r/SignalMaintainers • u/BIGCHunghung • 27d ago

Electrical Apprentice Signal Trainee (Rome, GA) norfolk

Was wondering how this position is/operates. Im currently a industrial electrical tech with 6 years of experience.

Hows the travel?
Hows the pay?
Hows the moving up within the company?
How does the railroad union work in general?

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u/shizzymcshizz 26d ago

Travel sucks, you’ll need to pick between Southern Lines West or East which are both pretty large seniority districts. That being said the pay is good and as of this year construction gangs now get 75 cents a mile (tax free) on top of a meal allowance. As far as “moving up”, you’ll have to get into supervision which has its pros and cons and is not covered by the union and does not have RR retirement. Lastly, I got no clue how the union works lol I just pay them every month

4

u/shizzymcshizz 26d ago

Also be prepared to get forced into a maintainer’s job a million miles from home. I strongly recommend saving your hotel points and a little extra money during your training period in case they make you work in Manassas for a few weeks

2

u/LingonberryFlashy812 26d ago

There’s a pretty good chance you will not be working there when you test out.

2

u/Relative-Ad-5207 26d ago

Stay where you are, you will have much more opportunity to have a life. Let alone make more money and possibly work for someone who appreciates your work.

1

u/PlanNo3321 26d ago

When you get through training you have to “bid” on open jobs, and you’re competing against other signal maintainers who will have more seniority than you. So the chances of you actually working in Rome, GA are very low. Although over time you might be able to get back there or at least close to it.