Anyone here work for one of the big three rail roads in the US? I need some help/career advice.

I've got two centuries of railroad experience in my family, I can ask them if you need me to. I'm sure someone will come along, though. It'd help if you asked the question, anyway.

Good deal! Well I was just wondering if it would be beneficial to wait for my cdl and heavy equipment operator certs before I get the job, or just go ahead and advance further into the process and the rail roads will train me?

Man, I hope you're ready to work....

All the live long day.

Seriously, good luck. Very interesting choice.

I worked for Union Pacific for 33 years. My advise would be to wait. Let the RR pay for you to get you certs.

Those types of jobs at the UP require the CDL to even apply. The CDL opens up a lot of other jobs at places like Halliburton, too.

Why not try for Train Crew? If you want to work for a railroad that's pretty much the epitome..

I work for the UP as a freight conductor. It's a good job. Benefits and pay are decent. The hours suck, you are on call 24/7 and work in all weather conditions. You are away from home alot. I work out of Rawlins and run to Green River.

My dad was a brakeman and a conductor for 25 or so years until he retired. Pay was pretty good but he was laid off alot in the 80's. dont think that happens so much now. His retirement is great.

You mean furloughed? The UP's got over a thousand people furloughed right now, off the top of my head. They're still hiring in a lot of places though so who knows.

I was furloughed a year and half down in Tucson and I transfered to Rawlins. I got a $10,000 transfer bonus to relocate.

I just applied for some of the jobs they have open at UP. Can't recall any of the Portland ones requiring a cdl for anything.

These are outside of Portland. Also, at the current point all I care about is working. I am in college, and hate my life. I graduated with a 2 yeard degree from high school, where I was also working 50-60 hours. I could finish the university classes in a couple of years and get a bachelors with full time study but I haven't hated anything this much in my life. I don't care about traveling and overtime I will go anywhere work anyjob I need to. I love the overtime pay as pect. As far as the train crew job, it just doesn't appeal to me. I like the track laborer/foreman and equipment rates better. However, I want to get a start in the company and then bid on a train crew job at a later date if that seems appealing. Namely, just need a job love the rail road idea. School starts the 3rd of January, and will have to secure loans to attend more than likely. My goal is no loans I'd rather do work and take a couple online classes at a time. I  honestly don't think I can make 2 years, this has been the worst point in my life so far and it hasn't even been my busiest. But I study all the damn time, classes are taught by tas who are bottom of the barrel, and still get the worst gpas of my life.

What occurs in a furlough, can I claim unemployment? Can I avoid furloughs if I am willing to relocate and or travel on the various gangs?

When I was furloughed. I was able to collect railroad unemployment. Which pays better than state unemployment.

what not to like 350a day 4k retirment

What occurs in a furlough, can I claim unemployment? Can I avoid furloughs if I am willing to relocate and or travel on the various gangs?[/quote]

Yes I mean furloughed....when he was furloughed he could not work any other job but collected a guaranteed wage. When he was furloughed he could work when other guys took vacation...got hurt...etc.