by NTG
Hello all. Before I start, let me say that I have the utmost respect for anyone working for the railroad and I realize your time is valuable. If you take the time to reply it will be much appreciated.
I'm sure this question has been asked before, and I have used the search engine to the best of my ability. I am looking for any advice I can get. From the sound of everything I've read this will be a life changing career. I have went from being excited after some stories to flat out scared sh1tless after reading some others. I don't know what to think or what to believe etc...lol. To put it mildly, I am excited to be going to work for the railroad, but scared I'll never survive at the same time.
My wife and I (along with my two daughters) are very excited about me getting hired on. The long hours are something we are willing to deal with and of course the money always sounds great. However, money aside I really need to like what I do to feel I will ever achieve true success in life. From everything I have read, I think I will love it. However, since I don't know much about a career in railroading, (except what I have gathered reading multipile forums) any advice would be greatly appreciated. I realize the only way to be worth anything is to seek advice from those who are already working for the railroad and have experienced it first hand.
The company I will be working for is NS. I understand I will be running from Louisville, KY to Princeton, IN. Just trying to get an idea of what I can expect top to bottom before I jump in feet first. Anyone care to tell me what the first training trip to GA will be like? What types of tests etc.? Classroom or on the job or both etc.? Mental test/physical test etc.?
Also curious if anyone on here is from the Louisville, KY area and working for Norfolk Southern? I will be working there starting later this month and just wanted to talk with others that may work around me or near this area now or in the past. Would be really sweet to run into someone that has in fact worked or is currently employeed in Louisville who could elaborate on what it is like etc. Thanks to those that reply.
NTG
PS. My MSN messenger name is [email protected] (email address also) and my AIM messenger name is XBL NickTheGreat if anyone wants to ever drop a line.
I'm sure this question has been asked before, and I have used the search engine to the best of my ability. I am looking for any advice I can get. From the sound of everything I've read this will be a life changing career. I have went from being excited after some stories to flat out scared sh1tless after reading some others. I don't know what to think or what to believe etc...lol. To put it mildly, I am excited to be going to work for the railroad, but scared I'll never survive at the same time.
My wife and I (along with my two daughters) are very excited about me getting hired on. The long hours are something we are willing to deal with and of course the money always sounds great. However, money aside I really need to like what I do to feel I will ever achieve true success in life. From everything I have read, I think I will love it. However, since I don't know much about a career in railroading, (except what I have gathered reading multipile forums) any advice would be greatly appreciated. I realize the only way to be worth anything is to seek advice from those who are already working for the railroad and have experienced it first hand.
The company I will be working for is NS. I understand I will be running from Louisville, KY to Princeton, IN. Just trying to get an idea of what I can expect top to bottom before I jump in feet first. Anyone care to tell me what the first training trip to GA will be like? What types of tests etc.? Classroom or on the job or both etc.? Mental test/physical test etc.?
Also curious if anyone on here is from the Louisville, KY area and working for Norfolk Southern? I will be working there starting later this month and just wanted to talk with others that may work around me or near this area now or in the past. Would be really sweet to run into someone that has in fact worked or is currently employeed in Louisville who could elaborate on what it is like etc. Thanks to those that reply.
NTG
PS. My MSN messenger name is [email protected] (email address also) and my AIM messenger name is XBL NickTheGreat if anyone wants to ever drop a line.