My wife has to be the best in the world she has stuck by me and raised two kids. The first thing we bought was a good camera so I could see my kids grow up
In the old CSX Tower in Grafton, WV (D Tower, 1910-1999) there was a modified safety sticker in the restroom: "No job is so important, no service so urgent, that we cannot take time to pee."
You just gave me flashbacks to the phone company, it was plastered all over every truck and office "no job is so important, no service is so urgent, that we can not take the time to do it safely and correctly." Was always ironic when management would reference that.
The hiring video just seems sooooooooo satire. Like, "hey, I probably get little sleep, be gone for 2 days and miss my kid's birthday, deal with crappy weather, keep telling you how tough and and difficult this job is, but you should TOTALLY join."
It's an attempt to cut down the number of people who don't put much thought into applying for jobs. This way you get less people who make it to intake and then walk out having learned just how crappy the job is.
@@louiscypher4186 maybe, but it doesn’t work. You could sit down potential new hires in a room for 4 hours and show them the reality and they will still bitch and moan after 4 days because they figured “that happens to everyone else” and “I didn’t think it applied to me”. This is a problem far from unique to the railroads.
@@SIGINT007 They know it's not 100% effective, the goal is simply to weed out some of those who aren't serious. It's solely about making the intake process run smoother. It's just to make HR's job a little easier.
@@SIGINT007 I left the airlines for the railroad. They told me during the pre-employment overview that "the job sucks but you make 6 figures" and "holidays and weekends will mean nothing to you, and if you're married, divorce her and buy another ring for the railroad because it'll be your new bride." I still did it, and I still bitch about being out the house all day and forced double shifts etc etc. They warned me. They fucking warned me.
I worked 22 years on the railroad. Conductor for 4 years, the rest as an engineer. Quit last year, I don't miss it at all. I was never laid off or anything, just moved on.
best decision i ever made was leaving the CN.....hired on with Chicago Central which became IC and then after the CN my decision was made....im making nearly the same amount at Home Depot....
@@roscoepcoltrane5499 I worked out of Markham yard. But, I usually did my time in Kankakee and Gilman. Working the locals. I tried to stay away from the extra board, road trains and such. I got tired of motels.
@@rickenbacker315 awesome, i worked the broadview local, 50 and 51 and extra coal trains....there was a 70 series job to the bluffs in the CCP days i would sign up for...broadview local was my favorite, i was across the highway out of Hawthorne....those were great days forever gone.
I wanted to be an engineer out of high school. Fortunately, I met enough railroaders to paint an accurate picture of the job. Happy to have a "normal" job and play with my model layout in the basement. There's nothing wrong with having a hobby :-)
I have relatives that work in the railroad industry and also had the same idea but had chosen a similar stressful job but better payed, aircraft maintenance. I enjoy CSX from behind of a PC and model railroading.
Railway can be a bitch of a job but it can be very exciting too.. I was on the mechanical side and worked with some unbelievable characters.. however, some employees are so bad that they kind of wreck it for the rest.
On the other hand...there is something incredible when you're in command of 8000 horsepower pulling a 10000 ton train up a grade. You don't really get that on a model railroad.
I applied a few times and never heard anything. I made my own job with the railroad by filming them. My own hours and plenty of travel. I love the railroad son!
JT, I just came here from one of your videos. This comment at least partially answers one of my questions about why a man who loves railroads so much, and is so knowledgeable about railroads, didn't just get a job with a railroad. Of course, you get to see a whole lot more than you would if you actually worked for the railroad and get to go see the interesting stuff.
I’d like to also say; 50 or 60 years ago, most railroaders loved their jobs, even to the point that some of them looked forward to getting away from their homes. They actually had a good time at work. Then the mergers started happening and then the bean counters took over and it all went to hell. Literally.
I will also add safety became a huge factor too, but only because the railroad companies did not want to pay for injuries and fatalities. Now to keep up with all the safety rules, you become exhausted after climbing up and down cars just to get on and off, to pass gates, etc. We can't even hump or kick cars anymore.
@@goober239 Of course railroads do not want to pay for injuries and fatalities. What company WOULD want to pay for them? In today's world any injury can result in a lawsuit that costs everyone.
@@cdavid8139 well, railroading is naturally very dangerous. But if I'm already fatigued 4 hours in my shift from climbing on railcars because my company banned the brake stick, how safe is having a crew of severely fatigued workers?
@@goober239 I agree. Rail, trucking, and many other industries have got to address the issue of fatigued workers. In my opinion it is possibly the most significant issue facing personnel management in the industry. By the way, I hate the brake stick. I'd rather climb...but then again I'm an old head.
@@goober239 if you are fatigue after 4 hours of work then you probably need to get in better shape. Brake sticks are a double edge sword. I for one don’t care for them but they have their place. Some like them and some don’t.
Nine years on the Milwaukee Road. Thirty three on the UP. All in train service. Been retired for nine years. Nothing hurts and all digits and limbs still attached! Still married too. Not too many lucky old dogs like me!😎
@@Cyfi71 I'm aromantic happily single, and enjoy no strings attached to me. Plus I like meeting and sleeping with different women without saying " I have a girlfriend " or " I have a wife " everytime.
I remember a few old, "caboose dwellers" who used that terminology. I'd always respond by telling them: "make up YOUR mind or we AINT MOVING". I thought most of those geeeeezers were dead by now.
That was hilarious!!! I worked for BNSF as a locomotive engineer and I couldn't agree more with you on what the job is really like. When I left the railroad it took about two - three years before my body adjusted to sleeping at night. Thanks for the running comments, that was priceless!
Lol! I’ll never forget when they told me “I might do some occasional digging” for my signal apprenticeship. Digging was only half the job. The other half was filling it in!
I don’t even work for a railroad, but caught when the guy said “go ahead and shove back”. This apparently is another engineer pet peeve. You can’t go ahead and backwards at the same time.
It's a conflict of verbal commands, if a crew cannot agree on what words should be standard when working together, someone may get injured or killed on the job. This wording of a command followed by a countermand of the same command is typical of southern individuals who do not use specific sentences.
As a professional snake handler on a reptile farm, I'm getting pretty fed up with this job. Thanks for this video on this exciting new career opportunity.
I'd just like to say having retired from the Railroad, that virtually EVERYTHING Four Foot says in this vid is true about CSX. First when they do those hiring expos, CSX never told ppl they work a 24hr schedule in the beginning. About 1/3 left b/c of that. Another 1/3 left b/c of the alcolhol/drug testing. Those left tried it and about 1/2 of those left got tired of the scheduling,... the waiting around, the time spent away from home, the time spent tied up on a siding waiting for another train to pass by. KNOW THIS: You hire on:,..... the Railroad OWNS YOU !
Then you and some of us are the only ones who know the truth, this is not a glamor job, not a 9-5 job, not a job for those who are married & family oriented, when you start to work for them, you lose and LOSE BIG.
The life sucks I know that. Even working for a contractor the RR always left us hanging for hours. But there were enough of us on the Sperry Car where we could rotate around on the cab so that someone could get a 1 hour lunch in which I my self utilized to eat with in 15 minutes then take a nap for the rest of of the hour.
