Do I actually want to work for a Canadian railway?

[rizacks]

It looks like I might be getting hired at CN.

I currently work as a marketing manager in an office for around 50k, its cushy, but I'm young and single and want to make more money.


Are all the stories about it being easy to fail out of training, get fired and the shitty politics true? Seems like a lot of railroaders these days are miserable?

 

[ENR3809]

It looks like I might be getting hired at CN.

Are all the stories about it being easy to fail out of training, get fired and the shitty politics true? Seems like a lot of railroaders these days are miserable?

Yup, all true.

 

[BNSFEng]

It looks like I might be getting hired at CN.

I currently work as a marketing manager in an office for around 50k, its cushy, but I'm young and single and want to make more money.
Are all the stories about it being easy to fail out of training, get fired and the shitty politics true? Seems like a lot of railroaders these days are miserable?

They may be miserable but don't let them drag you down to their level. I've been railroading going on 20 years and there are people who always complain about the littlest of things just to be heard. Then there are others of us who understand what the BIG picture is about and enjoy what they're doing. Everyone wants a bigger piece of the big profits pie than what they are getting which is via contract. If you want more, ask your union rep to request profit sharing next contract. Everyone wants more time off and more time at home, well the road jobs aren't for you but they make the most money. We make around $90,000 - $120,000 on the road and only $45,000 - $60,000 in the yard. You pick what's right for you and your family. Since you are young & single you would probably want the road and start saving a good amount or investing. It'll come in handy when you get older and want a cushy yard job or local. Hope you jump in. By the way, I'd get in an employee stock buying program with CN if they have one. CN is a good stock to buy. I'm having two shares of my company's (Berkshire-Hathaway, the people who bought BNSF Railway) bought every month and it's at $124/share up from $78 when I first started. Have fun and enjoy the railroad, have a positive attitude at all times and soak in as much information as you can, you'll do well!