I’m Not Qualified =’s I’m Not Doing It!

Railroaders know that we are getting pushed into unsafe jobs every day. We get called for and forced into jobs we’re not trained for, haven’t seen in years, or have never worked at all. This isn’t a small mistake. This is dangerous, and the people asking us to do it know exactly what they’re doing.

The “Buddy Routine” Is a Trick

Managers often act friendly when they want something:

• “Do me a favor.”
• “You’ll be fine.”
• “We really need you tonight.”

They try to make it feel personal, like you’re helping a friend.

Here’s the truth:

A manager who asks you to work outside your qualifications is NOT your friend.

They are trying to make you feel guilty so their numbers look good. Even if it puts your life at risk, they are cool with making that trade if it prevents them from getting yelled at on the morning conference call. That is the reality in crew rooms across the country.

This Work Can Kill You

Going into unfamiliar industries or territories puts you at real risk:

• Unknown crossings that need protection
• Unexpected Close Clearances
• Derailing equipment
• Walking into dangerous ground conditions

These aren’t hypotheticals. They’re the hazards railroaders face every day.
Managers know this, but they ask anyway.

The Pilot Promise Is Too Often A Lie

They’ll say:

• “An MTO will ride with you.”
• “We’ll send a pilot.”

But when you show up, it often turns into:

“He had to leave. Here’s a map he sketched on an envelope. You got this kid.”

Once you accept the call, you own the risk, not them.

If Something Goes Wrong, You’re on Your Own

When there’s a derailment, injury, or rule violation:

• Their promises disappear.
• Their memory goes blank.
• Suddenly, you should have known better than to have accepted the call in the first place.

The same manager who just got done calling you “buddy” will now say:

“The employee is responsible for working within his/her own qualifications. That is an FRA violation.”

And even if they wanted to stand up for you, it won’t matter if you’re hurt or dead.

Your Life and Your Family Come First

Your job pays your bills and provides your family’s health care.
Your safety protects their future.

No manager’s guilt trip or phony friendship is worth risking that. It is not a good trade to roll the dice on whether your kids have a dad or a mom to make sure a manager doesn’t get yelled at for missing an on-time origination.

SMART-TD’s Message Is Simple

1. If you aren’t qualified, don’t take the job.

2. A friendly manager routine is an act aimed at getting you to accept risk for their failures in planning.

3. Verbal promises mean nothing once something goes wrong.

4. No job is worth your life, your health, or your career.

Protect yourself. Trust your training.

Say NO to unsafe assignments.