I love your personality and how thorough your explanations are! I have been offered a position with NS recently, and you have answered just about every question i could think of through your videos alone! Thank you!!!

I just had my interview yesterday and received a job offer , you really explained this so much more than the lady I interviewed with thanks !

@KurtisCharlton

Жыл бұрын

Glad to help and congrats on the offer👍🏻🚂

@travisash1275

Жыл бұрын

I agree because the people that’s doing the interviews is clueless and have no straight forward awnser to the questions I have. Being that I found this is a big help at least better than what I got yesterday during my interview.

This effects every town and state across America. Safety should be number 1 prior!!! Thank you this is in reference to Ron Batory with the FRA Removing the two person train crew rule and precise scheduled railroading known as (PSR)! They have been tripling up trains making them 3-5 miles long the blocking road crossings for hours on in blocking first responders now wanting one man or women to run the whole operation is absurd not to mention many of these people are veterans who have served this great nation who are now gonna be out of a job. This effects every town and state across America. We need to get the word out thanks for all the help. It is greatly needed. They are calling man vs machine. They even have an article to that shows from the FRAs own reports it’s unsafe research was done by Tennessee state university Support two person train crews keep America safe. You have all got this wrong when it come to 2 man crew verses one man crew. The airlines have had autopilot for years but still have two and 3 people in the cockpit. If Boeing has taught us anything technology fails. It’s all the workers do is worry about losing jobs. Its common sense thousands of railroad workers will lose their jobs if all the railroads are allowed to go to 1 man crews. That's an issue you need to take up with Politicians ! They claims they are creating jobs then let him do something about people keeping the ones they have! This is about safety. This is about saving lives. Not just crew lives but the American people as well. Don’t forget about the rule-making process that was invoked by then-FRA Administrator Joseph C. Szabo after an unattended 74-car freight train carrying crude oil ran downhill and crashed in the Canadian town of Lac-Mégantic, killing 49 people in 2013 that had just one man on the train! Hunter Harrison said on the record those extra set of eyes in the cab are valuable. PTC will not detect track issues or mechanical issues like bad order cars or prevent crossing accidents. Our rules change daily so if an engineer or conductor takes a day off or vacation who will job brief with each other on any newly updated rules that change. How about filling out an EC-1 as the train moves along the tracks or stop and flag a railroad crossing when they have an activation failure with the public crossing gates. We are suppose to job brief to make smart decisions taking the safer course. So if engineers are busy pushing buttons on a screen and reading train orders his eyes are in the cab. If they remove the conductor, it would be counterintuitive. So in my opinion one safety system cancels out the other. Now with ptc and full crew in the cab increases the safety of of train movement. Just plain old common sense. Railroads preach safety every single day. Its in their rule books and in their advertising. Its 24 hour a day safety...safety....safety. Well let them put their money where their mouths are. Pay for safety. Keep 2 men in the cab. Just like GM shutting down 5 plants putting 15,000 people out of work and pay there CEO 22 million. CSX on the other hand lost 41% of the business once Hunter Harrison took over cutting out almost half the work force from 27,893 people down to 15,362 people system wide and they paid him 385 million only to pass away 8 months later! With everything going automated from self check out lanes to manufacturing does anyone profit except share holders and CEOs!!!! The public has no idea what we deal with. Tell your neighbors about how many cars we hit and people are killed every year when they are hit by trains. Explain to them how the engineer is in the cab calling the dispatcher and getting 911 called. He is taking care of anything that may be wrong with the locomotive. He stays with the train. Tell them how the conductor gets down and rushes to the vehicle to see if he can possibly save a life. Maybe a baby is in the car and needs to be helped or maybe the parents can be removed and need CPR. Maybe he can comfort someone who is dying or in shock or screaming because they are severely injured . Tell them about how we hit live stock and large deer. Tell them how people love to put junk on the tracks. Shopping carts, bicycles, steel barrows, wheelchairs and even abandoned cars. A two person crew saved a child’s life wondering around on the tracks in Minnesota near midnight Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020. PTC didn’t help them. Tell them about how many trees we hit a year and do extensive damage to the locomotive. The engineer stays with the locomotives and assess the damage and does what is necessary to radio dispatchers for help while the conductors gets down and removes debris and check the rest of the train for any damage or signs of derailment. Tell them about the territory that is in the middle of TIM BUCK TWO! The places where no one can get to you fast unless you have a helicopter. How will they go bathroom now without two people to keep the train going down the tracks unless they have to stop not blocking crossings or take lunch. Tell them how radios don't always work in remote locations. Telemetry drops out and communication is lost. How many times does a conductor have to go back and trouble shoot another locomotive after alarms are going off. The engineer keeps the train rolling the best he can while the conductor checks the computers and checks to see if it is loading, traction motor faults or any other issue that may arise. Tell them about the blind curves that only one crew member can see around when your approaching public crossings or trees that block signals so that only one crew member can see them until you get the train right on top of them. Tell them about wash outs from floods, and heat warped rail and fog so thick you cant see a foot in front of you. SO WHAT IF YOU GOT PTC!! PTC does not tell you if a car in stopped on the tracks or a tree is across it or a person is walking in the tracks or there is 5 inches of water over the rail! Tell them how crew members have been attacked and some have even been killed by gang thugs and trespassers. A single man has no chance in these situations. It is better to have someone else with you to keep watch when working in bad areas and ghetto rail yards. The list goes on and on. Tell them how the company took away the right of the crew members to take a power nap. One crew member is supposed to call stopped every 15 minutes while they are waiting on line of road. As long as someone is awake and doing this and paying attention there is no reason on god green earth while a tired crew member cant take a 20 minute power nap. Tell them how crews are run into the ground and some are called out every 10 hours around the clock. They work all hours of the day and night and most have no weekends off. The company wont even let them have a power nap. What is going to happen when there is only 1 man on the train by himself and he is just plain worn out or is sick and afraid to take a day off because of the companies new attendance policy which is just absolutely insane. People come to work sick all the time. Vomiting, diarrhea, fevers and the flu doesn't stop them because they are in fear of losing their jobs. How is a sick man who is all by himself going to be able to make a full run safely and without risking his life or the publics when he doesn't have his other crew member to help keep him alert. The engineer has many roles and duties as well as the conductor. There are times when something happens that it is a must for an engineer to be on board and ready to take instructions while the conductor handles the rest of the responsibilities. There are so many things that go into railroading and running trains that the public doesn't know a thing about. THIS ONE MAN CREW IDEA IS THE MOST UNSAFE AND IRRESPONSIBLE IDEA that has ever been brought forward in the history of the railroad industry. And for what? To save a dollar. To line someone's pockets. To make someone rich. Who care who gets killed. If you think crossings are blocked now imagine if there was only one man and had to wait on someone to cut a crossing!Who care about the destruction to family lives. I don't know about you but I sure do and so should every person in America! Also if you haven’t seen it check out these two KZread videos. kzread.info/dash/bejne/k6iau5atmdyzqps.html kzread.info/dash/bejne/gqN-k6-Sh9awZbQ.html kzread.info/dash/bejne/nJOmsqdtZNKqdZc.html

