conductor Cicero Alternate

Interviewed for the BNSF at the end of Nov. Got a msg 2 days afterwards that I was an alternate. Curious if anyone else on this board is in the same boat?

Hang tight. I was chosen as an alternate and received my conditional offer two weeks later. Keep checking your email. Good luck to you!

seark23 wrote:Hang tight. I was chosen as an alternate and received my conditional offer two weeks later. Keep checking your email. Good luck to you!

Thanks. Yes, I think the call will come through. How I understood it, while sitting in the hiring session with the other 200, is that if you received an alternate status you were pegged for the 2 future conductor classes in February and March. Or if some candidates didn't get through the background/medical ect. for the up coming January 2014 class.

Interested to see if anyone is in a similar situation or have been hired/turned down. I'm at UP now but am counting my days to a transportation career.

JeepRR wrote:What's your reason for leaving UP may I ask? And how is it over there at Proviso? I only ask because I may be leaving to work for them on their train crews...

I'm on the mechanical side of operations. I am not at Proviso however I do know a few people on mechanical that came from there. I hear the environment - worker to worker/worker & management are toxic. That being said I also know many conductors/engineers on the Illinois side. They all say it's okay. Remember UP is all closed seniority districts as well. So plan to stay. Conductor to engineer in roughly 2 years. If you are forced into their large commuter operations 12-15 hour days all straight time pay 5 days a week.

JeepRR wrote:I work in the Chicago yard. They're mad hurting for conductors. You will get called. Patience...

Thanks JeepRR. Looking forward to coming and busting some a##.
I would like to get my switching down in the yard and move on to the road in due time. I also am told engineer in roughly 1 year if so desired?

JeepRR wrote:You may have to wait in line. They had 3 classes this fall. And more in the spring. So there will be a line ahead of you no doubt. But that'll help you get the better jobs faster if they do go to engineer ya know. I hate commuter. I'm a people person but I'd rather not deal with customers. Here at the Bnsf. The commuter jobs are the hard ones to get. Everybody wants em. I don't. I know I won't be happy punching tickets and collecting fees. But that's just me

Are you saying I'll be waiting in line for a start date to be hired or are you referring to the 1 year engineers spot after one's hired?
I completely agree with the commuter side. I'm a personable person however, to have to put on the 'clown suits' and punch tickets would completely suck! I'll stick with freight.

Red wrote:The BN side has a class of engineers of around 18 starting jan 6. My understanding is that the seniority of the conductors that got in was a year or less. I've heard they're having another class of engineers starting in march. I imagine you could get into engine service in a year or less, if the opportunity presents itself.

Thx Red. What's your background are you at Cicero?
Shoot me a PM if you get some time.