Pros
Deffinatley one of the top paying jobs without a college degree. The health insurance is great. Only state employees have better health benefits around where I live. Railroad retirement is probly the best retirement plan out there and the retirement age is age 60. Easy to move around to different locations. Company is closed shop union so where you can work is based on seniorty but this can also work against you if you're new. It can be easy to get overtime here. If you want to work constantly and make money this place might be for you. Better for someone who is in their 20's, single, and has no kids. This place has a 30 year retirement so get in before you are 30 so you can collect the maximum amount of retirement at age 60.
Cons
The attendance policy is overly strict. If you take any non paid time off including sick for more than 24 hours you get written up unless you have a doctor's note. The managment is always trying to write you up or threaten you so they can hold things over your head. As a new employee you will not be able to hold a job with a regular work schedule and you will have to work on call and be available 6 days a week including all holidays. They ship freight 24 hours a day 365 days a year. You will not have a regular sleep patern because of this and it will take years to hold a regular job. You only get 3 personal days as a new hire and 2 weeks vacation. One week must be taken in a block. It is very difficult to make plans around this type of lifestyle. You are subject to random drug and breathalyzer tests so there is no drinking when you are on call for work.