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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ต.ค. 2024
- www.djstrains.com
ABOUT THIS VIDEO: This video covers railroad info about how to get a railroad job in 2021.
OTHER RR JOB VIDEOS ARE FOUND HERE:
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🕺🏻ABOUT DJ: DJ is a locomotive engineer for CSX Railroad since 1999. He has built dozens of layouts, gave presentations for model railroaders, is a TH-camr, licensed drone pilot, and a great father.
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I like how you point out that this is a lifestyle choice and not just a job. I’ve been a long haul truck driver for over 42 years,and this is a lifestyle. Maritime and aviation are lifestyle choices. Essentially,if you’re the one who makes the machine move,you’re with it all the time,then it’s a lifestyle. As such,I also believe it to be a calling;it’s something we’re drawn to. And when you fist start out,you’re at the bottom and it can be really hard,but stick with it and understand it’s a lifestyle and not just a job,and you will be rewarded. As Charles Bukowski put it,”Find what you love and let it kill you”.
I am gonna throw in my two cents here despite not working in the railroad. I work in operations in a different industry. I work rotating shifts, holidays, weekends, ect. The universal truth about jobs operating equipment or a production process is while the money can be good, you are limited in long-term job security especially now. Automation specifically AI has a bullseye on our jobs. Extremist environmental activism and overregulation also has a bullseye on our jobs. My two cents is directed at people just starting out looking for a career, someone who's about 20 years younger than myself. Be the person who can fix the equipment, infrastructure, or process when it goes down whether it's in the railroad or another industry. Your likelihood of retiring from the job you first start your career in is very slim. Layoffs and things happen. Maximum profits before people is game Wall Street and our ruling class has rigged in their favor. Have a skill set that's somewhat transferable between industries or jobs - a vocational skill set like maintenance mechanic / milwright, electrician, or instrumentation - controls and electronics technician. You will never be without work or a job opportunity.
Sage advice.
Turning 16 in a few months… gonna keep this stuff in mind for whenever I’m ready to apply for either NS, CSX, or CSAO.
Best of luck!
@@djstrains thanks!
You are a great representative for any railroad. CSX is very lucky to have you. I am too old and too long in my career to change careers, but then again that is why I model railroads. It works for me. . . I meet the minimum criteria that you outlined.
I'm just a number to them.
Great video! I hired on the URR in 2000....as well as NS in the same day....chose URR....home everyday.....just got married....2006 moved to another shoreline....stayed there until 2016....now I'm a rules review employee training contracted with several shortline railroads. I administer the mandated FRA certs every year for brakeman conductors and engineers. Raising 2 kids on a railroad salary...been great! Yes it's a lifestyle change.....early days 24/7 on call...first few years was furloughed but always called back....later years working steady 6 or 7 days a week. Won't trade it for anything else!
I’m a veteran!! How do I get on with the FRA?
good question
I applied at Gennesse and Wyoming here at the port of corpus christi for conductor. Unfortunately i wasnt called back. I missed the opening by one day. Hopefully next time. Great video
Step 1. Apply.
Step 2 wait. While waiting, workout on your hang test. (varies from RR to RR)
Step 3. Go to school paid for by them ( says in job description)
Step 4. Get by the 60 days prohibition time. ( that can fire you for whatever reason they want to if you did something wrong)
Step 5. Join the union. ( mandatory.)
Step 6. Get certified as a conductor.
Step 7. Wait for your time to be an engineer.
Step 8. Get engineer certified.
*MTO’s will “help” you on your path to this.
*get a copy of the NORAC and look at that carefully.
That’s all I got.
TBH, I don't think your location is much of any issue currently. I just received my start date from NS BTW. I actually had about 400 applications out between CSX, NS, and UP. Sure, they each have specific pros and cons, but all the class 1s pay good and you get the retirement credit regardless of which one you work for. I've always been told by oldheads that casting a wide net and not limiting yourself to just one railroad or just a few jobs greatly increases your chances of getting on. I actually got lucky because my terminal is only about 2 hours away so I won't have to move very far. I was willing to move several states away though if it meant starting my career. This is basically the only thing I've ever wanted to do as a career since I was about 3 years old. I actually got offered a job by UP almost 1000 miles away, so I don't think they were concerned about where I was currently living in relation to the job they were offering.
What's the retirement like? Pension? 401k?
@@tyler7549 can't tell you exactly what how much the monthly pension check would be. You have to put in 30 years to get 100%. I think my uncles check was about 4200 a month after 30 years with csx. His wife got a check for 2100 a month on top of that. When he passed away, she lost her small check, but got to draw his 4200 until she passed away.
