G. Poindexter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> OPRRMS Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > We Can Handle It. Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Not Rocket science, but I thought there is a
> > Pilot
> > > on every territory 4014 goes, telling Ed what
> > to
> > > do on a briefing and on the road, then the
> > Pilot
> > > would tell Ed what to tell the pusher
> engineer?
> >
> > The pilot advises the lead engineer on the
> > physical characteristics of portion of the
> > railroad they'll be operating on, including
> such
> > things as speed limits, permanent and temporary
> > restrictions, track gradient and curvature,
> fixed
> > and temporary signal locations, etc., but
> doesn't
> > tell the engineer "what to do" in the literal
> > sense, given that the engineer is the person
> > responsible for operating the train. Without a
> > steam-to-diesel m.u. box, the lead engineer
> then
> > communicates with the helper engineer as to
> what
> > he wants him or her to do.
> >
> > Here's the FRA requirement for when a pilot is
> > necessary:
> >
> > [www.law.cornell.edu]
>
> I suspect the pilot conductor is on the steam
> engine doing the advising, and the pilot engineer
> is on the pusher.
> Although Mr. Wonderful has been known to make
> both ride the diesels, whether he has ever been
> over the territory before or not.
>
> They can always pull the air on him if he ODs on
> himself.

Federal law requires the pilot to ve a certified and qualified engineer.

The complete text of the law is linked above, but here's the pertinent paragraph:

"(1) For a locomotive engineer who has never been qualified on the physical characteristics of the territory over which he or she is to operate a locomotive or train, the pilot shall be a person qualified and certified as a locomotive engineer who is not an assigned crew member."

If Dinkens is doing something else, the pilot should report it to his/her local chairman for handling with the FRA.