Felonies, driving under the influence, a bad driving history in general.
I have to say that some of the CLASS 1’s hir only from the schools. I know the KCS hires only from the schools. They will not take any one off the streets. An upside to go to the schools, is that some like the KCS will basically double pay you for the school. What I mean is that I attended the BNSF NARS in Overland Park, KS. I have recently been hired by the KCS, actually start Monday. The HR offical sais that every year for 4 years KCS will cut me a check for 5,500 dollars. I only paid about 10,000. That is for the school, room and board, and things like that. So it is a good deal if you go to school and then your hiring railroad will pay you back for it.
VX -
Just to add, felony convictions, DWI/DUI or other drug/alcohol related driving offenses (for example DWI-Boat or DWI-Snowmobile) convictions and other driving convictions. Also, fraud, theft, larceny, or other misdemeanor convictions involving dishonesty are often disqualifiers. Note that there MUST be a conviction. We had one guy in our Trainman Trainee Class who had a DWI pending (he had to leave class for a day to attend court) and by the end of class he was pretty much assured of not getting an offer as one night he got drunk and locked himself out of his room in nothing but a towel resulting in the cops getting called to the lovely motel where the RR lodged us. Still, since he had no conviction the RR paid to send him to class and if he had managed to avoid conviction and the motel incident I suspect they would have hired him.
LC
NS has their own training program and its free
You may want to look at other jobs not in the operating departments , I have worked in the Mechanical side for several years now . Many of the Railroads are contracting this work out to contractors , I currently work for Progress Rail Services , we are always looking for good help , we do all of our training in house . We have many of the same requirements as the major railroads , but know special traing is required.
I don’t think I would want to hire out that young; you put 30 years in and you still got 12 left till you can retire, if your body lets you.
Since it has been a few months,
I’m curious if the original poster (trainfreak) has decided on anything.
And 18 isn’t too young - my terminal has several that hired out that young. Makes me feel ancient at 23.
I know what you mean ZUG as far as the age goes. When I attended the NARS there were a few people that were hired that were 18 years old. It is a really good thing to see when someone of that age is taking on such a big responcibily. As long as they are not like the rest of the 18 year olds out there. What I mean is like going out and getting drunk every chance they get.