@KurtisCharlton

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your input and attempts to spread awareness. 2 man crews are necessary and the only thing standing between the current state of things and thousands of accidents, property damage, and delivery schedule and supply chain issues. Keep fighting the good fight!- Kurtis

Canadian class 1 version - Hourly in the yard and paid by mile on the road. With claims for doing certain tasks during the trip. 8 hours in the yard anything after it’s all overtime to max of 12 hours. On the road with rest filed 10 hours if not it’s 12. Way better

My son recently applied to be a Conductor for Norfolk and Southern at the Allentown location. Is there a way to contact you as he has some questions? Your video clips have great and informative.

@KurtisCharlton

2 жыл бұрын

I can always be reached through FB Messenger. The link to that is at the top of my channel page. He can always ask questions here as well!- kurtis

Quick question? Is training pay only at the Georgia training center or the 10 or more weeks you are training until you are a full cunductor?

@KurtisCharlton

2 жыл бұрын

From day one in Georgia until the day you “mark up” as a conductor you make $185 per day. There is a full video a little further back about the conductor pay and how it breaks down. You will also make bonuses, meal reimbursements, mileage reimbursements, and your safety gear budget will be issued for your safety equipment through ORR safety during training.

If CPKC railroad pays Conductors 38-46 an hour how much does Union Pacific pay Conductors

I enjoy your videos. My son who is 20 just a applied for a conductor position with Norfolk and Southern. Is there a way to get in contact with you to answer some questions for him?

@KurtisCharlton

2 жыл бұрын

Sure thing. You can shoot me a message on Facebook Messenger

Now that they switched the trainee pay, would it be $25 an hour if you worked 12hrs a day 6 days a week? So 3600 every two weeks?

@KurtisCharlton

Жыл бұрын

$25 an hour or $200.00 a day. Which ever is higher is what you'd be paid.

I’m heading off to Georgie for conductor training soon. How are the knowledge tests and signal test formatted? Are they multiple choice or just a mixture of random forms of questioning? Thanks

@KurtisCharlton

2 жыл бұрын

All multiple choice. Practice test questions are exactly the same word for word as the final. If you take the practice exams enough you’ll see ever question on the final. Total Question bank is a little under 300 questions. Practice test pull 50 at a time.

@micaheaton8697

2 жыл бұрын

@@KurtisCharlton Doesn’t sound too tough then, definitely eased some of my worries. Seems like it will be a test of will trying to studying for the final after coming home from 12 hour shifts of OTJ

@trirail812productions8

2 жыл бұрын

are working for csx

for those that don't know... held away pay begins 16 hours after you have tied up at your away terminal... then it's 8hrs on held away 8hrs off and so on until you are ordered for a train... that's why folks want to work the pool because you get this and more in arbitraries (i call it lifestyle disruption pay)

@KurtisCharlton

2 жыл бұрын

Love it! and so accurate. "The railroad doesn't pay you for the work. they pay you for the inconvenience."