I just went through a pre-recorded video interview and just finished an info session with CSX.
And as an update, I am awaiting an offer for Columbus Ohio.
Also,if your significant other is not understanding or if they’re not just as busy as you are,they will not understand. Meaning if they’re a housewife or house husband,if they work some little BS M-F 8-4 type of job….they will not understand. Single people,find you a trucker,flight attendant,attorney,business owner,ER nurse/doctor or even someone that works nights and weekends and they’re off work during the week etc. that’s just as busy and the railroad will work perfect for you all‼️
Exactly!!! My wife works as a Nurse at 2 different hospitals, and she is about 10 years older than me. A hard worker, and maturity works well with a crazy/ lack of schedule. The moral of the story, get you a mature woman. Its fun!!! 😈
@@Nscalestuff I CONCUR,Bro‼️💯💯👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Been applying to all the class 1 railroads since i was 18....went to the navy, still applying and nothing. Just turned 31 and finally got hired for train crew. Bottom line is dont ever give up hope.
If I may ask who picked you up?
We hired all the way up to 2017 if i'm not mistaken. Due to PSR they cut furloughed blocks of employees starting from 2017 then, covid hit they cut back all the way to people hired in late 2010. Over the past year and, up to about a week ago the recalled all of those employees back. With all that said, years ago i used to tell my new hire trainees to not purchase a car for about a year after you get hired. that was good advise years ago. Now my advise is pay cash or hold off on any large loans because things were so ugly the past few years. Another tip is to try to keep a steady side hustle. Some of my coworkers flipped houses, sold real estate, owned restaurants and, other gigs on the side.
@@intermodalman123 Union Pacific picked me up.
@@em2attic how do you like UP? The culture and the position you work?
@@mr.mildsauce876 tbh the culture could be better, theres alot of guys that been here a while and they are upset at the way new railroading works but i dont blame them and thats something youll likely probably find on any railroad class 1 or not. Other than that though they are all pretty chill and work hard to make their living. As a conductor i personally like my job its been good, its never easy especially when you gotta walk your long ass train lol but i wouldnt complain about it. I would love to get pulled up into the seat someday soon but we will see how that goes. If youre ok with long dumb random hours and some hard dirty work and sometimes having no control on where they make you work/live id honestly say go for it its still a good job. And with this being my dream job as a child being accomplished, for myself i still wouldnt consider this my last stop in life because i still plan on doing something even better than this one day but for the time being i like it and happy i was able to get in.
Great new update hope there more to come.
Great video as always! Keep up the great work!
I honestly hesitated to watch this video lol! I wondered how the comment section was going to look as well. I hired with NS in 2002, engine service since 2015. Flowed back to CO for 1.5 years, and decided i missed the throttle. Spent very little time on the engineer extra board, held almost every pool and some locals (the worst offday ones) since PSR i cant get a roanoke slot to save my life because we have lost so many trains. I still stand for several locals, but not the preffered ones. With the PWS bid cards its not so bad, saturday ill be on a 9pm yard job, that is off mon and tues for the next 7 days. Its 12 hrs every night tho, which im happy about that, because were in it for the money, and the passion of railroading (some of us)
Our district (and i believe the entire NS system) is decimated with being shorthanded. Its the sequel that follows PSR. We have conductors, some with 10+ years quiting. I just wish people with more seniority than me would quit. Folk these days are getting tired of working like a dog (we know why, ill save the political comments) we request personal days and vacation days weeks and months in advance and cant use them and get declination reasons like "needs of service". Since PSR we have conductors that will never see a regular assignment, and the ones that are able to hold the best ones are flowed back engineers, almost all of them older than me.
Im starting to see more foamers hire to the extent that they are just happy to be near trains and make money for it, and dont have a clue the horrible changes that have allowed them to be there, and how their love of trains is helping the railroad blindly push them over into doing whatever the railroad wants them to do, reardless of calling procedures, contract rules, etc. Alot of things right now are making alot of us wonder why we even have a union when some people will go above and beyond for no compensation and us that follow the procedures that our railroading forefathers created for us in contracts are being " declined without merrit"
So in a nutshell its not hard to get a railroad job in most cases, and DJ is right, the lifestyle is brutal, as well as he says how class 1 railroads prefer prior military/reservists (im a guardsman myself for the past 21 years) basically because we know how to take orders.. Let that sink in lol.
