Did you ever consider being a conductor?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by insipidtoast, Dec 28, 2016.

  1. Mr Ed

    Mr Ed Road Train Member

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    New regs , management sucked and he couldn't take the riders anymore. He did have some tough routes.
     
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  3. Flashdrive7

    Flashdrive7 Medium Load Member

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    I worked for several years in a direct customer service job. I got tired of the whining, endless questions and my boss literally telling me I had to kiss their ###. I could never picture myself walking up and down the aisle calling out "Next stop, Bent Fork Arkansas"

    Not enough of a people person I guess.
     
  4. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    Beiing a train conductor or work in any part of the railroad isn't as easy as that to get hired..They do pay very well but are also very strict and they do have to log all hours like the trk drivers.I was going to. work for a company shuttle driver hauling rr crew's to wherever they needed to go and while watching some videos and filling out paper work I talked to some guys for Union Pacific.
     
  5. CargoWahgo

    CargoWahgo Road Train Member

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    I can give you the head training guys number for BNSF (Chicago)if you want op. He can explain the process to you if its your dream job :). He used to be a AAA baseball ump. Don't know em all that great but we know each others name.

    Just know that if you talk on a cell phone driving a train its a 20000 fine :p
     
  6. C172Flyer

    C172Flyer Bobtail Member

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    I don't post much at all on here but this is something I know. I was a conductor for BNSF, started in 2014 and just recently quit as I couldn't take the games anymore. You do make a crap ton of money and have excellent benefits. I spent over a year on furlough before going back to work.
    It's very difficult to get hired but you have to play their game. The company owns you 24/7. You will never have a day off, you can be moved or bumped to another terminal 800miles away just because you no longer have seniority. The company spends alot of money training you and 10times the amount of money trying to fire you and believe me they try very hard. Supervisors will hide in bushes in the middle of nowhere to catch you doing something.
    As far as the job goes, you never have a schedule. Dont plan a vacation or a doctor's appointment. The actual job of conductor is extremely easy. The hardest part is walking the entire train in 2' of snow while it's -30 below to do an air test.I could go on and on about the job. I have no regrets about giving it up at all and am glad I had a chance to do it.
     
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  7. speedyk

    speedyk Road Train Member

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    Have been. Not for everyone. If you have a CDL look at signal, car shop, track, etc. and you'll have a more regular schedule.

    If you want to look for a job, try this page, updated every Friday, all the employer links are at the bottom...https://www.rrb.gov/PandS/Jobs/rrjobs.asp
     
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  8. insipidtoast

    insipidtoast Road Train Member

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    I didn't realize those were two different jobs. I met a locomotive engineer for NorfolkSouthern the other day. His company had put him up in a hotel. I couldn't talk to him very long though, so I didn't get a chance to pick his brain about his job.
     
  9. insipidtoast

    insipidtoast Road Train Member

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    I considered applying to one of those positions on Craigslist, but it didn't sound consistent, and the "on-call" aspect worried me about having to be woken up after only sleeping an hour in order to drive hundreds of miles.
     
  10. insipidtoast

    insipidtoast Road Train Member

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    I'd be interested in working on a freight train.

    Please correct me if I'm wrong: I'm guessing you're not allowed to take a passenger (spouse) with you. No pets. I'm also guessing the job isn't even compatible with having a family. No home time.

    Care to elaborate on what "games" are played? It sounds like management was the worst aspect for you. Do you have a supervisor in the engine car with you? Dual facing dashcams with microphones? how do you go to the bathroom? How do you eat?

    What is the career progression? What is the entry level job? How long until you were able to be the conductor?
     
  11. insipidtoast

    insipidtoast Road Train Member

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    Yes please. Although, it sounds like my idea of the job is inaccurate.
     
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