johnnbea is correst ... WHen my friends where both hired as conductors it takes a LONG process MIGHT be as soon as you will see a response in about 2 weeks sometimes it can take up to 6 months ... depending on the need of the railroad .. ESPECIALLY companies as CSX, UP, BNSF it all depends LOTS of variables we dont all see but the HR departments are FAST at work trying to get as many people hired and into classes ... You guys will be surprised to know that they hire people and ready to go to school and are working and QUIT like a week later because they cant take the job ... so thats why most railroads take a LONG deal of time INTERVIEWING people that they deemed worth thier time and are going to progress in thier jobs!!!!!!! Just be optomistic and hopeful thAT when it will be your time it will be your time HEY theres a guy here that applied about close to 150 times and FINALLY got hired so be patient and wait!!!!!
General Conductor Discussion
(428 posts) (101 voices)-
johnbea has the record for most applications fosho!
Posted 2 months ago # -
EliM2010
ModeratorFOR ANYONE WHO THOUGHT ITS NOT POSSIBLE TO GET INTO THE RAILROAD GO TALK TO MY BROTHA FROM ANOTHER MOTHA johnnbea.... HAHHA !!!!!!!!! THEN YOULL SEE IT ISSSS POSSIBLE WHEN U GIVE IT ALL YOU WILL BE LIVIN THE DREAM :)!!!! COME ON NOW CAN I GET A CHOO CHOO AND A WHAT WHAT .... LOL !!!!!!!!!
Posted 2 months ago # -
I'm rooting for you ALB!
Posted 2 months ago # -
johnnbea
Moderator@ALB
I'm rooting for you as well! Just bid, bid, and bid again!@Sean
Thanks for your support and encouragement! I know at least one guy who wouldn't be here right now without it; would simply have given up ... AGAIN!@LMC
Now is a great time! Get the book, and read the forum threads, and don't be afraid to ask for help! There are MANY on here who will be more than happy to help! Good luck!Posted 2 months ago # -
hodgedad42
MemberHello everyone. Well, looks like I got the greatist bag over the head punch in the face ever. Just as I was supposed to interview with UP this Friday in San Antonio, I have been diagnosed with a condition called Myasthenia Gravis. My vision is severely affected, and I dont think that I should even interview. Way too much medical to try and explain. I hear that its treatable and can go into remission, but dont see how the railroads would want to hire someone with a known condition like that for Train Crew. I so much appreciate the time, experience, advice and comradere that I have found with Sean and on these forums. I wish everyone the very best of luck. I gave it a shot, but it just was not to be.
Justin Hodge
Posted 2 months ago # -
johnnbea
Moderator@Hodgedad42
Justin, don't give up without talking to the railroad first. I know people with MG, who are treated with meds and have absolutely no problems. While I don't know your specifics, you have nothing to lose by asking questions, and seeing what happens.
Of course, I wish you ALL the best, and you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers, that you overcome quickly, and all goes well. I wish you all the best!
Posted 2 months ago # -
Justin pay attention to Johnbea's advice!
Posted 2 months ago # -
hodgedad42
MemberThanks for the kind words, I hear you guys. Unfortunately, at this point the AF will be holding on to me medically until they figure out treatment, etc. If at some point my situation improves, AND the AF releases me--I'll try again, possibly.
Appreciate everyone's support.
Posted 2 months ago # -
csrhomebiz
MemberCould anyone give me some feedback on some of the Railroad Training Schools for Conductors?I have an application in at Modoc in California and am going to submit one to NARS in Kansas as well. Would you recommend one over the other. I live in Denver, Colorado and would like to work in Colorado if possible. I have never worked in the railway industry but feel a strong pull. Would you suggest attending a training school to get started? Or would you recommend applying directly to the companies to save the time and money of attending training classes? Thanks Sean for this great resource for information and thank you for your E-Book. Chris
Posted 2 months ago # -
2001justin
Member@chris. That's been talk about on here over and over again. Apply 50 times first if you don't get the hired go to NARS. In one year if I'm not hired I'm off to NARS School!!
Posted 2 months ago # -
csrhomebiz
MemberA quick question to those of you who are currently applying for RR jobs. Are you applying for positions that have been posted by the railroads-ie specific conductor job postings in particular cities or are you applying to the companies wether or not they have a position opened in you field: conductor, engineer, carman etc? My dilema is this, I don't have regular/traditional employment history as I do seasonal fishing in Alaska and California. As a result, I am considering going to NARS as Sean's book recommended. My wife and step sons live in Denver and I am hoping to get a postion in Denver. Are my chances of getting hired in Denver slim do you suppose or should I expect to have to relocate for a position once I get certified? Is it simply a matter of being in the right place at the right time? I am going for conductor. Does anyone know what the pulse is for hiring in Devner these days?
