Pros
The ONLY pro is a steady paycheck, even though the pay is not competitive anymore. Did I say it’s a joke to work for now?
Cons
Work rules are stacked against you and you’re pretty much set up to get fired every day you clock in. They’ve taken it a step further by using drones to spy on you when you’re working out in the yards. Like doing a good job, and have pride in your work? Good, management will take advantage of that, and run you in to the ground. Find a problem outlined by the companies written standard work that could cause a locomotive to fail pulling a train? Dearly noted, but if your manager is one of the few that’s still employed that has worked their way up, they’re probably gonna tell you “I used to be a (mechanic/electrician) I’m sure that’s not gonna be a problem.” The kids fresh out of college that have a degree in religion, and can’t hold a wrench right will just ask “will it make a trip?” Like doing the bare minimum, playing stupid, have no ambition to learn your job? This is a great place for you, because the few that are decent will be forced to pick up your slack, so go ahead, burn up that battery on your cell phone, management will run your union brothers in to the ground to pick up your slack. The pay is considerably less then the national average now, specially after this last contract that was a underhanded deal to “pass”. Safety is only relevant if it doesn’t hold up production. (That’s thanks to the shareholder driven CEO that’s out of touch with the boots on the ground people.) But get caught slipping up when there isn’t a crunch for that particular locomotive you’re working on, then they’re trying to fire you. There’s no initiative to go above and beyond as well as work safe. Shareholders and operating ratios are more important then making employees feel valued/appreciated. No weekends off, forced to work holidays, and you can expect be on second or third shift for the first few years.