Union Pacific Job Update

[AdvancedApproach]

So I got selected to advance in the application process. They had me take an exam which I passed with flying colors. Now hopefully they deem me worthy of an interview. I'll keep everyone updated whenever possible.

 

[AdvancedApproach]

Here's an update:
Congratulations! We are inviting you to complete the next step of the Union Pacific hiring process. Click the link below to learn more and complete the video interview. We look forward to reviewing your interview.

 

[Forester1]

Good Luck! Sounds like you are getting close!

 

[AdvancedApproach]

Unfortunately I did not make it. Back to the drawing board I go.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to interview with you for the Train Crew - Oakland, CA position in OAKLAND CA-UNION PACIFIC RR.

It is always difficult to choose among the candidates whom we interview and after careful consideration, we will not be considering your application any further.

We appreciate your interest in Union Pacific and encourage you to regularly check UP.jobs for other career opportunities.

Thank you,

Union Pacific Railroad

 

[fourteen]

BUMMER sorry that you did not make it

 

[JCitron]

That's too bad. I had a similar experience with CSX nearly 20 years ago when I applied. I made it as far as being selected for the interview when they canceled the job and I never applied again because the one they opened up was 65 miles away and not 10 miles away. Getting to Worcester or to Framingham from where I live, in short notice, is 100% impossible.

I swear UP used the same form letter because the wording was the same!

 

[AFdude06]

Unfortunately I did not make it. Back to the drawing board I go.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to interview with you for the Train Crew - Oakland, CA position in OAKLAND CA-UNION PACIFIC RR.

It is always difficult to choose among the candidates whom we interview and after careful consideration, we will not be considering your application any further.

We appreciate your interest in Union Pacific and encourage you to regularly check UP.jobs for other career opportunities.

Thank you,

Union Pacific Railroad

So sorry they didn’t accept @AdvancedApproach, hope you get another opportunity.

 

[AFdude06]

That's too bad. I had a similar experience with CSX nearly 20 years ago when I applied. I made it as far as being selected for the interview when they canceled the job and I never applied again because the one they opened up was 65 miles away and not 10 miles away. Getting to Worcester or to Framingham from where I live, in short notice, is 100% impossible.

I swear UP used the same form letter because the wording was the same!

What did you end up doing John?

 

[JCitron]

What did you end up doing John?

I ended up staying in the stressful tech world until 2009 when the company I was at closed and then went back to college for a BA in music. This was a 100% switch-a-roo and something I always wanted in the first place.

I got a year in while living on my unemployment and my destroyed 401K, and maintained a 3.9 GPA average without trying. When the money ran out, I ended up at Oracle where I suddenly found myself on disability due to a major health issue. I went from a productive person who had worked since I was 13 or 14 to suddenly being put on a rusty siding waiting for the scrap yard.

I know it was totally different. I ended up in high-tech but I was never happy with that and quite bored actually. Railroads were on the list of something I wanted, but unavailable except for Guilford for obvious reasons, and I loved music and studied piano since I was 7 or 8 years old.

In the end, this was a bit of a spur of the moment thing, but why not, right? We don't know what's going to happen in our lives and we should do what we want when we can and when the opportunity strikes. Little did I know that in a few short years that I'd be no longer able to work and rather suddenly too. It was fun while it lasted.

 

[AdvancedApproach]

So a new train crew position in Roseville, CA opened up and I applied for it. Let's try this again.

 

[AdvancedApproach]

Since UP rejected me AGAIN, I've applied for BNSF in Richmond, CA (primary recall).

 

[pdkoester]

Cost of living should be more affordable in Richmond, too. Would be nice to move to Barstow International Gateway (BIG) BNSF territory. So much more affordable.

 

[JCitron]

Good luck with your new opportunities. They say to keep trying and trying.

 

[fourteen]

good luck

 

[AdvancedApproach]

I applied for UP Train Crew in Roseville and got accepted this time. My tentative start date will be in three months. All I need to do is pass my background, medical and PAT exams. Semi-monthly pay is $3,621.09.

 

[pdkoester]

I applied for UP Train Crew in Roseville and got accepted this time. My tentative start date will be in three months. All I need to do is pass my background, medical and PAT exams. Semi-monthly pay is $3,621.09.

If you get Roseville, that is a good start, you can move a little bit away from there and be able to enjoy life on that kind of pay.

 

[Forester1]

Congratulations! I hope you are off to a great start, and everything goes well from here! I always thought it would be great to work on a railroad.

 

[AdvancedApproach]

Passed the medical exam and physical abilities test. Now the dreaded background check awaits me.

 

[JCitron]

Congratulations on the first part. That's a nice starting salary. I assume this is gross pay. Take a third of that for taxes, medical, and FICA (Medicare/Medicaid/SSI). You'll also need to put in union dues too whatever that is.

 

[AdvancedApproach]

Congratulations on the first part. That's a nice starting salary. I assume this is gross pay. Take a third of that for taxes, medical, and FICA (Medicare/Medicaid/SSI). You'll also need to put in union dues too whatever that is.

We don't pay into social security. There's railroad retirement. All railroaders pay into that. Union dues are paid until the probationary period is over and get marked up. As for medical, the rates were $308 but are lowering to $277 per month. With $3621 my take home pay would be $2500 if you substitute railroad retirement for social security. Then union dues and medical would still be roughly around $2000. That's just for training pay. Then you start off at 85% and by year five it's 100%.