I was wondering if there are any little things that i need to know about being a new conductor. i’m talking about stuff like things dealing with people of seniority and stuff i can do to stay on their good side. Also, I would like to know if there are any “rules of thumb” that i need to know for the conductor.
Word of advice: Don not get on the engineer’s bad side because, I grarranttee you when you need his / her help the most they won’t be cooperative.
Um… be prepaired to work on call 24/7, be prepared to work weekends, and holidays, be prepaired to work overtime, be prepaird to work outside most of the time in harsh weather conditions. Be prepaired to be away from your family for long periods of time. Be prepared to walk long distances over unevan terrain…
I really can’t think of anything else here.
First and foremost…ask questions.
If you don’t ask, no one will know to explain it to you.
Ask your engineer, he was in your shoes once, and he will help you out.
Don’t worry so much about being on anyone’s good side, if you do your job well, you will not need to be on anyone’s good side after a while.
At some point you will find yourself in a position where you don’t know what to do, or how to proceed…don’t do a thing…stop the movement and ask.
Ask your engineer, ask your brakeman, ask the yardmaster, ask the dispatcher, heck, if your really stumped, ask the trainmaster, but never, ever guess….
Guessing might work 50% of the time…but that means the other 50% of the time you might cause a wreck or hurt/kill someone.
So if you don’t know, stop and ask.
If no one will answer your question, don’t do a thing…eventually, someone will get tired of looking at you just standing there and figure out you really need help.
Yes, people will make jokes about your inexperience…but the good thing is, in a year or two, you get to make the jokes about the new guys goof ups too!
And remember, every terminal and yard has that one old SOB who was born grumpy, has lived a miserable life, has no friends or family, and gripes about everything and everybody…he will zoom in on you and screw with you the first chance he gets, because he has no other life outside the railroad…try and ignore him.
Let him get under your skin once, and he will jack with you forever.
This aint rocket science, but it does require a good lick of common sense, so watch and learn when the old heads get it in gear, they can and will teach you how to do your job safely, quickly and correctly.
No one wants or admires a hotshot, but every one of us do admire a guy who works well, carefully, and goes home with all the parts he showed up with.
Nothing, and I mean nothing out here is worth getting hur
Amen Ed I have been in those steel toed work boots 4 years ago I am a engineer now I tell the new conductors that I work with any questions ask I will help.
Rodney
Congrats Andrew on your new profession. [:)]
Best wishes and great luck on your new job.
Take care and remember, SAFETY FIRST.
here are more requirements for the conductor position just to get into the 6 week course:
- Age 18 or over (railroads look for persons with 3 years or more work experience) with maturity, particularly those with outdoor and shift work experience.
- High School or GED equivalency.
- US Citizen or have permanent residence in the US.
- Highly motivated and able to complete five weeks of intense, full-time training without interruption. (It is not advisable to work while under going the training).
- Willing to temporarily relocate upon graduation to meet the railroad employment needs.
- Valid and current driver’s license.
- No record or history of a DUI or a DWI or alcohol related offenses within the past five 3 to 5 years.
- No record or history of positive drug test.
- Successful completion of a personality and reading comprehension test and a color blind screen.
- Meet physical requirements. Get medical evaluation if needed.
- Complete interview process. Provide for own lodging, meals, and transportation as needed.
- Pay tuition in full prior to class start date.
- No Felony/Misdemeanor in the past 5 years.
- Not terminated from work in the last 3 years.
- No large gaps of unemployment.
- Ability to lift & carry 80 lbs.
- Cannot be on active probation.
- Outdoor and/or shift work experience preferred.
AND probly more i havent found yet even if you already know
[;)]So good luck and stay safe[;)]