I lucked out for 10 years working for csx as a yard conductor. It was a tiny intermodel yard. My engineer and I would break every rule and bust ass. We worked 2 hours per night and "go home". Yard Master would do the time ticket at the end of the 8 hour shift.. We had cab drivers and yard masters throwing switches. It was awesome! Those days are gone. I got called to engineer school. I was a engineer trainee for 2 weeks. One day I just said fuck this shit. I couldn't stand the road work. Called my wife to pick me up at the hotel I'd been in for 48 hours. I didn't mark off. Didn't tell anyone. Just fucking walked. Enough is enough. I'd rather eat a shit sandwich than work the road. That was 9 years ago. And No I still don't regret it. Best decision I've ever made.
Worked for class ones for 32 years. I enjoyed the first 25 years of service. When I worked for Santa Fe we used to change crews on the fly all the time. That was back when railroading was fun. Lots of hot intermodal trains, with 20,000 hp pulling less than 3000 tons. Typical intermodal run time 2-1/2 hours. The crew consist agreements changed the game.
YEAH, that was when Santa Fe was the RR to work for. Remember the Super C? Got a trip on that rocket as a student engineer.... 3 SD-45's + 2 GE U36C's, 28 tofc loads + caboose. Could crawl up our 1.25% grade @ 79mph in run 5 or 6. Still have the clearance/train orders for that run.... way back in 1970's! Freight hoggers nowadays will NEVER see that.... unless they have a runaway on Cajon Pass (maybe).
CSX: Make a acted videi to make working at the railroad seem fun, cool. Reality: people hate it, do it for the pay! Lol (Ive seen some nice conductors and enginners so its not everyone.)
I almost became a conductor. I was “accepted” to conductor school at the BNSF while living in Nebraska. It was in the 90’s. I think the school was actually just a community college in KC. I decided against it and a few years later after I had moved to Lincoln, a BNSF conductor dropped by to see if I would sponsor his semipro football team. Anyway, he made good money, but made it clear he was miserable. So, nowadays I just hop freight trains instead to experience railroad misery;) Thanks for the video.
I went to that school for technical training. Good school actually, but it was so funny because it was part of a junior college I think? Anyway, you had these hot KC college chicks laughing at us RR goons in our stupid overalls.. like the billy Madison scene when he was back in high school.
Even here in Germany in the business newspaper "Handelsblatt" there was a report about the CSX in it. First, financial investors are pushing into the railway. they want to see returns, ergo the railway has to save on investments and personnel. then people fly out and the net degenerates. and now suddenly you realize that you are almost naked without enough staff. The fact that such a path goes wrong could already be seen at many railway companies worldwide. the most blatant example was the privatisation of British Rail. Financial investors are not always snout, but if you drive a company almost against the wall out of greed for profit, something goes wrong. And I don't think that the CSX will find enough suitable personnel again quickly. especially since the new ones should then be paid much less than the old staff. Greetings from Berlin/ Germany. Sven
Yeah I’m going to do a video soon about that whole mess. I’m glad that they’re talking about I’m in Germany, hopefully there’s never a full privatization of DB. As you said, you only have to look at the UK to see how badly it could go, especially now that tenders are being re-nationalized under a conservative government lol.
Welcome to the American business model. Bring in investors who know nothing about said business, micromanage worrying only about quarterly results. Caring nothing about the long-term health of the company. Lay off people and cut operating expenses to bare bones. Soon customers start complaining and business suffers. Then new investors are sought to "return the company to profitability".
Your video is so hilarious. As a commercial driver this is all so relatable; all aspects, including your sentiments… just hilarious! My trucking company produces these same utopian BS videos too.
This is why class 3 railroads is better... The railroad is near by is the St Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad. I'm talking to a engineer he gets a day off a lot by the railroad, there is only 2 trains per day, there is locals but they run in the morning. SLR only runs 3 times of week now, Wednesday and Friday they don't run but if there is something to move then they will run.
I'm a freight conductor for a class 3 and we still work our butts off on all different schedules. It all depends on which railroad you work for but at least even if I work nights, I'm still home every day.
I work for PTI. I’m what’s called a CD driver. I travel around the country and I’m provided a rental vehicle to transport the rail crews. I always keep my vehicle very clean. My hygiene is impeccable. I’m not a shady character thank you very much.😊
CSX does an interesting job here in NC... A couple of months ago, there was a Mile + long freight with a mid train helper that managed to break apart in 2 places... on single track going into a passing siding here south of Four Oaks. Took them a bunch of hours to get that train moving. No idea what caused the problem, but the car shop had to send a rapair dude down to fix / replace the bolter on one of the break apart spots. Just walking back to the first beak apart was a long bit of work.. and the other break apart was in back of the helper...
I went for a union Pacific hiring event in 2005 in Chicago 240 people only 16 of us made it to class reading and drug test took it's toll I guess the job sucked I went back to my public works job I'm retired now👍😊
Ugh... My oldest son just got a tentative job off from the UP. The final job offer is contingent on him passing all the screening tests (drug, background, physical), which he'll likely do. Have to drive to a facility in Maryland tomorrow so he can get his physical abilities evaluation, which is about 6hrs each way. If he gets the final offer, we have to move him out to Portland OR, from the East Coast! I really hope this job works out... We've read a considerable number of bad reviews online on UP employment. He was undaunted by them, so we'll see. He did try CSX and NS, but was turned down for both, though he just got an invite the other day from CSX to resubmit his application!
@@WHJeffB cool! I moved from California to Maryland to work for CSX. Loved the job but hated that on-call life. CSX is also screwing over the younger generations. People not retiring and job cuts. Too much stress! Getting other less stressful employment now.
@@dknowles60 first, engineer doesn’t make much more than the conductor on csx. Secondly, no 5 day a week job goes from Indy to St. Louis. And there are very few pre 85 guys left and the ones that are left work day locals or yard jobs
Makes sense cause thats where HQ is.... Three things I noticed. 1. Those are Actors 2. Q684 is not a real train 3. Q648, The train they meant to say doesnt go through birmingham.
When I was younger I wanted to work for the railroad. Went to a hiring session, basically you’ll have no life, wife, family, or free time, but you will make great money. I was 21 at the time. After the intro he said if this doesn’t work for anyone you can get up and leave now. I promptly stood up and never looked back. Having a life means more to me than money. You may make good money and have a great retirement but you won’t be around to enjoy it til you retire. And you’ll be alone. I’ll pass
@P Kilzna - You wrote - "you’ll have no life, wife, family, or free time, but you will make great money.". Wow! That sounds exactly like being a long haul truck driver, except as a truck driver, and particularly if you're an owner-operator, instead of making "great money", after figuring in all your non-paid working hours, you'll end up barely making, or sometimes not even making minimum wage!
As a signal electrician of nearly 20 years, I hear you Sir! This was a lot of fun, and exactly how I view company videos..LOL.You've said so many things that I see every day ...lazy offsiders and guys who can't be bothered to do their job! Like you , I love trains, but someday's its' challenging...but if I had two good eyes, Id be an loco engineer for sure as thats where my passion lies. Thanks for the video and stay safe out there. Cheers Gregg.
