42 years, Engineer, retired. There's no management of sleep, survival sleep at best. Prepair for a life of sleep deprivation. You'll be robbed of sleep from things like noisey hotels, noise neighbors, or just to participate with your family in off times, etc.... Your clock is 180° from the rest of the world.
My uncle hired on with GM&O in the early 1970s just before merger with IC. He retired with CN in 05. He told me that he finally got used to sleeping at night about 2 years after he retired. He is still living, and almost 80 year old.
Man good timing. I woke up this morning thinking about hitting you up and asking about this strategy. I saw you mention it on your earlier video, but you beat me to it, thanks!
@@Railroad_TalkNOutdoors no no, thank you! As soon as I get some descretionary funds I will definitely join the channel to continue supporting you. I appreciate the hell out of you and Kurtis, as well as the other great folks over in the FB group. I will definitely give back to the community. Class starts on the 31st and I am chomping at the bit for this last week to fly by. Thanks!
My dad would come home and I can say, I never in my life saw him go to bed in the day time.. EVER! Didn’t matter his schedule. Later after retirement The poor old recliner didn’t have a chance. Every time his ass hit the seat, His eyes automatically closex
Just attended the CP hiring event in Calgary I want to thank this channel for helping me gain knowledge to help me with the interview I had. It went really well and my hopes are high. Again thanks so much to this channel for helping me out with all these great videos.
It's all about priorities, railroad is or was a lifestyle, it's how you attack your priorities, I managed for 30 years and out at age 60, never married, no kids, railroad conductor and engineer..it's all about your priorities.
The best way to manage sleep and have and life is don’t work for a railroad …. Been with the railroads since 2004 and if I didn’t have the time in that I do I would not stay with the railroad. It’s not the same as it was in the past and it’s not going in a good direction. Regards
About to start CT for BNSF. My question is. While away from the home terminal. How does the pay clock work. Are you only on the clock while on the train, or are you on the clock while waiting in the hotel to be called back?
Good question, I’m not sure when BNSF beings paying detention time but the pay works like this. If you’re called for a 12pm train. Your pay will begin at 12pm until you get to your away from home terminal and tie up on the computer and your 10 hours rest begins which is unpaid. All class 1s pay detention pay but the hour at which they start paying you varies some. Once you have been in your hotel for 15 hours you will then start getting paid detention time. (It may be sooner than 15 hours im not positive) but whenever you hit that hour you will start getting paid. I don’t think BNSF stops paying you also. So once you’re on detention time you will continue to get paid. If you’re at your away from home terminal and let’s say you get a dead head back to your home terminal you’re paid a full days pay. ( 8 hours)
So, I have an interview on the 26th Please wish me luck and prayers. I’m depending on this opportunity Watched dad do it my whole life and he and mom live well in retirement
Manage sleep as a truck driver and airline pilots that flies 747 are even harder because they sleep on planes and truck while in motion, do you sleep on train while its in motion?
Can you do a video on what the standard protocol is if a train hits a large animal like a moose or bear? Does the train stop, is it reported, does maintenance have to go out and inspect it and or clean it up?
Good question. We don’t have big game where I live and have worked however I can share some stories of hitting animals and what we did. I’ll reach out to some guys up north and see what they do if they hit a moose or something very large.
They should send you an email to setup a time if it’s anything like NS. They may send an email with a designated time already chooses also. If you haven’t herd anything soon. Reach out to the HR department and ask for sure.
Melatonin helps a lot . Imagine a day light run - on duty at 0500 - hotel at 1400 - looks like called on rest (0001) I cannot fall asleep by myself like that . But again - great pointing out the variables on the vid !!
If you're at the away from home terminal, if you're going to have an adult beverage with the guys, do it when you get there. Check the board also, make sure you won't be called short as you could possibly be under the influence with rest. I know that I need a couple hours to decompress before I try to sleep, if you have trouble try melatonin, 3mg or less, then when tired, turn EVERYTHING off, lay down.
Very helpful I was wondering about this. My question is, how do you know what place you’re in to be called? I just finished my background check and medical soon so I’m still in the dark about a lot lol.
You'll know by the job you're called to cover. Whether it's a local, yard or pool turn. This will also determine how much stuff that you'll want to bring. The company you work for should show what jobs are going to be called. We have an online app to look at all the boards. Besides my own pool turn, I watch the extra board also. If the EB is exhausted, I know they can call and ask me to work (step up) even if I'm 20 times out on the pool. Seniority and order of call will be explained to you by the union.
