truck driver

operator trainee

detective

operator

mechanic

Sperry Rail

This is not the environment for a family. Being single with no kids is what I recommend to work here. Absolutely no directions or instructions for drivers. Drivers are janitors who clean up after chief. Chauffeurs for the chief when they need something. And babysitters, when the chief is always late and can't get up on time. You are at the disposal of the chief. You won't know where you are going. Ever. It's only planned out a week in advance. And that's if they decide to tell you. Chiefs determine how many hours you have worked during the week. Very flawed system. Constantly comparing my hours with what was input into computer. Input is always a smaller number. Drivers have no one to communicate with truthfully and helping in the chain of command. You'll never get a straight answer from anyone, since you are in the field and your time is worthless since they deem you easily replaceable.
    They say promotions come quick and are easy to get. Nope. If they can't find another driver to replace you, you are stuck. No promotion, can't move to another truck or chief if there's issues. Only one raise a year. And don't expect much. Doesn't matter your experience. You'll start low just like you are outta HS.
   Pay and per diem is the lowest of any job I've had. Some trucks are old and badly maintained since some drivers get placed with bad chiefs and never get a chance to work on anything cause they get fed up and quit. 
   Any questions about maintenance gets pawned off on so many other ppl and take so long you'll forget you called them.

If you are looking to gain NDT experience this is not the job for you. First question I asked in my interview was I am looking to gain experience and hours to become a level 2, can I do that here? There answer was yes, that was a lie. Sperry will not give you any of your test hours after you leave the company so you will have to start from scratch with no hours when you go to another company. Second question will I be close to home and get time off when needed? They answered yes, that was a lie. Even if they approve your time off they will call you two days before your suppose to go on vacation and tell you sorry we can’t give you time off. When I was in training If was the office joke that someone quit again cause there vacation was denied after being away from home for 6 months. The staff in Danbury truly don’t care about you once your in the field working. The only thing they didn’t lie about was heavy travel and that they pay for it. If you are looking for steady work with no time for yourself and having management disrespect and never answer your calls or email then my friend you found the perfect job here. I hope this helped.

Every day is varied as to how long you work. Most of how long you work is entirely up to you, and your willingness to push for shorter work days. 

One great thing is that you are paid for 8 hours the moment you start work, whether you work 1 or 8 hours. They are generous with overtime. Anything work you perform on maintaining and up keep of company vehicles and equipment is extra time aside from your actual work hours. 

It's not easy though. You are constantly away from home. You're essentially only allowed to go home if you take vacation time, otherwise, you're always away. It is very hard to keep a social life. Even though you don't work weekends or any recognized holidays, most of the time you're still in the field. I haven't been home in 5 months at this current point. I don't recommend this job for anyone with a family. 

This job was pretty cool in the beginning, but now I'm bored. It is the same repetitive thing every day. Plus, being alone in the field, it's boring not having any friends or family with you. East operations tries to help in ways they can, but West Operations never lets you go home. They don't necessarily care where you are from. We have employees that live in the west and are forced to work in the East and vice/versa.

Descent job very much so safety sensitive. Met alot great people and some stupid. Driver basically operated  the truck on the tracks assist in marking defective rail also provides maintenance on test equipment changing wheels and brushes very very very dirty job . Laid back on the tracks , early starts lots of hotel hopping. You start as a floater which means your the vacation guy. If you are under 30 and single this is cool travel both coast even Canada.  Your off on the weekends unless your traveling which you but you are paid for that . Have a credit card available if you wanna stepout for the weekend or you will be in the highrail truck ..lol or uber credit card for out of state car rentals you already got a hotel room all you need is swag. I was certified by amtrak and every other rail company.  You will get familiar with over the road travel since you will take the sperry truck to other areas which can mountains so be careful.  I think they have increase the pay. So any young guy or gal or divorced kid free person who wants to see America go for it.

Sperry is a great company in many ways, and I mean by most of them. You travel a lot. If your D-car team clicks, you'll stay together. Your hotels are paid for and you get a nice per-diem. Most of the equipment is in good shape, but occasionally you might wind up with some junk that another crew did not take care of.

You work on the tracks and it can be very noisy and dangerous. A person has to be aware at all times of everything going on. If you can't pay attention, abide by rules and regulations, then don't work here. It can be a very dangerous, if not deadly, way to earn a living. 

The job is very demanding, as it should be. You are part of a team that keeps America's railroads safe. If you don't take pride in yourself and your work, stay were you are at! Sometimes you'll have to deal with obnoxious supervisors who think they are gods and forget that they put their pants on like everyone else.

Work can vary plenty from route to route. Class 1 rail lines require detailed and quality reporting with emphasis on efficiency. Entry level position of driving a truck is the way to begin to really see how to operate on the railroads. MAIN TAKEAWAY should be that drivers do more than drive. Responsibilities include being part of a team/crew each day and operating, transporting and working together in the safest way possible at all times. Go into the job wanting to learn more than just driving. The travel is the hardest part of the job for a family man. Not much time home. Your patience as well as adjustability will be required when finding out your travel between routes (from truck to truck). Best part of job is the people and places you get to see. Some days are bad and some are good. If you are the type of person to let the bad ones roll off you and on down the river in order to appreciate the good ones then you will have a great time.

What is the best part of working at the company?
For me the routine routes. If you can get a regular route with 3 days off it was the best. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Working with someone else on your truck who was in charge technically, but didn't have the experience or ability to be in charge. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
It was somewhat friendly, but there was also tension when people didn't get along

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Check the truck and route for the day. Meet up with the railroad pilot, waited sometimes hours before you could get track time then rushed to get As many Miles tested before your clock ran for the day. Spent nights in different hotels

Its a Driver/Mechanic and a Cheif on a truck testing rail. Its a good job for a someone thats single, but not for everybody. You wont really have a life living in and out of hotels. Its an easy job if you enjoy hands on work and driving. Drivers start out at $10-11 depending on driving experience may start out at $14. Drivers can work they're way up if they show pride in they're work and want to be promoted you can go through a class to become Cheif, but be prepared for ALOT of travel. Get vacation time but if they are short on drivers youll have to take vacation when its more convienent. Website site is SperryRail.com to read more about company.

There is no work life balance, as a chief operator you will sacrifice all your free time to keep an aging truck thats falling apart working. There are managers that are fantastic, however the bad ones are very bad, they'll degrade you and treat you like youre disposable every day. You'll be paired with drivers that dont care or dont inow what theyre doing and you'll be held accountable for their downfalls. They preach that safety and quality is key while demanding unrealistic goals. You will be salaried and receive no overtime for any extra work completed on your time. You will be paid 40 hours a week despite working 70 consistently. If you can look elsewhere. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Thair is no best part. The recruiter will lie through his teethto hire you. They are so under employed because everyone keeps quitting.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The whole job is super stressful. The amound of risk and responsibility that is put on a chiefs shoulders as a contractor is ridiculous and not worth it.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Constant stress. You will be luckyis you get put with someone you get along with.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Alot of waiting, reports, emails, and having to deal with people who treat you badly.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Truck driver 113 salaries reported	$21.03 per hour
Operator trainee 55 salaries reported	$20.00 per hour
Detective 2 salaries reported	$77,500 per year
Operator 2 salaries reported	$20.00 per hour
Mechanic 4 salaries reported	$23.00 per hour

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