Overall, I would liken Corning to a college fraternity or sorority - in that you pay for any loyalty the company shows you by surviving the lifelong hazing and brainwashing.
This may sound ironic - but I personally accept the trade-off. I believe it's important for people considering a move to Corning (especially Corning NY specifically) to be aware of the undertones of "Stepford" that exists here. I actually tend to be frustrated by people who can't accept the conditions at the company and expect the company to adapt to them. This is Corning, after all, and it's been this way for 160 years - get over yourselfs and get in step with the establishment! Or, decline the job offer.
I should also add that specific to my Stepford reference...be VERY aware that you will be pressured outside of work to do things in the community that your bosses agree with. A recent example is the school system vote. There were voicemails from senior executives telling people how to vote and a lot of internal pressure to vote a certain way.
And while most people are very nice throughout the company (and they really are), remember...if you cross your boss outside of work (or your kid beats their kid in a baseball game...), be prepared to pay the price at work. Just remember that your personal life and job are now one in the same.
