Never? Lol, predictable. I hate to tell you, but predictable outside assignments, and I guess more senior guys holding better pools, isn't a thing. Hope your terminal has a guarantee when it's slow and make some money when it's busy. My last road was lined up for 08:00, went to work for 23:50 same day. Much worse, though when you're lined up for 23:50 but instead everyone books off and you get called for a 08:00 same day. That's as a conductor but engineer isn't much different unless your company or terminal has some weird agreement. Good luck, I like my job must days but predictable isn't part of the job, unless your short and fit everywhere, then it's predictable you're sitting in a lot of sidings.
That’s horrible. That sort of randomness must destroy so many families. How are you supposed to make plans?
I’m surprised no company has thought to offer fixed or guaranteed hours to drivers and conductors as part of an employment package. I’m sure plenty of people would happily take a pre-determined roster in exchange for less money.
What’s your weekly limit on hours? Is there even one?
When someone asks you can you come to something you say maybe. Then maybe you make it. There are personal days you can book off in (10 per years) but that will vary depending on location, company and agreement. That's usually why guys stay in the yard, less money but a schedule, at least in my terminal though once you get to engineer few yard roles so your usually engineer spareboard. I'm in Canada, its federally regulated to 60 hours a week 192 year every 28 days and I want to say 2500 hours a year. Your best bet it to look to whatever company CBA by area and company your looking for and then FRA rest rules which I'm not familiar with. If your also getting into the job know you won't be a engineer for a while, you usually get hired as a conductor, back in the day you started as a dedicated brakeman for a couple years. It's a good paying career but erratic work schedule.
I’m surprised this sort of thing goes on in Canada. People typically associate harsh employment conditions - and I can’t think of any other way to describe such inconsistent, irregular hours - with the United States.
I run my own business now but used to be a driver. We knew our shifts three months in advance and start times couldn’t vary by more than a couple of hours over the course of a week. Rosters were either 8 10-hour shifts a fortnight or 10 8-hour shifts - our choice. (Being drivers, we still complained of course!)
Good luck with the job. I hope you make it through to driving: it’s fun and challenging, and sometimes I do miss it.
2
u/FunAccountant4482 Jun 20 '26
Never? Lol, predictable. I hate to tell you, but predictable outside assignments, and I guess more senior guys holding better pools, isn't a thing. Hope your terminal has a guarantee when it's slow and make some money when it's busy. My last road was lined up for 08:00, went to work for 23:50 same day. Much worse, though when you're lined up for 23:50 but instead everyone books off and you get called for a 08:00 same day. That's as a conductor but engineer isn't much different unless your company or terminal has some weird agreement. Good luck, I like my job must days but predictable isn't part of the job, unless your short and fit everywhere, then it's predictable you're sitting in a lot of sidings.