Working on the Railroad

BRF

Senior Member

Thu, Jun 13, 2019 2:15 PM

My son is considering working as a conductor for Norfolk and Southern. However, he has been reading some pretty bad reviews posted by employees.  Anybody know somebody who works for the railroad? If so, what do they have to say about their job?

BR1986FB

Senior Member

Thu, Jun 13, 2019 3:11 PM
posted by BRF

My son is considering working as a conductor for Norfolk and Southern. However, he has been reading some pretty bad reviews posted by employees.  Anybody know somebody who works for the railroad? If so, what do they have to say about their job?

My buddy actually is a conductor for one of the railroads and loves it. He's actually killed a few people (not by choice) so there is that perk, I mean hazard, to the job. (j/k) I am kidding about the "perk" but he freaks every time he takes someone out. Some stupid people want to play chicken with an object that large.

Curly J

Self Pwner in Training.

Thu, Jun 13, 2019 4:35 PM

I actually went to one of there Hiring events in Kentucky years ago, 1996. About 300-350 people there and I finished in the top 22. They hired 11 that day and the other 11 were Alternates. They called me a few months later, but by that time I changed my mind. Would have been on the Danville Ky to Cincy route. I had relatives in Danville, but I was going to hate the time missing my daughter grow up. I had already missed enough time with her due to the divorce.

Tom

Member

Fri, Jun 14, 2019 8:36 AM
posted by BRF

My son is considering working as a conductor for Norfolk and Southern. However, he has been reading some pretty bad reviews posted by employees.  Anybody know somebody who works for the railroad? If so, what do they have to say about their job?

I hope he's prepared to work all the livelong day!

like_that

1st Team All-PWN

Fri, Jun 14, 2019 9:32 AM

I was just on Amtrak last night.  Our train system in this country is complete trash.  I know this doesn't really add anything to this thread, but I wanted to mention it.

BRF

Senior Member

Fri, Jun 14, 2019 1:09 PM

Good one, Tom. 

And thanks for the input, guys. 

Curly J

Self Pwner in Training.

Sat, Jun 15, 2019 9:52 AM
posted by Tom

I hope he's prepared to work all the livelong day!

That was the other thing. They said they couldn't guarantee me 40 hours per week since I would be working on alert...but I'd probably would get around 60 plus hours per week.

 

Spock

Senior Member

Sun, Jun 16, 2019 8:27 AM

I run alot on the local bike path that follows the railroad.  I always wondered if that was a sweet job.  How much $ do they make?

BRF

Senior Member

Sun, Jun 16, 2019 1:38 PM
posted by Spock

How much $ do they make?

Not sure yet, but as has been posted earlier, it can be a lot of hours. 

Verbal Kint

Senior Member

Sun, Jun 16, 2019 6:32 PM

They have restricted hours they can be working (276 per month) and mandatory rest amounts 

BRF

Senior Member

Sun, Jun 16, 2019 11:06 PM
posted by Verbal Kint

They have restricted hours they can be working (276 per month) and mandatory rest amounts 

Yes and I just did the math that says 276 hours is 9+ per day on 30 straight days. 

Verbal Kint

Senior Member

Mon, Jun 17, 2019 9:47 AM
posted by BRF

Yes and I just did the math that says 276 hours is 9+ per day on 30 straight days. 

It happens, they have hotels dedicated to workers, trains often have to stop mid track because maxed out on hours and get picked up and new crew put in the train.