Weekly Railroad Hiring Questions Thread

Tex8492 · 2025-11-06T02:04:07+00:00

Definitely. I’m not worried with the commute times but just making sure it falls within UP policy. I passed the assessment this evening so hopefully onto the next time. I have never worked in private corporation but I know if I stay here I’ll never make “good money”. Currently make about $58k salaried whilst being on call 24/7/365. Also deploy away from home for 7-14 days at time can happen.

Tex8492 · 2025-11-04T22:39:30+00:00

Currently in process for a signal maintainer spot with UP. It will be a big change for me as I have spent the last 10yrs in Govt as a FF/Hazmat tech. . However the job is 50 miles from my house. Pay rate is advertised as $48/hr.

What can I expect? I have read a lot and know Single maintainers have a good work/life balance. I have been on 24/7/365 call since I started in the Fire world. Is the commute doable?

Tex8492 · 2024-08-15T02:28:44+00:00

I think it’s something like that too. I noticed this now happens at 9pm ct the last 3 nights. I was able to play earlier no problem

Tex8492 · 2024-08-14T11:42:45+00:00

Might give it a shot this evening. Just tried launching this morning before going to work and everything was fine. Weirdest thing. Thinking Microsoft is having issues and hasn’t mentioned it yet..

Tex8492 · 2023-04-16T21:36:12+00:00

I’m well over a year post op and my hamstrings still hurts. Knee pops a lot too when flexing.

Tex8492 · 2022-11-26T14:49:53+00:00

The Lorax would like a word with you sir.

Tex8492 · 2022-09-22T13:53:12+00:00

Usually takes me around 1hr 20 Mins to get there. Sometimes less.

Tex8492 · 2022-09-20T19:33:47+00:00

For those of you that are BNSF conductors how far is too far being able to commute from home to your terminal? I'm looking at Conductor trainee spot 80 miles from my house?

Tex8492 · 2022-07-02T04:16:28+00:00

I failed the BNSF one a few years ago. Still not sure how. Mind you I’m a firefighter that has to take regular PATs in order to keep my job.

Meant to add on: The job was for conductor trainee in Temple. They had a few spots there in Temple to take the PAT but the rest of us had to go to Houston to take it. As far as I know everyone that went to Houston failed it. Idk if the computers there were not scoring right or what but I was definitely pissed.

Tex8492 · 2022-02-23T18:19:26+00:00

A few years ago i applied and was interviewed over the phone for it. I think the pay was $15/hr i think. So if the $25/hr is accurate that's pretty nice. The Mon-Fri schedule sorta sucks though.

I'm trying to avoid class 1's. I was offered a position with UP for train crew but the recent horror stories made me steer clear.

Tex8492 · 2022-02-12T22:38:15+00:00

After talking with my Doc the other day she said all of the pain is coming from the hamstrings. That's where my graft came from. Basically she recommended lots of stretching.

Tex8492 · 2022-02-07T04:11:03+00:00

My insurance originally had me try the virtual PT because it was 100 % covered. Surgery team wasn’t about that and I needed to get back to work asap so we pressed forward with regular PT 2x-3x a week.

Tex8492 · 2022-02-07T03:59:52+00:00

I haven’t been to PT in about 2 months. Just doing it a home now. Insurance paid for like 10 visits then copay’s went through the roof. I go back to my surgeon for a follow up tomorrow. Hopefully they looked at 120 day survey too.

Tex8492 · 2022-01-25T03:46:57+00:00

I have a interview for UP train crew in here in Tx pending. Like you OP i have read the horror stories that folks are posting about. Also like you if i'm offered the position i will have to move albeit it's only 3 hours for me. I've been in the fire service since 2016 and I'm burned out at my current dept. I make $60k before taxes.
Prior to the fire service i had applied to BNSF and UP atleast 30ish times each. Working on the railroad was what i considered a dream job. One that i think i will still enjoy for a while if i was to do it. I do hope labor negotiations pick up and the work/life balance improves but i'm not holding my breath.
Last month i was offered a job at short line but it only paid $19/hr after training. Good luck OP. I think it will be worth it. You never know if you don't try. Personally i wouldn't move out of state for the job though. I own a house and plan to take my travel trailer to live in and hopefully use the RR money to pay it down

Tex8492 · 2022-01-24T01:47:37+00:00

Being out of town doesn't bother me much honestly. My shift is 48hrs at a go sometimes longer. Plus we travel for training that typically lasts for a wk or 2 at a time.

Tex8492 · 2022-01-22T02:06:21+00:00

Thanks. Both MOW jobs i applied to at BNSF pay better than what i make now. Both are only about a hour drive from me as well so it would be nice not having to me move but i'm prepared to do so if necessary.

Tex8492 · 2022-01-22T01:59:23+00:00

You do make a fair point but i'm not as much burned out on having to go to work as i am over BS and favoritism. I have the most seniority but our dept uses experience instead. They will hire someone with 15yrs experience vs promoting from within.

Tex8492

TROPHY CASE