After over a decade of railroading one thing keeps coming to my attention that this job has at least one perk that I often overlook. It seems like nearly everytime I'm in a situation where I'm not exactly comfortable, ( i.e. at the doctor, during legal affairs, meeting new people, addressing a small crowd etc etc) that just a few minutes into my ordeal somehow the fact that I work for the railroad comes to the forefront of the conversation, no matter how serious the matter at hand may be. I cant be the only one whos noticed this, dont get me wrong its extremely handy, but I always have to smile when it takes over the formerly awkward situation. Sometimes I think WHEW!!!!! just in time. Anyone else have this topic save the day?
All the time. I used to explain my position and job... but I have found it easier to just say " I work for a railroad. " ... " No. Not Amtrak. " After that it usually is a topic starter.
my dad retired in '85 and it still comes up all the time.
I havnt been an active rail since 2004, and it is still a good topic to talk about in those awkward moments when you really have nothing else to say to someone you really dont know or care to talk to anyway...except for that one time when "this dude runs a train" was taken badly out of context....dam hippies...
I use to belong to a club that had the milluwalkee superdome and a B&O coach that were on the trips 765 pulled and that's about the closest I've come to workin on the railroad but I did get to hang with Rich Melvin and crew to some railfans that kept them interested but yeah it's a interesting subject to be around or to work on a railroad
Until I get a feel of what's going on just call me jabo. I worked for Souther then NS for 34 years. As a trainman, switchman and conductor. I worked the H, M, I and K line. Loved the branch lines as you worked by your self. The old M line from Griffin to Columbus now gone I made a few days on it. Most of my time was extra board and local frieght but finaly stood for a pool and a so called carded job. I've been retired 4 years and have enjoyed every day of it. My health is not what it was but that just part of getting old. I do still talk to a few guys still working. Try not to get to deep in the politics.
I get it all the time as well. The only thing I hate about it is when their eyes light up and say "Man, you make a lot of money". I just start laughing hysterically. They either change the subject or give me that WTF look before walking away.
Quote from: lwjabo on March 19, 2010, 09:30:33 PM
The old M line from Griffin to Columbus now gone I made a few days on it.
Have you ever worked the other side of Griffin on the M line toward Luella/McDonough?
I hear you! I always get the " You make great money and have great benefits!" Then I explain that we are 365/24/7 and there are no weekends, holidays etc... and then I get the look of horror! haha! I also get the people that are " I can do that! " And then I explain that our turnover rate in the first year is like 70%. Take that ring and throw it away! You are now married to the railroad!... If you do make it a year... chances are you will neverf get another job ever again!
Yeah I've noticed that too, people think we are millionaires or something. They all want my job until I explain it like you did, and boy when you threaten their weekends you can forget it. 95% of the people that ask me about it stop after they hear they cant expect weekends off from the start. Its not for the faint at heart for sure ;D
Quote from: GAandFLA-RR on March 26, 2010, 09:59:05 AM
Have you ever worked the other side of Griffin on the M line toward Luella/McDonough?
Nope it was closed when I hired back in 1971. I've shoved some cars past the mill at Dundee a few times for storage and also had to pull a few but at best less than a mile. The 17mp was at the mill from memory so there was 17 more to McDonough.