BNSF Conductor Training BUT,

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

I’m going through a delema right now, I have the oppurtunity to be a conductor with BNSF.
I’m usually not afraid of change but my employer at a public transit agency is trimming more service after it slashed one third of service and laying off about 20 operators has got me on the edge of reciving a pink slip. Me, a transit bus operator making about $60,000-70,000 a year with the BEST bennies and retirment in the transportation industry and with a unknown company future. Now BNSF is giving me an oppurtunity to be part of there team. I’m looking for the average yearly salary, or pay structure. How much a conductor can possibly make in his or her 1st year of service? I’m already anxious, looking forward to class. I am a big train fan but I just bought a house and it closes early May and I move in end of June. Add on the 13 weeks of training at a limited income. So what do you think, I pretty sure someone out there has gone through what I’m going through, any comments and opinions are appreciatied, please let me thank you for your time and attention!

Thnaks,
Jimie

2

Jimie I was in your shoes 2 years ago I worked at a steel mill. I jumpped at the first chance I got to work for the BNSF granted the first 15 weeks the pay is limited and you will take a pay cut your first year but to me it was worth it. My first year I made about 50,000 but the second year I made about 75,000 as you can see their is a big differance. Know remember if you take the challange and do become a conductor the best advice I can give is study you have to pass the permotion exam with a 90% the exam is 280 questions. Good luck. Rodney conductor BNSF

3

Well, I would ask your current employer for a leave-of-absence if you can. If they are laying off anyway maybe you can work that out? It is always smart to have a “escape plan” if you know what I mean. If things don’t work out on the railroad then you can go back to driving bus, maybe retain your senoirity! I quit my job of almost 10 years to work for the railroad here in Canada, I moved to a big city and I hated it! But I was lucky to be able to get back on where I was before and retain my senoirity! I did my taxes last month and between the training wage, moving expenses and big-city living expenses, just to see if I like the railroad cost me $18,000 Canadian!!! If you really hate what you are doing now, or if you are sure about getting layed-off I wouldn’t change too much if I were you… I hope this helps?!?

4

Hey Jimie,

I know what you mean. I worked 15 years at a tranist authority. Member of Almalgamated Transit Union. Several times we were threatened with layoffs. One mechanic I knew took a one year leave of absence and did come back. Whether you’re union or not, CAREFULLY check your contract with a knowledgeable person and know what stipulations are involved. [;)]

You do have a challenging choice. You have plenty of seniority so you can pick and choose most of your runs. As a railroader, you’ll be starting fresh working odd hours. The first year of a new job is usually stressful. You will have a position that the average John and Jane Doe highly respect, even though railroading’s “glamour” days in the American public eye have long past. Watch people’s reaction whenever a railroader says "I’m a Conductor for **** railroad. I’m a Locomotive Engineer for ****. Almost always very positive! [^]

My fellow transit brother,
From what I read though, your primary concern seems to be the amount of money you’re going to be making. Yes, you have a new home, but search deeply and carefully think it out. Share your thoughts with your loved ones.

Being excited about working as a Railroad Professional should be your PRIMARY reason for considering a career with BNSF. Attitude is everything! You may wind up averaging $75,000 two years from now and be miserable! You will have to tolerate rain, heat, constant climbing, time and crew managing, emergency mechanical and electrical repairs, getting dirty at times, etc. So being a railfan is not always enough. It’s useless to have a job where you make “great money” if the stress levels lead you to a heart attack. I say this to you because I worked various posi

5

[#ditto]

I don’t want to make this situation seem more simple than it really is, as I see you are in the process of purchasing a new home etc.

I can say that your choice should be well thoght out before you proceed.

Stop and make sure you are fully aware of what you are giving up before you jump ship and try something new. Remember, the grasses ALWAYS look greener on the other side of the fence.

Also remember that railroading is a lifestyle not a career. As mentioned you will be on the bottom of the spare board, working odd hours and being on-call pretty much 24/7, until you start to build up your years of service.

On the other hand, of course, there is room for advancement and making an excellent salary.

Threatening layoffs is one thing, being laid off is another.

Working for the railroads is an excellent career, you just gotta like what you’re doing!

6

ALSO, keep in mind -----

If you quit you get nothing, if you really are laid off you may end up with a nice little package or a few months pay — that pay can then be used while you are going through conductor training!

Chances are if BNSF is hiring now, they will still be hiring a few months from now.

7

Hey everyone,
I just wanted to take the time to THANK EVERY INDIVISUAL who gave the time to respond to my difficulties. You all have made it easier to for me to make a big decision for a big change. I have not finalized it. For all those who are intrested in a conductor position, it has open again in my area and in others. Go to www.BNSF.com and follow the proper links. Once again thank you all for your help and GOD BLESS YOU!

