zippo_joker
Member
@mshaffer3371
Sorry I didn't mention. Working for BNSF.
Thanks ALB! Going to be moving after the first week of class. I live a little under 2 hours away but need to be within 90 minutes. It's very close but in Wisconsin if I have bad drifted roads it could take 4 hours if I could make it at all!
ALB
Moderator
Zippo - moving in the first week or so is a good idea because it gets pretty intense after that.
Another heads up, you will get the 730 questions additional homework, try and make sure you finish it by the end of OJT because the homework gets intense from then on. Our class brought it to OJT every day and instead of sitting in the Crew room doing crosswords we did the 730 or got on the computer and did some of the modules.
I move next weekend for the same reason and then I am on the road for 5 weeks. Hostler exam on Monday morning, it's a must pass with one chance at a retake. Study hard!!!!!
be single minded, don't let anything distract you and I mean nothing.
Very good advice ALB.... Retention of the rules is key, focus, focus, focus!
johnnbea
Moderator
I think the best advice any of us who have been through training, is to be learning every minute of your training time. Don't wait until the end and then try to cram; you will fail. There is just too much, and too many concepts to grasp, to NOT focus everyday on it all! Little reviews each day, and something new each day, and you will do fine at the end!
ALB
Moderator
Everybody has different learning styles, what works for one doesn't work for another.
I found a trick that works for me with the 3 week GCORP MHT training. On Monday night I would work extra hard and do 1 module of Tuesdays homework, that way in class I am not hearing it for the first time and then on Tuesday night do one of Wednesdays etc...
ALB
Moderator
Kix - I am so glad you are enjoying it, week 1 is fairly low key, then the yard OJT. Remember to do your 730 questions and online Modules during this time. Now comes the real hard work, 3 weeks of intense GCORP and the Hostler exam. Be single minded, getting home doesn't mean family time, they need to know you need 3 hours undisturbed. if that is a problem, remind all that you are investing in their future.
kix
Member
Wont be a problem! Im five hours from home living by myself up here in Illinois! Wife and kids are back home 5 hours away. Just call them to say hi every night and that's about it. We are hitting the yard for the first time tomorrow! Should be fun! Had 9 pages of homework our first night and 22 tonight! Got our 730 question exam as well today. Gonna start in on that this weekend. Its due by week 5!!
Study hard peeps!
twscott
Member
I have one simple rule for all new hires getting ready to start training....enjoy it! Yes the seniority draw is stressful, and the test is hard, but you have 13 weeks to soak it all in and learn as much as you can, so enjoy it. I can't speak for every city, but in Kansas City, every week of training, with the exception of Road OJT was Monday through Friday!
If you don't understand something the first time you hear it....let it go...don't dwell on it and don't let it frustrate you, because I promise you will see it and hear it 100 times again within the next 13 weeks so just let it come naturally and don't stress!
Good luck to all and be safe!
johnnbea
Moderator
I agree with twscott! Have fun during training! BUT, don't let it get too far away from you. If you have questions, ask! Let too many build up, and you won't have enough time at the end to recover and get it all down! But absolutely, make it a fun time during training!
nohcho
Member
Right on ALB, i drew number 8 out of 29. we drew with Vancouver though. I am in December class, i am heading back from Wenatchee in about an hour, actually dogcatching the Z out of Skycomish to take it back to Interbay. This is my last road trip and this monday we are starting the RCO training and some more yard switching. Road is fun, i definitely like the East run to Wenatchee. If you are lucky enough to catch a day trip, it is absolutely gorgeous up in the mountains on the Scenic Sub. On piece advice, whatever pool you are gonna get assigned to first, read and study the timetable for that particular subdivision. Otherwise, on you very first trip conductor is going to throw in the conductors seat and gonna ask you what is the maximum speed for that particular turnout that is coming up and make you feel like a dumb ass for at least not glancing over the timetable.
johnnbea
Moderator
@nohcho
Don't sweat it dude! He really wasn't trying to make you feel like a dumb ass; just doing what needed to be done. Looking at your advice with regards to the timetable, he was successful. You probably won't forget it again, and are even advising others. Until you really know your territory, that timetable is your best friend! I start engineer training trips next week, on the territory that I normally work, and you can bet, the timetable will still be within my reach! Good luck with RCO and the yard!
