??? I'm a bit confused here. You don't think the average LSA makes more than the average coffee shop worker? I suggested, based on a quick google on glassdoor.com as evidence, that an LSA makes double. Do you disagree? And what do they make then... 25% more?
I never said the job was easy or that riding the train is a perk of the job. I said I thought the LSA job was easy compared to most fast paced food service jobs. And that's my opinion.
You are entitled to your opinion but I don't agree with the salary figures. I look at the totality of the compensation of the job. I regard it in the same light as I regard delivery employees and salespeople, where you see "now hiring, up to $XX.00 an hour." That may be true but it is based upon your tips and/or commissions, which causesa dramatic drop in hourly income.
It is the same thing with the OBS crews because this is what is often left out
Yes they work away from home, are often unpaid when traveling to and from the next shift, and do not enjoy easy in-person access to friends and family while they are away.
What was left out is they are unpaid DURING their trip. When you calculate downtime, away time, and held over time, the hourly wage drops dramatically from when you start duty and are released from duty.
When OBS crews are on their downtime, this is uncompensated time. They are on that train receiving benefits, but not salary. When they turn, they are on held away time which means a meal allowance.
Example
Perhaps
@pennyk can correct me if I'm wrong but I do believe that the MIA crew of 92(8) will turn at NYP for the crew of 91(10). As such, they sign up at 11:20 am to depart at 11:50 am. The train is scheduled to arrive NYP at 6:50 pm on the 9th. That is 26 and 1/2 hours. However, the downtime (which differs by craft) isn't compensated. If a sleeping car attendant has two 5 slots of downtime (downtime has been increased), that is 10 hours that isn't compensated, yet you are still on the train, governed by the rules as if you were working. LSAs usually have two 2 breaks and night downtime (which varies by train) but it totals 10 hours on the Star
Assuming you arrive at NYP on time, you are now released. However, you can't go home. You are still governed by rules as if you are on duty. Technically, when you get to your hotel (or wherever they go when they disappear), they can't have a drink or take medicine even though they aren't being compensated.. Your uncompensated time is still governed by the same rules when you're working on the train.
At this point, the uncompensated time is from 720pm on the 9th to 1020am on the 10th.
91's crew signs up, leaves NYP at 1100am on the 10th and arrives in MIA on the 11th. If they are on time, they are released at 720pm.
With the same downtime on each train, you roughly received 34 hours of pay for this trip. Using your 23 dollar wage, that comes out to 782 dollars for this round trip. Not bad. However, you were on the property and subject to duty and conduct rules for almost 80 hours. You are not free to come and go as you please, drink (if that is your thing) take certain medications since you are not completely released from duty until you return to your crew base and are expected to respond if necessary. That, of course, assumes the train isn't canceled and you stuck for days in some city without compensation or you make it to your turn around point. I'm willing to bet convenience store workers can party down when they get off work and can often call for help if there is manpower available.
Calculating the total time, your true hourly wage for the trip closer to 10 dollars an hour. This is one of the reasons why there is such a high turnover rate in this department particularly since it takes 8 years or so to reach the top wage.
Again, this isn't about better or worse. I don't think these conditions (or bumping along the railroad for days at a time) scream "easy."
It's not something that I would prefer to do....and I did work at a convenience store. I also delivered food when I was in school.
