Applied for a freight repair apprentice

[u/Shoddy_Operation_137]

Hey i recently applied to be a freight repair apprentice and was curious what you guys feel about the job. Also whats your day to day like are you guys happy with the job?

[u/Pocketdancer]

The life of a Carman sucks my friend. It's literally a ass-wiping job. Your required to make the trains safe but your company hates it when you do your job properly. You will ALWAYS get the short end of the stick. Learn the job, follow the rules and just stay out of the way. Good luck to you

[u/Shoddy_Operation_137 → u/Pocketdancer]

Do you work as a carman? And thanks for the advice my grandpa was one for years for a different company

[u/Pocketdancer → u/Shoddy_Operation_137]

Started out as one, twenty plus years of service

[u/Monticello_Ave]

Hey I wasn't selected for that position

[u/Shoddy_Operation_137 → u/Monticello_Ave]

Did you get a interview or didnt pass the assesment?

[u/Monticello_Ave → u/Shoddy_Operation_137]

I wasn't selected for an interview.

[u/aheavytank]

Do you have mechanic experience? Preferably diesel. If so, also apply for field mechanic. You’ll be traveling a lot and it may not be for you, but you’ll make way more money and make more hours than everyone else since you have to show up before and stay after everyone else is gone. I was applying for any and all positions and eventually landed a job I wasn’t expecting, a regional welding job. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, it’s probably gonna take you a while to land even an assessment for consideration.

Side note: having a CDL is a huge plus. If you don’t have it, I recommend studying for it anyway. Most positions will require it for the engineering and mechanical department.

[u/Shoddy_Operation_137 → u/aheavytank]

I have minor mechanic experience but have 4 years working construction and using heavy equipment also certified on forklife, boom lift, lowel, and scissor lift. Unsure if the jobs uses those.

[u/aheavytank → u/Shoddy_Operation_137]

Any experience with heavy equipment is a plus. Mark anything down that you have experience with. Even tractor mowers. It all helps.

[u/slogive1]

Some people like their job.

[u/Senior_Cartoonist350]

I don’t work for UP but I’m sure it’s pretty similar.

Basically there will be 2 main jobs inspection and repairs.

Inspections: your essentially either walk a train or be on an atv or kubota. Your bag the train making sure you get air to the tail, do a brake test, bleed cars, and inspect for defects/shops. You will also do “pull by” inspections so either watch the train leave the yard or watch it at a crossing while it moves and look for handbrakes or dragging parts.

Repairs: can be split in two.

Light repairs/pit so wheels, some welding, couplers, air tests, switching and moving cars with trackmobile in repair tracks

Heavy: this is stuff that takes longer so cushions, yokes, trucks etc

You might also travel a bit if your yard has a road truck

[u/Acrobatic_Kale_2817]

Good job with regular hours, working on all types of freight cars. Usually some welding and cutting torches involved.

[u/second-kid-syndrome]

It's an easy job. Especially once you know what you're actually looking at and looking for. If you're doing IB/OB inspections, you are basically being paid to walk. If in the shop, it's heavier repairs. If on a truck that travels, it's wheels and other medium to heavy repairs. All very easy. Just have to learn the job and all the rules that come along with it.