@masondeskins8970

Жыл бұрын

The new contract that went into effect last month is 15 hours after you tied up and continuous detention time.

@25mfd

Жыл бұрын

@@masondeskins8970 now that is GREAT. i like to hear that.

What’s like a average check every two weeks starting off as a freight conductor also how many off days you get and are the benefits pretty good

@KurtisCharlton

Жыл бұрын

Benefits are good. Pay actually just increased with the latest contract negotiation. you will work a 6/2 schedule on the extra board. Six days on and two days off.

@martinflawless675

Жыл бұрын

@@KurtisCharlton so what would you say a average check is every two weeks starting off

After you pass training. How long after that can you start working on a railroad

@KurtisCharlton

Жыл бұрын

Pass on Friday... Start Monday Morning :)

Does they hire Canadian citizen.

What's is the guarantee pay on the Xtra boards.

@KurtisCharlton

2 жыл бұрын

52k at 75% year one. Goes up 5% per year until it maxes at 63.5k from year 5 on.

so., we havw more tests after McDoughna

Is there an age limit to be herd on the rail road ?

@KurtisCharlton

6 ай бұрын

Over 18... No age cap. Had guys in their 60's in my training class.

So what incentive does a railroad have to run their trains at track speed if they pay you the same trip rate whether it takes 8 or 12 hours. Sounds to me like it incentivizes running trains at slower speeds

@KurtisCharlton

2 жыл бұрын

On time trains equals contract renewals 😉

@KurtisCharlton

2 жыл бұрын

Also if the crew gets caught out there longer than their FRA 12 the are essentially paying penalties to the crew for the inconvenience and it has a domino effect on the crews that have to finish their work or the trains that are delayed in the process. On time trains are also the main responsibility of terminal managers, operations supervisors and train masters. If delays occur their jobs are now the ones in jeopardy because they answer to the C Suite and Stock Holders....as we very well know.... Shit rolls down hill

@nosbig999

2 жыл бұрын

No one wants to be on the train longer than they have to be, running a train at track speed never happens except down a grade, and they are screwing the crews who arrive with time left by making the crew do yard work, but track speed is all dependent on how heavy the train is! And you get trip rate and overtime after a certain amount of time depending on how many miles you trip is, a good figure is 130 miles is basic trip rate pay, over 130 miles is over miles and paid at a higher rate. Hope I didn't confuse you.

@nosbig999

2 жыл бұрын

If a train leaves late, they will hit the crew with the delay, nothing is ever the company's fault, and we never ever work over 12hrs, it's against the law, we may be on duty for as long as it takes to get to where we're going, but you cannot perform any service of any kind after 12 hrs, I've been with NS for 27 years and never once have I worked over 12, I've been on duty for as long as 23hrs,$$$$$, they still have to pay you while your on duty!

@25mfd

Жыл бұрын

@@nosbig999 how often do they have you doing yard work as a pool crew... when does overtime kick in for you... you guys must make pretty good time if your that far away from overtime and then made to do yard work at the end of the run... older agreements used to pay switching time... the 85 agreement got rid of that... i'm sure you worked with either old southern guys or old N&W guys who got paid switching time... but like i said guys who hired on AFTER the 85 agreement get screwed

Hey what’s up do you need to have driver license to become freight conductor?

@KurtisCharlton

2 жыл бұрын

Yes. This is a DOT position and a motor vehicle license is required. You don't need a CDL in transportation(Conductor, Engineer) but you will be asked to acquire it if you work in Signals/ C&S.

Are you still making videos?

@KurtisCharlton

2 жыл бұрын

Yep. They hit TikTok first👍🏻

Can you answer a question for me?

@KurtisCharlton

2 жыл бұрын

Sure. Whats Up?

@adamlewis1620

2 жыл бұрын

I’m currently getting my bmi under control, I was told that’s be fine but they’d close out my case with the physical. And then they said they’d reopen my case if requisitions aren’t full. Am I good as long as I get it under control quick?

@KurtisCharlton

2 жыл бұрын

@@adamlewis1620 Keep at lowering your bmi for sure but do not wait for them to call. If your application or requisition closed make sure to apply again asap. They will forget about you in a heartbeat without something showing active in the system. Even if you have to apply for a different location close to you. Best of luck👍🏻🚂

@adamlewis1620

2 жыл бұрын

@@Nomad8324 I’m making 35k a year in a crap job, all the training I’ve had at my past 2 jobs have been that way and I’ve been on lol

@adamlewis1620

2 жыл бұрын

@@Nomad8324 what terminal are you at?

Can my wife come with me to conductor school

@KurtisCharlton

2 жыл бұрын

Its not technically "allowed" but guys have definitely done it. As long as you don't cause any issues and keep a low profile most people wont say anything.

@toddgittins5692

2 жыл бұрын

Might as well. You won't see her much after that anyway.

@25mfd

2 жыл бұрын

@@toddgittins5692 🤣🤣 that is SO SO true