Ah that's really disappointing. I guess I'm like most guys, have always had a fascination with the big gear and a respect for the mystery of the work involved. The behind the curtain reveal is disappointing but I have to express my appreciation for it regardless. Imagine the country without the benefit of the work you guys do. It's literally critical infrastructure. It may be abusive, challenging, and personally disruptive, but the country can't sustain itself without you. Salute!
Those of us who made it to retirement , as well as the hardy men & women that keep those steel wheels rolling certainly appreciate that comment. THANK YOU
Thanks a lot my son worked with CSX for 10 years and I have heard some of this before but you add to the story.He still works around trains but in different capacity.
Oh that was classic, and I did laugh very hard at parts. That was fun. I wanted to work at the railroad when I got laid off in 2009. My buddy got the job and I didn't and guess what boy am I glad. He still can't hold jobs as he calls it, whatever that means. Still on call and still not great. That railroad is Conrail and it's basically local to NJ and it still seems like a hassle. I work Monday-Friday now 7-3:30 and money is about that the same. I still think about NJT once in a while but my schedule is too good to give up. NJT is gonna be crazy hours too.
I would STRONGLY recommend that if ANYONE is considering becoming a railroader make sure your children are grown and out the house!!! Make sure your significant other is NOT selfish,busy,and somewhat independent…..in other words,your significant other doesn’t need you shoved up there A$$ 24/7‼️ make sure your significant other isn’t insecure,DOES NOT have a lot of free time and hopefully they work nights and work on weekends. Make sure your significant other doesn’t mind celebrating a birthday,holiday etc. on another besides the actual day‼️ ONLY the STRONG will survive the railroad 😂😂
Interesting.... Sounds a lot like the aviation industry, which in our family's case, was worse... My dad was a pilot. The last few years of his life, we only saw him 3 or 4 times A YEAR at most.
Wonder if they took back the hi vis after the video because I have seen many train crews and transported many as well but have never seen a old hand with a vest that clean
I was at Burlington Northern Santa Fe employee for over 38 years it was a good living I raised three children sent them to school Etc yes you do pay a price however even the bad days we're better then in the other job I had I was never a railroad nut or railroadfan however I did enjoy my job if you can't handle the requirements how's the job don't apply otherwise it is a pretty good living was challenges every train every situation it's different you want conformity get an office job
It's like AT&T, they go on these big hiring sprees because they need more workers, then they spend the next few years chipping away at those numbers by laying off or firing everyone, just to turn around and go "gee, we need more workers" and repeat the process. Basically the only way to last long is to get your seniority and be willing to roll over for management when they prioritize metrics over safety and laws.
If you see newer locos going to the dead line, your job may be next. If you see locos being pulled from the dead line and returned to use, watch for new hires. I decided against a railroad career and went with something I thought would be better. First job nearly killed me ( chemicals ) and the second was like a railroad job. Your normal hours of work were 0600 to 1700. When things were normal. That lasted 3 days of normal before the OT hit. There were times when we worked 90 straight days of 12 hour shifts without a day off. When I was forcibly retired, I was on call 24/7/180 with a mandatory report to a job site within 2 hours prepared to spend 8 or more onsite. We had lockers in two locations with extra clothes and food in them as we never knew when the calls would come. Mine usually were in the 0dark30 time frame. As it was a "government" job, there weren't hours of service rules so on one occasion I spent 30 out of 32 hours at work ( actual rule was that you had to report with supplies for 3 days on the job. ) Pay was good but when you are at work for 3500 hours in a year, it ruins your health.
I work for a Class 3 and it's pretty much the railroad way. Another fun thing they do is hire you, spend all kinds of time and money training you, and spend the rest of your career trying to fire you.
@@ibanezs6724 That is EXACTLY how AT&T was, I was in my early 20's with gray popping into my beard hairs and potentially an aortic anuerism, don't miss it.
Really enjoyed this video;one of your best.It’s nice to know you are not taking the railway(sorry,railroad) industry too seriously! And thank you for slowing your speech down on this video,as on some of your videos you talk so fast I can barely understand what you are saying-but what you have to say is very interesting and entertaining.Please keep up the good work.
I love trains, but after that CSX employment video I think i will just watch the trains go by. Loved the part about Railroad Health Care when you die within a year after retirement. Gives me an appreciation of the these guys working day and night.
I recently applied for freight conductor at their North Bergen, NJ yard. I live right across the river in Manhattan. So getting there within 2 hours won't be a problem for me. Do I have to ride in the outside for the whole 12 hours?
I interviewed with CSX about 10 years ago and I came away with the very distinct understanding that they are hiring you to fire you. Their employment rules are ridiculous.
CSX is having trouble finding people to work after their furloughed people aren't coming back. They've been offering huge sign on and referral bonuses too but aren't having any luck. PSR ruined what good was left in the railroads.
I grew up when L&N was around my area so I knew lots of people who work for them. I was told they where hiring so I went and done all the paperwork which I ace but was told at this time they could not hire me.
I just got hired as a Train Conductor, but it’s a passenger railroad with a strong union, so there’s no layoffs. It’s also only statewide, so I won’t be working for days on end. That’s hilarious how you mentioned half your class leaving at the orientation. That’s exactly what happened with my preemployment orientation. Lol
Working on the railroad has become one of the worst occupations in the country. I logged in 27 1/2 years and retired early because these companies just don’t care about anything but the bottom line of keeping investors happy.
After being a on-demand freight and airline pilot, I know what you are going through. I get questions all the time as to why I left this sort of a life for a desk job. I am sure you can sympathize, but I still want to know how dispatch knew to call anytime I made a plan to meet someone, or when there was some kind of family outing. Safe travels!
@@TheFourFoot Trust me...the interesting part usually involved bad things like in-flight fires, SA-7 surface to air missiles, living in tents and mortars (I was on C-130). Most of the rest of being an aircrew members sounds a lot like my railroad engineer neighbor's job...lots of studying flight regulations/tactics/aircraft manuals, odd hours and being one broken rule away from being in a lot of trouble or hurting someone. Of course...he said even the UP isn't cheap enough to make him stay in a tent or eat MREs!
I took a CSX job test back in 1995 in Corbin Kentucky. A kid was there also taking the test actually stated, “I have 3 DUI’s, do you think they will hold that against me?”
@@Victorseafog Yup. I think it carried over onto a few of the ex Southern divisions after the merger in 1981, especially on the ex Southern power than never had s**tters installed on them (or had them removed if they dumped straight to the tracks). One guy told me that after using them they started throwing them at the old telephone/telegraph lines along the right of the way and that they'd hang there for months.
How many hours per month are you allowed to drive the train? Is it more or less than big rig drivers? Are the rules the same in every state for rest etc.?
We can work up to 276 hours per month, which is slightly more than truckers (approximately 240), and yes, the operating laws are the same in every state, because they’re regulated by the federal government.
