A Day in the Life of a Conductor

[inboundbryguy]

Is CP going to be hiring conductors again soon? The search on the page comes up with no results.

[northerntruckerman]

Anybody know what that little pedal is for that the conductor steps on trackside at 1:48 ??

[philipe10ful]

@northerntruckerman that would be so they could throw the switch. When you step on (I believe it is called a flange) it unlocks the switch.

[slash9dotnet]

Cleaning switches sucks. lol

[steelheadsniper19]

this is a complete joke, no body is happy at this shit hole. 2 tier pay system, union members selling out other union members. Crooks would so call negotiate our lively hood and managers crawling over managers to give you demerits and fire you. Remember this is a promotional video do not trust CP Rail

[ATSF1927]

I worked for Santa Fe Railway for 41 years as a Throttle Jerker retired in 1986, that was one career I enjoyed. Not many of us still around that were Steam era Railroaders.

[edbelfor2]

@ATSF1927 I am just starting out as a brakeman with CP Rail, (Just turned 18)

Would really love to have experienced the rail culture and operating procedures you had gone through.

I am assuming you were a Fireman at first?

[ATSF1927]

@edbelfor2 I started out as grade crossing Gateman for 1 month than promoted to a Brakeman then Fireman on the old Baldwin Steamers that used Coal Oil and was OJT as a Throttle Jerker.

[69zekes]

@unionpacifictrain Sure I guess it helps a little, The most educated person has other choices. I have seen an increase of older folks getting hired, less pension to pay out

[unionpacifictrain]

@69zekes Oh, it is getting harder to now a days to get jobs without a great education.

[69zekes]

@unionpacifictrain you only need high school.

[unionpacifictrain]

@69zekes Its good to have college though, theres thousands of applicants for one job, wouldn't they pick the most educated out of those people? Without college or not doing very well in highschool odds are against you.

[WereWolfSexx]

like to have a job like that but you have to pretty much suck dick for it

[criminalrancher]

Suck My Nobb ....

[69zekes]

CP treats you like shit and don't care about you!!! its not exciting nor rewarding. You will be a bitch 24/7 and don't get paid sick days or personal days. DONT DO IT, STAY IN SCHOOL

[unionpacifictrain]

@69zekes I don't think it would be even easy to get the job without finishing highschool and or getting soem college.

[MrBNSFconductor]

Cool Video

[rolls283]

apparently, CP and CN have thousands of applicants for a Conductor's position... without taking the 4 month course at George Brown for $10,000... how can I squeak past the other several applicants??

[Anglynn74]

can someone tell me for a new hire, as a conductor, what is the average salary per year?

[niselat]

Hard work in dangerous, arctic conditions, shitty equipment, irregular schedules and 34 years until I get a weekend off? Sign me up!

[JohnMuise]

@niselat I talked to one of the guys in the video, you are married to the job, lol

[25mfd]

@niselat Your comments summed up the railroad lifestyle PERFECTLY.

I did this for 12 yrs with chicago & northwestern and then union pacific after they took over.

Crappy working hours,freeze your balls off in the winter and waiting 30 years to hold your "dream job",only to have the company pull that job off only weeks before you FINALLY have enough seniority to hold it.

PERFECT.

[JohnMuise]

I just applied for this job!

[trainsforever8]

Living in Montreal,what should I study in college before applying? ~ Altho I want to work in Commuter rail.

[omrail]

@trainsforever8 just apply. i do not know 100% but CN and CP most likely supply train crews to Agence métropolitaine de transport. so it will take some time be for your on the commuters. if you would like to still do the college thing there are schools in canada that have a Railway conductor class. but that cost money. lf you apply and get on start to the railway you get payed to do the say as you paying some school.

[omrail]

@trainsforever8 apply to the railway. that is the best save money and get payed to do what you would do at a collage. Agence métropolitaine de transport i think has contract with CN & CP to supply train crews (or some other company). so you will not be on the commuter for some time.

[Kvr3005]

I know what I'm doing when I grow up.