If I didn’t have a family, I’d give it a shot. However, there’s plenty of good paying factory jobs in western Kentucky, Southern Indiana. When I come back from winter shut down, I’ll be making almost $35/hr plus shift differential with Toyota.
Yeah...they've done a good job at fighting to protect/keep the craft you're currently working that the railroads have been salivating to get rid of for years and years
Are you paid while you are away from your home terminal? Or do you just hang out at the away location until you are called back.. how long can that normally be that you are out up in a hotel?
Engineers start at 14 hours, conductors at 16 hours. Engineers have continuous detention time, meanwhile conductors get 8 hours on, then 8 off, and so on
42 years, Engineer, retired. There's no management of sleep, survival sleep at best. Prepair for a life of sleep deprivation.
You'll be robbed of sleep from things like noisey hotels, noise neighbors, or just to participate with your family in off times, etc.... Your clock is 180° from the rest of the world.
what year did you hire on?
I have 18 years in and you said it best enjoy that hard earned retirement
My uncle hired on with GM&O in the early 1970s just before merger with IC. He retired with CN in 05. He told me that he finally got used to sleeping at night about 2 years after he retired. He is still living, and almost 80 year old.
Man good timing. I woke up this morning thinking about hitting you up and asking about this strategy. I saw you mention it on your earlier video, but you beat me to it, thanks!
Took way to long lol. Appreciate the support Bren!
@@Railroad_TalkNOutdoors no no, thank you! As soon as I get some descretionary funds I will definitely join the channel to continue supporting you. I appreciate the hell out of you and Kurtis, as well as the other great folks over in the FB group. I will definitely give back to the community. Class starts on the 31st and I am chomping at the bit for this last week to fly by. Thanks!
Thanks and get well soon
My dad would come home and I can say, I never in my life saw him go to bed in the day time.. EVER! Didn’t matter his schedule. Later after retirement The poor old recliner didn’t have a chance. Every time his ass hit the seat, His eyes automatically closex
Just attended the CP hiring event in Calgary I want to thank this channel for helping me gain knowledge to help me with the interview I had. It went really well and my hopes are high. Again thanks so much to this channel for helping me out with all these great videos.
Did you get the job?
Yep, qualified and now working as a conductor @@HuntOfficial1776
Man you’re helping me out lots, I’m going through Canadian Pacific Conductor training … and MAN! your info really prepared me honestly thank you 🙏🏿
Love to hear it man! Good luck and thank you for the support!
What's your home terminal?
@@berkshiredave9766 Edmonton
How long was you awaiting start time?
Mine was 4 months, but it really just depends on the demand for conductors at your home terminal.
It's all about priorities, railroad is or was a lifestyle, it's how you attack your priorities, I managed for 30 years and out at age 60, never married, no kids, railroad conductor and engineer..it's all about your priorities.
ps if you have a bag chair keep the bag an put an air hose an wrench in it makes it so much easier! to go back an replace a broken air hose .
The best way to manage sleep and have and life is don’t work for a railroad ….
Been with the railroads since 2004 and if I didn’t have the time in that I do I would not stay with the railroad. It’s not the same as it was in the past and it’s not going in a good direction.
Regards
About to start CT for BNSF. My question is. While away from the home terminal. How does the pay clock work. Are you only on the clock while on the train, or are you on the clock while waiting in the hotel to be called back?
Good question, I’m not sure when BNSF beings paying detention time but the pay works like this.
If you’re called for a 12pm train. Your pay will begin at 12pm until you get to your away from home terminal and tie up on the computer and your 10 hours rest begins which is unpaid. All class 1s pay detention pay but the hour at which they start paying you varies some.
Once you have been in your hotel for 15 hours you will then start getting paid detention time. (It may be sooner than 15 hours im not positive) but whenever you hit that hour you will start getting paid. I don’t think BNSF stops paying you also. So once you’re on detention time you will continue to get paid.
If you’re at your away from home terminal and let’s say you get a dead head back to your home terminal you’re paid a full days pay. ( 8 hours)
@Railroad_Talk thank you for the reply. I've been doing every bit of research I can and am very excited about the new job
@@claytonwolford1948 you’re very welcome! I apologize on the response time. I wish you the best! Always here if you have any questions
So, I have an interview on the 26th Please wish me luck and prayers. I’m depending on this opportunity Watched dad do it my whole life and he and mom live well in retirement
I’m a fan of a short nap 3-4 hours then wake up eat workout then sleep the 8-10 hrs
Manage sleep as a truck driver and airline pilots that flies 747 are even harder because they sleep on planes and truck while in motion, do you sleep on train while its in motion?