My dad worked on the railroad in Mexico his whole life, he retired from it but he still got up at 5AM and went to the pickup site just to wave his co-workers goodbye and walk back home. Back in those days, there was no machinery to aid the process or make it easier on workers, my dad with his crew did everything by hand, pick up all the components by hand and replace them with only man power, he used to spread the gravel (whatever it's called in the railroad industry) and he would used this super long and heavy spear-like tool with a flat end to pack it around the track. I heard so many stories about his upper-body strength, I've heard he made a grown man cry by squeezing his hand really hard, I've heard he punched a guy unconscious when he was provoked to fight someone. My dad is a legend in the railroad industry, I tried applying for a job at the railroad in Mexico but they never called me back, I guess they don't like too many girls in the crew LOL.
Thanks for the video. I like your happy personality. Did you try the MaoTai liquor on your shelf? That is an expensive liquor. It often costs 300-500 USD/bottle.
I’ve wanted to be a train engineer my whole life. I even thought about it after graduating high school. Thank goodness i decided against it. Even though I would be applying for NJ Transit which is probably slightly different from freight railroads, im glad I chose to go to college and keep trains as a hobby. I’d rather have a career involving trains by filming them and making videos about them. Thats probably for the better for me. But of course i’ll always support all the engineers who put up their hard work for people like me who love trains
Thanks TFF for taking the time from your busy schedule to make this video life at CSX and the humor you put in it. I do have an second alternative way of spending time with your family and your self and generate an income if the people are motivate and serious.
I know nothing about trains, and this video was randomly in my recommended, but I found it very interesting and informative. It doesn’t sound like a very fun job.
I worked for NS as a freight conductor for years, it wasn't a bad job but at the same time, one of the worst jobs I've ever had too. Terrible lifestyle and they were constantly trying to get everyone in trouble for just trying to do their job.
I remember back in the late 70's went to a Class 1 intro training session. Was told, If you wear glasses now, not much chance of ever being a railroad engineer. Got up and left. Hello, major electric utility. Worked 33 years there and been enjoying retirement since 2010. Electric utility retirement is pretty good too, and you get to come home most nights.
im pretty sure you had a better life as well unless a storm knocked out power...my grandpa worked for com-ed...not only did he have is retirement, but he also invested half his pay back into the company...threw dividends, stock splits he passed away with 4,000,000.00 and some change.
A question and new update: I just signed my conditional offer for BNSF a few days ago on the 9th and am now waiting on a company called CHSi to schedule my physical exam and strength test. Does anybody know the time frame I can expect for this half?
It a Bait & Lure commercial, like the advertisements where the Army promised everything and suckered you to join for it, after doing so, you knew you were screwed.
As a defense contractor, we're constantly missing family events since we're deployed so often. Sometimes more than the military's or embassy's we're attached to. A sacrifice to provide a good life.
LMAO "the first problem is that he's still married"
The railroad has a habit of taking care of those things lol
Or you could marry better
My wife has to be the best in the world she has stuck by me and raised two kids. The first thing we bought was a good camera so I could see my kids grow up
@@TheFourFoot Trucking too.
Yes Alan, this is funny
Truthfully this was one of the better recruiting videos. They gave a lot of reasons to “don’t bother applying”.
Super cheese
In the old CSX Tower in Grafton, WV (D Tower, 1910-1999) there was a modified safety sticker in the restroom: "No job is so important, no service so urgent, that we cannot take time to pee."
You just gave me flashbacks to the phone company, it was plastered all over every truck and office "no job is so important, no service is so urgent, that we can not take the time to do it safely and correctly." Was always ironic when management would reference that.
@@louisianagator95 especially with 600v DC bus bars everywhere. 😉
CSX branding even continued into his "house" - front door was CSX blue while the walls were grayish blue, lol
You can tell he “loves workin on those trains” lol
😂😂😂
Fucking corny !
@@TheFourFoot fucking actor not a railroader !
Perhaps the paint was "borrowed" from the shop?
The hiring video just seems sooooooooo satire. Like, "hey, I probably get little sleep, be gone for 2 days and miss my kid's birthday, deal with crappy weather, keep telling you how tough and and difficult this job is, but you should TOTALLY join."
Pretty much lol
It's an attempt to cut down the number of people who don't put much thought into applying for jobs. This way you get less people who make it to intake and then walk out having learned just how crappy the job is.
@@louiscypher4186 maybe, but it doesn’t work. You could sit down potential new hires in a room for 4 hours and show them the reality and they will still bitch and moan after 4 days because they figured “that happens to everyone else” and “I didn’t think it applied to me”.
This is a problem far from unique to the railroads.
@@SIGINT007 They know it's not 100% effective, the goal is simply to weed out some of those who aren't serious. It's solely about making the intake process run smoother. It's just to make HR's job a little easier.
@@SIGINT007 I left the airlines for the railroad. They told me during the pre-employment overview that "the job sucks but you make 6 figures" and "holidays and weekends will mean nothing to you, and if you're married, divorce her and buy another ring for the railroad because it'll be your new bride."
I still did it, and I still bitch about being out the house all day and forced double shifts etc etc. They warned me. They fucking warned me.
I worked 22 years on the railroad. Conductor for 4 years, the rest as an engineer. Quit last year, I don't miss it at all. I was never laid off or anything, just moved on.
Nice lol, I hope you found something better
best decision i ever made was leaving the CN.....hired on with Chicago Central which became IC and then after the CN my decision was made....im making nearly the same amount at Home Depot....
@ Rick Barnes. . . You were fortunate, at the right time, at the right place and allowed a dignified exit.
@@roscoepcoltrane5499 I worked out of Markham yard. But, I usually did my time in Kankakee and Gilman. Working the locals. I tried to stay away from the extra board, road trains and such. I got tired of motels.
@@rickenbacker315 awesome, i worked the broadview local, 50 and 51 and extra coal trains....there was a 70 series job to the bluffs in the CCP days i would sign up for...broadview local was my favorite, i was across the highway out of Hawthorne....those were great days forever gone.
I wanted to be an engineer out of high school. Fortunately, I met enough railroaders to paint an accurate picture of the job. Happy to have a "normal" job and play with my model layout in the basement. There's nothing wrong with having a hobby :-)
Absolutely not! I love my model trains lol
Enjoy the hobby for all you put into it, it's a reality you can control, the real railroad is a nightmare.
I have relatives that work in the railroad industry and also had the same idea but had chosen a similar stressful job but better payed, aircraft maintenance. I enjoy CSX from behind of a PC and model railroading.
Railway can be a bitch of a job but it can be very exciting too.. I was on the mechanical side and worked with some unbelievable characters.. however, some employees are so bad that they kind of wreck it for the rest.
On the other hand...there is something incredible when you're in command of 8000 horsepower pulling a 10000 ton train up a grade. You don't really get that on a model railroad.
I applied a few times and never heard anything. I made my own job with the railroad by filming them. My own hours and plenty of travel. I love the railroad son!
I know you have! Lol that’s definitely the goal!
JT, I just came here from one of your videos. This comment at least partially answers one of my questions about why a man who loves railroads so much, and is so knowledgeable about railroads, didn't just get a job with a railroad. Of course, you get to see a whole lot more than you would if you actually worked for the railroad and get to go see the interesting stuff.
Doing a great job Jaw Tooth! loved when hobo shoestring randomly ran into you while you were both filming! Lol
Keep up the good job jaw tooth
Start the video son
He's fired his first day, he was called to go on duty in Birmingham but showed up in Jacksonville.
