There's no "disrespect" meant. What I can tell you is, I
LIVED that environment, the intimidation both implied and direct. Example. NS wanted to get some work agreement changes from its employees. They were going to close some shops. They already
knew which ones. (Bellevue, OH and Princeton, WV). They used psychological intimidation to get what they wanted. They threatened to close any one of three shops and move the work to another. They told the Charlotte, NC employees they would close
that shop while, at the same time, telling the employees at Bellevue and Princeton they would close
their shops if they didn't get their way. All along the decision had already been made: The Bellevue and Princeton shops were coming to Charlotte. So when the company got the concessions they wanted, the move was made.
What IS true is, the railroad environment is like NO other you will encounter. NONE. I would go so far as to say that all one's management experience is not applicable to the railroad because it is so different. Many railroads STILL train their supervisors as tho they are drill sergeants. Not only that, they put enormous pressure on the managers up and down the line. What we say comes from the best teacher of all:
experience! We don't say these things out of idle bitterness: they are true. In MY case, I have no reason to lie about it: I'm retired now. But I
remember the pressure that was on ME whether it was as an operator, a station agent or mobile agent. There was always a Trainmaster or other supervisor hiding in the bushes, figuratively, to try to find
something
to getcha on! If you don't believe it, just ask ANY railroad employee what "run-off insurance" is! Ask him WHY they have it.
]
