Train Crew Frequently Asked Questions
Steps of the Train Crew Hiring Process
STEP 1: Application Review: The hiring team will review submitted applications in the order received to identify qualified candidates. Candidates can be sourced from the requisition that you applied for up to three months. We appreciate your patience and watch your email for updates or check the online application status on UP.jobs.
STEP 2: Hiring Assessments: Selected candidates will be asked to complete skill and personality assessments to further evaluate their suitability for the role. Please note that achieving a qualifying test result does not automatically guarantee an interview. Your results will remain valid for a period of two (2) years from the date you took the assessment. If you have other active applications that also require this same assessment, they will be automatically updated to reflect your qualified status. Click here to learn more about hiring assessments.
STEP 3: Interviews: Selected candidates will be invited to complete a pre-recorded video interview which the hiring team will review. Due to the high volume of interest, this can take several weeks to review. They are reviewed according to business need and location. Click here to learn more about interviews.
STEP 4: Career Overview: The recruiter responsible for the requisition will schedule a virtual group meeting to discuss location-specific details, including territory coverage, pay, union information, and more. These meetings will provide candidates with an understanding of what it means to work Train Crew at Union Pacific.
STEP 5: Decision Making: Based on the interviews, and assessments, the hiring team will decide on the most suitable candidate for the role.
STEP 6: Contingent Job Offer: The chosen candidate will receive a contingent job offer via email with a tentative start date. The tentative start date is the date of the training class and seats in the training will be allocated to candidates who successfully clear all pre-employment requirements on a first-come, first-served basis. If all seats have been filled, you will be moved to the next scheduled training class. The recruiter for the posting will contact you. It is important that you refrain from giving notice to your current employer until you have received a "Confirmed Start Date" and training details from your recruiter. If there is not an upcoming class you wil be placed as a Cleared to Start Alternate and your recruiter will be in touch with you for next steps.
STEP 7: Pre-employment & Onboarding: After accepting the contingent job offer, candidates can anticipate receiving multiple emails from our third-party vendors who assist with pre-employment requirements. These emails will provide further instructions and guidance to help candidates successfully complete the necessary steps before starting their employment. For the onboarding process, candidates will receive an email with instructions to log into a separate Union Pacific system in order to complete their employee profile. Specific information about the pre-employment & onboarding processes can be found below. Be sure to check your email daily, including your spam/junk folder, so you don’t miss required steps or delay the process. You also may receive phone calls from 402-544-2000 so be sure to take those calls.
IMPORTANT: Throughout the pre-employment steps, candidates will need their employee ID, which can be found in the welcome email received when accepting the contingent job offer. This ID will be necessary for completing various requirements with our third-party vendors.
Medical Assessment includes a health history questionnaire, a physical evaluation, a urine/drug screen, and a color vision exam, if applicable. The purpose of this assessment is to determine your ability to perform the essential functions of the job. Because many of our positions are highly safety sensitive, additional review may be needed by Union Pacific’s Health and Medical team. A representative from Health and Medical will reach out via email to request additional medical records, if needed. Submit all requested records as soon as possible to avoid delay. Click here to learn more about the medical assessment.
Background Check Investigation will cover various areas, including prior drug & alcohol (DOT) history, driving history (motor vehicle reports), state, and federal criminal history, education, and more. Click here to learn more about the background checks.
Physical Ability Test (PAT) evaluates an individual's capacity to safely carry out the physical tasks associated with the job. This test assesses a candidate's range of motion and involves activities such as pushing, pulling, and lifting various weights that simulate job-related tasks. This is not required for all positions. Click here to learn more about PATs.
Complete Onboarding Steps - Onboarding Steps are specifically designed for our external hires. These steps include providing essential information to complete your employee profile, setting up banking details, reviewing and signing policies, and completing other necessary tasks. Note that the onboarding step is conducted in a separate system from UP.jobs. Click here to learn more about Onboarding.
I have completed all pre-employment requirements and my status is updated to "Cleared to Start", now what? Click here to learn more about being "Cleared to Start".
STEP 8: Confirmed Start Date & Training: Once the candidate has successfully completed all pre-employment requirements including onboarding and their status is updated to "Pending Start Date Confirmation," the recruiter in charge of the requisition will collaborate with the business and assign the candidate to a training class with a "Confirmed Start Date." At this stage, you will receive specific information regarding the location of the training class and lodging arrangements, if applicable from the recruiter and your online status will be "Welcome to Union Pacific!".
Interested? Learn important details about the Train Crew Position
If I apply for a position, can I expect to work in the location that was posted?