[mantler112]

cp is for canadian pacific but what does cn stand for another company im guessing? and does anyone know if they offer any school training in ontario all ive heard of is george brown in british colombia. any help here would be greatly appreciated.

[Kvr3005]

@mantler112 cn stands for Canadian National Railway

[Natedog5201]

@Kvr3005 booo my dad works for cn

[Kvr3005]

@Natedog5201 What are you trying to say, that me wanting to work for cp is dumb, maybe you you should keep those kind if comments to your self.

[edbelfor2]

@mantler112 If you don't know what CN stands for I suggest you stay away from the Railway.

[omrail]

@mantler112 George brown is Toronto, BCIT SAIT all have classes.but you pay the school. if you apply and get on the rail way then you get payed.

[airplanebuilderman]

wish I could do this work

[dueltruck700]

been thinkin alot lately about becoming an conductor/engineer ..now im not so sure id be able to handle this job :S

[MrFutbol067]

Shift work !!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL Yeah your shift is whenever your rested and if you have a day off you get fired for seeing your family !!

[airplanebuilderman]

Wish I wasn't color blind I'd love to be a conductor or engineer

[MustangsMPHS2011]

Where do I sign up?

[masterchiefgtx]

I start new hire train crew training next week with UP!!!

[rbfishcss]

@masterchiefgtx run away

[masterchiefgtx]

@rbfishcss Defiantly not the best job in the world but I think I'll wait till I find a job that allows more free time with at least close pay before running...

I made $4200 last half before taxes...

[rbfishcss]

"This entry level position can lead to advancement as a yard foreperson or locomotive engineer."

Yard foreperson isn't an advancement, it's a job you bid to based off of seniority. Locomotive engineer is also seniority based, and you're usually forced to it.

[fordlukebo]

@masterchiefgtx what is a train crew training? i want to be working with trians when i get older? and do i have to be 21 to apply with train company?

[masterchiefgtx]

@fordlukebo Train crew- Conductors, Engineers, Brakemen, Switchmen, RCL Operators, Hostelers...

Have to be 18 to apply.

[fordlukebo]

@masterchiefgtx thanks for the help.

[turkeychuck]

my gf is a conductor :)

[JayJr2007]

As of March 2011, a conductor trainee makes $807.84 gross per week.

[enr3870]

Treat everyone with respect and dignity...sure wish CN would do the same.

[SilverstoneZED]

@enr3870 If it makes you feel any better, I have a friend that works for CP, and he definitely would not say they treat their employees with "respect and dignity".

[bkbrown5881]

@SilverstoneZED every old head says that about their company...........

[philipe10ful]

@SilverstoneZED NO railroad (UP, CP, NS, CSX, etc.) treat you with dignity or respect. These people are low life faggots. I worked for CSX in Baltimore (a.k.a ghettomore) MD for 6 years. All you need is 5 years for your pension. Then I got a job offer WHILE I WAS WORKING one night from the county. I had a train stretched out from the yard to the main line. I walked to my car and left. That was a friday night. I started with the county on Monday. That is the way to put the cock in!!!!!!!

[dieselducy]

I work for NS and I love being a conductor.

[RussianPalikhov]

While I really love trains and would love to drive a train, working at a Freight Rail company wouldn't be a good idea if I have a family later on down the road. The divorce rates among railroaders, not so good....

For me, passenger rail would be more suitable since it is at least predictable unlike freights.

[masterchiefgtx]

@RussianPalikhov Well lots of passenger rail conductors and engineers start off in freight.

[wackymac28]

i want this job

[cprailes44ac]

Very good video, at 5:05, did I happen to see a CN SD75i trailing?

[yodonvito4]

@cprailes44ac Looks to be either an SD75I or maybe an IC SD70.

[Waffles341]

@yodonvito4 CP Sd40

[KicktotheCurb10]

@cprailes44ac It was a Sd75I there was about four different CN units on 505/504 between Calgary and Red Deer when this was filmed in 09.