@billvick,
Yes, the wave of babyboomers retiring from the running trades is huge. The next five years will be the perfect time to get in with whichever railway you can. Good luck and apply lots!!!
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Introduce Yourself Here!!!
(605 posts) (264 voices)-
Phoenix595
MemberPosted 3 months ago # -
Welcome aboard matey's!
Posted 3 months ago # -
greencannoe
MemberHey Everybody:
Just doing the once over, name is david from ILL. Glad to get aquainted with all in quest trek of RR employment. Good Luck
Posted 3 months ago # -
UP1speed
MemberHello Everybody:
My name is Scott and I recently interviewed for Systems Track Laborer with the UP in Portland, OR. I am coming from the construction industry. I am 33 and have lived in OR and Idaho for most of my life. I have always marveled at the sights of the various train trestles/bridges and tunnels that have been built all over the northwest and now I am going to be part of maintaining them. I am anticipating that this is the week I will hear if I am cleared to be hired and given a start date. The information found on these forums have been most helpful and instrumental in my decision to pursue a career with the RR. A big thanks to everyone who has made this site what it is today.
Scott
Posted 3 months ago # -
ThatsMrgimp2u
MemberHello everyone. New member from Ohio here.
About six months ago a friend of mine who works at UPS asked me if I was happy being a banker. I put a lot of thought to it and im never excited to go to work, dont really have a lot worked out as far as advancement is concerned, and im concerned for my retirement. He told me to check out nscorp.com so I did and I figured heck, why not, Ill put in an application. In the three or four weeks it took for me to get an invite to a hiring session I payed very close attention to my clientel and what they do for a living. Many of the people in this area are on RRSS. Holy crap do they get a good check... Well in the discussions I had with these people I made up my mind it is something I want to persue, ferociously. I went back on to the NS site opened up my application and resume and got to tweaking. Alas, when I got to the hiring session and they handed me my application there it was, "I want to move out of state". In my readings i found that I really shouldnt have said that... I had my newer applications and resumes dance around that verbiage with a mere "I am willing to relocate". The test was easy, but I didnt get an interview. It was a very competitive session by the looks of most of the people there. It was in Toledo btw. Anyways I have a new plan of attack now. Ive applied for over 12 jobs accross the US with NS and CSX. I plan on picking up the e-book on friday and doing everything in my power to get a conductor job. Im picking up a part time job at UPS as a package handler to get some more "labor"(ish) under my belt. All ive got is two years production at SeaRay bopats. Im only 25 so ive got some resume building to do. Look forward to chatting with all of you.
Posted 3 months ago # -
Phoenix595
Member@Mrgimp,
Don't give up! The RR is a great career to be in. The hiring ratio is somewhere around 2-3% so it really means you have to nail the tests and interview. Sean's book definitely is a must and helps put the process in perspective. Good luck!
Posted 3 months ago # -
Welcome aboard guys!
Posted 3 months ago # -
clusterdark
MemberHello, Im Ken I live in Cullman,Alabama. I interviewed in holyoke,MA last week. I got the 4 emails to start the hiring process. I have 24 hrs to get them faxed back. Today I get the email for an interview in Birmingham,Alabama. Any advice on what I should do? Thank you.
Posted 3 months ago # -
@tconnelly About a month ago we had a guy who was 57 hired on. If you read the forum you will find him!
@clusterdark Get the RR Jobs guide e-book by clicking big banner above and read this whole forum!
Posted 3 months ago # -
C17crewchief
MemberI am here in Duluth, MN. I drove 600 miles from Southern Michigan for my testing/Interview with the BNSF Superior terminal, conductor Trainee. I believe I aced the test no problem. and the Interview I was able to demonstrate my Safety training and Operational Risk Management training I received while working in the Air Force.
I bought Sean's Book and it has some real useful tips, but honestly thought the price was too steep for the benefit. I was surprised at the turn out today, over 100 strong for conductor trainee. I saw a few veterans like myself. We all were shaven and dressed well and organized. I saw many guys wearing ear rings, exposed tattoos, not shaven and no hair cut, not even a nice pair of slacks or button up shirt.
I am praying that I hear something positive from them in the coming weeks. I have no idea how many slots are open, but it sure would be nice to join the Duluth team. What a nice place it is here.
