4 Challenges You Will Face as a New Railroad Conductor
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ย. 2024
- I made a list of some challengers new railroad conductor will face when jumping into the rail industry as a railroad conductor trainee. You may go work for NS, CSX, UP, BNSF but the challenges remain the same. I hope you have found some value in this video and helped you focus on somethings to help with your transition into your new career as a railroad freight conductor.
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Testing the relationship with your significant other. Unless you get to work a local the time you’re away from home is bad, after the horrible random schedule. Glad you made that #1. Especially if you have kids!
I recommend calling home at least a few times when you’re gone and when you get home don’t be too critical of things like a cluttered house or undone chores. Your spouse will start to resent you coming home if you do! Just saying.
Just a heads up for people interested. I worked at a class 3 for 4 years then finally went over to a class 1 and i regret my decision every minute of every day, Except for payday
Why!? Isn’t all railroads the same
@@barbaragirder5165no class 3 don’t really travel
Class 3 railroads are your shortline railroads that only serve select towns. You’re generally home every night. Class 1 railroads are generally more strict and what you can and can’t do and you never know when you’re gonna be home
Patience is #1. I am in my third week of OJT and it didn’t take me long to learn that patience is the key. My favorite is, oh you can only work 12 hours a day, that’s the law. 15 hours later you finally get to the hotel. You may only work 12 hours and then the train stops but it may be in a siding one signal away from the yard and there you will sit until your ride comes to get you lol
That is the worst.. happened almost everyday going to Chattanooga 🤣
@@Railroad_Talk every trip going to Atlanta is 11 plus hours
@@toospeed31 man that sucks lol.
When I hired out the HOS was 16 hours. Th red hardest part was going to work at 700pm and working until 1100am after being up all day. I always keep a book with me to alleviate the waiting time. One thing I learned over the years keep your mouth shut and open up the ca$h register.
Just accepted my offer from NS
if you find yourself getting pissed sitting in a siding when in the cab, just put your safety gear on and go outside and get some fresh air and strech your legs
I just got hired for freight conductor with csx extremely excited man. I watch your videos for learning purposes, Just wanted to say thank you for what you do 💯
That’s awesome man! Good luck! Glad you found some value in the videos.
Hey Bro I hope to see you out there, Im still in the Background Phase HireRite is a pain in the neck... but none the less looking forward to the next class after THE NEW YEAR Is what Ive been told. P.s. like your vids...
I retired 23 years ago. I was a road Conductor. There are large portions of my Son's life I don't remember. My Son works for a small short line with good hours.
i worked with an old condr, hired on in 1969, he has 2 sons, one was in jail for quite a while (i think he's been since released)... he told me he blames himself for his sons troubles because he wasn't there... he worked the proviso pool (chicago to milwaukee) for YEARS... he said he should have marked up on a yard job but they needed the money so he chanced it on the road... that situation left him feeling very guilty
@@25mfd I'll be brutally honest with you. A few years after my son was born. I retired early. Because, I wanted to be there for him. I got tired of the railroad BS. It cost me a marriage, a new house and a whole lot of grief. But, I got primary care. My son grew up to be a young man that I am proud of. You guys be careful with everything you do. A life lesson, I learned from our rule book. In case of doubt or uncertainly. A safe course must be taken.
I'm looking outside the industry now - this extra board is too much. 12 hours on, 10 hours off, then you can be called at any point with two hours notice. It messes up your sleep schedule. You may find yourself depressed - not in a "sad" way, but in a "sleeping too much so you're rested in case they call" way. And all that for 80% pay.
It definitely helps going to 100%.
I start with CP in a couple of weeks! I have a girlfriend of 2 years and this can be quite nerve wracking for the both of us. I really appreciate this video ! Thank you
I’m glad I came across your channel, I just got hired on to UP and I start on the 16th with training . I’m nervous because of all of the bad I hear about this industry but I have a strong will to make this money. I guess I’m nervous mostly because I don’t know how the system works but it’s good to see someone talking about it and sharing their experiences.
Me and my stepbrother just received our conditional offers a few days ago from Union Pacific and are currently going through our clearances. I’ve been watching your videos for a while now and I just love that you’re giving helpful information!
You upload this and I just got my book signed off on today, meaning only a few more days until I’m marked up. They’re planning on using me as a third man/brakeman for awhile before I’m turned loose which I’m thankful for
You make me understand my dad about what he went through.
You are correct ! I made it 53 years.
I like the thought but man I wonder how many people are going to walk away from this career after the backpay since the contract wasn't all that amazing and now with no bump boards and ABS being implemented as well as letting the carriers have full control over the boards.. nobody wants to have a 5 man pool and a 50 man extra board at every terminal..
I got the following(in pertinent part) as an email from a freight conductor friend working at
ONE of the TWO 'Class One Railroads' in Los Angeles, Calif.
"Nothing has changed. Same ol shit.
The last conductor class only had 1 person in it. Lmao. He quit the 2nd week. Lol.
