On January 10, BLET Division 71 member Jacqueline Y. Pettyjohn operated her last SEPTA train from Philadelphia International Airport to Suburban Station, in center city Philadelphia. Pettyjohn not only completed the run, she also capped her 40-year career, where she was No. 1 on the seniority roster and had a perfect attendance record with zero operating rule infractions.
SEPTA’s first female locomotive engineer, she hired out on the railroad in 1984. Upon completion of her last run, she was met by hundreds of coworkers who wanted to show their great appreciation for her. It was an emotional send-off that touched the heart of the veteran engineer. Pettyjohn told Philadelphia television station NBC 10: “I was shocked. I did not expect that. When I went home, it just hit me. I cried Friday night, Saturday and Sunday, all day. I just couldn’t believe the outpouring of love they had for me and I have the same for them.”
SEPTA General Chairman Don Hill said she is extremely loyal to the BLET, her employer, and the community she served. “I have never seen or experienced a negative vibe associated with her. Her response to any request from the union was always YES! Words cannot express the deep gratitude I personally have along with the rest of my SEPTA family. We absolutely adore her and will genuinely miss her as a friend and coworker.”
Jackie was featured in this video on The Know by Yahoo in 2019: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p61ziVTWPU&t=85s
Image: Philadelphia NBC 10