re: Update on my railroad career...

Posted by LSUAlum2001

Stavro Mueller Beta

Member since Aug 2003

47132 posts

Posted on 2/19/17 at 9:57 pm to Tiger Ryno

I'm curious to why this shite was bumped without an update...

Matsuflex is CENLALSUFAN?

This post was edited on 2/19/17 at 9:58 pm

2 ...

Posted by matsuflex

Louisiana

Member since Feb 2009

1523 posts

Posted on 2/19/17 at 10:06 pm to LSUAlum2001

Nope

Posted by GREENHEAD22

Member since Nov 2009

19599 posts

Posted on 2/19/17 at 10:23 pm to CENLALSUFAN

I remember your thread from back in the day, glad its worked out. Actually applied to yalls home office in FTW for the engineering (in house) training program.

Posted by CENLALSUFAN

Beaumont

Member since Mar 2009

7208 posts

Posted on 2/19/17 at 10:38 pm to matsuflex

My bad just seeing this..

Seems like it is picking up..they just called I think everyone back in the southern region..no more furloughed..they were actually having a hiring class for Livonia and Avondale..

Posted by CENLALSUFAN

Beaumont

Member since Mar 2009

7208 posts

Posted on 2/19/17 at 10:41 pm to Champagne

Conductor essentially takes care of the train cars..switching the cars, order of the cars, and the train make up. If there is a problem enroute the conductor has to walk the train and attempt to fix the issue.

The engineer operates the locomotives. He makes the train go forwards or backwards and stops. Some territory is more difficult than others so he has to know when and where to slow down or start picking up speed.

Posted by GREENHEAD22

Member since Nov 2009

19599 posts

Posted on 2/19/17 at 10:42 pm to CENLALSUFAN

I didn't realize yalls industry was hurting, I thought hauling all that shale oil had yall booming?

Posted by CENLALSUFAN

Beaumont

Member since Mar 2009

7208 posts

Posted on 2/19/17 at 10:45 pm to LSUAlum2001

quote:
I'm curious to why this shite was bumped without an update...

Maybe he searched conductor or train and found this thread..

I'm back down to a conductor..being an engineer didn't last long in 2015 and o haven't been called back yet...I'm currently around 25 away from being called back to the seat so it could happened in the near future or it could slack off and I could fall further back down the list..it all had to do with business and with track maintenance..if there are any reroutes that makes train traffic pick up in certain areas. Still a conductor working in Louisiana..

Posted by CENLALSUFAN

Beaumont

Member since Mar 2009

7208 posts

Posted on 2/19/17 at 10:47 pm to GREENHEAD22

That only lasted a couple years and has basically fell off..still moving other freight though.. I wouldn't really say the industry was hurting though..

Posted by CENLALSUFAN

Beaumont

Member since Mar 2009

7208 posts

Posted on 2/19/17 at 10:49 pm to chinhoyang

quote:
Don't be rough on the railfan nerds who take photos of trains

I'm usually not because I've seen one on my route that actually post the videos to YouTube, so I'm able to slow my kids the actual trains I was working on at certain times..they get a kick out of that..

Posted by CENLALSUFAN

Beaumont

Member since Mar 2009

7208 posts

Posted on 2/19/17 at 10:52 pm to Superior Pariah

quote:
What?

And what's your story? Unemployed? Existential crisis?

What did you mean what? At the time of this post I was a railroad engineer working on a guaranteed extra board meaning I was guaranteed a certain amount at the very least but could make more if the jobs I worked earned more..if I didn't get called out that much I would still make that guaranteed amount.

This post was edited on 2/20/17 at 6:31 am

Posted by CENLALSUFAN

Beaumont

Member since Mar 2009

7208 posts

Posted on 2/19/17 at 10:54 pm to matsuflex

quote:
Nope

You ever get my email man?

Posted by lsu480

Downtown Scottsdale

Member since Oct 2007

92876 posts

Posted on 2/19/17 at 11:32 pm to CENLALSUFAN

quote:
Who would have thought 3 years ago that if would have happened this quickly?

Me! I knew you had a boatload of kids and I could tell you are a good man so you wouldn't take a career like this unless you were going to be successful. Well done!

Posted by CENLALSUFAN

Beaumont

Member since Mar 2009

7208 posts

Posted on 2/19/17 at 11:49 pm to lsu480

quote:
Me! I knew you had a boatload of kids and I could tell you are a good man so you wouldn't take a career like this unless you were going to be successful. Well done!

Appreciate that! It's definitely unlike any other job that I've ever worked or schedules that I've heard others talk about..it's not meant for everyone and you have to have a strong relationship with your significant other to make this work! I'm thankful for that!

Posted by Bro Dad

Used to live in LaPlass

Member since Feb 2015

811 posts

Posted on 2/20/17 at 2:26 am to CENLALSUFAN

Glad it's working out for you.

I worked for CN like 17 years ago. Worst job I've ever had. Never knew where/when you were working. Everyone was either divorced or going through a divorce or worrying about their wife cheating on them. Absolutely no life whatsoever.

I knew that when I took the job. Thought I'd be able to "mark up" closer to home. Got home one night after work and told my (then pregnant for my 1st child) wife I'm done. Quit the railroad without having another job. Best decision I've ever made.

Posted by Pepe Lepew

Looney tuned .....

Member since Oct 2008

36114 posts

Posted on 2/20/17 at 4:27 am to CENLALSUFAN

Congrats
Glad it worked out!!!!

Posted by fishfighter

RIP

Member since Apr 2008

40026 posts

Posted on 2/20/17 at 5:23 am to CENLALSUFAN

quote:
Well I'm in Houston as an engineer now! First day was yesterday.. Have to learn the territory before they put me out on my own.. Who would have thought 3 years ago that if would have happened this quickly? I just wanted to let some of y'all know since there seemed to be a lot that followed from the beginning and occasionally ask about! I'm not sure how long I'll be here but if anyone wants to get together I'm on the northwest side of Houston.. Looking for a few things to do since I'm forced over here and don't really know anyone...

Only in time they will move you back. Congrats and yes, I read your thread with interest.

Posted by CENLALSUFAN

Beaumont

Member since Mar 2009

7208 posts

Posted on 2/20/17 at 6:29 am to Bro Dad

quote:
Bro Dad

How was y'alls seniority, system wide or just a certain region?

With up, it's just region wide. The southern region covers Livonia, Addis Donaldsonville, and Avondale in Louisiana and Beaumont, Houston, Baytown, Bloomington, and Brownsville in Texas..I was lucky enough when I hired out my seniority allowed me to stay in Louisiana as a conductor so I moved to a location half way between Avondale and Livonia so if I got forced to any 4 of the Louisiana locations I the most I would be was an hour drive away. We get 2 hour calls on our location. I'm glad I have a good relationship with my wife and don't have any worries and glad that she trust me to where there's not a strain on our relationship when I do get forced to Texas as an engineer. I'm just glad I didn't have to be gone very long last time I got forced away..if I ever get ready to quit I'll probably do anything to let railroad job insurance take over, so at least I'll have a30 day cushion..by the way job insurance is the most crazy thing I've now ever seen in my life...

This post was edited on 2/20/17 at 6:37 am

Posted by Bro Dad

Used to live in LaPlass

Member since Feb 2015

811 posts

Posted on 2/20/17 at 2:49 pm to CENLALSUFAN

It was either out of BR or Nola. At the time I needed to be out of Nola and was in BR. If I'd have stuck with it I'd be good by now but things worked out for the better.

Yeah firing insurance.....never thought that existed until I worked for CN.