Not only is there a big turn over with new hires but first they have trouble even getting people to apply,
then they don’t show up for a zoom call interview and finally they quit after their conductor exam.
The new guys are fcked. I can’t believe anyone would take this job.
You really have to have nothing going for you if the railroad is your best option.
I would leave if I didn’t make so much money, or if I had blls."
Good luck Brother. I am ready for this life, My wife and family are too. I have been completely honest with them and once there plan to run this as long as possible. I hope all goes well for you and your family.
The most difficult obstacle for me is the hang test. Shoot man, I was a combat engineer in the Army, I’ve worked road construction, heavy manual labor in factories, I used to run about 35 miles a week, and I don’t understand why that hang test is so damn hard for me! 😢😢😢
Keep your car in running condition, if you're unlucky like me you can get forced onto a local that's 96 miles each way from home. it really depends on how big your district is. Ive had to do local stays at hotels at my own cost to even get good sleep some days.
Thanks, Man. Finally cleared for Training, I'll be headed to REDI facility in about a week. Get through training, then head to Portland, ME
I got a job at a class 3 railroad man I’m excited
Just got my rules card for a class 1 . Starting my qualifying trips now. Thanks for this channel. It's helped immensely
Thanks for that. Currently on the last stretch of the Recruitment process for one of the Class 1 in Canada. Appreciate the insight and the work you do on your channel. Cheers.
Thank you for the kind words! Good luck! 🍻
Another big thing to think about is if you have split custody like I do and when you start working for railroad it's going to be hard to see your kids even more. I struggled with for that while till I figured things out.
Absolutely, great comment Joshua. Thank you for that buddy.
This is good information. I am in process of hiring at railroads
Thank you I start Monday
Just joined the channel too. You have a great channel here.
Going through my paperwork right now for CN
Hey bro good videos; I am in training currently for conductor. Early days will keep in touch as I progress. 🇨🇦
Been otj & back in class for signals training. Been a good time so far
How is it so far?
@@JosueRodriguez-kk6wn good so far; small adjustment being on call any time 24/7 but keep pre made meals frozen and have a small cooler I take to hotel/bunkhouses if staying on road more than a day
@@imagoflyfishing9993 I begin my derail in 5 weeks. I'm pretty sure everything will go smoothly.
@@JosueRodriguez-kk6wn good luck my friend!!
Roll tide im going to Sheffield after NS training in McDonough Georgia on July 31st , i live in Killen by Florence
a lot of great guys up there you will be working with.
I'm so excited !
So I'm on month two as a cub lol . I've worked Decatur Sheffield and Rossville so far . Minus the lack of life I love my job
Right on the money man!
That is everyday life skills great video
Start my training with CN March 13th.
Nice congrats Benjamin!
Great video 👍🏻🚂
A short 'Test' for 'Students' without prior warning.
What would I be asking of you if I said to you "Did you get the Dope from the Dinger before you left 'The House'?"
Sharing.
I've actually driven trucks [CDL-A] for quite some time in the past few years and I think it's safe for me to say that I have no problem traveling on my own. And since I'm not married or anything like that, challenge accepted.
Also, can I have a shout-out please? :)
As the Entertainment industry puts it: Hurry up and wait.
Luckily I have 14 years experience in hurry up and wait. 😂🤣
any tips on rain gear and boots i will be working in the snow
“NINE!!!”😂
Interested in the drone business you were mentioning. Could you lmk what it is and about ?
Absolutely, a lot needs to be done to get started legally but it's not to bad, just got to study.
Hey man! I start training class October 30th. I’m 26 years old. What advice do you have for me. I don’t have kids, no partner. Just motivated to work. I’m going to be moving about 300 miles away to the hiring location. I won’t know anyone over there. Do you recommend me getting a ln apartment during training or after incase they probably bump me somewhere else. And what else can you tell me
Hello, I'm just on my way thinking about this job. I'm Ukrainian actually, I've had 3.5 years of experience as a locomotive egineer in my country, so further I'm familiar with the things. The question is how can prepare my self for the Canadian railway conductor's job, I mean what literature do you recommend to study before going to the college? Thank you in advance.
Hey, I’ve heard from people that as you gain more seniority it gets better because you can start choosing contracts and things that could get you a more set schedule and maybe more time off, is this true or is there more to it?
What will the assessment consist of?
I had an interview for ns today tried all the things they said to do for the interview and they never answered and my application was withdrawn and now says the job was filled
If it wasn't for mismanagement, NS would have no management.
I just applied for a conductor course at BCIT in British Columbia to get a little experience before I go applying to a rail company, I'm a Young Buck and I do tree work so I'm not afraid of hard work and stupid hours but if somebody can give me a little more insight on what it's like for the first couple years if I'm just going to be shunting in the yard kind of deal or within the first year maybe I'll get out on the main line?
I got a job without the course.
As to the patience thing, I wondered how yall managed to keep your patience when waiting in the siding.
