Received offers for both BNSF & UP, which do I take?

Hey everyone, I applied for conductor trainee in Minneapolis/St. Paul for conductor trainee. I've already received my release to work for UP, but now I've received a conditional offer for BNSF. I'd rather work for BNSF from reading the board they seem like the better employer. Should I go through the process for BNSF, or stick with UP since I already am ready to go on November 3?

Well since no one is responding I will give it a try. I have no first hand knowledge, but the census around here is that BNSF is the best RR to work for as far as Class 1 freight railroads go. Amtrak is probably better, commuter RR's around the country are probably better, but around here BNSF is known as the best Class 1 freight RR. Good luck in choosing.

Thanks I decided to go with UP. Start class November 3, I'm looking forward to starting my new career.

mllaw23 wrote:.....Should I go through the process for BNSF, or stick with UP since I already am ready to go on November 3?

Do you plan on moving for either job? I am not a big fan of terrible commutes. How far away from either location are you when you report to work? I assume Northtown Yard for BNSF and South Saint Paul for UP.

@ Jim, I'm moving from Chicago I found a place in Saint Paul its 6 mins from the UP yard so I definitely shouldn't have a problem being late to report even in bad weather. Is anyone familiar with the yard in Saint Paul? I assume they have plenty of work as they're still hiring on the website for the location.

Personally I wouldn't back out of the start date with the UP. BNSF is only a conditional offer doesn't mean you'll get the job. I'm taking it as you'll have to start over with the hiring process. Why would you give up a sure thing with the UP?

COEN77 makes an excellent point. Go with the sure thing!

I concur. Go to training with the UP and bail thereafter if you wish. Things happen and the BN may decide not to hire for your location and/or may wait to start class in 2015 for some reason. You never know.

We have a re-entry engineer here at Amtrak that just came off the BN after working there for 15 years. I came off the UP. Sharing war stories with each other either Carrier (UP or the BN) has the same amount of BS going for it. Any Class 1 railroad will have their issues.

Good luck!

mllaw23 wrote:Thanks I decided to go with UP. Start class November 3, I'm looking forward to starting my new career.

The downside with the UP is that they don't have the system-wide seniority. With BNSF, you can go wherever your seniority permits, except Pacific Northwest. This comes in very handy as a new hire just in case you get furloughed at your home terminal.