😂😂😂🤣😂. Wrong city !
I’d like to also say; 50 or 60 years ago, most railroaders loved their jobs, even to the point that some of them looked forward to getting away from their homes. They actually had a good time at work. Then the mergers started happening and then the bean counters took over and it all went to hell. Literally.
I will also add safety became a huge factor too, but only because the railroad companies did not want to pay for injuries and fatalities. Now to keep up with all the safety rules, you become exhausted after climbing up and down cars just to get on and off, to pass gates, etc. We can't even hump or kick cars anymore.
@@goober239 Of course railroads do not want to pay for injuries and fatalities. What company WOULD want to pay for them? In today's world any injury can result in a lawsuit that costs everyone.
@@cdavid8139 well, railroading is naturally very dangerous. But if I'm already fatigued 4 hours in my shift from climbing on railcars because my company banned the brake stick, how safe is having a crew of severely fatigued workers?
@@goober239 I agree. Rail, trucking, and many other industries have got to address the issue of fatigued workers. In my opinion it is possibly the most significant issue facing personnel management in the industry. By the way, I hate the brake stick. I'd rather climb...but then again I'm an old head.
@@goober239 if you are fatigue after 4 hours of work then you probably need to get in better shape. Brake sticks are a double edge sword. I for one don’t care for them but they have their place. Some like them and some don’t.
Nine years on the Milwaukee Road. Thirty three on the UP. All in train service. Been retired for nine years. Nothing hurts and all digits and limbs still attached! Still married too. Not too many lucky old dogs like me!😎
Lucky Minus the married part.
@@youraveragejoe2 Hey, I got the one. You know the one that every other guy wanted but didn't get, so yup, still happily married!😎
@@Cyfi71 I'm aromantic happily single, and enjoy no strings attached to me. Plus I like meeting and sleeping with different women without saying " I have a girlfriend " or " I have a wife " everytime.
@@youraveragejoe2 alright, you're doing just fine!😎
@@youraveragejoe2 I’ve always viewed your kind as selfish
This guy isn't a real conductor. He said go ahead and shove back
I remember a few old, "caboose dwellers" who used that terminology. I'd always respond by telling them: "make up YOUR mind or we AINT MOVING". I thought most of those geeeeezers were dead by now.
CSX... Our recruitment videos look like they’re shot on a Cell Phone...
I’m sure they’re lots of fun to watch lol
That was hilarious!!! I worked for BNSF as a locomotive engineer and I couldn't agree more with you on what the job is really like. When I left the railroad it took about two - three years before my body adjusted to sleeping at night. Thanks for the running comments, that was priceless!
When he leaves his wife calls the second shift guy.
She’s getting her service no matter what 😂
😂
Used to call that "Joe the Grinder"
Has there ever been a corporate training/recruiting video that WASN'T cheesy?
Answer : No
I bet Tony Montana has a real down to earth hiring vid.
Shake Hands with danger was pretty cool.
Lol! I’ll never forget when they told me “I might do some occasional digging” for my signal apprenticeship. Digging was only half the job. The other half was filling it in!
I don’t even work for a railroad, but caught when the guy said “go ahead and shove back”. This apparently is another engineer pet peeve. You can’t go ahead and backwards at the same time.
You are correct lol
@@TheFourFoot
What would be funny, is to take him “ahead” 50 cars, then “back up” 50 cars stopping exactly where we started.
It's a conflict of verbal commands, if a crew cannot agree on what words should be standard when working together, someone may get injured or killed on the job. This wording of a command followed by a countermand of the same command is typical of southern individuals who do not use specific sentences.
BNSF stands for:
Better
Not
Start a
Family
Or:
Better
Not
Slip and
Fall
I love your comments and learned a lot about working on the railroad in the USA in general.
Glad you liked it!
As a professional snake handler on a reptile farm, I'm getting pretty fed up with this job. Thanks for this video on this exciting new career opportunity.
I'd just like to say having retired from the Railroad, that virtually EVERYTHING Four Foot says in this vid is true about CSX. First when they do those hiring expos, CSX never told ppl they work a 24hr schedule in the beginning. About 1/3 left b/c of that. Another 1/3 left b/c of the alcolhol/drug testing. Those left tried it and about 1/2 of those left got tired of the scheduling,... the waiting around, the time spent away from home, the time spent tied up on a siding waiting for another train to pass by.
KNOW THIS: You hire on:,..... the Railroad OWNS YOU !
Then you and some of us are the only ones who know the truth, this is not a glamor job, not a 9-5 job, not a job for those who are married & family oriented, when you start to work for them, you lose and LOSE BIG.
The life sucks I know that. Even working for a contractor the RR always left us hanging for hours. But there were enough of us on the Sperry Car where we could rotate around on the cab so that someone could get a 1 hour lunch in which I my self utilized to eat with in 15 minutes then take a nap for the rest of of the hour.
Once you're trained, you get railroaded.
I'm a driver for Greyhound and it's hilarious how similar the two jobs are
But train conductors don't have to deal with greyhound passengers *shudders*
@@badgerattoadhall yes I do
@@brandonhurley9982 your right, you do more than anyone.
I edited my message to make it correct.
2:14 all the boxes are checked 🙄
I lucked out for 10 years working for csx as a yard conductor. It was a tiny intermodel yard. My engineer and I would break every rule and bust ass. We worked 2 hours per night and "go home". Yard Master would do the time ticket at the end of the 8 hour shift.. We had cab drivers and yard masters throwing switches. It was awesome! Those days are gone. I got called to engineer school. I was a engineer trainee for 2 weeks. One day I just said fuck this shit. I couldn't stand the road work. Called my wife to pick me up at the hotel I'd been in for 48 hours. I didn't mark off. Didn't tell anyone. Just fucking walked. Enough is enough. I'd rather eat a shit sandwich than work the road. That was 9 years ago. And No I still don't regret it. Best decision I've ever made.
That sounds awesome.
Worked for class ones for 32 years. I enjoyed the first 25 years of service. When I worked for Santa Fe we used to change crews on the fly all the time. That was back when railroading was fun. Lots of hot intermodal trains, with 20,000 hp pulling less than 3000 tons. Typical intermodal run time 2-1/2 hours. The crew consist agreements changed the game.
YEAH, that was when Santa Fe was the RR to work for. Remember the Super C? Got a trip on that rocket as a student engineer.... 3 SD-45's + 2 GE U36C's, 28 tofc loads + caboose. Could crawl up our 1.25% grade @ 79mph in run 5 or 6.
Still have the clearance/train orders for that run.... way back in 1970's!
Freight hoggers nowadays will NEVER see that.... unless they have a runaway on Cajon Pass (maybe).
I don't think the actor is ever seen on a moving train. Insurance issue?
Hard to say. He might actually be a csx employee, but I’m not sure lol
He is more then likely a office based employee they use a lot of them in their videos.
Needs be titled “A night in the life of a CSX conductor.”
i knew a conductor who had a wife in cleveland and buffalo
"Literally everything about this job sucks, but it's super rewarding trust me" -the ad
Basically lol
CSX: Make a acted videi to make working at the railroad seem fun, cool.
