Search

That a difficult question to answer seeing there are to many variables. The difference between working the road and yard. Working the extra board compared to a regular job. Business is always a key factor determining wages. Location is also a key factor. Starting out first year if someone works year...

It's never to late. "Railroad college" is a waste of time & money. Railroads will do all the new hire training seeing they want employees to do things their way.

If you had 9 years under your belt with Conrail then you already know how the railroad operates. Amtrak's definitely different than freight but seniority-seniority-seniority is all that counts. If you're already making 27 plus good benefits get a pad make a list of pro's & con's on both then mak...

East Coast ports & railroads have been gearing up the last 5 years dredging harbors with railroads revamping & building terminals in anticipation of the increase of container business with the Panama Canal Expansion which opened up June 26th this year.

It's not complicated. Biggest challenge for most is the time limit on each test. Back when I did it most failed the reading comprehension test. Trick is to read the question look for a key word scan the paragraph for the answer. There's nothing to study. Thanks for the advice. I'm assuming if you d...

I know someone who hired on as a trainmen in 2008 with CSX before the market crash. A year later all those hired were furloughed most never came back. She switched over to the Signal Department in 2009 and it worked out for her. It's a lot smaller department than transportation and MOW. There's alwa...

It's not complicated. Biggest challenge for most is the time limit on each test. Back when I did it most failed the reading comprehension test. Trick is to read the question look for a key word scan the paragraph for the answer. There's nothing to study.

What do you have to lose? Furloughed from CSX for 13 months, a job offer from NS. I'd go for it. If NS would want you to make a commitment giving up the CSX seniority that would be a decision to make at that time. The pluses I see are working, healthcare, credits in RRB etc.,. Longest I was ever fur...

Stick to the big railroad unless something really big comes along. Just keep in mind that some contracts say that someone who has less than a certain number of years service, will be terminated if not recalled by a certain time. Ouch! That's good to know! Maybe i'll put in a letter of increase and ...

Relocating is always possible. Of course it would be on their timeline. Not sure of Amtrak's definition of advanced timelines for training. There have been people on this site that were offered jobs but the railroad gave them 10-14 days heads up notice and they balked stating it wasn't enough time t...

None of the railroads like it when people mark off. I worked and retired from CSX. When assigned rest days for freight pools an extra boards were first proposed most of us oldheads were against it. We knew that once it was established marking off for doctor appointments, personal reasons, and even f...

Most people I've known who hired on with the railroad were already in the military reserves. Railroads support our military and allow time off for reserve training. A person can even hire on get seniority an enlist in active duty with one hitch during peace time or multiple hitches during war while ...

COEN, I could see not being hired as an engineer, but do you think getting in as a coach cleaner or another entry level position is feasible? Did you ever consider a shortline? They seem to be less judgmental when hiring especially when an applicant has previous railroad experience. I'm not familia...

Freight railroads are having to go through change at present. Best advice for those furloughed is to start inquiring at other locations about transferring. I had to move several times to keep working.

I have to weight in. Who the heck fails a breathalyzer on a return to work physical? I had a few during my career. They were scheduled not spur of the moment. Anyone whose been on the railroad for any amount of time knows a drug & alcohol test is a requirement. Being young isn't an excuse. I don...