In the railroad industry, deadhead transportation is a way of life for many. Today, the most common method of deadheading is a contract van company. There are a wide variety of van companies that have contracted with the various railroads to provide transportation services to railroad workers. This transportation of railroad workers has been deemed by courts to be the “operational activity” of the railroad and, therefore, within the scope of coverage of the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) if an accident occurs on a deadhead trip.