Conductor job?

Question

I have a question in regards to becoming a conductor. I want to know what the down side of being a conductor is. I work for BNSF in the M.O.W. I have been offered a job as a conductor trainee. I like my job currently, however I am curious about the conductor job. I know its a little better pay, but what about some of the down falls. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Time away from home, the primary downside, no regular hours for the other.  

Since you already work for the railroad, you know what the story there is, especially if you're on a system tie gang or steel gang.  I don't know what a guy runnin' a tamper or speed-swing is gettin' payed these days, but the train crews are probably making more than a little more.  

Like it or not, trainmen and engine-men also have the opportunity to work MUCH more (it'll make you puke) over a career, which will generate higher lifetime earnings, which of course means more money at retirement.

I would still recommend it, in spite of the downsides, unless you've got some serious seniority on the MOW roster.  Never pass up an opportunity to get your name on a seniority roster.

You may be furloughed a bit during the first couple of years, but, these days railroads hire when they actually need the people.  More accurately, when there is an acute need for people.  They have no intention of you sitting on a guaranteed extra-board somewhere.  If traffic levels are consistent for the area your considering establishing seniority in, then I would not worry about any potential temporary lay-off.

Good luck.

Answer 2

As far as family life, you have a better job right now.

Yes train service is better paying for good reason, you are being compensated for your diminished quality of life.

If you are the type of person that needs a structured lifestyle, regualr hours, days off, etc, this might not be the job for you.

In train service you wont be able to tell your kids I will be home for your school play next week.

If someone calls and wants you to go to dinner with them next weekend you wont be able to say yes, (or no) because you wont know if you will be in.

However, if you are able to be spontaneous, if you like haveing a different routine each day, if you like a challenge and responsibility, then it may be a perfect job for you. I have seen people in this job that coundt handle it and had to quit, after a couple months you will know.

Plan on your cell phone being your new best friend.

I like it but then I am a bit different than most people.

There is a saying amongst single women in Alaska "the odds are good, but the goods are odd"

the same can be said for railroaders.

It's been said a good living but a lousy life.

Answer 3

One important thing to check out is if you have to accept promotion to engineer.Here on the UPRR new hire conductors cannot pass up promotion to engineer unless there are younger senority guys that bid for the engineer positions.But the biggie is if you wash out in engineer training you are out of a job.The UP does not let you go back to being a conductor.You fail as an engineer your train service career is over.So check and see if the BNSF has a similar policy.I think it's a big mistake as not everyone is cut out to be an engineer... but hey i don't make the rules.Speaking of rules it's a lot easier to get fired working in train service so beware.Good luck to you

Answer 4

This may seem like a selfish answer, but here goes.  Since you are already on with BNSF you have a leg up on others.  I work for BNSF as a conductor/engineer so I already know "the system."  What I might think about doing in your position is this>  Hire out as a conductor in training and see for yourself.  During your "on the job training" you'll see what you'll be doing and the toll it will have on you.  You'll work the road, the yard, the switch industries...etcl.  You'll have first hand knowledge of what you'll be doing and can judge what you have in M.O.W versus the transportation side.  You may love it.  Where you have a leg up is this>  You can elect not to promote to a conductor when test time comes and go right back to the M.O.W department.  You should keep your seniority and could pass the conductor training off as a "working vacation."  I know a few that have done this.  So you're in a win/win situation.  Guys can tell you the ups and downs on our side but you need to see them for yourself to really grasp them.  In order to "grasp" it, you have to do it.  The selfishness I spoke of earlier is because if you choose not to finish your conductor training at the last minute like several have done, someone else just missed out on a very good paying job that could have changed their life.  Then again, that seems to be the modern railroad theme "ME."  You have to look out for your best interest too.  Try it, if you don't like it....go back to M.O.W