Why is someone upset at railroads?

@DanaMark (807)
United States
July 3, 2007 6:13pm CST
Today I saw a bumper sticker which said, "The Railroad Nation. First they use us. Then they abuse us." Does anyone know why there are enough people who feel this way that there are bumper stickers about it?
3 people like this
5 responses
@sigma77 (5383)
• United States
4 Jul 07
Beats me. They probably are tired of having to stop at too many railroad crossings. People find the darndest things to get upset about. I don't know what this bumper sticker means.
2 people like this
@DanaMark (807)
• United States
4 Jul 07
I have to agree, people can become upset at most anything. And someone has found a way to capitalize on it by selling bumper stickers to support their anger.
1 person likes this
@sunkissed (4330)
• United States
3 Jul 07
Well, that is a new one on me, I have never seen those bumper stickers.I have no idea what they mean. I do know that I live right near a train track, a train comes through every 1/2 hour.There are alot of trains goinging and coming, alot of things are being hauled by trains.I am curious what they are talking about also.
2 people like this
@DanaMark (807)
• United States
4 Jul 07
I haven't noticed the train traffic getting any less either. Check the comment above for a possible reason.
1 person likes this
• Janesville, Wisconsin
17 Dec 07
Well is the word Railroad itself... This does not mean Just Trains, Tracks and Locomotives. To Be Railroaded, means to Be forced into doing something they do not want to do. So the Bumper sticker is saying.. This is a forceful nation, first they use us and then abuse us.. is another way to read it. - DNatureofDTrain
@freak369 (5113)
• United States
3 Jul 07
Most of the uproar around here is about the lines now being federally regulated. That means that people can't smoke on trains anymore and they are required to report anyone that does. Some of it can be chalked up to the heavy fees that are imposed in some areas to try and maintain the lines but since most are federally funded now, that part of the problem should die down a little.
2 people like this
@DanaMark (807)
• United States
4 Jul 07
Thank you. We don't have passenger trains in our area, so I wasn't aware of those things you mentioned. We have a lot of freight trains that come through our city, but I haven't heard anyone around here complaining except about the crossings being blocked. That shouldn't have been the reason for the bumper sticker.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Feb 08
The person owning the bumper sticker is either a railroad worker or a family member of a railroad worker. i myself being a freight train conductor can tell you that the point of the bumper sticker is to express a feeling that the majority of railroaders have. for example.. i was hired to work in my home town. its been 2 years now and have not once yet worked there. you may hire out to work at a specific location even though with your brand new seniority date you can not hold a position. ive been living in my van most of my career hardly ever seeing my wife and kids. i cant plan on renting a home anywhere due to working in different areas about every 3 weeks. the railroad will have jobs in one area and then make cuts in that area due to lack of rail traffic. so then you use what little seniority you have to hold a job somewhere else. just to last there for a short while. they due not provide a motel for you or and perdiem. its either you choose to chase your seniority all over the place or you dont make any money and likely get fired for not "protectiong your job." the main places i can hold for a couple months at a time ar 400 miles away from my family in the city i hired to work out of. the general public does not know much about the lifestyle that the newer rail road age employees go through. by the time you throw in the cost of fuel and truck stop showers and food to support yourself living out of your vehicle it ends up to be the same as if i was to be living back in my home town with my family working a regular job that paid 11 bucks per hour. of course with time comes seniority and hopefully in another 2 years ill be able to live a steady life. unless the railroads decide to go to one man train crews. right now freight trains operate with a 2 man crew. god help us if they actually get what they want which is one man train crews. "im speaking of freight trains".