Thinking about joining NS

Hi, Here I am almost 14 already and I'm thinking about joining Norfolk Southern when I turn 18 or whatever. But I was just wondering about a few things that might influence my decision. If there are any Norfolk Southern Employees out here could you answer these questions, please?1) Do you get to choose an area where you would like to work?
2) How often is it that you have to work on holidays?
3) Is it dangerous jumping on and off boxcars and things?
4) Are they very strict on timetables?
5) Will I have to get up in the middle of the night to make an unexpected run?
6) When I get called to make a run, where do I go to?Thanks, bradgib

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RE: Thinking about joining NS., sd70mac666, Dec-11-02, 11:46 PM, (1) RE: Thinking about joining NS., bradgib, Dec-12-02, 04:10 PM, (4) RE: Thinking about joining NS., sou2601, Dec-12-02, 06:31 PM, (7) RE: Thinking about joining NS., Claude350, Dec-12-02, 07:27 PM, (8) RE: Thinking about joining NS., sou2601, Dec-12-02, 07:54 PM, (9) RE: Thinking about joining NS., Claude350, Dec-12-02, 08:28 PM, (10) RE: Thinking about joining NS., WestSlopeRRfan, Dec-12-02, 00:21 AM, (2) RE: Thinking about joining NS., jlucero4, Dec-12-02, 12:16 PM, (3) RE: Thinking about joining NS., sou2601, Dec-12-02, 05:52 PM, (5) RE: Thinking about joining NS., csx7381, Dec-12-02, 06:22 PM, (6) RE: Thinking about joining NS., bradgib, Dec-13-02, 11:00 PM, (15) RE: Thinking about joining NS., Poltergeist, Dec-12-02, 08:34 PM, (11) RE: Thinking about joining NS., Cell0518, Dec-12-02, 08:42 PM, (12) RE: Thinking about joining NS., Claude350, Dec-12-02, 11:49 PM, (13) RE: Thinking about joining NS., concaddy, Dec-13-02, 04:00 AM, (14)

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My family has worked for the railroad so from what I've heard over the past 20 or some odd years I can tell you this:
1) Do you get to choose an area where you would like to work?
The base area where you applied is where you work, eg if you applied out of St. thomas, Ontario, Canada you'd work out of there2) How often is it that you have to work on holidays?
There is no such thing as holidays, except for the time you book off yourself, but they pay out the nose (3) Is it dangerous jumping on and off boxcars and things?
This sort of stuff they do not allow because of injuries, lawsuits ect.,.. 4) Are they very strict on timetables?
In some instances they are but it all depends5) Will I have to get up in the middle of the night to make an unexpected run?
yes, you work 12 hours on and 8 off, you could be called back to work in as little as 8 hours. Generally they make a call to your home at least 90 minutes ahead of schedule6) When I get called to make a run, where do I go to?
that depends

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Hi, thanks everyone! I'm not really excited about getting up in the middle of the night to make a run or not having much of a home life, but its like the Skynyrd song, I'm a travlin' man. Well, at least they give you 90 mins to get ready, guess I could drink coffee if its early. Like WestSlopeRRfan said, I could always get a college degree in something else before I join NS. Of course, there's Amtrak, I'm sure they gotta pay more. Also, I thought of some more questions, 1) Do locomotives have luxurys like cars (cd players, heaters, air conditioners)?
2)Are there any places in North Carolina where I could sign up? I know that the NS training school or whatever is in McDonough,GA. Well, thanks for everything!

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The locomotives have heaters and a few have ac. No cd players. The only places in NC that NS hires freight train employes is Linwood & Asheville. All trainees go to McDonough, GA for training.Sou2601
NS MP S32.3

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Wrong Sou2601.They hire out of Raleigh NC also.That's where I was hired and worked out of.

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Claude,
My bad. I remember seeing a hiring session there before now. Thanks for jogging the ole memory. Jonathan - Sou2601
Danville DistrictNS MP S32.2

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Not a problem bro.

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Words of adviceGo to college first!! Its always wise to have something to fall back on. Even if its a two year degree. in fact there is even a degree in railroad operations or something like that. By having that degree you really put your foot in the door.Also... try working for Renzenberger or Armadillo first. These are the companies out in the west that transport train crews around. the pay is horrible but you get to chat with railroaders and you basically led the same life as them (you get called at ALL hours of the night and day). its a great way to tell if you can handle the hours. what I've learned from railroaders....
They take runs at any point in the day
They don't have much of a life at home
They can spend several days on the road away from family
Many are divorsed
On UP they don't get paid when they are at a distant hub till they have been there for 18hrs.
Its a tough job, but many are fellow railroad buffs and like what they do.Nick

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LAST EDITED ON Dec-12-02 AT 12:20 PM (EST)

My dad has worked for the railroad for over 20 years now, so I'll answer these questions based on his experiences.1) Do you get to choose an area where you would like to work?
Where you apply is usually where you'll work. Keep in mind that transfers can and do happen, though.
2) How often is it that you have to work on holidays?
You can count on working on quite a few holidays, especially early on in your career.
3) Is it dangerous jumping on and off boxcars and things?
It can be dangerous if you're not careful.
4) Are they very strict on timetables?
In general, yes they do tend to be strict. Railroads are strange in the fact that they will look for opportunities to get you fired, so strict adherence to timetables would be desirable.
5) Will I have to get up in the middle of the night to make an unexpected run?
#1 rule with railroads: Always expect the unexpected.
6) When I get called to make a run, where do I go to?
Not sure what you mean by this, but the crewcaller will tell you what run you'll be making and where you'll be going.Jordan L.
La Junta, CO

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Here it is straight from the horses mouth (excuse the bad pun)1. Look on the NS website. They will list the cities\area that they are hiring in.
2. They run trains as needed on the holidays.
3. It's against the rules to mount and dismount moving equipment
4. Timetables are only used for extra rules now.
5. YES!!!!!
6. Depends on where you hire on.Go to college first like the other person stated. This job isn't for everyone. Sou2601
NS MP S32.3

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LAST EDITED ON Dec-12-02 AT 06:25 PM (EST)

Same with me,I decided to make final ideas for becoming a NS engineer. I think you have to go to Atlanta,GA to be trained to work for NS. By 18,you'll probobly driving the engine below!Mike
Future NS engineer
(I'm only eleven and 3/4)

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Hi Mike. You were close on the training in Atlanta. In fact, about 30 miles. You go to training in McDonough, GA. Yeah, can't wait to drive that loco below!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -bradgib

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My dad used to work for Norfolk and Southern, as an Electrican for the Charlotte Shop. Anyways, be prepare to work in the cold, and in the heat, and be prepare to work hard!! Thats all the advice I can give you.

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All I can say is, Wait for Concaddy. He is working for them or will be VERY SOON.
Content Manager @ MOWShed.com
MSTS Rocks
TA Please do 611 & 1218

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Concaddy just completed his first two weeks of training.He still has a long way to go before he makes it to the extra board.That's when your life is forever changed.

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Claude's right. I have a lllooonnngggg way to go in my training til I mark up.

John Rosh
TKW Public Relations

http://www.trainsimstuff.com

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