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Train and railroad ops now being in the spotlight, would you agree or disagree with these comments?
I started working with the best conductors on the planet on SPs Sacramento and Oregon Divisions in 1972. And as razor sharp as they were, not all of them would have been good candidates for promotion to locomotive engineer. The reason is simple. There are different skill sets needed to be proficient at either.
However at present, conductors MUST take promotion to engineer or have their employment terminated. The only reason why is to continue to force the consolidation of the crafts. Because of the money they make in doing so.
So, whether or not a person is a good candidate for the position is moot. They are going to be jammed behind the throttle regardless of aptitude.
An extreme analogy, but this is like requiring air port baggage handlers to ascend to the captain's seat whether they can handle the job or not.
On what planet is this not insane?
Wouldn't you agree?
2 Answers
- ?Lv 66 years agoFavorite Answer
I also believe that a person should be a conductor for a couple years before becoming an engineer. We have people at my terminal with less than a month in the left seat that are now making the move to the right seat. Hell there was an entire conductor class forced into the program. As soon as they got their conductor card they were sent to engineer training, not a single trip out as a conductor.
Not everyone is cut out to be an engineer. Personally I have little desire to be an engineer mostly because it's easier to transfer across country and as an engineer it's almost impossible.
Good to see you on here again, Bob. I hope you're still enjoying retirement.
Source(s): BNSF Conductor - ?Lv 76 years ago
A forced promotion is not for some. The jobs are different. Some just desire or are better at one job over the other. Opportunity should be available for those that WANT to move to other positions. Having experience at other parts of the job is not a bad idea for understanding all that goes on in making up and running the train.
Welcome back. Did you finish your book?
Forcing promotion or termination is a waste of talent and training. in the pool of needed conductors.
