by 13ronin
Ho all! This is my first post on the forum and I was led here in my search for knowledge about the industry. What I'm wanting to know is: what is a day in life of a (newb) freight conductor? I applied for a job last week as a conductor with CSX in PA. The posting was supposed to expire last Monday but was extended out to 11:59pm today; which tells me they didn't get as big an applicant pool as they were hoping for; which could be good news for me.
Now I've read up on the job description and lurked in this and other forums about the job. I understand the 24/7/365 on call and the six weeks training; but what I can't seem to find much of is: what's it really like day to day? Other than a few promotional videos made by the railroads themselves I can't find much; and even those don't have much in the way of substance.
Now I'm NOT looking for the "scare the newb" comments. Seen enough of the "they work ya 127 hours straight and ya get to your car and they call ya back" or "I been on the railroad so much my wife left me cause I was never home and my dog starved to death cause I was never home to feed it neither!" I know almost nothing about the railroad but I know more than a thing or two about being "married" to your job. I'm a funeral director you see.
My fam owns a small family funeral home that I have pretty much been responsible for running for the last 5 years. That means having a cell with you at all times (in the shower, at the Christmas dinner table, during marital... well you get the picture). I have missed plenty of holiday meals and worked many nights. Some nights its been as simple as answering the phone and making another call or two to get things handled. Other nights its been me getting up and dressing in a tie and going to a family's home to do a removal; then go into the normal workday of 10-5 (usually staying till 8) and then having a few 14-16 hour days until things quiet down. Once I went 55 days without a day off. That sucked. The reason I'm looking for other employment is the family business is selling and the probable buyer has pretty much said he won't be able to keep me working there. That's fine; I've had my fill of that industry. Too much liability, unpredictability, and things I can't unsee. So why the railroad? Well my grandad retired as a yardmaster for Chessie and my Uncle retired from CSX in some kind of office position. After all these years in coat and tie I'm ready and eager to do what my wife calls "man's work." My Uncle seems to thing with me resume i would be a "very attractive candidate." Hope so.
So what's it really like; and from what I said about me; what do you think it might be like for me? Think I could adapt? I have no delusions about how fun it must be to work on the choo-choo's and all. I understand its a big deal and I am looking to make this a new career. I have a wife and a son to take care of. I don't want to be away from them but if the money is there; I'm willing to do what I have to.
Now I've read up on the job description and lurked in this and other forums about the job. I understand the 24/7/365 on call and the six weeks training; but what I can't seem to find much of is: what's it really like day to day? Other than a few promotional videos made by the railroads themselves I can't find much; and even those don't have much in the way of substance.
Now I'm NOT looking for the "scare the newb" comments. Seen enough of the "they work ya 127 hours straight and ya get to your car and they call ya back" or "I been on the railroad so much my wife left me cause I was never home and my dog starved to death cause I was never home to feed it neither!" I know almost nothing about the railroad but I know more than a thing or two about being "married" to your job. I'm a funeral director you see.
My fam owns a small family funeral home that I have pretty much been responsible for running for the last 5 years. That means having a cell with you at all times (in the shower, at the Christmas dinner table, during marital... well you get the picture). I have missed plenty of holiday meals and worked many nights. Some nights its been as simple as answering the phone and making another call or two to get things handled. Other nights its been me getting up and dressing in a tie and going to a family's home to do a removal; then go into the normal workday of 10-5 (usually staying till 8) and then having a few 14-16 hour days until things quiet down. Once I went 55 days without a day off. That sucked. The reason I'm looking for other employment is the family business is selling and the probable buyer has pretty much said he won't be able to keep me working there. That's fine; I've had my fill of that industry. Too much liability, unpredictability, and things I can't unsee. So why the railroad? Well my grandad retired as a yardmaster for Chessie and my Uncle retired from CSX in some kind of office position. After all these years in coat and tie I'm ready and eager to do what my wife calls "man's work." My Uncle seems to thing with me resume i would be a "very attractive candidate." Hope so.
So what's it really like; and from what I said about me; what do you think it might be like for me? Think I could adapt? I have no delusions about how fun it must be to work on the choo-choo's and all. I understand its a big deal and I am looking to make this a new career. I have a wife and a son to take care of. I don't want to be away from them but if the money is there; I'm willing to do what I have to.