Dose CN pay better in Canada or USA?

Being hired on as a conductor looks like your signing your life away. For the first year and a half roughly I'm meant to basically make $1180 a week they tell me. That's around 60k a year...after that initial year...does the money actually become worth signing your life away?

edit: It's with CN in Canada. I just have a couple job options so trying to make a decision for long term.

I’m 19 years old and I graduated high school a year ago, been looking for railroad jobs. I’m not experienced in any way, in terms of work/life balance and pay and shit, what would be the best one to do? I honestly like the sound of both. I mean from what I’ve heard both have set schedules but weird hours and days off. I just hope I will still be able to have a life somewhat.

Hi there,

Recently applied for a conductor position with CP in Revy, had an interview a few days ago and just got an email saying I wasn't selected. I really like both the job and the town, so I definitely want to try my luck again so I have a few questions:

How often do they hire and how likely is it that I could get hired in the future?

Also, do you have any tips for the interview? I wasn't as prepared as I could and based on the reviews, I didn't think they were picky, especially for this station I'm 28 and already living in Revy. Most of my previous experiences were in white collar jobs tho I explained that I have a lot of experience working on sites and construction zones with safety protocols and stuff. Also, English is not my first language, so I'm wondering if that could be another reason for not getting selected

For CROR, specifically CPKC securing rules, are handbrakes still required if you’re on a 0% grade and on a main track?

I posted about slowing down trains and input how to do it legally. Well what I did not expect was my TM to be on reddit and subbed here as well. I tried deleting my post and account after he contacted me but he had screen shots, there was too much personal info to tie me to it even though I tried to be anonymous. Now long story short I got fired.

I wanted to say to people here careful what you post, don't be like me. I guess the saying goes I fucked around and found out. But being a EN has its benefits and maybe I can get on with CN or BNSF, I'd have to move but I am too humiliated to stay here.

I really fucked up, and I think I'm done with social media deleted my FB, X and Instagram accounts but thought I should give you guys a heads up that some TM's are on here. Anyways see you on a rails, and stay safe.

I'm having an interview with brightline for a conductor position and I've been trying to find some info on the company and how they are to work for but there isn't much out there. I was wondering if anyone has some insight on this page Thanks and it would be out of orlando.

Hey yall, looking at being a conductor for The Grand Elk in Kalamazoo, Mi. was wondering if it was anything like a class 1 with being on call or if it’s set shifts. was also curious on how they ran things with it being a short line? and any other info you guy have on them? thanks yall

Hello

I’m looking to start a career in CN and I’ve done research as to what to expect after the interview process, like the training and schooling and the hours put in. I’m wanting to get perspective into this career while maintaining a presence and relationship with my child. That’s where my concerns are. My co-parent and I have a good relationship and to be clear she and I are not together. But we are a family. I’ve read about all the time being put in and sacrifices made and wanted to know if that’s true if you’re starting out and if that changes once a bit of seniority is gained. Or if the work landscape in this industry has changed at all regarding schedules and such. I understand this job isn’t for everyone and I respect everyone’s agenda getting into it. Speaking for myself, I’m looking to be part of something long term and have decent salary/benefits that I can provide for my family.

Almost no one knows when the rest cycles in pool will start yet they got us all on assigned service. Is there any word of when we’ll get our cycles if not what’s the hold up?

For a conductor position, northeast USA.

How many People actually pass the training in GA, and throughout the 52 weeks of training?

any tips or word of the wise on being successful during the training?

Hello, hired out in the nw division and got engine card in 2017. Now work in Santa Fe division in Texas. Wondering if I can go to former bn terminal like Springfield mo or Tulsa OK. And keep original promotion date.

Has anyone recently got hired with CN Railway? I’m in Brampton I did the interview mid Feb and the medical on March 5. I’m holding my breath for a response, what could be the possible response? How long do I expect to wait? All responses will be appreciated.

I am aware Alstom ran GO in Toronto, I am curious about their Vancouver operation instead.

Had an interview with them today, very likely to get an offer for the conductor position. Very curious about how people like working there, and what the upwards mobility is like to LE. I would be coming over as an engineer with passenger rail service experience, so dont want to take the position if I have to stay as conductor for a long time.

Any info is greatly appreciated, if anyone knows someone working there I would love to pick their brain as well. Cheers.

Does everyone here seriously hate working the railroad that much? Is there anyone here who has anything good to say or that they at least enjoy it enough to keep going? Anything positive?

I will starting REDI May 6th and man it’s been a long journey, but during that time a lot of you guys have helped answer a lot of questions and have helped me get idea of what kind of lifestyle I’m going to have to adjust to. So I wanted to write a post thanking everyone who contributes to these threads they have helped a lot and I’m sure I’ll be having a lot more questions in the future.

I currently work at a job that pays six figures, but lately they have been furloughing us every October that lasts until January. There have also been rumors that eventually my job will be internal (I’m a contractor). The pay is nice, but the benefits are bad. UP offered me a job doing train crew. Should I accept it or stick to my current job?

I am a licensed plumber in the city of toronto who is struggling to find work in my union and have always been interested in working for the rail road . What kind of transferable skills would I have ? Where do I start? What kind of jobs are there to be had on the rails ? Thanks !

Good Morning railroad family I got a job offer to work with the Amtrak as a C&S helper. Now I have been reading from various resources, but is it true that I will have to wait a month before I get paid? Does anyone have any additional info on this ? I am moving do a different state for this job, and I have money saved up but a whole month without pay is pretty crazy. I mean I’m going to still do it because it worth it in the long run bust still a WHOLE MONTH gawwwwd damn ( hopefully this is not true, because I got this info from a disgruntled employee that commented badly about the Amtrak on indeed.)

Do anyone know if you have to wait a certain time period to reapply....I recently completed everything for my signal maintainer position to get decline 1 hour before my charges got dropped....emailed numerous times no one reached backed out to me.

I just read something on a sub-Reddit stating that Conductor classes for NS are stopping in May? This is probably because of a takeover at NS? I’m going to be a conductor based out of Harrisburg, I’ve been waiting since 1/2/2024. I just made the move out to Harrisburg for this job and now it sounds like I’m not going be training for a while. I fortunately have a “decent” paying job at a supermarket and have a some money saved away just in case something falls through. All I can say is that I’m a little upset with NS because I was told my training was going to be in March when I interviewed back in December. I’m sure everyone who’s been waiting is starting to get fed up with the lack of communication and feeling like you’re being strung along. I’m thinking long and hard about what I should do. Being a conductor for NS is all I ever wanted to do…

Anyone know what the home terminals are between Toronto and Montreal and where they run?

Be advised, just saw this posted on of our union pages:

HI-VIZ changes starting at 0001

-One set of point values for all employees 7 pts (uncompensated layoffs), 10 pts (HID), 15 pts (EMC/LOC)

-Good Attendance Credit moving to an 18-day review period to line up with 2 weeks of a scheduled 6/3

-Weekend recognition credits expanding to require a start on the weekend and that you are also available for the full weekend

-The remaining recognition points are being discontinued/eliminated.

-Consolidate the following layoff codes LOS/SIF/FEM/LOF/LOP into a single immediate unpaid layoff code = ELO (Employee Lay Off).

-Eliminating single day vacation and PLD slides.

-Would not apply to weekly vacations