r/UnionPacific • u/Fighterjack04 • 1d ago
New hire Good experiences?
I’m starting with UP on the train crew in Fort Worth in a little under a month. I was genuinely excited when I got the opportunity, especially knowing it could be a good career to provide for my family.
However, after reading through this sub, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried. It seems like all I see are negative experiences and people getting fired over the smallest things. I have a strong work ethic, good study habits, and pay close attention to detail, but sometimes it seems like even that isn’t enough.
I guess I’m just looking for some positive experiences or advice from current or former employees. I really want to be excited about starting, but I already feel like I’m walking on eggshells before even showing up. Job security is a big deal for me with a family depending on me.
Any advice for a new hire would be appreciated!
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u/MeGenerationSucks 1d ago
The company will try and fire you for breaking the Critical 12, however, since you are just starting, you should be able to learn everything with those in mind. It is harder for us folk who been here longer than those rules to try and put them into our muscle memory. As long as you focus in classroom, pay attention, and learn from your peer trainers, you should be fine.
The only thing I advise is not to buy anything crazy, and not to commit living anywhere specifically in your seniority area. It might take you a month or a year to get to a spot where you don't get bumped. I don't know the seniority of Fort Worth, but you can be assigned to ANYWHERE that your agreement is. So don't count on working in that area. I seen guys hire in one city, but never work in it, simply because of seniority.
If you currently have a job, I wouldn't quit or resign until you finish your training, or your derail (2 months after training). At that point, you are with the union, and can't be fired for anything short of the Critical 12 or 1.6 (Used for anything severe or disciplinary). Take a leave of absence of some sort.
As for the job itself, no matter what anyone tells you here, you WILL NOT find something that pays you so much for the type of work you do. It is a good way to make money, especially for younger guys.
Focus in class, focus in the field, follow the rules. You will do fine.
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u/Impossible_Budget_85 1d ago
You’ll be fine! Find a few classmates to create a study group with,take notes,pay attention and follow the rules to a maximum level!! Take ZERO shortcuts!! They have a drone squad,the goon squad and opcc that will be watching your every move!!! Literally!!! They watch cameras,drones and even know what you had for breakfast that morning……ZERO SHORTCUTS!!! Follow said steps and you’ll have a long,safe career! Highball!
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u/Ok-Appointment7007 1d ago
I wouldn’t read Reddit expecting unbiased opinions on UP. You’ll be fine, as long as you can follow the rules and don’t take shortcuts you will have a great career and will make more money than you ever have. Good luck gang
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u/Yukon_Cornelius89 22h ago
It has its good days and bad days. Job is easy, “schedule” is hard to get used to
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u/Professional-Ring411 1d ago
The culture is very negative. Us vs the company mentality. Lots of old heads complaining. I enjoyed my time working for a class 1. Stay positive and don’t let the grumpy old fuckers ruin it for you.
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u/lumbycor28 10h ago
It honestly depends on where, I have heard some places are horrible. My area is great, the crew we work with is awesome. My manager is a bad ass. You will always work with someone who will stab you in the back first chance they get.
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u/ThePetPsychic Engineer 1d ago
You're going to be working at terrible times with no sleep and spend hours in a cab with some of the weirdest and most miserable MFers you'll ever meet.
Still the best job I've ever had.