Working on the Railroad

BRF Senior Member

11,621 posts 107 reps Joined Nov 2009

Thu, Jun 13, 2019 2:15 PM

My son is considering working as a conductor for Norfolk and Southern. However, he has been reading some pretty bad reviews posted by employees. Anybody know somebody who works for the railroad? If so, what do they have to say about their job?

BR1986FB Senior Member

27,923 posts 123 reps Joined Feb 2010

Thu, Jun 13, 2019 3:11 PM

posted by BRF
My son is considering working as a conductor for Norfolk and Southern. However, he has been reading some pretty bad reviews posted by employees. Anybody know somebody who works for the railroad? If so, what do they have to say about their job?

My buddy actually is a conductor for one of the railroads and loves it. He's actually killed a few people (not by choice) so there is that perk, I mean hazard, to the job. (j/k) I am kidding about the "perk" but he freaks every time he takes someone out. Some stupid people want to play chicken with an object that large.

Curly J Self Pwner in Training.

7,406 posts 111 reps Joined Nov 2009

Thu, Jun 13, 2019 4:35 PM

I actually went to one of there Hiring events in Kentucky years ago, 1996. About 300-350 people there and I finished in the top 22. They hired 11 that day and the other 11 were Alternates. They called me a few months later, but by that time I changed my mind. Would have been on the Danville Ky to Cincy route. I had relatives in Danville, but I was going to hate the time missing my daughter grow up. I had already missed enough time with her due to the divorce.

Tom Member

25 posts 0 reps Joined Apr 2018

Fri, Jun 14, 2019 8:36 AM

posted by BRF
My son is considering working as a conductor for Norfolk and Southern. However, he has been reading some pretty bad reviews posted by employees. Anybody know somebody who works for the railroad? If so, what do they have to say about their job?

I hope he's prepared to work all the livelong day!

like_that 1st Team All-PWN

29,228 posts 321 reps Joined Apr 2010

Fri, Jun 14, 2019 9:32 AM

I was just on Amtrak last night. Our train system in this country is complete trash. I know this doesn't really add anything to this thread, but I wanted to mention it.

BRF Senior Member

11,621 posts 107 reps Joined Nov 2009

Fri, Jun 14, 2019 1:09 PM

Good one, Tom.

And thanks for the input, guys.

Curly J Self Pwner in Training.

7,406 posts 111 reps Joined Nov 2009

Sat, Jun 15, 2019 9:52 AM

posted by Tom
I hope he's prepared to work all the livelong day!

That was the other thing. They said they couldn't guarantee me 40 hours per week since I would be working on alert...but I'd probably would get around 60 plus hours per week.

Spock Senior Member

5,271 posts 9 reps Joined Jul 2013

Sun, Jun 16, 2019 8:27 AM

I run alot on the local bike path that follows the railroad. I always wondered if that was a sweet job. How much $ do they make?

BRF Senior Member

11,621 posts 107 reps Joined Nov 2009

Sun, Jun 16, 2019 1:38 PM

posted by Spock
How much $ do they make?

Not sure yet, but as has been posted earlier, it can be a lot of hours.

Verbal Kint Senior Member

1,062 posts 16 reps Joined Jul 2017

Sun, Jun 16, 2019 6:32 PM

They have restricted hours they can be working (276 per month) and mandatory rest amounts

BRF Senior Member

11,621 posts 107 reps Joined Nov 2009

Sun, Jun 16, 2019 11:06 PM

posted by Verbal Kint
They have restricted hours they can be working (276 per month) and mandatory rest amounts

Yes and I just did the math that says 276 hours is 9+ per day on 30 straight days.

Verbal Kint Senior Member

1,062 posts 16 reps Joined Jul 2017

Mon, Jun 17, 2019 9:47 AM

posted by BRF
Yes and I just did the math that says 276 hours is 9+ per day on 30 straight days.

It happens, they have hotels dedicated to workers, trains often have to stop mid track because maxed out on hours and get picked up and new crew put in the train.

Working on the Railroad

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