Pros
Worked as a guide for multiple yrs. Initially they actually trained you on tours but once the economy went south many people are sent out on cold tours with not much useful info. They do keep you busy with work which is good but since you an employee they will send you where they choose and for as long as they want. I was fortunate in that I had a great boss and my assignments were pretty much what I liked to do. People internally actually were attentive but change could not always be achieved due to upper mgmt restrictions. They will send you anywhere in the world which for some is a good thing. They allow a guide to tweak the intinerary to make things work. You often have to as the way the itinerary is written a tour is impossible to run
Cons
Many destinations do not employ any local guides or if they do provide them only for a day or two. This is difficult for a US based guide unless you really have knowledge or passion for a destination. Difficult to sell overpriced options or cutting down of included features due to mgmt wanting to make more money. Pay is ok but found other companies pay better with less hassles. Like many family run business you have family members employed. Some do a great job and others are lousy. How do you criticize a family member to your boss when things are screwed up? Since they use salesmen to fill the buses you do get some overzealous salesmen type to build expectations to levels no one could ever achieve. When things go wrong there is a lot of pressure to keep people happy since your upsetting a 'group' vs just an individual. Sometimes having multiple groups on one coach can be very challenging.