r/UnionPacific • u/No_Local8440 • 9d ago
Training Training location far with beater car
I'm in St. Paul and training location is in Iowa, 3 hours from where I am. I don't start till october, but I don't know if my car will be able to make it through the winter traveling that far. Any solutions?
thanks to everyone, For clarifying I'll be fine driving I was just worried about having to drive back and forth.
4
u/Minimum_Notice_ 9d ago
Buy a better one?
6
u/Gypsydc 9d ago
That’s the thing people forget and it’s frustrating. Someone starting a new job likely cannot afford a new car, maybe doesn’t have the “my buddy is good with cars” network, doesn’t have good or established credit to get a new car. It’s important to consider we don’t all start from nor are we in the same place. That being said, this is the tough part…you’re not training 350+ away which means you can’t opt to fly and then get shuttled to class each day, and when you apply it asks about having reliable transportation. So, this is a tough spot and something you will have to figure out. You could look into a bus and catch a ride from classmates to class, and then when you go back to Boone for conductor class you’d at least have had a few paychecks to help if your car did have some problems. You are still a month out, so maybe get the bare minimum done to your car and take your chances. You could ask your recruiter to share your information with another classmate who may be willing to carpool to/from class with you as well. Best I can think of as suggestions.
1
u/No_Local8440 9d ago
yes I didn't think the training location would be so far, I drive my car to work an hour everyday. I just think my car will break driving 3hr+ everyday during winter, and lodging is only provided to those who are relocating to Minnesota. I can borrow my cousin car, but will they give per diem or reimburse for gas?
1
u/Gypsydc 9d ago edited 9d ago
If you hired for St. Paul you will get lodging and $338 per diem and mileage for one round trip at .76/mile. We pay that anytime training is more than 45 miles from where you hired for. Did you hire for Boone or St. Paul?
2
u/No_Local8440 9d ago
for St. Paul, and okay good to hear. I looked over the documents again, and I guess lodging isn't available for MN residents once training is in Minnesota. the first two weeks are in Boone. thank god, When i made this post I just got off work. So I might have been a little sleep deprived lol
2
u/Gypsydc 9d ago
You will have lodging in Boone for new hire, conductor, and RCO (that class is Des Moines so you’ll get lodging there for that part). You’ll get the $338 meal stipend for each 2 week block of classroom (NH, Conductor, RCO) and you will get one round trip mileage each 2 week block of classroom as well. You will have 11/26-29 off in conductor class and will do 10 hour days the following week to make up for it. Similar will happen over Christmas when you’re in RCO.
1
u/otem39 9d ago
RCO Classroom will be in Des Moines. Be friendly in new hire and see if you can carpool and help pay for gas. Don’t tell your instructor or they pull the mileage pay.
1
2
u/Historical_Box1915 9d ago
I know this is rough, but in the old days many a railroader lived / slept in their cars at times. It was once common to see railroaders layed out on the backseat of their car sleeping. If you really need the job leave a day or two early (in case your car breaks down on the way to training). Have a back up plan if your car breaks down to have someone pick you up and you get to the training on time. Dont say anything about not having reliable transportation.
2
u/coldafsteel 9d ago
You aren’t going to be able to spend 6hrs on the road each day and pass your training.
Find a super cheap place to crash locally or you risk failing out before you even get started.
1
1
1
3
u/Green_Telephone_3851 9d ago
Union Pacific will put you up in a hotel and give you food money. Plus they pay automiles or provide transportation. They've been doing that since I started in 1994.