Posted 2 months ago # -
b_bronov
MemberYou always apply to a specific location via the company's website, unless you're applying for management. That's why you hear so much about people having multiple apps in. You might simultaneously apply for conductor at Crappy Butte, Nebraska and Lone Silo, Colorado...then have to figure out which one you want if you get multiple offers.
Posted 2 months ago # -
The chances of getting hired just in one place is slim.. you gotta apply at several places and takethe first one that offers you the job...
Posted 2 months ago # -
Get it done!
Posted 2 months ago # -
chansen8668
MemberI recently received a conditional offer for conductor trainee at BNSF, Richmond CA scheduled for 3/12. I completed all request and eventually received confirmation from medical. When i was in my two week window before the start date i contacted BNSF to check the status and i was made aware that my background check was still processing. A week later i contacted Verification Inc. and they assured me That my background check would be processed by today, March 9th. I spent my day consistently checking my email for a confirmation. At 3pm I called Verification Inc. myself. They stated that my background check was still processing. I contacted Heather at Richmond HR, and she claimed that because the corporate office in Fort Worth, TX was closed and training starts Monday, I would not be accepted for the position. I pleaded with her in hopes that she would understand my circumstance and see how it was out of my hands, that maybe I can still attend training this Monday as long as my background check processes. Unfortunately, she stated that I would not be able to attend. I feel that I have been wronged here. This seems unconstitutional to me. I am seek legal assistance now.
Posted 2 months ago # -
charlielima
MemberI think this is only my second post. I wanted to thank Sean again for his efforts and all of you that have been an enormous help to me on my journey to a rail career. I left a techie job last sept that paid a lot. It was terrible; it seems the softer the man the more arrogant, sneaky and uncaring they get. Anyhow, I have been ready to hire since December. I am still waiting; Every 90 days I have a update on eye exam, hearing, drug test and colour vision test. I decided to call HR and have been told I will now have to wait until November! Thankfully, I was offered a research contract job close to where I live. Which is still a big pay cut, but it will keep me from going under. The sad part is that I may never get that railroad job, I may not be able to afford to take it. I was hoping to get to class, get through OJT, mark up then suprise my father with the news this year. My dad, grandfathers and uncles were all railroaders I was hoping to get something that I always wanted. Moral of the story; if you know what you want, do it now, don't put it off. Don't wait till location, finances or other circumstances keep you from reaching something your love or the place you really want to be. I apologize for whinning folks but I am a little disappointed, mostly in myself.
Posted 2 months ago # -
ALB
Moderatorchansen8668 - I really sympathise with you mate, the RR's are a bit like the government, beaurocratic and a little top heavy. However I don't think you have any legal recourse, you aren't employed by them so you have not been unfairly dismissed, during training and for 60 days after training, BNSF reserve the right to terminate you without cause.
Posted 2 months ago # -
Phoenix595
Member@charlielima, Hang in there! Sometimes life can turn on a dime and head in the direction you hoped for. Persist!!!
Posted 2 months ago # -
BIGgerm
Member@chansen8668
Hang in there.You certainly aren't the first person to get bumped out of a class because your BG check is taking too long. Happened to me just a few weeks ago. Now I have my final offer to start in the next class.
But "Unconstitutional" Really??? What constitution are you referring to? You don't need legal advice. Apply common sense. A "Conditional Offer" is just that, conditional. The conditions are set by those making the offer and until you meet them you won't be hired. An "Anticipated Start Date" is just that, anticipated. They don't use words like confirmed or guaranteed for a reason. If it is your goal to bring frivolous lawsuits, then by all means have at it. If, however, your goal is to get hired by the RR then shake it off and keep waiting.
I know how you feel but take a deep breath and relax. Missing a class(though frustrating)is not the end of the world. You're still in the running.
