Train Conductor

[secks]

DenverDude2002:

Requirements ... a pulse, high school diploma, clean driving and criminal records, and preferably outdoor shift work experience. You have to be reasonably healthy and strong enough to carry an 80 lbs. knuckle in case the engineer f*cks up.

psysicx:

Depends on the RR. In the winter, NS and CSX (eastern US) guys can expect to be furloughed anywhere between one day and a month or so their first two years. This varies depending on winter bizniz. For BNSF and UP (western US) you can expect long, long furloughs for several years after hiring on. Luckily they have system-wide seniority so if the work dries up in Denver, you can head out to Needles if they need some extra bodies. Unfortunately, it's really hard to make money when you're always on the move.

falcon20driver:

I don't know if you're aware of this, but you HAVE to pay for training with CSX. It's not optional, unless you're already a conductor or engineer, and I seem to recall that they're even doing away with that caveat. That's just the way they do things, and I've heard that UP and BNSF are going to do the same. All the RRs are having a hell of a time dealing with the attrition rate, and this is one way to curb it. If you still think it's wrong, please, feel free to stop by your local CSX yard and tell everyone what you think.

 

[HMR]

When I was in high school we had to take an exam designed to find our suitability for different careers. Out of my entire class I was the only one to get "Train Conductor".

Now if I could only find that dream Pt.91 train gig...

PS- For all you train geeks: Pick up Nothing Like It In The World by Stephen Ambrose. It's an excellent history of the building of the transcontinental railroad. It's one of the best books I've read in the last few years.

 

[DX Rick]

Hijacking Thread:

See the train de-railment in California? Guy was trying to commit suicide by parking his SUV on the tracks. Train hits the SUV, de-rails killing 11 people. The guy attempting suicide is still alive facing 11 counts of murder....what luck, you loser!

Hijack over:

 

[falcon20driver]

falcon20driver:

I don't know if you're aware of this, but you HAVE to pay for training with CSX. It's not optional, unless you're already a conductor or engineer, and I seem to recall that they're even doing away with that caveat. That's just the way they do things, and I've heard that UP and BNSF are going to do the same. All the RRs are having a hell of a time dealing with the attrition rate, and this is one way to curb it. If you still think it's wrong, please, feel free to stop by your local CSX yard and tell everyone what you think.

You're funny dude, I'm highly aware that CSX is THE ONLY RR that has ever required pay for training, click the BN job listing link, I'll even post it for you https://secure.recruitingcenter.net/clients/bnsf/PublicJobs/Canviewjobs.cfm?
or ANY other RR, you won't find pay for training anywhere on their sites, nor the CN site, the highest paying RR there is.

My advice to the guy was to STAY WELL CLEAR OF THE ONLY PAY FOR TRAINING RR which is CSX.

My grandfather was an Engineer, my father was an Engineer for 33 years, and my brother has been an Engineer with CN for 7 years, I know a little about working for the RR. CSX is not the RR you want to work for.

 

[secks]

You're funny dude, I'm highly aware that CSX is THE ONLY RR that has ever required pay for training, click the BN job listing link, I'll even post it for you https://secure.recruitingcenter.net/clients/bnsf/PublicJobs/Canviewjobs.cfm?
or ANY other RR, you won't find pay for training anywhere on their sites, nor the CN site, the highest paying RR there is.

Did you even read what I wrote? Yes, as it is right now, CSX is the only Class I RR which requires payment for training. HOWEVER, rumor has it that this is going to change in the near future. In fact, I checked the UP employment site a few months ago and they had a conductor trainee position which required payment for training. Haven't checked since, but still .. this is probably going to be the norm soon.

Also, who told you that CN is the highest paying RR? I highly doubt that. At CSX on the W&A there is at least one local which pays around $130k/yr. I've heard of even higher-paying jobs on other roads, but not CN.

My advice to the guy was to STAY WELL CLEAR OF THE ONLY PAY FOR TRAINING RR which is CSX.

My grandfather was an Engineer, my father was an Engineer for 33 years, and my brother has been an Engineer with CN for 7 years, I know a little about working for the RR. CSX is not the RR you want to work for.

So what you're saying is that since you have to pay for training with CSX, it's "not the RR you want to work for"? Wrong. You despise PFT because it brings the pilot profession down a notch. Fair enough. The same is not true for CSX PFT. In fact, CSX is a very good RR to work for. Good QOL, good pay, good bennies. The reason that CSX PFT exists is not to exploit desperate workers, but to ensure that the applicants are motivated and to minimize attrition losses. CSX is one of the last roads out there to maintain a high QOL (sparse furloughs, guaranteed pay, temp. relocation bonuses, laid back bosses, etc) and that is exactly what people like you should appreciate. It's well worth the $4250 price tag.