Reality: people hate it, do it for the pay! Lol
(Ive seen some nice conductors and enginners so its not everyone.)
I did the same !
How does the saying go: Put enough money in their pockets & shove the right words down their throats and you can get liars at any price.
I've railroaded 30 plus years. All in all....I love it.
I almost became a conductor. I was “accepted” to conductor school at the BNSF while living in Nebraska. It was in the 90’s. I think the school was actually just a community college in KC. I decided against it and a few years later after I had moved to Lincoln, a BNSF conductor dropped by to see if I would sponsor his semipro football team. Anyway, he made good money, but made it clear he was miserable. So, nowadays I just hop freight trains instead to experience railroad misery;) Thanks for the video.
I went to that school for technical training. Good school actually, but it was so funny because it was part of a junior college I think? Anyway, you had these hot KC college chicks laughing at us RR goons in our stupid overalls.. like the billy Madison scene when he was back in high school.
Even here in Germany in the business newspaper "Handelsblatt" there was a report about the CSX in it. First, financial investors are pushing into the railway. they want to see returns, ergo the railway has to save on investments and personnel. then people fly out and the net degenerates. and now suddenly you realize that you are almost naked without enough staff. The fact that such a path goes wrong could already be seen at many railway companies worldwide. the most blatant example was the privatisation of British Rail. Financial investors are not always snout, but if you drive a company almost against the wall out of greed for profit, something goes wrong. And I don't think that the CSX will find enough suitable personnel again quickly. especially since the new ones should then be paid much less than the old staff. Greetings from Berlin/ Germany. Sven
Yeah I’m going to do a video soon about that whole mess. I’m glad that they’re talking about I’m in Germany, hopefully there’s never a full privatization of DB. As you said, you only have to look at the UK to see how badly it could go, especially now that tenders are being re-nationalized under a conservative government lol.
Welcome to the American business model. Bring in investors who know nothing about said business, micromanage worrying only about quarterly results. Caring nothing about the long-term health of the company. Lay off people and cut operating expenses to bare bones. Soon customers start complaining and business suffers. Then new investors are sought to "return the company to profitability".
AMEN! Brother! . . . WELL SAID ! ! !
7:46 That's interesting, I never knew about the riding crew vans part of the job
Trust me it is not as glamorous as it sounds they always smell and the driver is always eating something or is 900 lbs so they smell
Lol I used to be a rail yard clerk and gave rides to train crews, I can tell you they would rather ride with us than with PTI.
Crew vans and cabs are one of the most dangerous parts of the job.
Got in a wreck in a van back in April, was not fun and wouldn't recommend.
@@Dokkensound I'm an engineer and I 100% think that the most dangerous part of my job is getting in the van.
"Because I am on call, I sometimes miss family events". You always miss family events. Same thing for truck drivers.
Yes, it would be more accurate to say, "sometimes I MAKE family events!....sometimes..."
This is where CSX's budget went instead of dealing with derailments.
Don't forget the jobs that could have been saved
Lol
Your video is so hilarious. As a commercial driver this is all so relatable; all aspects, including your sentiments… just hilarious! My trucking company produces these same utopian BS videos too.
This is why class 3 railroads is better... The railroad is near by is the St Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad. I'm talking to a engineer he gets a day off a lot by the railroad, there is only 2 trains per day, there is locals but they run in the morning. SLR only runs 3 times of week now, Wednesday and Friday they don't run but if there is something to move then they will run.
tbh i think class 2s are better but class 3s have that good power
I'm a freight conductor for a class 3 and we still work our butts off on all different schedules. It all depends on which railroad you work for but at least even if I work nights, I'm still home every day.
The CFE is nearby here and they run to Chicago and to Crestline. I knew several people that work for them that used to work for class 1s.
@@TouchoftheBrushModelWeathering yes it depends what railroad who works for.
And it’s hard to get on with a class 3 with no experience unless you know someone who can pull some strings for you
I work for PTI. I’m what’s called a CD driver. I travel around the country and I’m provided a rental vehicle to transport the rail crews. I always keep my vehicle very clean. My hygiene is impeccable. I’m not a shady character thank you very much.😊
What I got from this video is that I should never work as a railroad conductor
Congratulations! You get the prize.
Honest truthful comments. Drink gallons of dark roast strong coffee!
This video was awesome man! I was cracking up like crazy! Thanks for posting, love your video’s 👍
CSX does an interesting job here in NC... A couple of months ago, there was a Mile + long freight with a mid train helper that managed to break apart in 2 places... on single track going into a passing siding here south of Four Oaks. Took them a bunch of hours to get that train moving. No idea what caused the problem, but the car shop had to send a rapair dude down to fix / replace the bolter on one of the break apart spots. Just walking back to the first beak apart was a long bit of work.. and the other break apart was in back of the helper...
I was going to ship some commodities by rail once. When they told me it was give or take 30 days for rail cars, I said no thank you.
I went for a union Pacific hiring event in 2005 in Chicago 240 people only 16 of us made it to class reading and drug test took it's toll I guess the job sucked I went back to my public works job I'm retired now👍😊
Retirement is definitely the way to go lol. That sounds about right haha
Ugh... My oldest son just got a tentative job off from the UP. The final job offer is contingent on him passing all the screening tests (drug, background, physical), which he'll likely do. Have to drive to a facility in Maryland tomorrow so he can get his physical abilities evaluation, which is about 6hrs each way. If he gets the final offer, we have to move him out to Portland OR, from the East Coast! I really hope this job works out... We've read a considerable number of bad reviews online on UP employment. He was undaunted by them, so we'll see.
He did try CSX and NS, but was turned down for both, though he just got an invite the other day from CSX to resubmit his application!
@@WHJeffB cool! I moved from California to Maryland to work for CSX. Loved the job but hated that on-call life. CSX is also screwing over the younger generations. People not retiring and job cuts. Too much stress! Getting other less stressful employment now.
@@dknowles60 lol, they don’t make $150,000. Over $100,000 if you don’t mark off and maybe $125,000 maxed out
@@dknowles60 first, engineer doesn’t make much more than the conductor on csx. Secondly, no 5 day a week job goes from Indy to St. Louis. And there are very few pre 85 guys left and the ones that are left work day locals or yard jobs
He says he is in Birmingham but that was all filmed in Jacksonville at Moncrief yard
Thanks, I knew someone would know!
Makes sense cause thats where HQ is.... Three things I noticed.
1. Those are Actors
2. Q684 is not a real train
3. Q648, The train they meant to say doesnt go through birmingham.
And don’t forget about being watched by drones, yard cameras and inward and outward facing cab cameras.
Yes 🤣 they want tell you that and the train master in the pickup truck 🛻 on the yard watching you
When I was younger I wanted to work for the railroad. Went to a hiring session, basically you’ll have no life, wife, family, or free time, but you will make great money. I was 21 at the time. After the intro he said if this doesn’t work for anyone you can get up and leave now. I promptly stood up and never looked back. Having a life means more to me than money. You may make good money and have a great retirement but you won’t be around to enjoy it til you retire. And you’ll be alone. I’ll pass
Yup , seen it happen many times
@P Kilzna - You wrote - "you’ll have no life, wife, family, or free time, but you will make great money.". Wow! That sounds exactly like being a long haul truck driver, except as a truck driver, and particularly if you're an owner-operator, instead of making "great money", after figuring in all your non-paid working hours, you'll end up barely making, or sometimes not even making minimum wage!