JimieC

8

Jimiec,
Lots of good, solid advice above.

Here is a little piece from me.

I went railroading almost 8 years ago, and I love it.

Before, I worked for The Office of the Attorney General, State of Texas, one of those jobs that never go away, have all the perks, nice salary, 9 to 5 monday thru friday, weekends off, you get the drift.

I hated it with a passion.

After 8 years switching cars, building trains, in all kinds of weather, at all hours of the day, I find it harder and harder, every day, to remember anything about my former job that I actually liked.

I traded something I passionatly hated, for something I am passionate about, and havent looked back.

If this is something you want, really want, then go do it.

If, for no other reason, so you dont spend the rest of your life second guessing, wondering if you passed on the one thing that really would have made you happy.

If you find railroading isnt all you wanted it be, well, you were good enough to get the job you have now, and I am betting your good enough to get one just like again, if you have to.

This is your chance to get in, ahead of everyone that will be hired next year, so get off you fanny and go do it, or you will always wonder…

Ed

9

I’m still not over the shock that they have Training in the first place…

Is this a late April fools day joke?

10

ED,

I was going to ask you what you did before and now I know. There is a trainman position that has come up near me and I am considering it.

11

Hummm,

You asked about the HB&T, right?
Used to live in Pearland?

If your gonna go, do it now, both BNSF and UP need people, now…

Ed

12

All railroads need people. CSX wants me to take my physical characteristics test and GIT exam a week from today. Originally I had two extra weeks of training, but now they are giving me the option to mark up next week. I have been told by a lot of conductors and engineers that I am ready even though I don’t feel completely comfortable yarding a train in one of the Chicago yards yet. They told me it would take me up to 2 years before I would be comfortable and that I might as well mark up so I can finally make overtime and get off my training salary. I think I will take my exam and go for it. If I don’t know I can ask my engineer or call the yarmaster and ask for help. And I was told that training used to be much shorter, more like a week or two. I’ve been training for 12 weeks, so I’m probably better off than most. i guess I better break out my timetable and rule books and get cracking.

13

Jimiec, I dont want to discourage you first and foremost. The pay is great as are the bennies, but be advised you may only enjoy your new house for the 8 to 10 hours that you may be getting rested for your next run. My first year on CSX was this way, until they closed a couple yards in the area forcing me to move if I still wanted to keep this job. As the others have stated in here IF YOU CHOOSE to do it there can be fun times and there can be times when you wonder what was I thinking. After 6 years I still dont have enough seniorty to hold a yard job where I can be home with my family, so I spend about a quarter of my time in a hotel room. I wish you the best and hope you make the right choise for you.

14

Yep,

I asked about HB&T and used to live in Pearland. I am way North 3 states away now.

15

ALWAYS ASK if you are not sure!! Your engr may give you some rash but its better then puting something on the ground and getting fired or worse hurt. I have had many a conductor ask for help and am totaly releived they do instead of winging it. Just remember “Job Breffing”.

16

what kind of starting pay for a trainman/ switchman

17

I’d agree with the advice given above regarding a leave of absence or furlough. Something where you can “keep your foot in the door” of your old job before you burn all your bridges behind you. The railroad is so different a job from any other that it’s pretty difficult to know how you will like it until you’ve been in it. The pay you will get depends alot on where you will be working. If you work a major terminal along the transcon, that also has a large number of young employees (I’m referring to seniority, not necessarily age), you could be seeing close to triple-digit income in a few years. 70K or more is probably normal to expect if you work the road and don’t layoff too much.

18

Man… tough Crowd.

19

Hey Rodney,
Just wanted to know the longest period you have been away from home, my primary recall location will also be in Richmond, CA which is great, do you know anything about that location for example the work enviorment, xtra board, busyness, ect. I’m getting closer to class date and should be getting something very soon. It seemed like BNSF was calling me when I took a drive down to Vegas because I saw a lot trains and it was BNSF calling my name. Also what your union, I sure would love to check out the contract.

Thanks,
Futrue BNSF conductor

20

hi,as a 20yr railroader for cn i can tell u, u better consider the family ramifications of your future job!! the money is good but [especially the american roads] work their employees to death…think about how being away for say 30 hours then home for eight and then called again for work will play on your married life!! making good money is fine but no weekends off,called at all hours,and little home time make a good recipe for divorce!!..not to mention head on collision when the crew falls asleep because of exaustion…read the newswire and see that most head on’s occur in the wee hours of the morning…in canada we can book 24 hrs rest at the home terminal and have milage limits of 3800 miles for engineman and 4300 for conductors…i believe our american brothers and sisters have no such provisions