I started my layout benchwork a few months ago and just stopped. I still enjoy the hobby, but im unable to personally determine for myself if its the fact i dont have any time to work on it, or if the new days of class 1 railroading are killing it for me. I wonder how other professional railroader/modelers feel????
I thank you for your honest comments and insight!
Just gotta remember it's not a railroad "job". It's a railroad life. I hate to say it, but forget your friends, forget your kids, and forget your personal life. Not saying you can't enjoy those things, but they won't enjoy that you can't ever commit to plans. That's why I left the railroad I have a girl I intend to marry and she has a big family and the fact I never could go to anything was causing issues.
I worked the extra board for 1 year straight then i bidded on regular jobs ever since except, for a couple of times i went back on call. A couple of times i had to do it and, another time i got the crazy thought in my head of "missing the extra board".
Absolutely!! I know that all too well! Most,not all,but most women and people in general have no clue whatsoever of what a railroader goes thorough!! I don’t think they really care all they know is you’re rarely at events and you that you can make time for what you want…..not realizing it’s not that simple as a railroader. 9-5ers that work M-F have no clue and can’t even comprehend.
@@TexasAlabamaBoi205 Yeah I know my mom sometimes gives me shit for quitting but she's never worked 60 hours a week in her life. I was doing 5 12 hour shifts and then some more paperwork and studying and shit at home it's just nuts. Some jobs are difficult physically and some jobs are difficult mentally but conducting is taxing on both your muscles and your mind it just made me unable to participate in any world but that one.
@@zackbobby5550 I agree bro!! At the end of the hour you did what was best for you. And truth be told,the only thing you probably miss is the money. You make great money,but you FOR SURE trade in your freedom and peace of mind.
@@BossSpringsteen69 I went back for spare work to keep my road qualifications up to date and to earn oceans of money.
I had been applying all over for years, finally got a bite from Norfolk Southern and completed my second interview on Thursday, I should know in a week or two whether it's yea or nay. The recruiter heavily stressed the working environment.. long hours, nights weekends holidays away from home, working in bad weather and around loud machinery so I think my background in construction and factory work helped quite a bit. Also casting a wide net, I was getting nothing from my corner of Florida even though most of them are hiring, but Indiana went through.
I wonder if they will have you based out of Elkhart. If you take any trains to Chicago you might bump into me.
I’m curious about doing this so might as well try for it
I've also had hiring notifications from both UP and AMTRAK pop up on my email in the past few weeks. I don't know why they targeted me since I'm not looking for a job, but I thought the information may be useful to others who have watched this video.
Another suggestion……Apply/hire out in a location where the competition isn’t as thick. Like a small town/city.
true
Since there are so many new railroaders on this page about to start swinging the lantern. i welcome all of you to the club.
I have a video suggestion or if you could point to the video if you already made one! I occasionally hear you talk about piloting Amtrak one time. How did this happen? Why does this happen? Does it happen often? How different is it from freight? Are there restrictions on what you can do? Thanks! Keep up the great work!
early 2000's Amtrak ran over csx line but they were so late their engineer ran out of time. Once in a decade situation. We didnt have any passenger stops that day in our area.
@@djstrains very cool! Thanks for taking the time to answer. Did you have to use a CSX loco or did you use theirs?
@@CRG_AMK theirs
@@djstrains gotcha. Was it a P42? How’d you like it compared to the freight loco you use? Thanks again for taking the time to answer!
I've got an offer with UP right now. The job is out in Iowa, but I live all the way down in TN. I really don't know if I'm ready to move that far for a job, especially since I've got about 50 applications in each at NS and CSX, which are way closer, a few are actually within an hour of my house. They aren't unposting until the end of the month though, so I don't know if I should wait on them or not.
Great video. What do you think the best boots are for walking on that railroad gravel?
steel toe is required, that's all I can tell ya
Ok. Thanks
You have a better chance getting hired if you apply to less populated states for example I couldn't get an interview in CA(my home state) but every position I applied to in Iowa was wanting to start me on the hiring process. Right now im supposed to start at Union Pacific training in MN for 12 weeks on Jan 16 2022. Union Pacific has you do a recorded computer interview(not live), a physical abilities test, a physical exam, and a urine drug test. I just had mine and no hair test but im told BNSF does use a hair test obviously may depend on job or location.
I would If I was in the US :/ Love from Australia
G'day mate. Love from the United States. Illinois specifically.
Spoke to an NS engineer and conductor as well as a PTI driver today they all agree that the railroads real bad right now the driver got a call to take a crew the opposite direction then he was supposed to then a crew driver went home when they shouldn't even the dispatchers are over worked and terrible at dispatching hes making 1,700 a week right now working 70 hours since theres a shortage
Sounds like a normal day on the railroad.