ANSWER: To ensure transparency, we would like to provide additional information regarding the hiring location and the immediate work assignment for new employees after training. If you receive a job offer, you will receive more information about the specific territory you will be expected to cover during the Career Overview with the recruiter. Job postings are based on anticipated business needs and freight volume in various locations. After completing training, you will be assigned a location within that territory where you can hold a job based on your seniority. Click here to view the territory map.
Does Union Pacific cover relocation expenses during my training period?
ANSWER: Union Pacific does not cover relocation expenses for craft professionals. However, if you are relocating from a location that is over 300 miles away from the hired location, you may be eligible for a one-time pre-taxed travel allowance of $2,500 and a hotel for the first 2 weeks. The distance between the address in your application and the terminal location will be calculated by the recruiter to determine eligibility, and this information will be specified in your offer letter.
If I am hired how long do I have to wait to put in a transfer to a different location or craft/position?
ANSWER: Train crew employees at Union Pacific are generally not permitted to transfer to another craft for a period of two (2) years, unless they are furloughed. If you wish to transfer to a different location, it must go through a multi-level approval process, taking into consideration the business needs of both the hired location and the requesting location. Therefore, when applying for a job and accepting an offer, it is important to plan on residing in the hiring location for at least two years.
I hear that railroads furlough new employees. What does this mean?
ANSWER: Union Pacific may implement temporary furloughs in certain economic or business situations. It is important to understand that furloughs are different from layoffs and are intended to be temporary. When business conditions improve, Union Pacific will recall employees based on their seniority. It is worth noting that the extent of furloughs may vary across different locations based on specific business requirements.
I was invited to take a pre-recorded interview. Click here to learn more about interviews.
I received a Contingent Job Offer. Click here to learn more about contingent job offers.
I have accepted a Craft Professional position. Click here to learn more about craft professional positions.
Learn more about the training involved for the Train Crew position.
What does training entail?
ANSWER: Your training will be a combination of classroom training, on-the-job training and remote-control simulators. The schedule is as follows:
- Weeks 1 – 2: New Hire Classroom training
- Weeks 3 – 4: New Hire On the job training
- Weeks 5 – 6: Conductor Classroom training
- Weeks 7 – 8: Conductor On-the-job training
- Weeks 9 – 10: Remote control operator classroom training
- Weeks 11 – 14: Remote control operator on-the-job training
What is the pay during training and when can I expect to get paid?
ANSWER: Pay during training is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement and will be discussed in detail during a Train Crew Career Overview session, which will be scheduled by a recruiter before accepting a job offer. For training, pay for calendar days 1-15 is disbursed on the 25th of the month, while pay for calendar days 16 to the end of the month is disbursed on the 10th of the following month.
Where will I be required to work during training?
ANSWER: Classroom training for new employees may be held in a different location than the hiring location. The specific training location will be communicated by the recruiter 1-2 weeks prior to the Confirmed Start Date, once the details have been finalized. However, on-the-job training typically takes place at the hiring location.
When will I be notified of logistics for lodging during training? Do I need to pay for the hotel or make my own reservation?
ANSWER: For new employees undergoing training at a location more than 45 miles away from their hiring location, Union Pacific provides hotel accommodations for the 2-week classroom training. If you are Cleared to Start more than one week before your tentative start date, you will receive hotel information about 5 days prior to your first day of training. If you are Cleared to Start less than a week before your confirmed start date, you will receive the hotel information as soon as possible. You can check into the hotel the night before classes begin. Union Pacific will handle the hotel reservations and cover the nightly rate and taxes, while incidentals are the responsibility of the student and must be covered by providing a valid debit/credit card at the time of check in.
How do I claim my meal stipend and one-time transportation mileage for training away from my hiring location, and when can I expect to receive reimbursement for these expenses?
ANSWER: For new employees whose assigned work location is over 45 miles away from the training location, Union Pacific offers a $26/day stipend to cover personal expenses during training, including weekends and travel days. This stipend is paid every two weeks, with the first payment typically received by the end of the first week of training. Trainers will handle processing this expense. During the first 3-5 days of training, new employees are expected to cover their own expenses such as meals, transportation, and rental car. If eligible, you may also qualify for transportation mileage reimbursement for one round trip between your assigned work location and the training location, based on the Union Pacific mileage reimbursement rate. On the last day of training, the new employee will enter the expense with assistance from the trainer, and the expense will be approved. Reimbursement will be added to your next paycheck, depending on the timing of submission.
When do I have the option to fly versus drive to training?
