Not the job it used to be - Anonymous employee BNSF Railway Employee Review

1.0
Jan 16, 2022
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Company was good when I hited on but has sadly been going downhill fast

Cons

You only get 4 days off a month now and have to be available 24 7. The board will show you working for 7am and you will rest accordingly but when you wake up at 7 am after sleeping 7 hours the board will change and say your going to work at 9pm. So youll probably get call to work at 11pm after being up 16 hours and be expected to operate a train for 12 hours and then go to dirty hotel because BNSF was able to get it for a discount. You will spend up to 24 hours at said hotel without compensation before you get a call for a train to go back home. Then imagine if you break any rule while on duty they can put you on a 3 year probation. Imagine working fatigued all the time. Imagine a divorce rate way above the national average because your never home. Imagine average lifespan of a railroad conductor at 60 is only 2 to 5 years. Imagine having a camera installed 3 feet from you to watch you at all times. Imagine a company who wants you on probation for 3 years for any tiny thing because they think thats good management. Imagine working for BNSF

Explore other reviews about BNSF Railway

5.0
Jul 8, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

-Great Benefits -People Forward culture -Railroad Retirement

Cons

-Some working policies are as forward as they can be for a railroad but are not as flexible compared to other industries

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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