There’s definitely a shortage and the railroads need help‼️ I will be upfront and honest…..if you have a clingy,insecure or needy significant other,DO NOT even entertain the thought of applying for the railroad‼️ If your significant other needs you to call them 4-5 times per day or needs you to text them back within 5 seconds,DO NOT apply for the railroad‼️ If weekends,holidays,birthdays,nightlife etc. still mean everything to you….DO NOT apply for the railroad. Also,if going to work at 1 am and not getting done until 13:00 bothers you….DO NOT APPLY‼️ Now!!! If you’re looking for a great,non manual labor career and you can get over those things I mentioned earlier,apply for the railroad 😊
@@TexasAlabamaBoi205 yep, dating was brutal! I remember how i would meet someone who would consider me a breath of fresh air because of my career and the perks that come with it. But, once they got a taste of me never being around on weekends, or whenever they wanted.. They quickly went back to the ripped up, tattooed bad boys with part time jobs and no ambition. Wwwwhhhheeird
@@Nscalestuff so true!! 😂 I go through the same thing bro!! I mean identical to what you said 😂
Thinking after this winter of 2023 I will be trying to get a job as a conductor, been my dream ever since I rode a steam engine back in the day, sadly not many of those left but could still get to experience the railroad my question is what’s the best state for it, I’d like to go out west but not sure where to look, I’m in Michigan our main routes I see are only to chicago, Detroit and maybe Canada (idk where it’d go tho if this is true)
Worked in a factory for almost 2 years now I think I could do this work wouldn’t be too hard, good views and good pay I’m in
Be safe, always.
Would love to make the leap. Only worried about the one-man crew stuff that may be coming soon.
understand
1(How often do they hire people just to fire them ?..
2( How often Do they work ?
3( do you have to live in the same state as the company ?
4( how long is the interview process how do you know if you got it or not ?
1&2 can’t answer
3 usually need to be within 1 hour of terminal you are hiring for
4 can’t answer
@@djstrains 1 ...2..and. 4. ?
I'm guessing you can't answer them because you're not allowed to ? That would suck if they just hired me to fire me 3 weeks later... Or only work 5 hours.
..4. I only started the application I've been in Ashley start any interviews. But that wold suck.
I understand most if not all track maintenance is farmed out to contractors now
not true. They all use their own MOW but will contract out other things like derailments and vegetation control
I recently got my MBA in SCLM (Supply Chain Logistical Management.) What jobs could you see me potentially doing? Obviously, I have loved the idea of being a Freight conductor since I as a wee-little thing, but I am open to anything.
Think outside the box. Check LinkedIn for some related fields.
Hello,would I be employable for a freight railroad?
I'm almost complete with my career at MTA-NYCT for the past 30 years and will be eligible to retire at the end of 2024.
Thanks
retire and then want to come back to work? Have you not had enough? lol. I cant wait until I can retire hahahaha
Do they train you on the job and I’m From Mississippi are there any jobs near by
Yes, you’ll have weeks of class and more weeks of on the job. Check websites for your area. I’m in Pittsburgh
Hi DJ about this thing called the power bureau you mentioned in some of your videos what is that because I always go online and look up railroad power bureau and nothing shows up. I’m always curious on how csx and other railroads build these trains and what engines to use
I call these people "the faceless people". Whether its in this department or crew management or sales or whatever, we never get to talk directly to the people who make decisions. Always layers of bureaucracy between us.
@@djstrains the post office is the same way. Every couple weeks a new IDEA comes down and us carriers say what the Hell
Are their any academic exams that are required to do plus should I go to conductor school or do they hire off the street
off street. DO NOT FALL FOR ANY SCAMS ABOUT CLASSES OR COURSES!
You can make BANK in the railroad buisness, downside is your always on the move, which is fine for me because I want to see places, meet people, get crazy stories for my future grandchildren 😂
What about the pay in 2022? What the average salary on the extra board?
I'll ask today. I am an engineer, so ham not sure for conductors.
Thanks
I'm currently trying to get hired on with Norfolk Southern RailRoad and I was wondering when they schedule an interview so I get ready to do the interview and then I never hear from them or see a person that is doing the hiring so I just wanted to know if that's normal for this to happen I don't want to get disqualified or anything like that
stay persistent, but things change often
I’m 20 years old African American male ! Trying to get a railroad job and invest into some property!!!