 

[falcon20driver]

The BN doesn't have anything about paying for training, in fact it states BNSF conductor training program provided, and they even pay you well during training, I would call that a pretty good Class 1 to work for.

Link to the job posting below https://secure.recruitingcenter.net/clients/bnsf/PublicJobs/controller.cfm?jbaction=JobProfile&Job_Id=13916&esid=az

and a few more
Conductor Trainee GilletteWY 01/22/2005
Conductor Trainee WillmarMN 01/19/2005
Conductor Trainee SuperiorWI 01/19/2005
Conductor Trainee MinneapolisMN 01/19/2005
Conductor Trainee DenverCO 01/20/2005
Conductor Trainee La JuntaCO 01/20/2005
Conductor Trainee - Primary Recall Location San BernardinoCA 01/26/2005
Conductor Trainee - Primary Recall Location Los AngelesCA 01/26/2005

Conductor Trainee - Primary Recall Location
Location: San Bernardino, CA
Last Updated: 01/26/2005





Job Description:

All applicants will be notified by email regarding orientation, testing and interviews for this position. Please be sure to check your email on a daily basis.

Application Deadline: Midnight February 3, 2005.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION, PLEASE APPLY ONLINE AT www.bnsf.com/jobs. WE DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILED OR FAXED RESUMES. PLEASE DISREGARD ANY OTHER APPLICATION OPTIONS YOU MAY SEE ON THIS WEBSITE.

BNSF is committed to a safe and drug free work place. All applicants are required to undergo a hair drug test which detects the presence of illegal drugs for months prior to testing. Successful applicants may undergo additional drug testing, depending on the category of job worked. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping BNSF safe and drug free.


Conductors earn an average of $67,128. BNSF employees receive annual benefit packages averaging $22,986.

Duties:

Obtains/ receives relays and/or acts upon oral or written instructions/information from the conductor, dispatcher, switch foreman, yard master, or other personnel, in person or by other communication devices (e.g. radio, beeper, telephone). Operates various designs of track switches and derails in order to change the route of the engine or cars within yards or on the road. Checks switch point to make sure switch is properly aligned. Observes/ monitors track conditions (e.g. broken rails, defective switches, weather-related problems, etc.). Inspects train cars or other equipment before leaving the yard or when required. Applies and releases hand brakes. Observes condition of passing train and reports results to appropriate personnel. Gets on and off equipment while train is performing industrial station or yard switching, to set or release hand brakes or other duties. Rides moving car by hanging on grab irons or ladder, sometimes for extended periods of time. Prepares required reports such as time slips, delay reports, accident reports, etc. Observes, interprets and relays hand, lantern, and other signals affecting the movement of the train, and judges and controls the speed and clearance distance of cars.


This position is a "primary recall" position. Therefore, for a period of five (5) years (from the date of hire) “primary recall” employees stand for recall (in reverse seniority order) to the hire location until BNSF is able to hire additional employees at that location.


Qualifications:


High school diploma / GED required. Ability to work on-call 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. Ability to travel to job sites around the area and remain on site perhaps for days at a time. Weekend and holiday work required. BNSF conductor training program provided.

 

[Ill Mitch]

I wonder if there are any $80k Train Conductor Academies around?? I think Amtrak is still PFT........

http://www.modocrailroadacademy.com/


I don't think it is 80K tho.

 

[bobbysamd]

Railroads v. aviation

Very interesting discussion.

Of course, railroad workers have to join the Brotherhood (union).

 

[psysicx]

Awesome info.

 

[PCL_128]

I really can't believe this. You morons are actually arguing about RAILROAD PFT now!!!? On flightinfo? Get a life!

 

[Ill Mitch]

The BN doesn't have anything about paying for training, in fact it states BNSF conductor training program provided, and they even pay you well during training, I would call that a pretty good Class 1 to work for.QUOTE]

Give it a while, it will be there. If you want to be a train dispatcher with BNSF, you have to pay for training thru a community college. So, BNSF does it also.

Not to mention, comparing pft practices with the railraods and aviation is apples and oranges.

 

[HowlinMadMurdoc]

Heck, if the airline industry continues to slide downward and I get furloughed, maybe it'll be time to drive trains for a living

Both industries have a long and storied history and helped create the US.

HMM

 

[falcon20driver]

That's funny, comparing a sh!tty railroad (CSX) to a top notch airline, the BNSF would be a better comparison to Southwest.
I have a 737 type rating because that's the only way I could use my GI Bill to get an ATP certificate.

psysicx, here's one I would look into http://www.careerlink.org/emp/upr/po/008057.htm?house=1121&biscuit=974674211&clicks=5&doco=