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.

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.

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!

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.

Good one, Tom. 

And thanks for the input, guys. 

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.

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?

posted by Spock

How much $ do they make?

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

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

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. 

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.