[Cobrabill]

Now how screwed up is this?

Published: Wednesday, May 05, 2010
CHICAGO — Metra Executive Director Phil Pagano has been asked to stay in the six-county Chicago region while outside special counsel investigates his activities, the Chicago Tribune has reported. Pagano, who's currently on administrative leave, is also barred from conducting any business on behalf of the commuter line or having any work-related contact with Metra employees.

Metra suspended Pagano Friday, saying it's conducting an investigation into "serious official misconduct." Metra Chairwoman Carole Doris launched the inquiry last week following a report that Pagano received an unauthorized $56,000 bonus.

Pagano's leave extends to at least May 14, the date of the next Metra board meeting.

__________________________________________________ ________________________


Published: Friday, May 07, 2010
CHICAGO - Metra's executive director, Phil Pagano, died today after being hit by a Metra commuter train in suburban McHenry County, Fox Chicago has reported. His death comes the same day the Metra board was to meet to investigate allegations that Pagano had received an improper bonus.

Pagano has been on administrative leave since last week, when the Metra board chairman announced a probe into the allegations.

Pagano had served as executive director of the rail system for 20 years.

[george kujanski]

The paper today said he calmly walked in front of the train and was watching the engineer the whole time. He was carrying a note. He's dead.

if only more Chicago politicians would follow his example!

George

[Cobrabill]

While i have no problem with him leaving the planet,he needs to leave train crews out of the equation.I hope the Engineer sues the estate.

[fiedlerh]

$269,625 a year and 11 weeks vacation seemed like a pretty comfortable pay package. Agree the engineer should sue Metra and the estate.
He supposedly a copy of Metra's procedure for handling pedestrian suicides was found on his body.

[stimpy]

he kind of got what was coming to him and I have no remose as this guy is the guy who fired my Aunts Father from the board when he became chairperson back in the 80's , my aunts dad said the guy was bad and tried to hide **** then .

[70Steve]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGJfN...eature=related

Ouch, this is going to hurt!

Anyone you know Cobrabill?

[Cobrabill]

Man survives after train shears his car in half
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Published: Friday, June 18, 2010
LAPEER, Mich. - A man who allegedly drove around lowered crossing gates and whose car was sheared in half by an Amtrak train sustained only minor injuries in the incident, the Detroit Free Press has reported. James Brimmer, 26, of Flint, Mich., declined medical treatment in the accident.

A witness told police Brimmer drove around lowered crossing gates ahead of an Amtrak train that had just pulled out of the Lapeer station. The train's lead locomotive obliterated Brimmer's 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix starting immediately behind its front seats; fortunately, no passengers were in the car. Brimmer's only apparent injury was a scratch on his left knee that didn't require medical attention.

One wheel of the car was launched through the window of a nearby tax service office.

According to Lapeer Police Sgt. Craig Miller, Brimmer has been issued several citations in connection with the incident.

[Cobrabill]

CN is gonna be hiring:

MONTREAL - Canadian National plans to hire as many as 2,000 new employees annually over the next five years in an effort to replace retiring workers, Bloomberg News has reported. CN CEO Claude Mongeau said the railroad will need to replace nearly half of its workforce in that time.

Mongeau said he foresees growth in both the U.S. and Canadian economies, and he said his railroad will need the employees to keep up. "It's important for us to be there when the business comes," he said. "We don't want to hire too early, but we certainly don't want to hire too late."

Hiring will focus on mechanics, locomotive engineers, and conductors. "Many of these jobs take a lot of time to be trained and we want to do it well. Our challenge is to make sure the people who have been running CN all these years can coach the young generation," Mongeau said.

[stimpy]

Originally Posted by Cobrabill

CN is gonna be hiring:

MONTREAL - Canadian National plans to hire as many as 2,000 new employees annually over the next five years in an effort to replace retiring workers, Bloomberg News has reported. CN CEO Claude Mongeau said the railroad will need to replace nearly half of its workforce in that time.

Mongeau said he foresees growth in both the U.S. and Canadian economies, and he said his railroad will need the employees to keep up. "It's important for us to be there when the business comes," he said. "We don't want to hire too early, but we certainly don't want to hire too late."

Hiring will focus on mechanics, locomotive engineers, and conductors. "Many of these jobs take a lot of time to be trained and we want to do it well. Our challenge is to make sure the people who have been running CN all these years can coach the young generation," Mongeau said.

I live near the EJ&E portion and they will not hire me I guess I am too old ( 43) I tried several times with the J .

[Mister421]

Drailed......I didn't know that the DM&E was still around. I thought the CP "absorbed" them some time around 2008. I know the CP has terminal in Bensenville, IL.

Cobrabill......Thanks for the info.

[drailed]

Yes, you are correct. They are CP now, Im just used to referring to them as DM&E because I work with a bunch of guys out here on the CP in NY that were booming out there for them, other words volunteered to temporarily go out and work for another CP owned line due to man power shortages. I know they are hiring and desperately need help and have a lot of retirees coming in the future. If you live near them I could find out more from some of the guys who are still out there.

[Cobrabill]

You are not too old.I hired out with a guy in his mid-50's.If you want to do it-now is gonna be the time.
They are after the older worker.Ex-military especially.

When is the last time you applied?

[stimpy]

about 2 years ago .

[Cobrabill]

I might be able to find out what they "want to hear".How far in the process did you get?

[drailed]

A guy I use to work with here at CP (old D&H) got hired on the CN in Illinois 2 years ago. He wanted to get back home closer to family. Hes in his early 50s. I don't think your to old, we have a few in there 50s that got hired recently. I think these railroads are finding out that more of the younger generation have either known or are related to someone who works for the railroad and are a bit more in tune with how an extra board (on call 24/7) schedule works and and some of these kids do not want anything to do with it. They're holding out for that Monday through Friday 8-4 job starting at $70k/year. I am an engineer with 13 years in and can barely hold a Friday through Tuesday afternoon job, but we have also cut a lot of yard/local jobs with the recession that I would be able to hold now. If your thinking about it, get your name in again now!! and keep putting it in. Took me more than once.

[Mister421]

Cobrabill, what do the railroads look for when hiring for conductors, brakemen or engineers? I'm in my late 30's. Given I have no class I railroad experience but I have considerable knowledge of the environment. I'm a white collar professional and have been trying to get into this with no success. I've tried Amtrak, CN, CP, UP, BNSF and only looked at Metra. Thanks in advance.

[Cobrabill]

Every thing is safety,safety,safety.Prior experience isn't important.The thing to realize is railroading is a life-style.If you work the extra-board you can work 80 hours in a week.10 on 10 off 10 on 10 off.I'm on a "pool" i work two-days to Yuma & back and then average 60 hours off.ANd this rotates thru the weeks.
If you have kids-you're gonna miss birthdays & ballgames.People will ask you what are you doing Saturday and your truthful answer will be"i don't know".All "plans" go out the window.


But on the other hand,you're getting good money & benefits to "play with trains".
Take a rail to dinner and pick his brain.Preferably someone with less than 10 years on the job.

[drailed]

Amtrak is by far your best choice as far as ever having a life if your looking to get into railroading. Prior experience is not important these days as all the class 1s are micromanaged by young inexperienced "railroaders" who failed at being in the field and are out to make a name for themselves now days and prefer new hires don't know anymore than they do. Are you anywhere near where the DM&E has a terminal Mister421?

[Cobrabill]

We had a M.O.P that didn't even know that you needed a "reverser" to run a locomotive.

[drailed]

Originally Posted by Cobrabill

We had a M.O.P that didn't even know that you needed a "reverser" to run a locomotive.

LOL, amazing isn't it