by kr98664
Greetings All,
New guy here, not responsible if you wet yourself laughing at me. I'm looking at hiring on in UP Train Service in Portland, OR or BNSF Conductor Trainee in Vancouver, WA. Can anybody recommend one company over the other? I couldn't find anything about this in the archives. I'm familiar with all the pros and cons about the lifestyle but don't know much about either company's way of doing business. I'm especially interested in the long-term aspects, such as retirement and medical coverage.
As a bit of background, I've worked 17 years as an airline mechanic and could tell you which outfits are/were great and from which you should run screaming. As far as which potential employer, the BNSF terminal is very convenient to my house while the UP is halfway across the city. It would be great to avoid commuting hassles, especially being on-call (insert delerious laughter about empty roads in the middle of the night). On the other hand, as an airline employee who formerly had a great career until the advent of a certain CEO, I'd like to avoid being Grinsteined again in the future so the balance might tip in favor of the UP.
Also, do I understand correctly that train crew income tax is based on your residence and not work location? Washington State, my home, has no state income tax while across the river in the People's Republic of Oregon, they gig you for an extra 9%. If I had to pay the Oregon State income tax if based in Portland with the UP, that would tip the scales back to the BNSF in Washington.
Thanks for any help, advice and cheap jokes at my expense.
Karl
New guy here, not responsible if you wet yourself laughing at me. I'm looking at hiring on in UP Train Service in Portland, OR or BNSF Conductor Trainee in Vancouver, WA. Can anybody recommend one company over the other? I couldn't find anything about this in the archives. I'm familiar with all the pros and cons about the lifestyle but don't know much about either company's way of doing business. I'm especially interested in the long-term aspects, such as retirement and medical coverage.
As a bit of background, I've worked 17 years as an airline mechanic and could tell you which outfits are/were great and from which you should run screaming. As far as which potential employer, the BNSF terminal is very convenient to my house while the UP is halfway across the city. It would be great to avoid commuting hassles, especially being on-call (insert delerious laughter about empty roads in the middle of the night). On the other hand, as an airline employee who formerly had a great career until the advent of a certain CEO, I'd like to avoid being Grinsteined again in the future so the balance might tip in favor of the UP.
Also, do I understand correctly that train crew income tax is based on your residence and not work location? Washington State, my home, has no state income tax while across the river in the People's Republic of Oregon, they gig you for an extra 9%. If I had to pay the Oregon State income tax if based in Portland with the UP, that would tip the scales back to the BNSF in Washington.
Thanks for any help, advice and cheap jokes at my expense.
Karl