I was taking with a guy today who has a scanner, and he says that occasionally he hears a train crew talking with the dispatcher and the dispatcher tells the crew just to give him a call on their cell - now I thought crews were no longer allowed to talk on their cells in the train, so what gives here?
under certain conditions we are allowed to use our cell phones or if we cant use our cell phones we can use a function on our radios called PBX which is just a phone on our radios.
Some company rules will differ but in simple terms, Engineer can not use a cellphone in cab of a moving locomotive, under any circumstance.
The Conductor can make calls with Engineers permission but only company calls.
personal calls are prohibited at all times when train is moving.
'Xactly. Job briefing before, may not interfere with operations.
Supposed to be on company issued phone, but since we don’t have company issued phones, ours are all noted with the trainmaster as authorized to be used IAW the rules.
The rules are RR rules, but are driven by a federal ruling.
Why would the conductor need the engineer’s permission to do legitimate company business in his terms of reference?
-Crandell
My observations on cell phone use by train crews suggests that the crew is using company-issued phones with walkie-talkie function.
In instances that that’s not the case - why would the crew be using cell phones instead of just calling the dispatcher on the radio?
FRA is big on “job briefings” nowadays.
My observation is that the Dishbasher will suggest use of a cell phone when what they are discussing is NOT for “Broadcast” over the radio; i.e.: nobodies business but the one employee and the dishbasher. Radios are pretty much “Public” and non-private.
Beside Coborn’s point, the primary reason for the emphasis on cell phones is because they do distract.
Besides the basic distraction of talking on the cell phone, there might be taking a new Form D/EC-1/warrant, information about the consist or other items that need to be written down, etc.
The conductor is the second set of eyes in the cab - the engineer needs to know if those eyes will be looking at something other than the track ahead (if the train is in motion).
Even though I own a cell, I’m not addicated to it like others in society. I have issues w/ talking while driving. I have always told folks that if I’m seen using my phone while driving, I’ll hand over my Ranger and title. I also hate the use of texting. I receive about three times more inbound texts than what I send out. My phone is not a typewriter. As for useage in train operations, cells continue to be a importation communication link provided current rules are followed. Any type of call can be made when a train is stopped, there is no work event in progress and all agree it is safe to do such. Some condrs indeed call the DS on phone as sometimes the radio is not answered and yaking on phone cuts down on radio chatter when another job may be switching or being talked by a form B, etc. Less yaking on radio is better.
My company requires the train to be stopped, and both crew members be in the cab before you can use a cell phone.
The DS will usually want to talk on the phone, if the conversation is likely to be a lengthy one, the radio traffic is heavy or radio quality is poor.
Nick
So I’m guessing in your RR there is no calling the dispatcher on the phone when the train is in motion then?
Except in an emergency, the use of personal electronic devices, while the train is in motion is banned. So no, no called the DS from a cell phone when the train is in motion. However, the rule allows you to use the PBX function on the radio to do so.
Nick