NEWS - Performance Printing

NEWSConnected to your communityBridlewood boy on track for train conductor jobBlair Edwardsblair.edwards@metroland.comEMC news - When it comesto career choices, 12-year-oldAlex McDougall has a onetrack mind.For as long as he can remember,the Bridlewood boyhas dreamed of riding the rails,an idea that was first plantedin his head at the age of two,when his parents bought him aThomas the Train set.Over time, Alex’s collectionof toy trains grew, includingseveral Lionel model kitshe ran over an O-gauge trackset up on a three-by-two metreplywood table in his basement.Picking out gifts for Alexwere always easy, said his father,Bob.“If you want to give him agood Christmas or birthdaypresent, you’ll give him a trainticket to Montreal.”Earlier this month, Alex decidedto find out if he had whatit took to be a train conductor,when he attended a CanadianNational Railway recruitingsession held at a hotel near theOttawa airport.On May 17, Alex joined agroup of 40 men and womenR0012068695Cheryl Grenierfor a series of tests and an interviewrun by CN recruitersStephanie Seebeck and ChristineO’Neil.The company was lookingto hire 600 people to conducttrains in western Canada, includingSaskatchewan, Albertaand northern B.C.The compensation packagewas appealing – a train conductorearned an average salaryof $85,000 a year.Bob McDougall heardabout the hiring fair, and hadsent an email to CN, asking ifhis son could attend.“I said I have this 12-yearoldwho is a train fanatic,”said Bob. “Initially they saidno, but the people running (theevent) in Montreal said yes.”After an orientation session,the candidates wereasked to complete an 18-question switching exam;they were presented with adiagram of two tracks, a locomotive,some rail cars anda caboose, and were asked torearrange the train in a minimumnumber of moves andswitch tracks, while maintainingsafety.Those writing the test mustanswer at least seven questionscorrectly to pass.CHERYL’S HAIR 4 YOUOpen Tuesday-Saturday by appointmentHairstylist • Colour Technician • HighlightingFoils • Perms • Facial Waxing • Barbering105 Vancourtland St S.613.622.5682Alex passed with flying colours.“I got 85 per cent,” he said.“Only about half the peoplepassed, so I was proud of myself.”Alex’s dad also took the test– just for fun -- and passed,but just barely.“I was proud of him as adad to see him still sittingthere when they asked thosewho didn’t pass into anotherroom,” said Bob. “He waskind of happy that he beat hisold man.”But Alex will have to waituntil he turns 18 before he cantake the test for real and viefor a job as a train conductor.During his interview, a recruitertold Alex he’d have toenjoy physical activity andworking in the outdoors if hewanted the job.At the end of the interviewand tests, the recruiters gaveAlex a set of CN merchandise,including a hard hat, safetygloves, and a safety vest.TRAINSAlex, a Grade 7 student atW.O. Mitchell ElementarySchool in Bridlewood, saidhe’s been a train buff for aslong as he can remember.“I like the size and speedand I like the distance theycan go without having to stop,the convenience of having everythingin such a small spacewhile going far,” he said.“I’ve been on trains manytimes.”During one trip aboard aVia Rail train heading fromOttawa to Montreal, Alex wasinvited to take a tour of thetrain’s engines.The engineer showed AlexSUBMITTEDAlex McDougall watches the trains pass by at a station in Folkston, Ga. The12-year-old recently wrote and passed a CN Railway test for the hiring of trainconductors. The railway is looking to hire 600 conductors for trains in western Canada.the train’s hydraulics, electricaland braking systems, andeven allowed the boy to shutdown the train’s power andthen start it up again.Bob, who was sitting in thepassenger section at the time,remembers the lights flickeringon and off.Besides weekend jaunts toMontreal, Alex has travelledacross Canada and the UnitedStates, and has visited trainmuseums in Montreal andPennsylvania.Every year, his family takesa trip Washington to Floridaaboard an Amtrak train; duringone visit, he checked outthe train watching platformin Folkston, Ga., a railwayhub for trains passing throughFlorida, where onlookers canlisten to the interaction betweencontrollers and engineersover the radio.“Alex will sit there withthe oldtimers and talk abouttrains,” said Bob.Alex said he can’t waituntil he turns 18, and has thechance to apply for a job as atrain conductor.“My whole life I’ve likedtrains and it just seems theright job for me.”LAST CHANCE!Offer ends June 15, 2013.R0012123146FOR *EventTo RefreshyourSTYLEFOR SPECIALcomputerGLASSES45 Didsbury Road, Kanata(near Canadian Tire)613 287-5665newlook.caEye examinations on the premises by optometristsOutside prescriptions accepted*With the purchase of a complete pair of glasses including frames and prescription lenses with scratch-resistant coating from the 2 for 1 selection, get a second pair of glasses from the 2 for 1 selection. Pay nothing forthe lower priced pair. This offer is valid for a limited time and cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Frames for reference only. Details in store. Michel Laurendeau, optician.6 Kanata Kourier-Standard EMC - Thursday, May 30, 2013