In a conversation with one of the company officers regarding the increasing
automation of the dispatchers jobs some years ago, and whether the computers
could do a better job of dispatching than a real person, he made the comment
that while they might never do as well as the better dispatchers, they would
likely outperform the lesser ones, and in any event, it would be more
predictable in all cases.
With many of the new hires coming into the job with no prior railroad
experience, perhaps predictability trumps efficiency. It seemed to me that by
the time I left, dispatching was no longer a career, but just one step to a
"better" job. If a guy is only going to spend a couple years at most
dispatching and then move on, there's little opportunity to become a "better"
dispatcher.
Larry Sallee
--- In CBQ@yahoogroups.com, "Karl" <qrailroadman@...> wrote:
>
> THAT is a point WELL made Doug !!!! The automaton "works" MOST of the time.
> If, however, the predetermined sequence of operations changes abruptly and
> the robot has not been so conditioned, well ????
>
> Both human AND robotic control mechanisms can coexist, however, we must
> recognize this and allow each to function in their own, most efficacious
> manner. Thinkin' on yur feet is still a valuable attribute !!!!
>
> Karl, the q guy.
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> --- In CBQ@yahoogroups.com, dhartman@ wrote:
> >
> > I've nothing against technology. I appreciated all the advancements that
> > came along to make my work life easier.
> >
> > However, I wonder at what point a "line too far" is crossed. At what point
> > does reliance on technology supress the necessary process of human learning
> > and creativity? And creativity IS a necessary component of learning.
> >
> > Was there too much "cowboy" before? Probably. But a certain amount of
> > latitude is vital to really ensuring humans aren't just rote operators who
> > then cannot adjust to situations.
> >
> > In my post-RR life I sat in a lot of airline cockpits and saw way too much
> > reliance on the computers and autopilot. This culture has unintended
> > consequences - such as the Air France crash in the South Atlantic (when the
> > pilots didn't apply basic piloting skills) and Colgan Air at Buffalo.
> >
> > If someone doesn't know how to do Karl's "smoke em down the westbound, kid"
> > then chances are they might not be able to safely adjust to an unexpected
> > situation.
> >
> > Doug
> > Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: William Barber <clipperw@>
> > Sender: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
> > Date: Sat, 24 Nov 2012 09:52:34
> > To: <CBQ@yahoogroups.com>
> > Reply-To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: Re: Fwd: [CBQ] Re: Boyer speed recorders
> >
> > Douglas,
> >
> > Technology on locomotives to improve operating efficiency is nothing new.
> > In "Classic Trains" "Steam Glory 3", issued this month, (good issue, by the
> > way), there is an extensive article about the steam locomotive valve pilot
> > whose development goes back to 1919. It was a device applied to many steam
> > locomotives (none on the Q as far as I know), that was designed to assist
> > the engineer in in setting the steam admission valve cut off to achieve the
> > best valve setting at a given speed. The intent was to achieve maximum
> > locomotive output while efficiently using both fuel and steam. Even then,
> > managements recognized that not all locomotive engineers were created
> > equal. Really, locomotive development from day one has been an effort to
> > incorporate the latest technology to improve efficiency and, consequently,
> > the bottom line.
> >
> > Bill Barber
> > Gravois Mills, MO
> >
> > On Nov 24, 2012, at 5:37 AM, CBQ@yahoogroups.com wrote:
> >
> > > Re: Fwd: [CBQ] Re: Boyer speed recorders
> > > Fri Nov 23, 2012 3:08 pm (PST) . Posted by:"dhartman@"
> > > douglas_p_hartmanThanks. I guess I kind of knew that. Leo's probably
> > > correct in his airline analogy. Better for efficiency, investment, etc.
> > > But losing a lot, also (and I know you're smiling, Karl).
> > >
> > > Does anyone know how tight they keep things - how much slack they cut
> > > engineers on running?
> >
>
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