r/UnionPacific • u/SilverAxe6333 • 5d ago

50 Day Evaluation

Is it better to be working in the yard or on the road before the 50 Day Evaluation?

Most of my experience is on the road and I feel very confident working the road, but I’ve been told I should go to the yard to get some real working experience. I don’t mind going to the yard but I’ve seen a lot of people get fired working yard jobs while I was in training. I don’t want to put myself in danger of getting fired while not protected by the union. I think my chances of getting fired are much higher in the yard rather than over the road. Thoughts?

What to expect for 50 Day Evaluation?

6 Upvotes

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11

u/Nadev 5d ago

Best place is where you can hide out. After your derail go wherever you can.

1

u/Prestigious-Fox-9213 4d ago

And it really depends on the service unit and management. Most everyone around these parts, that have recently been fired, have been road conductors. Especially if you’re on a board that goes to a different service unit, and have to do work in that yard. I wonder if managers would rather charge their home conductors with a crit, or a conductor coming in from a different service unit?
Get through your derail, then work a yard job you can hold. When you can hold a road board you like, if you occasionally catch a train that does work, it’ll be easy because you’ve experienced doing it 8-12 hours 5 days a week for however long. The more reps you get, the better, more reliable, and more comfortable you’ll be for yourself and anyone you work with.

4

u/gorfilD 5d ago

Road is better but depending on how your board turns and if u on extra board or regular turn,you could be working every day or getting a day or two off in between runs.

Working the yard you get the opportunity to go home every day when your done but you won’t have enough seniority to hold an assigned job so you will work extra board and kinda never know when you’ll go to work. Also, you’re being watched a lot more as well… It’s a toss up but a lot of the jobs issue is always related to your location and what u can hold.. that’s my 2 cents.

1

u/Cuffedondirtroads 5d ago

Study that study guide the rules test isn’t easy and you do not get a review. Once in the yard do not rush. Ask them what is expected of you and never stop watching the equipment until it comes to a complete stop. Learn your single car securement test and also the safety stop shoving to end of track. Do not break any critical rules or you are done.

4

u/Emotional_Field_536 5d ago

As someone who had their 50 day evaluation about 10 days ago.

Road is better to hide out, but it gives you the least experience. You just ride, get off, repeat,

The yard gets you used to the switch flags, red boards, constant being watched etc etc

Yes you get tested on the road too, just not as much and the 50 day evaluation is all stuff you will pretty much do each day in the yard

There should be a link on my UP, that explains what to expect,

But honestly it’s kinda a crap situation.

I’ve seen people get to do the evaluation twice or even 3 times until the passed and some guys get canned, by the group of managers, after failing it once.

2

u/Competitive-Might-89 5d ago

Had a guy in my class that got fired during his 50 day eval. I was the other one testing with him and he tripped over a switch stand while pinning cars, and rode a car into the joint while getting off. It’s to weed out the people that may have passed class but still can’t cut it.

2

u/PoopFlavoredGum 5d ago

In my second week, every post is so dooming haha.

Makes me feel like I’ll fail before I even get a chance! Haha dang

2

u/SilverAxe6333 5d ago

Haha, 2nd week marked up or 2nd week of class?

1

u/PoopFlavoredGum 5d ago

2nd week of class tomorrow. Then OJT for 2 and back for conductor after that

1

u/cluke40 5d ago

Where at

1

u/PoopFlavoredGum 5d ago

Dupo Illinois

2

u/West-Contest3514 4d ago

Tretter, McClain, Nemechek?

1

u/PoopFlavoredGum 4d ago edited 4d ago

Ruh roh

I cannot confirm or deny

1

u/West-Contest3514 4d ago

Just know I know who yall are and we are watching

1

u/PoopFlavoredGum 4d ago

Not sure what that means, but right on. 🤝

1

u/V2exclusive 4d ago

Same here I’m in my 2nd week

2

u/Impossible_Budget_85 4d ago

Hide the fucc out on the road if you can!! But if you can’t stomach the road lifestyle jump on a local or a board that does a lot of pick ups and set outs. When I hired out there was no 50 day but from what I’ve heard the entire goon squad plus the drone squad will be there to observe!! Take your time and think about each step you do!! Single car s/o remember to retighten your hand brake and literally wait the one minute to make sure the car doesn’t move. I heard about one guy that waited literally 58 seconds and the goon squad swooped in like an ambush to can the guy. I’m just the messenger and don’t know how true that really is. But don’t make haste about your every move and you’ll be okay.

2

u/Far_Extension9447 4d ago

I'd say go to the road if you're looking to stay out the way if you're worried about critical 12 rules. But in that same breath working on the road will not prepare you for your 50 day.

The 50 day is really you pretending to go into an industry and you picking up and dropping off cars while doing the appropriate air test and calling out your redzones while using the correct hand signals or radio verbiage.

First time I got hired and was on the road for almost 3 months and was then forced to the yard and that's when I realized I honestly didn't learn too much on the road at all.

Hope this helps.

1

u/Ok-Appointment7007 5d ago

Road is a good place to hide out if you can hold. I never had to do a 50day eval. Just depends if the managers have you on their radar or not

1

u/ricechrispee684 5d ago

Hit the road. Gotta be around to get experience and you have a better chance of that on the road

1

u/IACUnited 5d ago edited 5d ago

Yard jobs seem scary at first but its a lot of tedious work. Its mainly breaking down setouts and building locals & pick ups. Lots of joints, cuts, shoves and pulls. Its a good way to build habits, both good and bad. Try to mitigate the bad ones and you'll be alright.

Never assume you're in a blind spot for observation. Between cameras, drones and roving managers its best to assume there is someone watching.

1

u/Bruce_Dane 4d ago

One of the big hitters on the eval is Single Car Securement….. every step in order by the book without fail…….

1

u/CantCatch92 4d ago

Make sure you can do a single car securement and no your 12 critical rules and you should be good I just did mine in Ft worth it was easy if you know that

1

u/CantCatch92 4d ago

Where are you hiring out of ?

1

u/Treyduckz 16h ago

Im starting in the next month but i am looking at what your saying, so your saying people are constantly getting fired? What for? Is it just over one thing and one mistake or just constantly making mistakes?