Broadcasting live from my hotel room outside of Kansas City, this is Jordan with an up to the minute news update…On Monday my conductor training started at the National Academy of Railroad Sciences and with many more weeks to go, I’ve got a lot to learn.
Each day I’m learning how dangerous the railroad environment really is, and why safety is so important. With so much power, weight, hazardous materials, litter, and so many other things around you, either you must keep your mind focused or face the, more than likely, deadly consequences. There are a few stories I’ve heard that I am not, and will not, share due to the severity and horror of them. I’ve often wondered why railroaders get paid alot. Now I know.
Anyway, before I go into my safety briefing, I think I’ll get alot out of this program and sure hope to be out on the steel ribbons before 2005. Got to go, OUT…
Just remember, your learning will just be beginning after you graduate the great JCCC…
LC
Jordan: Bob and I enjoyed your update on your training and wish you all the best. Thanks for sharing.
Nance and Bob from AZ
I look forward to hearing your updates.
Good luck with your new career, and stay safe!
well…if you pass your tests…and start the OJT part after the classroom is done… welcome to the family… as disfuntional as the rail road brotherhood is…lol
csx engineer
Remember Jordan when your ojt strars and your working the yard in the dark always keep your ears and eyes open also start seeing whats comeing up behind you railcars are real sneaky they do not make a sound when on welded rail. KEEP SAFE. Rodney conductor BNSF
Jordan,I’m borrowing one of macguy’s quotes.(hope he doesn’t mind)
But [#ditto]
And I am looking forward to see how your career is doing,
please keep us informed.[;)]
im just curious…i have just moved to jacksonville florida and i am in dire need of employment…i’ve heard it’s difficult to get into but i’d like to nab an entry level position with a railroad company…i don’t mean to take away from this thread at all,jordan, however you inspired me to ask a question…good luck and i envy you 100%!
Don’t ever turn your backs on these things, always put on one more handbrake, look at the points, not the targets. Good luck!
Randy
Learn safe, work safe…
LC
What a coincidence I’m in week 5 of the conductor training, did you get the nice hat too?
My name is Jordan also.
You sure gain a lot of respect for the RR and that they do once you get in there and see how things work, and why they do things.
Good luck.
Jordan,
Glad to hear you made it and that you’re liking school. Just remember that school is a base of learning for when you actually start your REAL training. And like what has already been said, be very careful, free rolling cars don’t make much noise if any at all, so have your head on a swivel, and never turn your back to movement; i had to prevent one gauranteed accident that way by stopping the movement someone else was controlling because he had his back turned to the movement he was controlling!!! He had his back turned in the yard walking down to #7 track, he was supposed to be watching a couple in track #5, so when I noticed he said “7 more cars”, and it was actually about 1 1/2 cars I knew something wasn’t right. Even though you are new, you are empowered to look out for your co-workers, sometimes they drift off to la-la land, or they bring their home-life baggage with them. Also, school will tell you that you are the boss of the train and empowered to tell the engineer what to do, yes this is true to a certain degree. You are the boss of the train starting after the engines, so how you move the train on the ground is all up to you. But just remember not to get bossy up in that engine, you can remind your engineer of upcoming speed restrictions, work authorities, etc. If you can adapt to the lifestyle of the railroad, you’ll have fun with it, just take it slow, learn as much as you can, and always ask questions, no mattter how silly they are. Have fun and Good Luck!!! [:D]