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08-11-2008, 03:57 AM | #1 |
Cobra Viper
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sioux City IA
Posts: 277
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hey guys I have a question about a job that I am thinking about persuing. I still dont' know what I want to be when I grow up but I do know I want to make a lot of money so I can have a better life than my parents. Let me start my telling you all about a friend of mine. He recently got a job working for a railroad company. he is a conductor now and eventually will take some classes and become an engineer. he told me how much he is making...like $80 to 100K per year. And he literally just started. his last check was $4800 after taxes. I told him I'm very interested in this and he gave me info to check out on it. I am going to get more info tomorrow from the National Academy of Rail Road Science and some other sites etc. My dad told me its a good living to. I really want to get into this field especially if I can make that kind of dough. So I guess my question to all of you is this a good career to get into? Also how hard is it to even get on? If I go to school for it and do alright will I even be able to get a job within 6 months? Where can I get good info on this career path? Thanks to everyone who reads this. Any advice would help.
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08-11-2008, 04:02 AM | #2 |
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 2,647
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"I'm..... walking on the railroad."
Oops, oh ok, so you want a high paying job. Well, we all do but what's more important is will you be content and happy with your work and with the people you work with? I try to keep the income just below the higher tax bracket. Paying too too much on tax is not good either. |
08-11-2008, 04:14 AM | #3 |
Nine Inch Nailer
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Branson, Missouri
Posts: 768
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Quote:
I honestly don't know anything on the subject of railroad engineering and what not, but my first suggestion would be just to read up online. Hit forums that may be related to the subject matter, you may find opinions of people who have been in that field. Thats about all I can offer though.
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08-11-2008, 04:47 AM | #4 |
NORMAL CITIZEN
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: VALLEY OF WASTOIDS
Posts: 251
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I spent 2 years working as a qualified brakeman on the ground, a half year before that as a trainee. I moved up departments to block operator earlier this spring. I love my job, although there is some stress in the dispatchers/block operator chair I look forward to the challenge of work every morning. Trainservice is a great job and is challenging, but stepping over third rail at 3am with just a fusee for lighting to throw a switch is not something I miss!
Now I work for a commuter railroad that doesn't handle much freight, my position is a one with guaranteed hours and I know when I'm going to be home, it was the same in trainservice as a brakeman. I knew I was gonna have my own bed every night/morning. On a freight carrier it is different, if you an over the road crew which you no-doubtly end up you will spend some nights in Hotels, and work some late nights/mornings because you will be low on the seniority list. You'll spend a year or two on the "extra" list where you could be called to your home terminal, or even deadheaded out to another terminal 24 hours a day. Railroading can take a lot out of you sometimes, especially over the road freight. It's possible to not be home for a few days depending on how big the crew districts are on the railroad you hire on with. Qualifying! Get ready to spend a lot of time with your nose in the book of rules and operating standards, you'll have to learn psychical characteristics of the line, signal definitions, how to read back paperwork, how to work with freight cars etc and pass a mutitude of tests on this subject. From your location I'm assuming the road to hire out with out there is BNSF, I don't know exactly what there training process entails or what qualifications you'll need right away. The railroad I work for is one of the toughest to qualify on due to a rule book thats full of different overlapping standards and a heavy amount of older operating practices. On a road like BNSF or UP it's probably more standardized and not all over the place like my book of rules, but you'll still need to know that book INSIDE and OUT. Safety is number one on the tracks and you don't want to be the guy who leaves someone hanging during a move, or ends up getting someone hurt. Railroading is a great career path to get into, railroads tend to have strong unions, strong benefits and amazing retirement. If you do hire on get ready for your life to be changed. The stronger your resume the better, if you have a history in work around heavy equipment or an enviroment where safety is key you'll have a hand up, a clean record is KEY, they wont hire anyone with a history. Look around the website of your local railroads and see what positions are hiring out in your area, and good luck!
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08-11-2008, 09:48 AM | #5 |
I AM SMEGMA
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Murphy, NC
Posts: 518
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Damn, with that kind of scratch i think I'll check into railroading as well.
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08-11-2008, 09:54 AM | #6 |
has been warned
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 2,039
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You will also have to consider how much time you will spend away from home if you plan on having a family and kids in the future who would like to see you. Also it comes down to who you work with and if you like them.
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08-11-2008, 09:55 AM | #7 |
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Monrovia, CA
Posts: 12,065
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don't just consider money, consider quality of life. if you would like to have a family, and spend 5 nights a week and the weekends with them, I'd assume working the rails wouldn't be conducive to that.
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08-11-2008, 09:57 AM | #8 |
Cobra Viper
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Jacksonville Bch, FL
Posts: 366
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Dont know much about the subject except a friend of mine who had no prior railroad exp, only bartending and mortgage experince got a job with a company called CTX here in Jacksonviille and he started at right under $70k. He started class/training Jan/Feb of this year and has been there since. The only thing he doesnt like is the hours, he says they are all over the place.
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08-11-2008, 10:28 AM | #9 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Raccoon City
Posts: 2,540
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I don't know why people care about making a lot of money so much....I have a high paying job and it's nice to be able to go into your wallet and buy anything you want but you realize that things like family and friends are far more important than money.
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08-11-2008, 12:31 PM | #10 |
I AM SMEGMA
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Murphy, NC
Posts: 518
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Quote:
**cough** bullshit **cough**cough** j/k |
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