How does scheduling work for a conductor or train engineer?

Question

What is an extra board and how does it work?

Is the person with the most senority called first to work?

Do they sign up to work or is it determined by someone else?

Are there such things as days off?

Answer 1

The people on the extra board covers jobs when the regular engineer on that job removes himself from service.  That engineer may be working a “pool” freight assignment, which is on call 24-7, or a job with fixed on duty time, such as a yard assignment or “local” freight service.

But, if a person is “marked up,” they can expect to be called any time.  Even if working an assignment with regular on duty time, they are subject to call for work off of their regular assignment.

Switchmen's extra boards were a "seniority board," where people needed would be called in turn, but according to seniority.  This means your name may be at the top of the list, but someone behind you with more seniority would be called first.

Other assignments, such as "pool freight" and "extra board" are called in order in a "first in, first out" basis.

Jobs with regular on duty times are usually found in yard service or local freight.  All else is "pool" freight.  When a train is called in a pool, the engineer at the top of the list is called for that train, then the next, and so on.  For that reason, only yard jobs and localfreight have any assigned "days off."  Most locals are a six day a week job, with the five day a week jobs limited to the yard.

The only way to get a "day off" in pool freight is to call in and "lay off" either sick, or for personal business.  We all are made liars since request for time off for "personal business" is rarely granted with any assuredness, so the first words out of your mouth when talking to the crew dispatcher is, "Lay me off sick."

Nice, huh?

Answer 2

From what I know regarding conductor and engineer scheduling, it is rarely "scheduled," usually whenever you're needed.  For instance, the extra board is simply those who have low senority (so, typically, whoever has the highest senority receives the best assignments, although not always) and fill in for open assignments when needed and is determined by the last time one worked or returned to work from one's day off (whoever is on top is the next in line).  

So, you never "sign up" per se but are called out as and when needed, especially the less senority you have.  As far as I am aware you must be available every day, and whenever called to work overtime it is not optional.  

Of note, when you have enough senority (usually at least 15-20 years) you can bid on yard and local jobs, which have a standard workday and I believe include time off during the week.

As far as Class I railroading is concerned for train crews, it is truly a lifestyle one must love because you honestly are married to the railroad with little time off (the maximum 12-hour days are normal).  Having said, if you don't mind the long days and time away from home, you receive excellent pay and benefits (sometimes nearing six digits).