Well, your pay is a complicated issue. Were you hired before 1985? After. Pre-Merger? Lots of factors. But since we know that none of these apply, with the UP, you will draw minimum wage for the first three weeks of training. Don't know why. I guess UP does not want to pay you any more than they have to in case you dont make it through all of your final exams....7 of them at 85% or better. Once you get out of class, you'll make your Conductor runs with a Conductor...at about $133 each way depending on location. Some area have a higher pay scale than others based upon what the agreement is with the UTU...Trainmen union. No overtime for yet, unless your hours exceed 48 in one week..SUN-SAT. After a couple of weeks on the road you'll either attend Conductor class for two weeks or RCO class. Again, based upon location, basic days pay for class. Their are some instances where you will receive overtime, but again it depends upon the union agreement and area you are working in. The first year of work you can count on getting between 32-40K. After that, too many factors to count. Road vs. Yard. Borrowing out to another disctrict...etc.
As far eating on the road goes, I have seen guys bring a large cooler along with thier grip, and a make a smorgasbord out it. Most of us bring a couple cans of coke, a few snacks, and a sandwhich or two. If you are lucky, you can grab a bite somewhere along the way if you know your going to be holed up in a siding somewhere waiting for another train, and thier happens to be a great place to eat just across the way.
12 hour rules. Your dead at 12. Hopefully you have not "died" in BFE, where the Armadillo or carry-all cannot get to you because of a snow drift or otherwise. Most of the time, the Dispatcher will get you to a "convienient" place for a van to come and get you before you die. But it does happen. And you have a nice little bumpy ride along the right-of-way for a couple of miles until you hit pavement. It is a great idea to remind the Dispatcher that you are about to die in a couple of hours,and the gentle reminder every half-hour or so. I've only heard of one crew in the Salt Lake area who actually had to sleep on the motor. Between Ogden and Green River during a snow storm. They were in BFE. No trains moving because of the storm. The carry all could not get to the train because of the snow. They were on the motor for over 24 hours before they jumped on a passing train.
Always pack a little something for those times where you don't know when you are going to move again. It's worth it. Usually you are out on the road for a day or so. You stay at your away from home terminal usually no longer than 9-12 hours...hopefully....if not, then you get held-away pay after 16 hours in the hotel. Some guys bring a damn grip (grip is your bag or suitcase) on wheels and a backpack. They bring everything with them including the kitchen sink. I bring a small backpack with a change of underwear, shirt and socks depending upon the weather. I wear my overalls to the restraunt or store when I get there. I'm not trying to impress anyone, so I don't bring alot of crap. You bring all of your rules and regs and safety info as well as required by the FRA and UP. I also bring a book just in case. Most of the hotels are okay. Some have HBO, others don't.