ANSWER: If the distance between your hired location and the training location exceeds 350 miles one way, you have the choice to travel by air. To select this option, contact Travel and Transport at 1-800-877-5814 between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM Central Time at least two weeks before your training class begins. Provide your name and class number, and Travel and Transport will arrange the airfare for your journey, with the expense billed directly to Union Pacific. It is crucial to contact Travel and Transport at least two weeks in advance. If you prefer driving instead of flying, you will be reimbursed for expenses up to the quoted lowest available airfare or the actual mileage from your hired location to the training location, whichever is lower. The reimbursement rate will be determined by Union Pacific. Please note, if you are relocating to the training location, flying is not an option as reliable transportation is a requirement for the job.
If I travel to my training location, can I travel home on weekends?
ANSWER: During training, there is a strict attendance policy in place. If you decide to travel home during this time, the expenses will be your responsibility, and you will still be required to attend class. Missing class due to travel will not be considered excused and could potentially lead to termination. It is crucial to coordinate with the instructor before making any travel plans, as training dates and schedules may occasionally change.
What is the dress code for classroom and on-the-job training?
ANSWER: The Train Crew classroom dress code at Union Pacific is casual, but there are restrictions on certain clothing items. Shorts, tank tops, sandals, sweatpants, pajamas, lounge pants, exercise apparel, and dirty clothing are not permitted. Additionally, clothing or accessories displaying offensive graphics or vulgar language are prohibited. For fieldwork, the dress code requires long pants, steel-toed boots, and the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as required for the job.
What does the new employee need to bring or provide?
ANSWER: During classroom training at Union Pacific, there will be yard trips that require the use of work boots. It is your responsibility to provide these work boots. The boots should be lace-up, at least 6 inches high to cover the ankles, and have a defined heel with a 90-degree angle to the sole. Steel toe boots are not mandatory.
You have the option to participate in the Boot Voucher program, where Union Pacific will cover 50% of the cost of your boots, up to a maximum of $125. The voucher will be provided on the Tuesday before your start date, allowing you to purchase the required work boots at a discounted price.
What does UP provide new employees?
ANSWER: Union Pacific will supply all necessary written and electronic materials for the class, such as rule books, workbooks, study guides, and writing utensils. Additionally, Union Pacific will provide the required personal protective equipment (PPE), including a safety vest, safety glasses, work gloves, and ear protection. Please note that you are responsible for providing your own work boots, as they are not included. However, Union Pacific offers a Boot Voucher Program where they will reimburse 50% of the cost of the boots up to $120. Further information will be provided if you receive a contingent offer letter.
What tests must be passed to graduate training?
ANSWER: Your employment with Union Pacific Railroad is probationary and is contingent upon passing all the final exams and performing well in all other aspects of the training. This fourteen-week training program consists of multiple quizzes and two exams requiring at least an 85% or higher to pass (Switch assessment requires a passing score of 100%). If you do not achieve at least an 85% you will be given an opportunity to retake the exam. If you do not score 85% and you are within 5% of passing you will be given a third attempt - you must score an 85% or higher to pass (Switch assessment requires a passing score of 100%), or your participation in the New Hire training program will be terminated.
I am a previous Union Pacific train crew employee, do I need to go through training again?
ANSWER: All train crew new employees are obligated to complete the standardized new hire training, regardless of any prior experience in the railroad industry.
When I complete training, what can I expect?
ANSWER: New employees will either be assigned to an extra board (road or yard service) by Crew Management Services (CMS) or they will bid for an open position within yard or road service. In certain locations, there may be peer trainers or local union representatives available to provide assistance during this process.
What can I expect for my work schedule after training?
ANSWER: Your work schedule is determined by the assignment you can hold based on your seniority after completing training. Some assignments may not have a fixed work schedule. It is essential to remember that Union Pacific operates 365 days a year. As a train crew employee, you should be prepared for the possibility of working weekends, holidays, and overnight shifts based on business demands.
Am I guaranteed a certain number of hours regardless of seniority?
ANSWER: Train Crew work schedules vary by location and there are no guaranteed hours. This topic will be extensively discussed during classroom training.
What is the attendance policy?
ANSWER: Exceeding three missed days during training may result in termination. However, depending on the circumstances, you may have the opportunity to be assigned to a future Training Class. If you anticipate needing time off during your training period, it is advisable to coordinate with your recruiter in advance. During training at Union Pacific, all company policies, including attendance policies, will be addressed and discussed.
How much vacation do I receive after training?
ANSWER: Train Service employees are eligible for vacation after 150 qualifying calendar days in yard service or 180 qualifying days road service to qualify for vacation the succeeding year. The vacation schedule is as follows:
- 1 year = 1 week
- 2 years = 2 weeks
- 8 years = 3 weeks
- 17 years = 4 weeks
- 25 years = 5 weeks
Vacation scheduling is determined by seniority.