I’m a year-after high school graduate with a kidney transplant. I’ve considered technical schools to become an automotive mechanic, but I’ve finally realized that since my early childhood (Thomas the Tank Engine, har har) that my true calling is locomotives, and seeing that the industry is prospering indefinitely, I believe my inceptive foray is nigh. However, like many desirants with nobody nearby to serve as a guide, I’ve no notion of where to begin or how to start.
I live in Hoover, Alabama at the border with Bessemer and have a potential home base in Chilton County/Clanton.
I would glady appreciate any advice to go forth with, especially advice that would essentially get me there.
Why is it that every time I send out the line to catch the fish that I want, somebody switches the bait.
I know where I want to go in life, not where I “need” to go or “should” go for the grandest of prospects, and I’m not hankerin’ for a collegiate degree until I get some basic, real-world experience in my field of choice. I’m sick of reading bullhockey in books and forcing myself to merely imagine things as I blindly round the corners through mind-constipating, soul-suffocating pedagogy. What’s ultimately missing is how to get there- where I want to go. That’s all.
Can someone help me with that?
I want to operate these magnificent machines… thank you.
Knock it off with the “dream” and “beautiful machine” crap. It is BS. It is a job, plain and simple. If you want real world experience that will help you in life, forget the RR. The stuff you learn on the RR will get you NOWHERE except another RR job.
Do not go into operations… get a degree and be something. Go and become a higher up in the MOW field. Those guys get paid a lot better and have better lifestyles than we operating suckers could ever wish for.
If you want to live out your fantasy of working for a great railroad - go for a tourist line. But since most don’t pay (or pay minimum) you will need a real job on the weekdays.
In today’s world of railroading, if you want to become and Engineer first you have to hire out as a Brakeman/Conductor and then accept your turn to Engineer training when it occurs.
Living in Hoover you are in the near proximity of the two major railroads of the East…CSX & NS both have major facilities in Birmingham. Check out their web sites for information concerning the hiring process.
My only reservation to you hiring out in Train and Engine service would be your kidney transplant. I have no idea how the Medical Departments view a transplant coupled with rigors that befall those involved in actual operating trains. The operating department is not an easy life for anyone involved in it…long hours, erratic schedules and being tied to a telephone 24/7/365. At the bottom of the seniority roster to all extents possible…you will end up on the jobs and turns that no one else wants…and they desire not to be on those jobs for reasons that will become known to you as soon as you start working them.
You sound like me, 25 years ago. First of all, reality has a real bad habit of slapping one in the face, and slapping hard. Now, I am not trying at all to put you down, or make light of your dreams. Dreams are fine, and if you want to chase one to accomplish it, then, you better go and get prepared to be in the chase. I don’t have a college degree, and at 42 years old, I am really regretting it. You don’t have to go to college now, but, I implore you… Get there at one point or another.
Going to college doesn’t prepare you for life, but it prepares you to take on the career you wish to make a life from. If you wish to operate locomotives, and that is your dream, then pursue it, but realize that is where you start, and where you end. If you are happy with that idea, then more power to you. If you wish to go farther, than the only way to do that is by getting an education.
I am self-taught in computers and networking. I have had some schooling, and I hold two certifications. That being said, I wish I had a degree in Computer Science, because that would make a getting a job alot easier. I found that being “self taught” regardless of how smart I am carries no weight with employers. They want to see that piece of paper, be it a degree, a certificate, whatever.
Chasing a dream is fun, and when you accomplish it, it can be a very satisfying thing. But, prepare yourself for that chase, so that the dream is easier to catch.
Take these folks’ word for it! I hired on as a conductor for CSX a little over 4 years ago. I’m now a train dispatcher, and I’m telling you the only way I moved up so quick is because I have a bachelors degree. My degree happens to be in Applied Geography, which really doesn’t have a whole lot to do with railroading. The point is I made the effort of attending a university and earned a degree. I also worked 35-40 hours a week in campus dining as a student manager. Employers are looking for people who start what they finish, plain and simple. You may detest college because you have to take some boring classes you can’t stand, but you can specialize in anything you like. Nothing worthwhile is easy. If you’re expecting your dream job to fall into your lap it’s not going to happen. Go out there and fight for what you want because nobody is just going to hand it over.
Well first off get rid of the big words and i want this ( whining like a baby) and i want that crap. All that will get you is black called from the railroad as the guys you will be working with wont want to hear it, the railroad is down to basic talk with a little effort and whole lot of common sense thrown is. if you come off more than that they wont work with you and then your fired. 2nd if with a degree you can work about anywhere you want, and trust me you want management because you wont qualify for conductor or engineer, but as managment you can ride trains all you want. Me personally dont care what you do If you want to be in transportation then try it. most guys with your attitude dont last 1 year on the railroad.
You seem like a reasonably intelligent person, which is good. What would be bad for you is to ignore the advice of the people who are in the job. What Zugmann, and a couple of the other people are talking about is the reality of the job. It is what it is… any job is that way. I spent many years as a 9-1-1 Operator, the last two or three working in one of the most god-awful places in the Chicago area, it burned me out, and it’s the reason I won’t go back. But, when people ask me about becoming one, I give them the plain english, flat out “real” explanation of what the job is like. For years I enjoyed it, but the last two years took the bloom off the rose, because of the stress that went with it. What I am saying is this: Listen to those with experience, forget any preconceived, or wishful notions you might have about the job. If you like it and want to do it, then pursue it, but pursue it with a realistic notion of what it’s like. Spare everyone the sixty-four dollar words, it makes you sound pretentious and arrogant. If it’s what you want to do, then pursue it with eyes wide open, and listen to those who have been there. They know what’s it’s like.