I have been invited to attend a Realistic job review for Electronic Technician Forman position in a few weeks. I have never heard of this interview format before, although I did just read about it. What can I expect from this format with BNSF? Will I be staring the other candidates in the face, sizing them up? The position did not post the pay scale for this position like most other postings? Is this a salary or hourly position with overtime? I have seen postings on here about furloughs for some position? Is this something I should worry about in this position? I'd hate to switch jobs only to get laid off as I have in the past in the telecom field.
Ok, I did hear the position pays $6800 a month, but it was not clear if that is salary of hourly. I read somewhere else that posted some old collective bargaining info, this was data that was a few years old. It listed both Tech 2 and Forman pay in a monthly scale, then on the bottom of the page it stated that was based on 213 hr a month. Working that out, it would only be around $30/hr, assuming OT for the extra work. Now if the 6800 was based on a 40 hr week, that would be $39/hr, huge difference from $30. If anyone has any more info on this, it sure would help in deciding if it was worth showing up at that hiring event.
Wow. Good question. I do hope someone can clarify for you. EVen so, it might be well worth attending this hiring event, simply to ask a few questions, seeking these answers.
50 + hrs a week at around $30 an hour....how does that compare with the industry standard in your area? Good luck Jim
The pay is ok, but not great. I have always heard the Rail Road paid really well. I expected a first line supervisor position like this forman position to pay a little better. I am currently making $34.25 with great benefits, over time comes and goes, but I drive a company truck and work out of my house. Pretty good gig, I was just looking for something new and more challenging. This position would be an hour drive to work on my dime, as opposed to me currently driving a company truck that I take home.
I'm not sure any job is worth an hour's drive. If you're in the snowbelt, that one hour can easily double or triple during bad weather. If you live west of the job site and work during the day, you'll often spend that hour driving into the rising or setting sun. Also factor in the increased costs of using your own vehicle for that commute against any possible increase in pay. Likewise, consider the added wear and tear on yourself from that extra time (~500hrs/yr) spent behind the wheel. Your present gig does sound pretty good. While something new and more challenging might seem appealing, boring is not always bad and you might want to think twice before quitting your current situation.
Always good to look at what it "cost" to go to work and not just gross earnings. I worked in what is one of the worst commute areas of the nation and recall hearing from guys after they retired that it was like they were making more in retirement than working because of the gas and car expenses not even counting their time. I retired 5 years ago from a non-supervisory ET position for the Federal Govt. with pay based on being in the highest locality about $37.00 / hr as I recall. Whatever you decide to do Dan, good luck !
No, it does not seem worth it by a long way, unless someone can tell me the pay scale is different than I am hearing. I am not about to leave my current job which is pretty skate for a large pay cut. I would be nice to feel I am really earning my pay check, but wasting my time driving 2 extra hours and making less would not do it for me either. Work smarter, not harder.
That being said, maybe you do want to attend the realistic job (p)review after all. My understanding is that companies use these (p)reviews as a means of screening out potential applicants (prior to starting the formal interview process) who might have an entirely different concept of what the job entails versus what it actually requires. Working for a railroad is not the same as running model trains in your basement. It's unlikely that the (p)review obligates you in any way and you should be able to get your questions regarding compensation, work schedules and the possibility of furloughs answered at that time. Maybe you'll really like what you see and hear and decide to pursue it further - or maybe you'll be turned off completely. But, if you don't go then you won't know and you might always be left wondering if you should have explored this particular career opportunity.
Non-contract positions are normally a salary position and monthly rated. Contract (union contract) positions are normally hourly or daily rated. Non-contract positions normally do not accrue Overtime pay, however may be required to work more than a standard 8 or 9 hour day and more than 5 days a week. Entry level non-contract positions have become the indentured servants of the railroad industry - treated like slaves but paid.
This is why I never went railroading and why a number of my friends quit their railroad posts and moved on.