johnnbea
Moderator
@pacgrewes
Seniority draw is how your seniority is determined. It is, I believe, pretty much a union controlled thing. Your seniority date is determined by the date you start training. Since there are multiple people starting on the same day, the draw is a means to determine seniority for that entire group. When I started for CSX, in Baltimore division, it was done by age. Oldest first, so I wound up being first in my division, for that date. When I left and went to BNSF, it was done at the end of week seven, in training, and there was a conference call with the local chairs of all the terminals with new hire classes starting that day, and they do a double draw. The first draw is to determine your order for drawing seniority. Then they go in the order of that first draw, and your number for seniority is drawn, and that number is where you wind up in seniority, amongst all the people starting that day. That is for old BN properties. I think it may be different for old SF properties. There is also a difference amongst the different railroads. But short answer, it is the means of determining where your seniority falls, as a new conductor. Hope that helped!
ALB
Moderator
nohcho - It's Sunday afternoon and tomorrow I start road OJT, just waiting for the call.
I will take your advice to heart and when I know what pool they put me in tomorrow, my Timetable will be OUT and Studied. I have a thought about taking the Sig awareness sheets for the run and marking up the Form A's & B's with a highlighter at the Mileposts before we go out. What do you think?
Railroadess
Moderator
@ALB...
I'd say that's always a good idea. Seasoned conductors up here have done that for awhile. Never want to run a Y or Y/R flag and not know it!
nohcho
Member
ALB, did you get your SCBA training yet? if not, you cant go east until you do (because of the Cascade tunnel) so you are probably gonna end up going either south to Vancouver Wa ro north to Vancouver Canada. It really depends on the conductor, but he will thoroughly explain everything and you'll follow along. As far as form A's and form B's, my conductor had me call them in pretty much right off the bat, so be ready for that. The bigest thing is situational awareness and paying attention and not missing any mile posts as they come. As long as you are paying attention and see that Y or YR flag coming up, you know that in two miles that speed restriction kicks in or foreman's limits of form B is coming up.
So try not to fall asleep, trust me, even the most seasoned cant resist that sitting in that cab for 12 hours, and pay attention to everything thats being thrown at you and you mile posts and station names.
johnnbea
Moderator
@ALB
Everything that nohcho just told you is spot on, but above all, trust your instincts! From the questions you ask, and the answers you give to people, they're strong and good; trust them! Just don't be afraid to ask questions of your trainers. That's what they are there for! Have a great trip!
alynchjrbnsf
Member
out of my class i draw number 5 out ten with our class being sixth in this training period; everybody in the gulf division is under our class....
ALB
Moderator
nohcho & johnbea - Thanks for all the advice lads, I will take it all onboard. We did the SCBA last Friday so it could be Wenatchee as well, I should get a text within the next couple of hours then it's on to the EMU and see how the board moves. As soon as I know my Timetable will be in my sweaty hands. I will post from the AFHT and let you know how it went.
Good luck ALB!!!
jrudd
Member
I thought that maybe someone could give me some insight on what to expect when I drive to McDonough GA for training? I was just received my final offer from Norfolk Southern and need to be in Giorgia Monday morning. I think the trip there will be all out of pocket expenses driving from Indianapolis Indiana but will be reimbursed on my first paycheck.
Am I correct on this? Also, does anyone know if they will put me up in a Hotel or will this come out of pocket as well. I only ask because money is tight for me right now.
Thanks in advance
Hunterone
Member
jrudd, gas money will be at your own expense, however, you get paid mileage (51 cent per mile) and your hotel is covered. When you check in, the front desk should have your name reserved under NS and you will have a NS roommate. You get about 20 bucks a day for food that NS should give you on a prepaid card before your departure. Is this for safety week?
jrudd
Member
Hunterone
I assume it is my safety week not real sure, they were not real good at giving me information. I do know, from what they have told me, as a Communications/Electronic technician position only has to spend one week at the training facility.
I suppose I will find out though, I will just wait for the ride to begin and hold on.
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