Anyone else there today? Anyone has the scoop on Duluth/Superior terminal?
Posted 3 months ago # -
Solowhitee1
MemberI have recently applied with Union Pacific on the recommendation of a friend who is a Locomotive Engineer there for 8 years. I have a restaurant background as well as a former athlete and trainer. I have seen people who come from construction and other labor areas. But not too many waiters. Or none at all to be precise.
I was thinking that with the exception of travel which I have not done in a while the train crew positions are similar to waiting tables. I applied for a job outside my area. If I am willing to relocate with my g.f. blessing. The only problem is I am seeing them make a push to hire military alot.
I have good reference or 4 will that be enough to make it to a hiring session. I used all the keywords in my resume. Plus my references are good. I even have a county judge on it.I live in Houston and the post is in Hearne, tx.Posted 3 months ago # -
ALB
ModeratorSolowhitee1 wrote
"I was thinking that with the exception of travel which I have not done in a while the train crew positions are similar to waiting tables"I am not meaning to be unfriendly mate but I really don't see the comparison unless you are talking about being a waiter in a dining car with Amtrak. However you applied at UP so Train Crews start as a Conductor, watch this video and then you will have a better idea of what the job entails
Posted 3 months ago # -
pacgrewes
ModeratorTo C17crewchief, good luck & happy hunting. Yeas, Duluth is very nice, & the people are friendly as well. I am from Duluth and enjoy it very well. I volunteer on the Northshore Scenic rr here. The BNSF ops are spread out over the Duluth/Superior area, the main suport area is in Superior now, however in its heyday Duluth was a major player. Now Duluth facilities have been wittled down to a fraction of what it used to be. It is now a holding(storage) & tranfer point for CN,CP,Occaisionally UP(CNW). Hope you get the job here as it is a great place to live & raise a family.
Posted 3 months ago # -
Solowhitee1
MemberI was actually refering to the application and steps of service. When I was talking about the knowledge of the job. Good example, you have to follow the safety rules and regulation of the job. Another example, it is nice to have good manual dexterity and balance for both jobs. The main differences are you work out side and are call 24 hrs a day plus travel. Now, if you could understand that before jumping to conclusions we may be on the same page. I just had a question refering to the background as far as when the are looking for. Anyone can answer that other than, ALB? By the way, that is simple reading and comprehension.
Posted 3 months ago # -
tconnelly
MemberThis is the opening statement in an email I just received. Does it mean I've gotten any closer to an interview?
Dear Applicant,
As part of the Railway selection process at BNSF, you are required to complete an on-line assessment. This assessment provides you the opportunity to answer questions about your work experiences and how you would handle certain work situations. There is no preparation or study needed for this assessment, you should simply respond to the questions honestly and as yourself.
Posted 3 months ago # -
BottomSeeker
MemberTconnelly,
Yes it means you are closer to a hiring event. The online assessment means you got through the initial screening and is used as another screening to determine who they will invite to the hiring event for aptitude testing and possible interview.
Posted 3 months ago # -
BottomSeeker
MemberNothing to study. It's more of a personality assessment.
Posted 3 months ago # -
johnnbea
Moderator@tconnelly
Relax! Just remember to think safety, benefit the railroad, and you will do whatever in whatever weather, at whatever time they want you, and you will do fine! As for being closer, I believe if you read your testing letter, towards the very bottom, it should say something like "if you are successful with this assessment, you will be invited to the hiring session to be held on XX February, 2012.Posted 3 months ago # -
tconnelly
MemberYes, made it through the assessment and got an email invite to "test" on 03/01. On a different note, I applied for many different positions that were open in my state. The only response I got back was for the "Construction Structural Maintenance Bridge and Building (Helper Driver) position". Doesn't sound too glamorous, but I guess I will at least have a foot in the door if I get hired. Sounds like this may be more of a Monday through Friday "daylight" hours kind of job. Ya think?
Posted 3 months ago # -
pacgrewes
Moderatorto solowhitee11, apply, answer honestly all questions, if you can't don't bother appliing. All questions answered WILL be verified. Anything in your past that there is a record existing for will be revealed. Honesty is the best policy when appliing. I get your drift. You apply, you get called for an interview so on & so on & so on!!! JUst be honest on all planes!!!!!!
Posted 3 months ago # -
Honesty is best policy!
Posted 3 months ago #
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