Big Letdown - Railroad Conductor BNSF Railway Employee Review

1.0
Oct 16, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Pay and benefits are very good. Union protection is also a plus. Work is interesting and is never the same each day, big variety.

Cons

Management doesn't have a clue what really happens out in the field. Every accident is the employees fault unless proved otherwise. Lots of extra deductions come out of your check so you don't take home anywhere near what you are promised. Step rate pay system. Start at 75% of full rate and go up from there over 5 years. Work not always steady, furloughs very common especially within first 5 years of employment and beyond sometimes.

Explore other reviews about BNSF Railway

5.0
Jun 24, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

This is a great place to start and grow your career, especially as an MT, with tons of opportunities to take on projects and explore what interests you. Leadership at every level is genuinely supportive and approachable, and people across the company are always willing to teach, mentor, and help you succeed. Compensation and benefits are competitive, and the Business Resource Groups really add to the sense of community and development.

Cons

There are so many opportunities that it can sometimes feel a little overwhelming figuring out what path to focus on. Balancing day-to-day work with all the development options can be a bit challenging depending on your role and workload.

5.0
Jul 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great people and strong coworkers across the organization. The company offers competitive pay, strong benefits, and good overall stability. There are many experienced employees who care about the work and are willing to help others succeed.

Cons

The organization can be very hierarchical, which sometimes makes it difficult to drive change or move quickly. Decisions often require multiple layers of approval, so it can take longer than expected to finalize direction or make progress. There is also limited flexibility compared to what many other companies offer, especially when it comes to working arrangements.

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