BNSF or Norfolk Southern. Which is the better railroad to work for?
Since becoming very interested in working for the railroad, i've come across people that have given their opinions about these two companies and which to apply. Both have negative views but is there really much difference? Also, Im curious as to how many years it would take to get a off of the "extra board" and onto a 9-5 schedule? thats just one other thing people seem to always mention but never elaborate on... As always any response is greatly appreciated.
Rail - 3 Answers
People's Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
Answer 1 :
The differences are going to be by terminal more than company. Both companies have very similar work rules and benefit packages so not a lot of difference. I have heard NS has a stricter discipline policy but that that can change overnight. No two terminals or seniority districts will be alike, If you hire on at a location with primarily road assignments you will work road and unscheduled assignments almost forever. If you have a hub or large yard area, there are more assigned jobs with "part time" (40 hour) work assignments. 9 - 5 ?? You will have to work a lot of years to work into days, I know men with 20 years and the best they can hold is afternoons. If you need day shifts, perhaps railroading is not the job for you. Not to be discouraging but that's Just the way it is. Good Luck
Answer 2 :
I have been working for BNSF going on 3 years, and you will hear the same stuff about whatever railroad you work for, they will say they butcher you or work you too often etc etc... Getting off the extra board will take you at least 5 to 10 years. I currently work a night switcher in the yard. I will have to work this at least 2 more years (rough guestimate) before even qualifying for the road extra board. As Rango mentioned, it takes about 20-25+ years for a "1st" shift job, the old heads (with loads of seniority) will have these jobs, and where I work the shifts are: 1st: 7a-3p, 2nd 3p-11p, graveyard: 11p - 7a. But my terminal is very big so there are jobs going on duty all the time. as for me I go to work at 11:59p and get off at 7:59a. If hiring on a major BNSF terminal (IE Chicago, Seattle, LA, KC, Fort Worth etc...) here is a guestimated breakdown of a typical career. 1/2 year: training and qualifications 1/2 year - 5 years: Yard assignment (extra brd and or set job) 5-10 years: Road extra board, or you can keep building your seniority in the yard. 10-30 years: you probably have enough seniority to work as a pool conductor with advancement to engineer during this time. Again each railroader is different so I wont say this is how you have to work a career, just take it the way you want to take it. I look forward to going on the road becuase I have liked traveling and I work in a great area. Hope this helps, and best of luck in your choice.
Answer 3 :
I work for BNSF. I hired out in Feb 2006 as a brakeman. I have since worked in about 4 different terminals (from Ft. Worth, Tx to Gillette, Wy). In my 2.5 years of railroading, i have already passed my engineer test, and am a certified locomotive engineer. However, even with my engineer certification, i am currently holding an extra board as a conductor. I can hold a regular job in the yard that i run out of. It is afternoon's, 3-11pm. Most yard assignments are 8 hours, and depending on your local agreement, you could be paid a second days pay if you hit 9 hours, though this rarely happens. Most yards use the shift cycle, which is shifts start around 7, 3, and 11. In the smaller yards there might only be one ot two crews at 12 hour intervals. In this situation you would probably work about 10 hours 4 days out of the week, and 3-6 hours the remainder (i say remainder because it could be a 6 or 7 day job). BTW these jobs run very high seniority, and most people holding those jobs have been working for the RR for well over 30 years. To answer your question, about how many years it would take to get off the extra board: minimun of 4. This is an estimate, and could be 2 years, or could be 10 years depending on where you hire-out at. Any Pool-Turn is just like an extra board... They can call you at any time, day or night. (a pool turn is like from Fort Worth, Tx to Temple, Tx. or From Needles, Ca to Winslow, Az. You only run on that track, nothing else. BUt they don't call you to go to work until a train has arrived and it's your turn to go to work) I have heard the same thing that Rango heard, that NS has a far more rigid discpilpne system in place. (for instance i have heard of an NS engineer running past a red signal, and he is fired... no second chance..., On the BNSF i know of a couple engineers who have ran red signals and are still working) On the other hand, i would not want to work on the other end of a pool where that guy was coming toward me if he had ran a signal in the past. I cannot say what the NS policy is, because i never have, and never will work for the NS. If you decide to get a railroad job, and decide to go the BNSF route, make sure that you apply for the positions that are not primary recall. (The former Santa Fe territories have primary recall and this means that you have to go back to that place for 5 years if they need you. you get 24-48 hours to move.... the non-primary recall locations do not have such control over your life.) I assume that you are interested in these companies because you are out east somewhere, and they both run closely, so you shouldn't have to worry about the primary-recall. One last thing, the soomer you hire-out the better. You will have more seniority, and will be able to hold that dream job sooner. I hope that I wasn't too long winded for you. Good Luck!
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