Phone / sleep / eat 🤣. There comes a point in your career typically it’s pretty soon you’ll start to realize you can’t do anything about it. Then the phrase we always said “I’m good for 12” 🤣
Do you find alcoholism is a problem in this industry?
I think working in the rail industry can lead to a lot of different things. Alcoholism being one, depression, divorce, vitamin D deficiency, weight gain.
Thank you for your answer.
I am considering applying for the conductor job with CSX. The job listing says you’ll be on call but doesn’t mention a dedicated shift. Does that mean there are no scheduled days? You are just expected to work when called in? Or does it mean you scheduled a 5day - 8hrs/day shift + on call?
There’s a long answer, but the short answer is no, not really.
There a lot that could go into explaining that 😅
hey do you no why ns or others if its there railroad why do you get power like up on ns ns gets more of that then on csx
For the Union Pacific what is the train krew consists of?
I won't ever face those challenges, because of my birth defect, no railroad will ever hire me. So I'm just stuck as a broke ass logger, killing off my body at an early age of 41
Just started my OJT but I live hour and a half away from my terminal and a transfer has been denied…kind of concerned about fatigue…any advice??
coffee and cigarettes buddy.
Move
Camel SNUS… lots of it!
Get some smelling salts to keep in your grip. Do you have a 2 hr call window? Just stay on top of keeping grip packed ready to go as soon as you get home. That way all you have to do is get dressed and get meals ready.
I driven a 140 mile round trip to work for almost 15 years and there's no good answer besides you just have to get it in your head that's how things are and do it.
NINE!!!!!! lmao
I need to know: Will I be required to work Sundays? NS reached out and is offering me position, but I cant work Sundays...So what does that look like for rail workers?
You will 100% be on call and will work sundays.
@@Railroad_Talk .......and work Christmas, New Years Eve, New Years Day, your Anniversary Day, your kid's birthday, your wife's birthday.......like he said "100% be on call and will work Sundays." When my mother expired the crew clerks told me "Nothing personal.....but....we can't give you time off." I went to the On Duty 'Trainmaster' and he said "I can give you one day off. Anything beyond that you'll have to apply for a 'Leave of Absence'. I missed my brother's wedding because I answered my phone on 'My Rest Day' and forced to come to work. An engineer answered his phone on his rest day and asked if he wanted to come to work? He told the crew clerk NO, it's my Rest Day." Then the crew clerk told him that he "has to come to work because it's an 'EMERGENCY!" The engineer said "NO" and he stayed home. It went to 'Investigation' and he got 'Suspended'. Although there was no actual 'Emergency' they fired him because HE WAS TOLD IT WAS AN 'EMERGENCY'! Crew Clerks are RUTHLESS animals. It's going to be 100% of YOU.
@@wes5150. yeah a lot of people don’t know especially at NS, if you’re called of your off day. You can tell them to reset your rest cause it’s suppose to be “undisturbed rest”
That may have changed when Covid hit. I’ll have to reach out to some local chairmens and ask if that’s still a thing
Hi,
Do you have anyway I can personally reach out via email or fb or anything to learn more or ask questions I have to get ready for class next month? Thank you in advance.
Do you regret leaving NS for Nucor?
What's her birthday?
Riley was born March 30th!
@@Railroad_Talk gotcha my son Noah was born 3/3/16
@@brandongallaher8220 heck yeah that’s awesome man. They grow up fast lol
@@Railroad_Talk no doubt I still have my offer from bnsf however the more I watch you and John the more I thank otherwise
I used to live in Prattville and my Ex Wife was from Clanton
A high divorce rate is a sign of a weak spouse/partner. Simple as that. Given we can probably assume that most in the industry will be men and also assume most of them will be straight men, that means we can assume that it more likely to be women that make for a weak spouse. Thing of it is, if you listen to enough relationship drama, watch people long enough, and just keep your eyes and ears open, it honestly comes as no surprise. Women have had it on easy mode, more or less, for several generations now and as such, they are far more likely to bail when life isn't all like what Disney tells them it should be.
That isn't to say there aren't any good women out there, but sadly, they are a lot more rare these days because so many of them have been chugging that feminist koolaid for decades and several generations now. How you guys with a relationship to consider handle things, just remember, do what is best for you. Both with work and with your spouse.
Can you talk about the background check requirements? I got through the first interview, awaiting next step for Greenville.
You’re in Bama ? That’s where I’m supposed to be based after my conductor training , Birmingham..
Waiting on my medical exam and piss test so I can get my start date. You think they’d let me switch it from Bama to North Carolina or South Carolina ?
I wouldn't say anything until you get marked up because they have rejected some people's application for asking that while training
@@not-sure8131 damn.. I already asked..
I went on the website and withdrew the 2nd application where I applied for the other location. Hopefully they won’t see it because I need this. The application that I am getting hired for is Birmingham, AL., I didn’t touch that one. Do you know anything about that location, You ever been there ?
got my start date for birmingham as well
@@EastCoast.80 don't know much about bham besides I've heard it's pretty bad because all the bosses are stationed there.
Hey wanted your info wanted to send you a pm