No conductors aren’t allowed to sleep while the train is in motion. However some conductors choose to sleep and fail to do their jobs.
I’m on my 3rd week now in McDonough, testing time!
Updates?
Can you do a video on what the standard protocol is if a train hits a large animal like a moose or bear? Does the train stop, is it reported, does maintenance have to go out and inspect it and or clean it up?
Good question. We don’t have big game where I live and have worked however I can share some stories of hitting animals and what we did. I’ll reach out to some guys up north and see what they do if they hit a moose or something very large.
@@Railroad_TalkNOutdoors great! Thank you. I look forward to seeing the video.
Watching this after coming down to Meridian on less than an hour of sleep 😅
Thankfully it was meridian and not chat 🤣🤣. You’ll be headed back home in 10-14 hours hopefully lol
Sleep while the train is moving and watch for the signal when stopped when your engineer sleeps. but really don't do that 😁
Hey my
Dad was an ole NS conductor atl to Chattanooga he said where they stayed was a dump I’m sure it’s gotten better.
Chattanooga sucks lol. 🤣
23 years at it and you still are not good at it. Being ex military has helped me.
I don’t think there ever be a way to become good at it 🤣. Just gotta figure out a way to manage lol. Stay safe out there buddy
Hey brother I got invited and took an virtual interview with CSX it’s been a couple days, would you know how long should I expect a response? Thx
They should send you an email to setup a time if it’s anything like NS. They may send an email with a designated time already chooses also. If you haven’t herd anything soon. Reach out to the HR department and ask for sure.
Melatonin helps a lot . Imagine a day light run - on duty at 0500 - hotel at 1400 - looks like called on rest (0001)
I cannot fall asleep by myself like that . But again - great pointing out the variables on the vid !!
If you're at the away from home terminal, if you're going to have an adult beverage with the guys, do it when you get there. Check the board also, make sure you won't be called short as you could possibly be under the influence with rest. I know that I need a couple hours to decompress before I try to sleep, if you have trouble try melatonin, 3mg or less, then when tired, turn EVERYTHING off, lay down.
I would pull those blackout curtains together and pass out lol. Be pitched black in my room all day 🤣
Very helpful I was wondering about this. My question is, how do you know what place you’re in to be called? I just finished my background check and medical soon so I’m still in the dark about a lot lol.
They’ll show you how to check
Mainframe in school. Just an old computer program.
You'll know by the job you're called to cover. Whether it's a local, yard or pool turn. This will also determine how much stuff that you'll want to bring. The company you work for should show what jobs are going to be called. We have an online app to look at all the boards. Besides my own pool turn, I watch the extra board also. If the EB is exhausted, I know they can call and ask me to work (step up) even if I'm 20 times out on the pool. Seniority and order of call will be explained to you by the union.
You'll be in the dark all throughout training with that stuff. You can check your position on the board online
Don't work for these godforsaken railroads. That's how you solve this problem. Simple as that.
The money is worth it! You can make more money than people with 4 and 8 year degrees with just a High School Diploma!
If I didn’t have a family, I’d give it a shot. However, there’s plenty of good paying factory jobs in western Kentucky, Southern Indiana. When I come back from winter shut down, I’ll be making almost $35/hr plus shift differential with Toyota.
Was wondering about this…my training date is two weeks from now so this channel has been great for me
Glad to hear that Dez! Good luck at training man. Always here if you have any questions
You starting on the 31st ??
@@toospeed31 yes sir
@@desiferguson4478 see you there
I'm flowed back I understood what I was getting into but the UTU has claimed all this praise have they done anything for NS conductors ?
Yeah...they've done a good job at fighting to protect/keep the craft you're currently working that the railroads have been salivating to get rid of for years and years
Accurate
Are you paid while you are away from your home terminal? Or do you just hang out at the away location until you are called back.. how long can that normally be that you are out up in a hotel?
Got my email for first day of training. Day one starts at 4:00 pm. Is that normal for first day?
Yes. they have a day and evening shift at school. I believe it 4p-1a
@@Railroad_TalkNOutdoors cool thanks
1st week is 4p-1a. 2nd and 3rd week is 7a-4p.
Quick question , has anyone you know talked if NS will give conductors the same starting time for heldaway as the engineers ?
Engineers start at 14 hours, conductors at 16 hours. Engineers have continuous detention time, meanwhile conductors get 8 hours on, then 8 off, and so on