Thinking about starting with CSX as a Conductor trainee, they require a 5 week school that I pay 4250 dollars and upon graduation they will employe me as a Conductor trainee, 35-45,000 a year to start and its the starting point to becomeing an Engineer which they say has a industry wide average pay scale of 110,000 per year. Does this sound real? Is CSX just making it look real sweet to draw people in, this could be good but if its the wrong situation it will be a 4250 dollar waste of money. Any thoughts or oppenions are apreciated.... Thanks Jack
First of all I would encourage you to ultimatelyl do what you want to do. Beyond that I'd have to say I also have thought it would be "cool" to work on the railroad, but as a conductor or engineer only, neither of which I'm qualified for. I've heard others say from experience that being the low man on the totem pole on a big railroad means working the worst hours (nights, weekends, holidays, etc.). It would probably take quite a while to move yourslef up in the ranks to get the prime time hours. Although my father is not a loco engineer or conductor, he is reaching retirement soon at one of the "big 4" railroads and he has been with them since his early to mid 20's. I'm sorry to say that he has nothing good to say about working for the railroad - complains about it constantly, especially after their last big merger - that really made things sour for him and as far as I can tell, some of the guys he works with. I'm pretty sure that when you work for a railroad, you join a union. I'm not real big on unions but that could be that I just don't understand them well enough. The other thing I have to say about this from my personal level is that I've learned from experience that turning something you really enjoy into a job, will eventually ruin the pleasure I get out of it. Keep work and play separate so that your hobby stays pleasureable. There is a good chance that if you start working for a railroad, you will learn to dislike or hate railroading and model railroading and you'll be left at a job you possibly hate and you'll have to look for a new hobby. So for me, as much as I'd like to dream about working on the railroad, it needs to just remain a dream and I'll get my satisfaction out of railfanning. That's my opinion. Now I encourage you to re-read my first line up above: I would encourage you to ultimatelyl do what you want to do.
I dunno. Seems a little odd to be paying a potential employer to train you to work for them. I say potential, as I'm sure there's no absolute guarantee of employment? It's certainly contingent upon your passing the course to their satisfaction. Well, not much help. The decision is yours. Keep us posted on how things go. Boxcab E50
But it would dissuade a majority who think they would have a go at the training. Being made to pay outright will only be of interest to those who are willing to commit totally. The downside is you need to have the funds, either readily available or willing to loan it. As for working for a railroad in the capacity of engineer or conductor only, I'd have to disagree. Sure, it's the glamorous facade to todays railroads but it's not where the action is at. It's the nuts and bolts workers that keep it going and have a greater degree of appreciation of what keeps the railroad running. Colonel and I are in rail signalling, Paul in management and I'm in testing/testing management. Both can have great advantages at times. Jason makes a good point of keeping your business and pleasure separate - I don't model a railroad that tries to run me over on a daily basis nor signalling... yet. Good luck in your decision. Remember, railroading is a lifestyle and with it comes the disadvantages of a life on the road and shiftwork.
Yes. It might discourage some folks you'd rather not have making an application. But this is what the application process is for. screening out undesireables. OTOH- It will also cause the prevented employment of many who you'd be delighted to have on board. it's a double edged sword. It's also hard to start a new job, adding the burden of an educational debt, to whatever else you might be carrying over from the previous lost employment. Especially since there is no absolute guarantee you'll have work at the end of the tunnel. As far as being an engineer or conductor, those are the primary job positions that can be even found. Much of the other work in the USA, has been outsourced to private sector contractors. Who do not pay as well as the railroads once did. For example- If there are any section crews left, it's one or two people with a huge territory. And all that they do, is a cursory inspection. Such as those in my region. And there is no hiring. Just further job cutting. No clerks or accountants. Well, unless you live in Pakistan or India. There really isn't much hiring being done outside of engineer or conductor. Only when they're forced to by attrition such as retirements. And only when they can no longer avoid hiring someone. It's not what it used to be. Boxcab E50
I thought that was lunacy that somebody would have to shell out like that so that a railroad would hire them. I know I wouldn't do it, but my son-in-law did. He's been with CSX over a year now. They lay off all of the low men in seniority around Thanksgiving and bring them back on in February or March. You'll be lucky to make $36k the first year or two. He had to take a six month assignment in Charlotte away from his family to avoid the holiday layoff this year. He can't afford it. I'm sorry. but I wouldn't do it on a bet...
Thank you all for the great info it sure helps.. Being the low man on the totem pole is never a pleasent experiece but a nessassary one at any job so I would just deal with it and in time it would be someone else at the bottom. The issue of paying for my schooling dosn't faze me at all as long as it gets me the job and that the job is secure, a 5 month winter layoff would wreck me money wise especially after forking out 4250 for a job that turns in to a layoff. I am now haveing second thoughts based alone on layoffs, at the interview they did speak of layoffs but it was said in such away that I thought it was only a possibilty and not a annual event. Anyway I am not yet offered a position at CSX the interviewer told me that I was a sure pick but the offical word should come next week as they want to have a November 1st class. It sure does look like a grand ole career choice, could possibly be the best move ever or one of the worst.... Thanks again Jack
Needless to say the "pay your own way thru school" is to protect the rr from wasteing their time & $$$$$$ to train someone only to have them quit before you know it, this way the rr feels if the ind spent his own time & $$$$ he would have 2nd thoughts about quitting so fast. As for mixing business & pleasure, I've worked for the same rr now for 38 years (train dispr & yardmaster) but am still an avid railfan & modeler. Do what YOU think is best for YOU
Don't do it! I know several people that went through this 'school' and I can tell you, it IS NOT a guarentee you will be hired. Some will, enought to make it legal, but alot will NOT get jobs. My advice......if you have $4000 to go to 'Railroad Camp', do it. If you want a railroad job, they are out there......FOR FREE!
I'd be inclined to agree with Jerry - get the job for free - the railroad will train you on their own nickel. More than most of us, Jerry knows of which he speaks. He works for a railroad and has the scars to prove it!
OC Engineer JD, Thank you for the wake up call, I must have been pumped up with the idea of a good paying R.R. career to think it was a gureented position based solely on passing the course requirerments. I went back and reread the course selection overview and selection process (www.amdg.ws/elig_select_proc.asp) and see that its not a gurentee, however they do represent it as a gerantee so long as you pass the course requirments but then after rereading I see that they interview for the jobs on the 3rd or 4th week of the course and if your medical and employment background checks out then an offer will be made. I have decided not to do this course it is to risky for me to stop my present work situation, dole out 4250 and then possibly have CSX say well we just dont need you at this time or your medical or employment history is not up to snuff for us... A big company like CSX could check my medical and employment background before the schooling to see if I am qualified, Heck I would even be willing to pay for the background checks to get the job. Since AMDG and CSX are working together on this recruitment they should see the obvious problem here... Thanks all for the info, it has helped me see this in a much more rational view... Jack
