Railroad job?

Question

I want to know is there train jobs in Northern Louisiana for me to work. I also want to know is being an train driver and part of the train crew is fun. I also want to know what do you to do to apply for this type of jobs in person and online as well. I also want to know is there a plan that you can work out with the company to go to college and work for that company at same time without cutting into my college all the time. I just want to know this because i'm going to go to college for to make more money without going to college. I'm really new at this cause I just got of college. If i can think of any thing else i will ask again for more help and information. If I have any typo problems please forgive me. Thanks alot

Answer 1

1. it is not a "train driver" but a train operator or Motorman.

2. if you apply for a NYCTA job as a motorman you can be promoted to any higher level jobs.

3. NYCTA will pay for your college as long as you keep a certain GPA.

Answer 2

Your communications style does not identify you as a college student or graduate.  If you want to work in railroad management, get a business degree and apply on line.

All companies accept on-line applications in much the same way.  Go to the company's web site and find the "careers" or "employment" link.  The web site will guide you from there, step by step.

Few train crew jobs require a college education, and they will not work with you on advancing your education, because they could not care less.

They will work you hard, and most people don't stick with it.  It is a rough job.  But it's kind of like being a Chinese coal miner:  if it gets into your blood, you'll be hooked, and you won't ever want to do anything else.

Answer 3

When the rail companys hire, they only hire part time, but you are on call 24 hours a day If they call and want you to go a cross country then off you go . It's a c**p job untill you get time in and that's alot of years to go. They have a h**l of a turn over in employees because you have to be in love with your phone all the time just in case they want you.

Answer 4

Actually, there are many good times, "fun" to be had while pounding up and down the rails.

But, for the most part, it is a grueling schedule, hot (or freezing), dirty, nasty, dangerous occupation.  There is tremendous responsibility that goes along with the territory as well.

But, each time you have 12 or 13,000 tons boot ya in the butt when cresting a grade, being an engineer becomes less "fun."  Sprinkle in a unit with no dynamic brake in the consist, a dynamiter in the train, no speedometer, at night in thick fog, driving rain or heavy snow and the recipe for a tough day at the office is complete.  This is compounded by being so tired that your eyeballs are on your cheek.

It is called "work" for a reason, and although the pay is good and gets better with seniority, you'll earn every damned penny of it.

As far as time away from your studies, better chain up.  You'll have some time for srudy at away from home terminals during your layover before working back to your home terminal.  As far as making it to class regularly, it ain't going to happen.  As far as the railroad is concerned, it is their opinion that your A$$ belongs to THEM, and they care not about any aspects of your personal life, including home, family, holidays, etc.

Of course most carriers express this in no uncertain terms when a prospect is attempting to hire out and they figure that makes it "OK." for the abuse.  I maintain that it is no different than a rapist telling a victim what he's gonna do before doing it.

If you can tuff it out, it is a lucrative career and rewarding in ways beyond the pay check and medical benefits.  This is even more true when you earn the right to sit on the right hand side.

Contrary to some opinion, not everyone is qualified to work these jobs and any rail will tell you the rigors of the service are many and extreme.  Anyone should think long and hard about the years that lay ahead when trying to hire out.

Freight cars are no longer wooden.  They are made of steel.  And, from time to time, the same can be said of the men who work with them.

Good luck to you!

Answer 5

Based on your geographic location my suggestion would be to check the Union Pacific's website (uprr.com), or click the following link:

http://www.unionpacific.jobs/

Note that the required/desired level of education will depend on the position you're interested in.  I will tell you that if you want a specific job, but you don't have the required education or training, look for another position you do qualify for.  Get your foot in the door and then work toward getting the other qualifications/training/education you need in your off-time.  They love to promote from within.

Answer 6

Jeez Hoghead you forgot to mention that you were going to get a knuckle in your nighmare scenario.  

BNSF.com and UP.com run through LA.  I work for BNSF and I love my job its lots of fun.  I am not a salted 'old head' and have only been doing this for five years so perhaps I will become jaded in time too, but I also work on one of the easiest most lucrative runs in the country so that might have something to do with it as well.  

You do work on call, but to my knowledge if you are a train crew member, no Class one rail road will "send you across the country"  You usally have an assinged run that you cover which can vairy from about 150 miles on the low end and 300 miles on the high end.  My run is about 300 miles, it takes on average 9hrs, I stay in a hotel for an average of about 10hrs and then ruturn home.  Then I get on average 2 days off.  The scheldule is on call and vairable so making it to a class consiestantly would be hard, but anytime you need a day off you just log into a computer program and request it.  It really is a fun job so long as you don't live above your means and you can take off whenever you feel like it.  Be prepared however, to work a lot of nights and find yourself interesting situations.  Just last night my train lost an engine and I had to pick one up in the middle of nowhere in the mtns of New  Mexico.  The grade was so steep I had to tie hand brakes on 15 cars before we could cut away.  Those 15 intermodal cars were about 1 mile long and on the walk back up my latern went out.  Then my foot hit something in the dark at 4am beside the tracks.  When I took out my cell phone to dimly light up the object it was dead rotting cow!  Talk about freaky.  But I love that adventursome part of the job, thats the kind of person you would have to be to enjoy this job.