It's not a 9 to 5 job, holidays your stuck working and if you take off excessive personal time, you're screwed, anyway you were smart to pass on it.
Better
Not
Start a
Family
@@TheFourFoot - Or have one in every stopover point along the line! :)
my dad works for CSX and he says ITS SOOOOOOOO BAD
As a signal electrician of nearly 20 years, I hear you Sir! This was a lot of fun, and exactly how I view company videos..LOL.You've said so many things that I see every day ...lazy offsiders and guys who can't be bothered to do their job! Like you , I love trains, but someday's its' challenging...but if I had two good eyes, Id be an loco engineer for sure as thats where my passion lies.
Thanks for the video and stay safe out there.
Cheers Gregg.
Ah that's really disappointing. I guess I'm like most guys, have always had a fascination with the big gear and a respect for the mystery of the work involved. The behind the curtain reveal is disappointing but I have to express my appreciation for it regardless. Imagine the country without the benefit of the work you guys do. It's literally critical infrastructure. It may be abusive, challenging, and personally disruptive, but the country can't sustain itself without you. Salute!
Those of us who made it to retirement , as well as the hardy men & women that keep those steel wheels rolling certainly appreciate that comment. THANK YOU
Thanks a lot my son worked with CSX for 10 years and I have heard some of this before but you add to the story.He still works around trains but in different capacity.
17 years railroading and I can tell you it still sucks…
😂
Safety is the number one corporate value, right after profit.
As a Canadian national tm once said safety will always take back seat to productivity
Oh that was classic, and I did laugh very hard at parts. That was fun. I wanted to work at the railroad when I got laid off in 2009. My buddy got the job and I didn't and guess what boy am I glad. He still can't hold jobs as he calls it, whatever that means. Still on call and still not great. That railroad is Conrail and it's basically local to NJ and it still seems like a hassle.
I work Monday-Friday now 7-3:30 and money is about that the same. I still think about NJT once in a while but my schedule is too good to give up. NJT is gonna be crazy hours too.
Yeah I’ve definitely learned that money isn’t everything and a decent schedule is worth a lot! I’m glad you got a decent gig!
@@TheFourFoot thanks man. I did have tunnel vision for a railroad job at one time though. Good luck I think I didn't actually get one.
@@JC-bl9bo “holding a job” on the railroad means holding or retaining seniority.
I would STRONGLY recommend that if ANYONE is considering becoming a railroader make sure your children are grown and out the house!!! Make sure your significant other is NOT selfish,busy,and somewhat independent…..in other words,your significant other doesn’t need you shoved up there A$$ 24/7‼️ make sure your significant other isn’t insecure,DOES NOT have a lot of free time and hopefully they work nights and work on weekends. Make sure your significant other doesn’t mind celebrating a birthday,holiday etc. on another besides the actual day‼️ ONLY the STRONG will survive the railroad 😂😂
Interesting.... Sounds a lot like the aviation industry, which in our family's case, was worse... My dad was a pilot. The last few years of his life, we only saw him 3 or 4 times A YEAR at most.
Wonder if they took back the hi vis after the video because I have seen many train crews and transported many as well but have never seen a old hand with a vest that clean
If you love it (the craft) you will become incredibly resentful of what the company has done to the craft.
Great video with commentary. I never knew it was that rough for a freight train operators.
I’m a retired driver, same deal nights, weekends, holidays. The money and benefits made it hard to leave.
I was at Burlington Northern Santa Fe employee for over 38 years it was a good living I raised three children sent them to school Etc yes you do pay a price however even the bad days we're better then in the other job I had I was never a railroad nut or railroadfan however I did enjoy my job if you can't handle the requirements how's the job don't apply otherwise it is a pretty good living was challenges every train every situation it's different you want conformity get an office job
I really like that they layed off thousands of employees and now are hiring because they are short on them
It's like AT&T, they go on these big hiring sprees because they need more workers, then they spend the next few years chipping away at those numbers by laying off or firing everyone, just to turn around and go "gee, we need more workers" and repeat the process. Basically the only way to last long is to get your seniority and be willing to roll over for management when they prioritize metrics over safety and laws.
If you see newer locos going to the dead line, your job may be next. If you see locos being pulled from the dead line and returned to use, watch for new hires.
I decided against a railroad career and went with something I thought would be better. First job nearly killed me ( chemicals ) and the second was like a railroad job. Your normal hours of work were 0600 to 1700. When things were normal. That lasted 3 days of normal before the OT hit. There were times when we worked 90 straight days of 12 hour shifts without a day off. When I was forcibly retired, I was on call 24/7/180 with a mandatory report to a job site within 2 hours prepared to spend 8 or more onsite. We had lockers in two locations with extra clothes and food in them as we never knew when the calls would come. Mine usually were in the 0dark30 time frame. As it was a "government" job, there weren't hours of service rules so on one occasion I spent 30 out of 32 hours at work ( actual rule was that you had to report with supplies for 3 days on the job. ) Pay was good but when you are at work for 3500 hours in a year, it ruins your health.
I work for a Class 3 and it's pretty much the railroad way. Another fun thing they do is hire you, spend all kinds of time and money training you, and spend the rest of your career trying to fire you.
@@ibanezs6724 That is EXACTLY how AT&T was, I was in my early 20's with gray popping into my beard hairs and potentially an aortic anuerism, don't miss it.
@@gravelydon7072 what on earth were you doing?? So I can never accidentally get that job ever👍
Really enjoyed this video;one of your best.It’s nice to know you are not taking the railway(sorry,railroad) industry too seriously!
And thank you for slowing your speech down on this video,as on some of your videos you talk so fast I can barely understand what you are saying-but what you have to say is very interesting and entertaining.Please keep up the good work.
Great video! I like how even the “conductors” front door at his home is painted in the CSX blue lol
I was a trainmaster with CSX for two years. Worst job of my life…
Reminds me of a job interview I had at the airport. "You are a slave to the job, you have no life and no none cares."
I love trains, but after that CSX employment video I think i will just watch the trains go by. Loved the part about Railroad Health Care when you die within a year after retirement. Gives me an appreciation of the these guys working day and night.
If you want to work with trains, volunteer at a railroad museum or attempt to find a short line near you. AVOID CLASS 1 RAILROADS AT ALL COSTS.
I recently applied for freight conductor at their North Bergen, NJ yard. I live right across the river in Manhattan. So getting there within 2 hours won't be a problem for me. Do I have to ride in the outside for the whole 12 hours?
I interviewed with CSX about 10 years ago and I came away with the very distinct understanding that they are hiring you to fire you. Their employment rules are ridiculous.
The entire CSX SYSTEM IS RIDICULOUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@tomflendodo7297 A loser in life is a success at the railroad
"Buuuul!" ---- I choked on my sandwich. I should never watch your entertaining videos while eating!😀
Lololol I’m glad you liked it! Thanks!
Only on metra do you have a set schedule or if you work on a company yard job.
