The management training is great, as is the pay, but be prepared to surrender all aspects of your life to the railroad.
Pros
The pay and benefits are very good, annual merit raises and bonuses ensure a good salary. Norfolk Southern also provides tuition reimbursement and generous moving packages. Depending on location, this is an extremely fast-paced, high stress environment. Be prepared to make quick decisions with major consequences several times a day. Norfolk Southern has NEVER laid of management, even through the recent downturn in the economy. This is an exceptionally safe industry.
Cons
There is no regard for life outside the railroad. At all times, the freight must run, and regardless of position, transportation operations is always on call. While the pay is generous, there is no sense of job satisfaction. At the end of the day, there is never a feeling of accomplishment, only a constant reminder of what one did not do, or what could have been done better. As with any job with a unionized workforce, there are labor/management problems on occasion. A large percentage of the labor force is lazy, childish, and petty, with no work ethic, mainly because the disciplinary program is weak and agreement workers know it. Upper management will always defer to the Union. Be prepared to apologize to grown men for hurting their feelings.
