I am new to foums. But am considering conductor school at Marshal. I have a state job now and like it but the pay could be alot better. I work alot of nights and weekends, and most holidays now and do not mind that because I like what I do. What is railroad life like? How long before you can get your feet on the ground and become established with a bit of security? Any information would be helpful? Thanks
Log into www.csx.com and look at the employment opportunities section of the site.
Thanks I’ll take a look at that.
Make sure you contact the railroad you want to work for first. They will tell you what school to go to. When I hired with Conrail, it didn’t matter what training you had, everyone went to the company training school. There’s no sense spending 6 or 10 grand if you don’t have to.
I’ve been a railroader for 8 years. Conductor, RCO Operatior, Training Conductor/RCO Operation, Yardmaster, and Trainmaster.
I hired at the right time. I have never been furlowed, and held a regular job after 6 months. But, now we have guys that have been on the extra list for two or more years, and been through two furlows. Although, with traffic the way it is, I don’t see any furlowing in the near future.
It’s a tough life. I’ve missed countless Birthdays, Thanksgivings, and Chirstmases. I’ve had rocks thrown at me, and been shot at. I’ve walked trains, in the dead of night, blazing sun, pouring rain, and driving snow. I’ve seen 2 co-worked injured so baddly, they can’t return to work. 10 others had time-loss injuries, but have returned to work. And worst of all, I’ve buried one co-work killed on the job.
I’ve also made a lot of money. For the most part, I work with a great bunch of guys, who when the chips are down, will give you the shirt off thier back. We really are a family. And there’s nothing like the feeling of seeing the little kids waving as you go by.
Be wary of your reputation. Railroaders gossip worse then old women. [:D] Not everyone will know your face, but everyone, and I mean everyone will know your reputation.
You don’t have to kiss the Yardmasters, Trainmasters, and Dispatchers tooshies. But being on good terms with them can prevent a lot of headaches.
Know your rules and union agreement. And know what the jobs do. If you don’t know, don’t be afrai
I apreciate all of the information, and sorry about your co-worker. I can relate we lost an officer in the line of duty a couple of years ago, it was a very tragic event.
I have spoken to some people from CSX and gained some info there also, if I understand correctly one can expect to work off of the extra board for awhile? But you are guarenteed aprox. 1518 per 2 wks. while doing so. They also advised about the being on call 24/7 7 days a week nights, weekends, and holidays. The training is given at trainee’s expense.
I also understand that the benifits package is very good. I have another queston how much do union dues run?
Union dues are approximately $100 per month (these are TAX-DEDUCTABLE!). The extact amount depends on which union you belong to and how much Out of Service insurance you carry. Your cell phone, and any clothing you buy especially for work, like your boots, gloves, and rain-gear, are deductable also.
You will work the extra list initially. How long depends on the crew situation at your terminal. If you have a large number of people getting close to retirement, or if the terminal is experiancing an up swing in traffic requireing more crews, you will move up in senority quickly.
Some people like working the extra board. Historically, working the list is where the big money is. When the list was turning, I made $1,500 to $2,000 a week. Of course, I was almost never home. When it wasn’t I collected guarentee, about $750 a week. Be advised CSX’s guarentee is based on 2 week periods. Anything you make over the the first week’s guarentee, counts again the second week’s guarentee.
Nick
Ok, I’ve been reading the forums for a while with no interest to join, but…
Think long and hard about what you want to do. I went to Marshall and this is the greatest job that I have ever hated. Learn all you can and I mean ALL you can about the division and subdivision that you will be working in. Talk to any railroader there that will talk to you. Talk to the young guys that have only been around for a year or too. The old heads are very wise but don’t put up with as much abuse as the new guys. I have been here 2 years and it is looking like I will be furloughed this winter. We have been screwed by the ‘one plan’ as our terminal is the auto rack destination for the east coast. Guess what? When the auto makers go belly up our work dries up. When the work is there it is great however when it’s not you will dread the day you signed that paper. I love the work that I do, but having also worked in two different divisions of the big C, the differences are night and day between the two. Lastly, if for some reason you do get furloughed and want to work somewhere else in YOUR division you have to go and qualify on your own dime. There are a million pros and cons for working or not but I will stop now because I don’t want do sound too negative. Good Luck
Thanks again for the information. This is going to be a difficult decision. Like you said there are many pros and cons. I could retire from my current job in 11 yrs. only I would not be making the money the RR has to offer. I guess I am just going to half to sit down and figure out what I really want to do.
Thanks.
I have spoken to some guys from Shelby, and heard some of the new guys don’t always have work and are not on the extra board, I take as meaning no pay. Some are forced to Russell, is this common and how is one to determine how long this could go on. If there is no work what do you do to get buy starve?
You get railroad unemployment, but it’s really a pitance. So you’ll either sponge off your spouse or parents, or work for Wally-World.
If you end up being furlowed, there’s really is no telling how long it will be. The last furlow we had was only 3 months, but the one before that (right after 9-11) lasted nearly 9 months. Alot of people didn’t return from that one. If you stick it out, you can gain a lot of senority through furlows.
My terminal is experiancing a sharp upswing in traffic, and a bumper crop of retirements, so everyone hired in the last 3 or 4 years has worked continuosly.
Nick
I’ve been considering a career as an engineer for a long time, a childhood dream actually.
I am in the Army, I will have 6 years in when I get out, have served in Iraq and will be applying here soon with CSX, and I have one question:
What are the vision requirements for the medical exam? I am not colorblind, but then again I do not have 20/20 vision. Will this disqualify me, or does this matter? Any help here would be great.
I’ve been reading the fourm for a while now and you all have provided me with some great insight regarding this career. I look forward to reading it everyday.
Thanks!
-Ray
and what the hell is furloughed?
Thanks!
I don’t work for the railroad but have been gathering information as to make an informed decision, before I quit my job and put it all on the line for the RR (CSX). Furlowed by what I gather is not having work and being laid off, no pay. I beleive you may be able to keep insurance for a certain amount of time 3 Mo. depending on where you work. Some of the guys who already work for a railroad could probably give more accurate information.
Ray,
You need 20/40 corrected vision - glasses or contact lenses are acceptable. You also must have good depth perception, and not be colorblind. There is also a hearing test, but I’m not sure what the guidelines are. If you pass a military physical you should have no problem with the railroad physical.
Furlow is when when there isn’t enough work to keep you working. You are still employeed, and contimue to accure senority, but you don’t go to work, you don’t get paid, and (I think) the time doesn’t count toward RR Retirement. You need to work (again I think) one day a month for the month to count for RR Retirement.
Nick
I have spoken to some CSX people in the area. But they were not sure of the probability of a new guy being furlowed. If I went to the local yard here at Shelby would I be able to find someone to talk to me, and who would it be? Or would they just run me off!!