CSX Conductor/Engineer reviews

No set schedule make's it very hard to plan even a day ahead of time though that isn't as much CSX's fault as it is the nature of the industry. Most management employee's are hired out of college and have no understanding of what it actually takes to make things happen. They have no railroad experiance and they are taught to feel superior to craft employees. They try to force un-realistic policies and practices into place that hurt production, customer, and employee satisfaction. Employees are required to carry 5+ rule books at all times and penalties for even minor diviations from the book* are blown completely out of proportion. Rules are subject to interpritation and what is acceptable to one manager may not be to the next so your never comfortable with what your doing and spend more time worried about wether or not a manager is watching you with night vision than about doing your job and staying alive. They preach safety, accountability, and wellness, but only if it dosn't actually require them to do anything or spend a couple of dollars. * Employees have recieved time off for walking to fast, standing with their hands in their pockets, not saying over or out on the radio, taking safety glasses off momentarly because they had fogged up, and many many other petty violations.

No family life, on call 24/7 365 days a year, being laid off for extended periods. Managers are now hired out of college, instead of coming up through the ranks. They have no knowledge of the operations, equipment, or personal they are required to supervise. Constant fear of losing your job over small rules infractions. Pay raises are not keeping up with inflation. After 6 months of training, you have all the responsibilities of a 5+ years conductor at 80% of the pay.