Some of you may be aware that I am a conductor on a Class 1 railroad. There are big changes happening on my railroad. Most of them are not good. But that is a post for a different day. The most impacting and troublesome will be an attempt by the large railroads to reduce crew size. Currently, on long haul freight trains there are two people in the cab of a locomotive, the engineer and the conductor. The job of the engineer is to safely operate the train from point A to point B. The role of the conductor, who is charge of the train, is to ensure operations are conducted safety and in a timely manner.
For the past several years the railroads and the unions have been at loggerheads over the crew size. The railroads feel that with recent safety features, such as Positive Train Control (PTC) and Trip Optimizer (TO) trains can be run safely with only one crew member, and possibly with none. The unions, however, don't support this, obviously. They counter that fatigue, due to our completely unpredictable duty schedule and sleep patterns, warrants the continuation of the two person crew. It is true that PTC can stop a train when necessary, but this is often the option of last resort, resulting in a very aggressive, and some violent, stop. With two people in the cab one of us always monitoring the route ahead. While sleeping in the cab is not condoned by either the railroads or the unions, fatigue can have an impact on focus. Two people in the cab negates this significantly.
Late last month the Secretary of Transportation, Elaine Chou, handed down a ruling essentially pushing this decision down to the state and abdicated the role of the Department of Transportation and Federal Railroad Administration. Most of you who have followed my infrequently updated blog know my limited government philosophy. However, there are times when the feds need to step in. I will admit my bias here, but I do feel this is an area that the feds need to address. Interstate commerce and transportation is in their wheel house. This is defined in the Constitution.
Below is an open letter to President Trump regarding this issue.
Dear President Trump,
Recently, your Secretary of Transportation made a decision that could have a real negative impact on the livelihood of thousands of railroad employees.
When Secretary Chou decided not to mandate two-person crews on over the road freight trains it opened the door for the large railroads to eliminate one position in the cab of locomotives. If the railroads are allowed to reduce crew size by 50% it could mean the loss of 20,000-30,000 well paying, blue collar jobs across the country. And also have an impact on railroad safety.
Sir, you have a wonderful opportunity to show the hard working men and women who hold conductor positions that you have their backs. During your run for office, nearly all railroad union leadership folks endorsed your opponent. However, based on information that I have seen, it appears that a strong majority of union rank and file cast their ballot for you. The sentiment that you are a man of the people, who cares deeply about working class men and women, ran strong.
Inherent with the above is a chance to reduce the democrat party to the fringe far left. As I am sure you are aware union rank and file have traditionally voted democrat. While it is true that union membership has declined in recent years, and has diversified politically,, we are still a significant voting block. Enough to turn a statewide, and a nationwide, election one direction or another. Republicans have a golden opportunity to show union members, not just on the railroads, that you and the Republicans care and support the men and women that are the backbone of this great nation.
With respect towards safety, railroad management will tell you that the latest safety tools implemented will negate the need for two people in the cab. Keep in mind these are tools. They do nothing to eliminate fatigue. It will still be an issue for the remaining person on the locomotive. With a single person in the cab the issue of fatigue will only increase as there is not a second person to talk with, share stories, and swap lies about last week's fishing trip. It is true that Positive Train Control (PTC) will stop a train if the crew does not respond to signals that require a train to stop. But if the lone cab occupant is tired and slow to respond PTC will apply a very aggressive braking action. This in of itself is a danger, especially if we are hauling crude oil, anhydrous ammonia, or any other highly toxic chemicals. With two people in the cab, coupled with the safety features of PTC, we can respond well before emergency braking action needs to take place. It is a redundant system and we have each other's back.
I urge you to speak with Secretary Chou and ask her to reconsider decision to not mandate two-person crews. I also humbly request that you work with members of Congress to pass a bill that would solidify the two-person crews on ALL trains that move freight across this great nation.
Respectfully Yours,
Anonymous, SMSgt, USAF, Retired
Freight Conductor
I will include my name if I decide to send this directly to President Trump.
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