New and need help with Conductor position.

2underpar Dec 3, 2006

  1. 2underpar

    2underpar New Member

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    Hi everyone,

    I recently found this site while doing a little research about my new supposed Conductor position with Norfolk Southern.

    I have been told that I have been hired two months ago but there seems to be a long delay prior to getting my final phone call to attend training in Mcdonough, Ga.

    About a month ago (after repeated attempts to get hold my NSC Contact) I was told that my tentative start date for training would be December 7, 2006, however, that date is less than a week away and still no official word from NSC.

    Does anyone have any info on NSC Conductor training scheduling. It seems that if I'm supposed to be in Georgia in five days someone would have contacted me by now. I tried to call my NSC contact last week but had no luck in reaching her.

    Thanks for you help
     
  2. Kevin M

    Kevin M TrainBoard Member

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    I had a smilar problem with BNSF. When I got my notice saying I was hired for training it told me the date (3 months away) and gave me the number of the training coridnater to call. well I called him and he said to just show up on the said date and to bring a bag. It was wierd cause I did not hear anything tell the day I walked in the door not knowing for sure if this was for real or not.
    Good luck,
    Kevin
     
  3. 2underpar

    2underpar New Member

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    That's what I'm left wondering 'is it real or not'?

    Over the past three months I turned down three other promising job opportunities holding out for this conductor position to come through. (My wife's not so happy about me turning down 60k jobs but I'm trying to think long term. Last spring I found myself on the outside looking in after a management change and I'm trying to avoid that again at 42 years old).

    Maybe tomorrow I'll hear something.

    Thanks,
    Bill
     
  4. SecretWeapon

    SecretWeapon Passed away January 23, 2024 In Memoriam

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    Thats how old I was when I started on the RR.:shade:
     
  5. Charlie

    Charlie TrainBoard Member

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    I was 52 when I hired out, celebrated BD 53 at N.A.R.S.

    Got a call on Monday to pick up my plane tickets for K.C. on Wednesday
    for a flight on Sunday. What would you expect from a business that gives you 1 1/2 - 2 hrs notice to report for work(if you are lucky!- I got a 45 minute call once in Galesburg!)

    CT
     
  6. Jamiew

    Jamiew New Member

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    Well, i just got hired by NS and received a call last monday to report to McDonough on dec 6th for class on dec 7th. I had to go to my terminal last saturday for orientation and issue of all my books and safety gear.
    I wouldn't just show up at McDonough, you have to have orientation first.

    Good luck with whatever happens.
     
  7. coloradorailroads

    coloradorailroads TrainBoard Member

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    Today, my friend bluntly told me, "HR is the gateway to the end of the world." It's a bit of an overstatement, but I'm convinced that corporate America is treating it's supporting members poorly and Human Resources for any company is no exception, especially when it comes to avoiding bureaucracy. I don't believe we're improving either.
     
  8. Adam Woods

    Adam Woods TrainBoard Member

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    Hey I got a -10 minute call in Crawford once, thats right called me at 1210 for the noon helpers.
    Adam
     
  9. Ironhorseman

    Ironhorseman April, 2018 Staff Member In Memoriam

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    It seems that almost all railroads expect their people to 'read their minds' without information. There was a sign in the engine house at the Yreka Western RR that said, "Don't tell anything to anyone". I think that pretty much sums up the mindset of RR management. :D
     
  10. Charlie

    Charlie TrainBoard Member

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    I like that one!! Lessseee now... We had a 2hr call agreement with the
    carrier so I guess I would take my two hours to show up for that call.

    ROFL!
     
  11. Adam Woods

    Adam Woods TrainBoard Member

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    Yep. Got the classic get there as soon as you can. You would not belive how long it can take to drive 30 miles.
    Adam
     
  12. Kevin M

    Kevin M TrainBoard Member

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    I like that one!! Lessseee now... We had a 2hr call agreement with the
    carrier so I guess I would take my two hours to show up for that call.

    ROFL!

    I had a 20 minute call the other night for the 2230 switch job in Spokane, we have a hour and a half agreement, so guess when I showed up oh about 2315. It works out great cause pay still starts at 2230 and you still get off on time.
    Kevin
     
  13. 2underpar

    2underpar New Member

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    It's Monday evening and still no call from NSC. I guess I'm not in the Dec 7th class.

    I called but no return call

    I can't help but to feel a little disappointed in the lack of communication.

    Jamiew: How long has it been since you interviewed? Mine was in September.
     
  14. Jamiew

    Jamiew New Member

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    I interviewed mid october, got a call 30 minutes later whilst driving home with a conditional offer. The following day i had my physical and signed the papers for the police to do a background check.



     
  15. 2underpar

    2underpar New Member

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    Jamiew: What part of the country are you located. I'm from the Pittsburgh, PA area.
     
  16. Charlie

    Charlie TrainBoard Member

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    ROFL! Yes I do! I live 40 driving miles from my Aurora IL terminal. I took a 3 hr call once. It was New Years Eve and it was snowing like a........... well, it was snowing pretty hard and the snow was quite deep. I kept calling the recording to see what jobs were being advertised and I determined that I would most likely be called for the
    last commuter train job of the day. I was ready to go and I was just waiting around for my call. When it finally came, the caller asked me if
    I was qualified for a certain freight job, I wasn't but I told him I thought I was going to catch #1284, and that I was ready to go NOW and if I did leave now, I would get there on time although I might have to get the train at the platform. He said, leave now, you're rear collector on 1284. I did get there on time and we managed to get the job done. We got about 18" of snow from that storm. I lucked out and
    didn't get a call on New Years day, but pulled a day commuter on the
    next day. The snow was still piled high due to the holiday and the bottom fell out of the thermometer. It was about -10 that day. There were delays and a couple of annulments due to weather. We ran one EB as an all stops local(that train was normally an express)just to get
    people off the platforms and on the train. METRA told us not to collect fares because the weather was so severe and the schedule so messed up.

    CT
     
  17. Rule 281

    Rule 281 TrainBoard Member

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    Hard to believe they're treating you like this. In Harrisburg they're desperate for help and can't figure out why. Maybe never calling back the new hires has something to do with it.
    :confused:
     
  18. Adam Woods

    Adam Woods TrainBoard Member

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    but....my call was on a sunny summer day....opps, guess they should call on time.
    I know what you mean about bad weather, when I work out of Edgemont, SD it is 75 miles and I have to clip across a corner of the Black Hills. Needless to say I stay up there when the weather is bad. -10 try -30 before wind chill in Wyoming, of course the coal doesn't get cold like passengers.
    Adam
     
  19. Charlie

    Charlie TrainBoard Member

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    ROFL! Not any more, now I am able to choose whether or not I wanna
    be out in the weather. I am like the skilled golfer who once said....
    "I golf in the 80s................ if it gets any warmer, I dont play! LOL

    CT
     
  20. Adam Woods

    Adam Woods TrainBoard Member

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    Just another 32 1/2 years...........
    Adam
     

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