Posted 2 months ago # -
chansen8668
Member@BIGgerm Thanks for your understanding but we obviously don't see eye-to-eye on some recourses I may be considering. "Unconstitutional"... absolutely! I was offered a prosperous career that would change my life as well as my wife and child, as long as I completed and qualified all request set forth by the employer, which I did. "Frivalous", I'm actually offended by your loose use of the term when describing something circumstantial to an individual. I'm sure you're not aware that when my wife and child do not have a home and currently are sleeping on a friend of the family's sofa. Or, i wake up in the middle of the night and cry because i have to look at my seven year old sleeping in a wherehouse, because when they come to visit me on the weekend at my current place of employment where i currently live, they join me on a bed of furniture pads in the middle of this giant wherehouse surrounded by moving vaults. We did not expect this would be our life at this point, matter of fact, we thought we would be pretty succesful by now, considering I should've been graduating from Cal this year. In 2007, I was honorably discharged from the Military; upon which, I attended school at my local Junior College. In 2009, I graduated with a 3.91 GPA and transferred to UC Berkeley. Unfortunately, shortly after I began furthering my education, my GI benefits ran out and i was no longer able to attend and support my family. Since then, we have acquired massive debts, lost our vehicle and ultimately became homeless. However, we have not given up. Even though I work and live 300 miles from my family, I continue to try to overcome our shortcomings and reunite us. So... in my case... I feel cheated out of what was rightfully mine. Maybe not by BNSF, but certainly whoever was responsible (verification inc.) for carrying out the request for my background check. Sorry about the long story, but hopefully that might give a better insight to where I'm coming from.
Training starts this Monday, unfortunately I was given a run around until 3pm pacific time. Richmond BNSF HR says because Fort Worth closed at 5pm central time, I had ran out of time, therefore loosing my offer. She declined any solutions I suggested and my request to speak to her supervisor. She stated my only hope was contacting HQ and unfortunately they left for the day. I did send a descriptive email to HQ about the circumstance (not my personal shortcomings) in hopes that they may be able to resolve this Monday morning prior to the start of training. Thanks again for everyone's consideration.
Posted 2 months ago # -
chansen8668
MemberThis is really hard for my wife and I to accept. This opportunity meant more to us than most people may understand. It meant no more risk of being labelled a criminal for shoplifting for small necessities, like a pair of used, like new sneakers from a second-hand store for my son's school shoes, being able to clothe my quickly growing son, getting our wedding rings out of hock, where they been for a year and we just keep having to pay to extend our contract, climbing out of the debt that we drastically accumulated in a year and most of all reuniting my family under our own home. My background check was pending for over a month and a half, like a fool, I made promises to my son from taking him to see a movie to celebrating his bday at Disneyland because I assumed that a company named for their specialty, Verification Inc. would have no problem expediting a simple process, that I was able to do over the phone in 30 minutes.
Actually, I didn't assume they were going to be able to do it because I was constantly trying to figure out why they couldn't get it processed during the 2 week window from the start date. They we're reluctant to tell me who they were attempting to request my information from other than the name of the county. I called that county's courthouse to discover they do not handle background checks but they happily connected me to the Sheriff's Dept. who does handle background check. The Sheriff's Dept. checked and verified to me that no background check has been requested for myself. Funny, considering a lady at Verification Inc. said that they made more than 19 request to the County Court House, and during a later conversation, another lady at Verification Inc. stated that everything was in order because the County Court House finally got back to the and said they'll have it processed by the 9th. Real funny, considering I discovered background checks DO NOT go through any dept. at the County Court House and the place they do, the Sheriff's Dept claims no request had ever been made.
Unfortunately, in addition to my current misfortunes, I have no support in my corner, no extended wealthy family or anyone to turn to when I find myself in a crisis. My mother was a professional dumpster diving junkie that used to decorate my brother and my room with random trophies she pulled out of dumpsters, and of course I never knew my father. This lifestyle continued with my mother till I was 8 years old and the courts relinquished our custody to extended family members who seperated my brother and I and bounced us from household to household like a game of ping-pong. During this time, I was exposed to the nightmares that breaks a child's spirit and made being a teenager hell. As a result, I required therapy during my military service. The reason I mention this is because again, I want to express how important this is to me. Due to my upbringing, I am obsessed with giving my son everything I was deprived. If it were not for him I would not even be making this attempt or my pass endeavor in an education. Unfortunately, lately I havnt been able to provide as much as I would like to, but then I caught a glimpse of security through this job offer. If this does not get resolved by Monday morning, I'm going to have a hard time keeping it together.
@BIGgerm "Conditional Offer", I met the medical requirements and they were verified and considering that I have no criminal record, I meet the background requirements, so as a "conditional offer" set on the condition that I meet those requirements, the proposing side of this offer should be required to uphold their part of the "offer". I understand that they were unable to verify my clean background but I shouldn't be deprived of what was being offered to me considering I completed everything requested of me.
Thanks againg everyone. I know this is a lot to digest and I obviously caught a bit of a writing bug, but I hope it shines some light on why this is important to me and why I would feel personally and "constitutionally" wronged.
Posted 2 months ago #
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