IX. FAMILIARIZATION.

A. Employees will not be required to lose time or “ride the road" on their own time in order to qualify for the new operations.  Employees will be provided with a sufficient number of familiarization trips in order to become familiar with the new territory. Issues concerning individual qualifications shall be handled with local operating officers. The parties recognize that different terrain and train tonnage impact the number of trips necessary and the operating officer assigned to the merger will work with the local Managers of Operating Practices and local chairmen in implementing this section.