Finally going to get paid

[Denny]

I am a conductor for UP and we are guaranteed $3600 a half on the extra board. That is $86K+ a year straight time. Engineers make $15-$20K more than us. Right now we are slammed and some of us are getting $4500-$5,100 a half.

BNSF gets a profit sharing check every year. $9K-$12K and UP will get them starting this year thanks to our union.

So, best case scenario with OT and bonuses and fairy dust, we're looking at about $117K? Is this gross or net? What are your tax-exempt dues? I'd like to hear what this is real-world money for both straight time and putting in tons of hours.

[dewayne6243]

I hate to break the news to you but $120K a year isn't even close to big money.

Pocket change. My pay is just for gas money.

[The King]

Facts are facts. We just hired 30 conductors last week. Most are 18-21 years old. Going to be making some big money for there age. Guess that is why they passed on collage.

.....and it shows

[Broncojohnny]

Facts are facts. We just hired 30 conductors last week. Most are 18-21 years old. Going to be making some big money for there age. Guess that is why they passed on collage.

I hate to break the news to you but $120K a year isn't even close to big money.

[dewayne6243]

Facts are facts. We just hired 30 conductors last week. Most are 18-21 years old. Going to be making some big money for there age. Guess that is why they passed on collage.

[The King]

More good, solid barg in this thread....

All it needs now is more kowbell

[dewayne6243]

I'm still waiting to hear about a real "six figure" claim by a choo choo driver... so I can call him a liar.

He might get there with a ton of overtime, but not base salary.

I am a conductor for UP and we are guaranteed $3600 a half on the extra board. That is $86K+ a year straight time. Engineers make $15-$20K more than us. Right now we are slammed and some of us are getting $4500-$5,100 a half.

BNSF gets a profit sharing check every year. $9K-$12K and UP will get them starting this year thanks to our union.

[Denny]

I'm still waiting to hear about a real "six figure" claim by a choo choo driver... so I can call him a liar.

He might get there with a ton of overtime, but not base salary.

[dewayne6243]

Is that really a brag?

No but making 6 figures sitting in a leather captains chair in the ice cold a/c is. Oops, I have to blow the horn. Wow this is hard work to make 6 figures.

[Denny]

Tax deduction.

Is that really a brag?

[dewayne6243]

I thought even the elite (like FrieghtTrain) only get like 80K and you forgot to add the low, low price for union membership... wait, that's a deduction.

Tax deduction.

[Denny]

That will get you $100K+ a year, full benefits, 5 weeks vacation, and the profit sharing check every year. Sounds like a sweet deal.

I thought even the elite (like FrieghtTrain) only get like 80K and you forgot to add the low, low price for union membership... wait, that's a deduction.

[dewayne6243]

So basically it's a Choo choo train GED?

That will get you $100K+ a year, full benefits, 5 weeks vacation, and the profit sharing check every year. Sounds like a sweet deal.

[Forever_frost]

So basically it's a Choo choo train GED?

[slow99]

Feel free to educate us on the rigors of getting said license. A quick search found that FRA requires you to be somewhat physically capable, a high school graduate and at least 21 years old. Other requirements are to pass a written and some other exam. Please elaborate from here.

Also looks like 30 weeks of class, with a dropout rate of less than 3%. Not to mention the site I saw has a glaring grammatical error on it. Sounds rigorous!