last year or so there was somebody that was working for the train company BNSF and was pretty content. I am looking at a position with them and was wondering if he was still roaming the halls here or if anybody has any information about working with this and or the process of getting hired? It seems like a good company. I would have to relocate so I want to be sure as I can on how the company operates.
Thanks for any information.

any help?

I remember the post,he said he was working for the RR and that they were hiring but don't recall his name,contact the company and see if they are still hiring,did a internet search for the company,link below.

http://www.bnsf.com/

http://www.bnsf.com/careers/

I didn't work for BNSF, but I did for Norfolk Southern. I went the management route, Mechanical Supervisor, me a BMC supervising a bunch of mechanics.

Anyway my class of 40 people had 9 retired military members, 4 of whom have quit. Another 10 or so people were fresh out of the service (non retired).

The job at BNSF will be very similar to the one at most any RR. If going supervisor route, it's mandatory to move from your training location to a permanent one and if you expect to advance, you'll need to relocate (like the service). The hours are generally long, not much if any "comp time". No overtime pay (management), but expect lots of overtime hours, of course that varies on your job location.

Overall not a bad place to work, but you have to give it your all, and there isn't as much flex in schedules, time off, etc that I was used to in the military and there is a lot of fear in management, trains have to run on time and when they don't someone has to answer for it, often times lots of someones.

Anywho, I quit 2 weeks after getting my permanent placement and after 9 months with the RR. Would I do it again if given the choice, No (management). I would however consider the trades, they are union, earn good money, but there is the 30/60 rule. You have to work for the company 30 years and be 60 yo to retire.

Take care

My husband was just hired as a Diesel Mech. with BNSF here in Montana. He's been with them since March 10th and will get his journeyman's card in a few weeks. Like Tony said being a Supervisor is a tough job. Non-Union and NOBODY cares for you. Kinda like being an EO on a 378...lol

He absolutely LOVES his job. He was a Chief in the CG & loves the fact that he doesn't have to worry about anyone else but himself. Nobody standing over your shoulder, etc.

The benefits are outstanding and the retirement is fabulous. "I" even get a retirement check (Tier II) when he retires.

The RR puts a lot into your retirement and your SS goes to your retirement. You wont get a SS check from the govt. but by the time my dh retires from the RR.....I doubt that SS will even be around.

My husband was hired by Union Pacific in Denver & BNSF in Montana as a Diesel Mech at the same time. It was a very tough decision & hard to turn down Union Pacific in Denver but we made the right decision.

Now's the time to get into the RR. BNSF is highering left and right. 40-50% of their work force will be retiring in the next 4-5 yrs due to the baby boomers retiring.

DH makes 21.95 (could be off a few cents) an hour but overtime is there if you want it. The Union is renogotiating their pay to 24.00-25.00 an hour now. "Most" of the guys at the shop make $80k + a yr. 1 guy 'lived' there last year & made $110k.

If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

StephanieCGS
I have been Hired on by CSX for a conductor position. I will be honest I do not really know what the job consists of. It sounds OK but I have never talked with anybody about the job. I do know that they expect you to move up to engineer within five years or your out a job. The growth seems like it is going to go threw the roof with the price of gas and the cost of moving freight. just not to sure of the life style a conductor has. any help would be great.

Conductor's & Engineers drive the train. They are on a 2 hour recall, 24/7/365 days a year. Gone about 3-4 days a week.

You may make a 10 hr. trip from point A to point B and sit at point B for 12-24 hours before you bring another train back to point A.

The pay is excellent, the union is VERY strong but you are away from home A LOT! They also have a high divorce rate.

If sitting in a locomotive 8-12 hours a day and always being on call.....isn't your thing, then you made a wrong career choice.

I applied to Union Pacific in Pueblo CO and got an interview for a Mechanic Supervisor. Fortunately I also got an interview with the Bureau of Reclamation for Power Plant Operator which pays so very much more and didn’t require me to move or constantly change locations every other year. Once in the Federal System I found how many opportunities are available to Vets. The Army Corps of Engineers pays their Power Plant Mechanics and Operators even more. If I were a retiring MK or a simply an MK getting out of the CG I would seriously check into careers with all the Railroads and the Bureau of Reclamation or the Army Corps of Engineers. Especially if you like living in the Rockies or the West.
Life is Good MKC Ret.

Thanks for the reply and advice. I had spent some time doing more research on the job and found that it is not for me. I had turned it down just the other day. I had been doing more research and found the same information. You re-confirmed my decision was the right one in this matter. it really sounded like a good job but the time away is too much. As for the ARMY Corp I had looked into that also but I am an Air dale and it doesn't seem like a real tight fit. I am heading up to FT Rucker and try to gain employment in that area

Thanks again