I have a lot of videos on my life as an engineer playlist that will hopefully help you. Best wishes.
Any jobs in south fl? For Union? Labor job with no math, ?
I can’t answer for the location but math is very very important in railroading.
So if you applied over a month ago and haven’t gotten a yes or no should you just forget it?
I'd reapply. Maybe check your spam folders also.
From all the posts I read on many sites, seems hard to land and keep a job with constant furloughs. But also seems like the guys and gals who made it like their work. Maybe next life, not leaving my LEO career to take that much of a risk. But thanks for the insight.
I had my new hire class with an Indiana State trooper many years ago. He didn't stay long because of the lifestyle. Had he stayed on he would have missed the PSR and covid furloughs and, would have been able to hold regular assignments. The railroads seem to often hire groups of employees at a time then hiring dies down a few years. Usually but, not always. The average employee age and, being close to retirement makes a big difference. Now that we can retire at age 60 with 30 years of service will also increase the need for new employees more frequently. For us we had a lot of old heads leave between 2003- 2015. A lot of our newer people are between 30 and 40 years old.
How to get a railroad job 2021 abridged version: Don’t 😅
lol
Hi DJ, finally decided to take the plunge and ditch the shortline. Unfortunately my current railroad just got to be too unsafe, going through the CSX interview process now. Honestly not sure how I feel about going class 1, running the numbers after union dues base extra board pay is gonna be SLIGHTLY better than what I'm making now. Big difference is I'll be giving up my paid holidays, nights and consistent Sunday off not to mention not being on call in exchange for being union with a hopefully bigger focus on safety. Is it wrong to do the numbers off base extra board pay or is pay from actually being in service enough to make that base salary seem insignificant? Do you personally feel like the class 1's are over hiring? I'm slightly worried I'm gonna get back from training and get plopped immediately on furlough
I feel you on that furlough thing. I think you will have to take a leap of faith on this one. I don't work for CSX so i cant shoot you more accurate numbers but, hopefully you will make at least 6k or more a month. I don't know much about road crew rules and i work the yard but, some of the arbitrary agreements CSX has might help a little with earnings. Like number of cars handled for so many miles and deadhead just to name a couple i can think of. Get used to locomotives that smell like out houses especially NS and UP units for some reason. And, you might end up spending more time away from your home terminal and your home in that hotel in nowheresville right when all the stores and restaurants are closed. Personally id buy some dehydrated food or something as emergency for when that happens. I give you the highball.
I’m an engineer for UP in Beaumont,Texas….I would personally stay where I’m at with the short lines….only because it sounds like you have somewhat normalcy in your life. Going from short lines to Class 1 sounds like jumping from little league to the NFL(respectfully). Especially if you have pretty decent seniority at the short lines. I would hate to start over,but on the flip side sometimes you have to take a leap of faith for something that you really want. I wish you the best,great health and prosperity. ****Sleep on it***
Out of the frying pan into the fire.
@@ruffian2952 pretty much!!! Traded the devil for the witch.
@@TexasAlabamaBoi205 I like your comparison. I intend to use it. I was born in Salem, Massachusetts and grew up in the next town. So I appreciate the witch allusion. Sports teams in Salem are tagged Witches.
1999 engineer seniority⁉️ man I wish I had that‼️ You’re probably at a point in your career where you can finally breathe a lot better!!
LOL, Tuesday rest day.
@@djstrains Still Tuesday rest day⁉️⁉️ those old heads need to RETIRE‼️‼️ I’m an engineer for UP in Beaumont,Texas and we have guys that hired out in the late 60’s and early 70’s that are STILL working‼️ I just don’t get it 🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️😂😂😂🤦🏽♂️
@@TexasAlabamaBoi205 I just retired with 42 years, 32 as engineer, and had Sun-Mon off with 7 PM start time.
@@rick3524 congrats on your retirement bro! UP,BN or CSX? I’ll settle for sun mon rest days lol….u can still make appointments on monday
@@TexasAlabamaBoi205 CSX
Just applied to RJ Corman! A local short line!
I LOVE THEIR PAINT SCHEME!!
You can’t have a criminal record…..even misdemeanors? 😢
I can't answer that, to be honest.
👍
Either get Furlough or Quit!!!
lol
Sir 2024 notification details pls
I am not making train related videos this year.
We find it difficult to keep new employees due to the poor quality of life work schedule
Come get a job so I can PERSONALLY sign off on your furlough!
hahahaha
I wish I could join the railroad but I'm colorblind :(
God has a better plan for you then.
@@djstrains what do u mean by that?