SP5103 Wrote:
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> I can't speak for KC, but if I'm thinking of the
> same school in California, don't bother. That is a
> lot of money primarily for lessons in a classroom.
> I know there are some companies that won't
> consider anyone from there due to their "I already
> know it all" attitude and expectations of a big
> paycheck.
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That is exactly correct.
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> You miht try any of the industrial switching
> operations that seem to be hiring, but there is
> usually a reason for that. You need to realize
> that railroading to make a living is far different
> than railtoading as a hobby. Be ready to
> compromise.
>
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Correct. A lot of fans, hobbyist's if you will, think their hobby is so darn easy, and once they get into it, eventually quit. Being in the hobby, and actually being a rail is a world of difference.
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> Most of the Class 1s have people laid off and
> subject to recall. I knew someone that UP
> "trained" as a conductor in 2005 - and marked them
> up "fully qualified" in about 6 weeks. Lucky the
> kid had a head on his shoulders and survived!
>
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This is my biggest pet peeve about today's railroading. A man is NOT QUALIFIED as a Conductor after 6 weeks no matter what the carriers contend, think or otherwise believe. It takes several years to be a qualified Conductor.
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> Your best bet is to check out Soo Line (Canadian
> Pacific in the US) or related companies - they are
> hiring conductor trainees right now. Be ready for
> wild swings in the weather. I know that many years
> ago Soo Line probably had one of the best training
> programs for student conductors. They had several
> weeks of classroom with some hands on training.
> Then each student went to their home terminal and
> was assigned to an experienced conductor who
> volunteered to be a trainer. Back to class for a
> couple weeks for more training and a final rules
> test. Then back to their terminal for more OJT to
> learn all the various jobs. It was taking an
> average of five months to qualify a new conductor.
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V

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