I apologize that this topic is not directly related to UP but to the railroading in general: Do you manage to be a railroader on the road and have a normal family and social life? For me, it’s definitely tough.
It seems impossible to reconcile these two worlds without changing careers?
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So as a te&y employee I get 10 hours off before I’m called. Does anyone know how your supposed to work out do family time, sleep, fill other obligations? It’s easy to say take care of yourself but not really easy when u are always at work moving trains.
If you’re a manager you can double the the railroad retirement. So, on top of the 60k add another 60k for a total of 120k, Add your wife’s portion and you could be bringing home around 150k a year. As far as short retirement for train crews, that’s true for anybody if you don’t take care of yourself.
UP is your family. hug your manager and enjoy working for this great company we were all blessed with. thank you for this thoughtful post
Lots of Train crews folks don’t get to enjoy many years of retirement due to the awful lifestyle that puts a toll on ones body and mind.
Like any job there an upside and there’s a downside. One of the perks for the upside is Railroad Retirement. Take for example you work 40 years before you retire, your retirement income would be in the ballpark of 60k, then add your wife’s Railroad Retirement portion and that’s another 30k, for a total of 90k without touching your 401k. Also, most states don’t tax Railroad Retirement.
My kids are definitely closer to mom than me. I was sleeping during the day when they were little and always going to work. They are grown now and I feel bad I missed so much when they were growing up. I’m glad my wife tolerated this lifestyle I don’t think many will this day and age.