I am a transportation employee of nearly 20 years and BNSF has taken a complete 180 in that time. On the transportation side (conductor/engineer) it was a given that we have no set schedule (zero predictability when you'll get called and have to report within an hour and a half, 9am.. 9pm.. who knows, constantly work 12+ hours at all hours of the day/night) but receive modest pay and benefits for it, as long as we abided by a 25% availability policy (can only take off a max 5 weekdays and 2 weekend days a month). That was what somewhat balanced the scale, taking time off when you needed due to unpredictability and long/grueling hours of job.
Within the past few years, the other four Class 1 railroads in the U.S. (largest) have gone all in on what's called Precision Scheduled Railroading (but don't be fooled, there's nothing precise or scheduled.. it's nothing more than smoke and mirrors to boost shareholder value) including harsh attendance policies and other operational and crew management decisions that leave you scratching your head. But BNSF kind of held back (we call it PSR-Lite). However, they have now instituted a draconian attendance policy including harsh punishment which now allows me to take one day off a month as long as I work 28 straight days (no days off including paid time off) to earn those "points" back, and remember, this is an on call job with various hours called, long shifts.. This is not sustainable, and the reason I plan to walk away from this dumpster fire of a company before my coveted 20th year (retirement). It's that bad, it breaks my heart.
The company I have served humbly for, giving away countless weekends, holidays, special events, have missed family time by being stranded out of town more times than I can count, has now made any kind of personal life completely unsustainable. Just when you think things can't get worse, they do.. that's been the mantra for over five years now.
Don't be fooled, although this is one of Warren Buffet's money makers, there's a reason for it, squeezing every ounce of life left from its workforce with zero appreciation for their sacrifice. We are fatigued, we are beat down, and the hits keep coming.
The railroad industry is in complete disarray and has left a great job completely not worth the sacrifices involved.