CSX is having trouble finding people to work after their furloughed people aren't coming back. They've been offering huge sign on and referral bonuses too but aren't having any luck. PSR ruined what good was left in the railroads.
24:39 that made me laugh. They literally did not show how a train work but he got there in 12 hours, perfect
I grew up when L&N was around my area so I knew lots of people who work for them. I was told they where hiring so I went and done all the paperwork which I ace but was told at this time they could not hire me.
I just got hired as a Train Conductor, but it’s a passenger railroad with a strong union, so there’s no layoffs. It’s also only statewide, so I won’t be working for days on end. That’s hilarious how you mentioned half your class leaving at the orientation. That’s exactly what happened with my preemployment orientation. Lol
lol love the commentating lol. have interview for NS NEXT WEEK Ive been looking for all info I can get
Working on the railroad has become one of the worst occupations in the country. I logged in 27 1/2 years and retired early because these companies just don’t care about anything but the bottom line of keeping investors happy.
30 plus years and I still enjoy it. And given they are in the business to keep investors happy....then that is what they should do.
that is not all they should do.@@cdavid8139
44 years for me.. Retired in May... It was a long run, but enjoying....Plus, productivity pay was a nice extra bonus..
After being a on-demand freight and airline pilot, I know what you are going through. I get questions all the time as to why I left this sort of a life for a desk job. I am sure you can sympathize, but I still want to know how dispatch knew to call anytime I made a plan to meet someone, or when there was some kind of family outing.
Safe travels!
I’m sure you do. Hopefully someone has patented their mind reading technology lol. Glad you got a better gig!
I’m a retired USAF flight engineer…train crews have my genuine empathy.
That’s far more exciting than trains!
@@TheFourFoot Trust me...the interesting part usually involved bad things like in-flight fires, SA-7 surface to air missiles, living in tents and mortars (I was on C-130). Most of the rest of being an aircrew members sounds a lot like my railroad engineer neighbor's job...lots of studying flight regulations/tactics/aircraft manuals, odd hours and being one broken rule away from being in a lot of trouble or hurting someone.
Of course...he said even the UP isn't cheap enough to make him stay in a tent or eat MREs!
I took a CSX job test back in 1995 in Corbin Kentucky. A kid was there also taking the test actually stated, “I have 3 DUI’s, do you think they will hold that against me?”
Four years was all I could handle, but I did it and do have a few good memories.
After 27 years with Norfolk southern I need to make a video I think I'll call it "the real life and bullshit of a locomotive engineer".
NS actually stands for Nazi Southern. Were you working there during the "shit sacks" period?
@@clarkpj1 every day is a shit show oops I mean a shit stack!
I just call them Crazy Horse
@@clarkpj1 are you talking about when you got issued a bag for the john? That was more of a Southern Thing.
@@Victorseafog Yup. I think it carried over onto a few of the ex Southern divisions after the merger in 1981, especially on the ex Southern power than never had s**tters installed on them (or had them removed if they dumped straight to the tracks). One guy told me that after using them they started throwing them at the old telephone/telegraph lines along the right of the way and that they'd hang there for months.
How many hours per month are you allowed to drive the train? Is it more or less than big rig drivers? Are the rules the same in every state for rest etc.?
We can work up to 276 hours per month, which is slightly more than truckers (approximately 240), and yes, the operating laws are the same in every state, because they’re regulated by the federal government.
Yeah that’s definitely the right way to live lol
My dad worked on the railroad in Mexico his whole life, he retired from it but he still got up at 5AM and went to the pickup site just to wave his co-workers goodbye and walk back home. Back in those days, there was no machinery to aid the process or make it easier on workers, my dad with his crew did everything by hand, pick up all the components by hand and replace them with only man power, he used to spread the gravel (whatever it's called in the railroad industry) and he would used this super long and heavy spear-like tool with a flat end to pack it around the track.
I heard so many stories about his upper-body strength, I've heard he made a grown man cry by squeezing his hand really hard, I've heard he punched a guy unconscious when he was provoked to fight someone.
My dad is a legend in the railroad industry, I tried applying for a job at the railroad in Mexico but they never called me back, I guess they don't like too many girls in the crew LOL.
Thanks for the video. I like your happy personality. Did you try the MaoTai liquor on your shelf? That is an expensive liquor. It often costs 300-500 USD/bottle.
I’ve wanted to be a train engineer my whole life. I even thought about it after graduating high school. Thank goodness i decided against it. Even though I would be applying for NJ Transit which is probably slightly different from freight railroads, im glad I chose to go to college and keep trains as a hobby. I’d rather have a career involving trains by filming them and making videos about them. Thats probably for the better for me. But of course i’ll always support all the engineers who put up their hard work for people like me who love trains
Agreed ..no glamor jobs exist on the Rail Road. Just like a military TV ad …it’s all hype! and Job training that can be used no where else.
Thanks TFF for taking the time from your busy schedule to make this video life at CSX and the humor you put in it. I do have an second alternative way of spending time with your family and your self and generate an income if the people are motivate and serious.
I love how the conductor guy is always giving the camera a dumb smirk every time he pauses the video
I considered railroad jobs once… until I learned about the scheduling and being on call all the time. Hard pass.
Wow, that was painful. CSX threw away a lot of talent in PSR and now, ooooops.
Sure did lol
I know nothing about trains, and this video was randomly in my recommended, but I found it very interesting and informative. It doesn’t sound like a very fun job.
im just wondering what railroadd do you work at im getting NS UP and BNSF vibes
I'll say BNSF..
I worked for NS as a freight conductor for years, it wasn't a bad job but at the same time, one of the worst jobs I've ever had too. Terrible lifestyle and they were constantly trying to get everyone in trouble for just trying to do their job.
I remember back in the late 70's went to a Class 1 intro training session. Was told, If you wear glasses now, not much chance of ever being a railroad engineer. Got up and left. Hello, major electric utility. Worked 33 years there and been enjoying retirement since 2010. Electric utility retirement is pretty good too, and you get to come home most nights.
im pretty sure you had a better life as well unless a storm knocked out power...my grandpa worked for com-ed...not only did he have is retirement, but he also invested half his pay back into the company...threw dividends, stock splits he passed away with 4,000,000.00 and some change.
Wore contacts. Was an engineer. No problem.
What railroad do you work for?
A question and new update: I just signed my conditional offer for BNSF a few days ago on the 9th and am now waiting on a company called CHSi to schedule my physical exam and strength test. Does anybody know the time frame I can expect for this half?
I believe about a monthish. The railroads really operate on their own timeframe, so it might be sooner, hard to say.
@@TheFourFoot Thanks and hope so. My planned start date they told me is around 12/13/21
Ah, nice!
This CSX guy hits the gym a lot though. Schedule can't be too demanding if he has time to get his lifts in! 🤣
It a Bait & Lure commercial, like the advertisements where the Army promised everything and suckered you to join for it, after doing so, you knew you were screwed.
The guy was an actor.
this is very informative. thank you.
Glad you liked it!
As a defense contractor, we're constantly missing family events since we're deployed so often. Sometimes more than the military's or embassy's we're attached to. A sacrifice to provide a good life.
when you stop working you rust and die