road got the jobs. One fellow was pretty upset as we walked away from the office back to our cars and proclaimed the whole situation was a set up and we were just used as props for the "process." whose outcome had
already been determined. I was not that upset, however I could not help but walk away from both experiences thinking what a bizarre experience it had been and how skewed the supposedly objective evaluation had been. It reminded me of dealing with aldermen in Chicago. Anything can be fixed. And so it goes.

[Anonymous]

I've read all the replies and must agree with many - that the workers on the RR like to walk on the road less often traveled. Working for many years in IS/IT type work in which I needed to support a computer system 24x7, 365.25 days / year, meant that when the rest of the world was enjoying a 3-day weekend, most likely I wasn't.

I know the few hours I spend next to the rails watching those people who can climb up into the 'heart' of the train and release the power that makes my heart swell with pride, too many times need to do this in snowy, rainy, and when they aren't feeling too good.

I know the very rare times (and I mean very, VERY rare times) that when watching a train the engineer or conductor, will invite me inside the cab of one of these road units while they swicth-out the train - i know that this will be the extent of my time inside an engine.

For those of you who like to walk the road that most people don't, and are lucky enough to find a partner who can handle you missing birthdays, births, anniversarys - then I envy you. Oh to be young again (I'll be 50 in October) since I am a walker of that road I would be a perfect candidate for this type of job.

******************************************************

Does anyone know where the main data-centers are for the RRs? I read more and more about GPS technology helping the RRs environment. If the RRs are hiring IS/IT type work, and 50 is not too old, I would love to say that I work for a RR.

Bill (ww)

[Anonymous]

I've read all the replies and must agree with many - that the workers on the RR like to walk on the road less often traveled. Working for many years in IS/IT type work in which I needed to support a computer system 24x7, 365.25 days / year, meant that when the rest of the world was enjoying a 3-day weekend, most likely I wasn't.

I know the few hours I spend next to the rails watching those people who can climb up into the 'heart' of the train and release the power that makes my heart swell with pride, too many times need to do this in snowy, rainy, and when they aren't feeling too good.

I know the very rare times (and I mean very, VERY rare times) that when watching a train the engineer or conductor, will invite me inside the cab of one of these road units while they swicth-out the train - i know that this will be the extent of my time inside an engine.

For those of you who like to walk the road that most people don't, and are lucky enough to find a partner who can handle you missing birthdays, births, anniversarys - then I envy you. Oh to be young again (I'll be 50 in October) since I am a walker of that road I would be a perfect candidate for this type of job.

******************************************************

Does anyone know where the main data-centers are for the RRs? I read more and more about GPS technology helping the RRs environment. If the RRs are hiring IS/IT type work, and 50 is not too old, I would love to say that I work for a RR.

Bill (ww)