Does anyone know if BNSF still offers an alternate color vision test for new hires if you fail the initial test? ( the one with plates that have dots and numbers on them) I have read multiple stories of new hire applicants being offered the Farnsworth D-15 as an alternative second test. I must explain that I have a very very mild color deficiency. I currently hold a US Commercial Pilots license and have passed the alternate tests. I have been given the Farnsworth D-15 numerous times and have passed 100% each time. No issue. I can tell every color and have never had an issues. However, according to the plate test I have a color deficiency. A color deficiency is easiest to explain like this. What a normal person sees as red, I see a tiny shade lighter. So goes for every other color. So there is no mixing up the colors because I see them, just not exactly as a normal person does. There are varying degrees of color deficiency. Some people cant tell yellow from blue. In my case, it is so slight that the Farnsworth D-15 proves it has no effect on my color vision perception. A color deficient person with a serious problem would ultimately fail the plate test as well as any other alternate test. So back to my original question, does anybody know if BNSF offers alternate color vision testing for new hires if you fail the initial plate test?
I can't really answer that except to say that the vision/hearing/mobility tests when I hired on were administered by a medical lab under contract to the BNSF. They told me which facility to go for the testing. IDK if BNSF tells them what grade/brand/type of tests to administer or if that is left to the discrestion of the lab. I also cant tell you who will administer the test also. If it is a medical lab, I would ask them if another type of test is possible. Best of luck to you! Charlie FWIW... There are a lot of pilots in railroading. A yardmaster at Eola IL is a private pilot. A conductor classmate of mine owns(ed?)two airplanes, is a certified instructor,multi engine rated and during my time on the property,he was working toward his commercial ticket. Another switchman at Eola had a commercial license. He left the RR and I last heard he was flying for some bargain carrier out of Midway Airport(MDW).
I too have a color vision problem but I wonder what impact that would have as a driver or some other " blue collar " type position? I can see blue , green, red, etc, but hate the test with all the little dots....lol, get a couple of them but that's it.
