I think so too, although not with CN or CP.. Discussions are probably already underway with BNSF or UP. The "announcement" will come after alot of the groundwork has already been done. They have to go fast, knowing that they have a business friendly president in the White House who is likely to be a one term wonder. EHH knows he's got a small window of opportunity in which to make it happen.
Shippers and STB will never let it happen unless a credible operating and business plan can be submitted which shows good benefits that can't be achieved any other way - i.e., such as by interline agreements. That's per the STB rules resulting from the similar previous proposed end-to-end merger of BNSF with CN circa 2000. CSX achieving a low OR isn't in the shippers' interest or of no concern to the STB, respectively.
- PDN. .
Ulrich I think so too, although not with CN or CP.. Discussions are probably already underway with BNSF or UP. The "announcement" will come after alot of the groundwork has already been done. They have to go fast, knowing that they have a business friendly president in the White House who is likely to be a one term wonder. EHH knows he's got a small window of opportunity in which to make it happen.
Somewhere else, I don't remember if on here or another site, there was talk that BNSF or UP might be a target in a few years. His release from the CP has a time limit (4 years I think) stipulation that keeps him from the two western carriers. After that, he can (try) gobble up any one.
I've heard the sandhouse rumors that UP is worried about EHH at CSX. I'm not sure why, unless it's that CSX was always thought to be the one UP would marry up with in the final round of mergers. EHH may not be a friend to the agreement people, but he is definitely no friend of the non-agreement (managers) people. They are the easiest to get rid of.
Jeff
jeffhergertEHH may not be a friend to the agreement people, but he is definitely no friend of the non-agreement (managers) people. They are the easiest to get rid of. Jeff
Especially since CSX over the past decade or more has done about everything possible to discourage 'contract' people from accepting 'promotion' into non-contract positions. They didn't want 'managers' to have any seniority to fall back on when it came time to be fired. At the 'entry level' non-contract positions most employees took a pay decrease for their chance to 'grab the brass ring' in stepping from contract to non-contract. Some fools still went for the empty promises of non-contract positions.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
BaltACD jeffhergert EHH may not be a friend to the agreement people, but he is definitely no friend of the non-agreement (managers) people. They are the easiest to get rid of. Jeff Especially since CSX over the past decade or more has done about everything possible to discourage 'contract' people from accepting 'promotion' into non-contract positions. They didn't want 'managers' to have any seniority to fall back on when it came time to be fired. At the 'entry level' non-contract positions most employees took a pay decrease for their chance to 'grab the brass ring' in stepping from contract to non-contract. Some fools still went for the empty promises of non-contract positions.
jeffhergert EHH may not be a friend to the agreement people, but he is definitely no friend of the non-agreement (managers) people. They are the easiest to get rid of. Jeff
A year or two back, some who were looking to go into managment in my corner of the world, were being told that to be considered they had to give up their craft seniority. One guy who had accepted a management position shortly before this policy started was asked if he would still give up his seniority. (He didn't.) I don't know if this policy is still in effect, but I don't hear of as many people looking at going into supervisory positions as I used to.
Paul_D_North_JrShippers and STB will never let it happen unless a credible operating and business plan can be submitted which shows good benefits that can't be achieved any other way - i.e., such as by interline agreements. That's per the STB rules resulting from the similar previous proposed end-to-end merger of BNSF with CN circa 2000.
But, but, EHH has magic beans! ...or was it pixie dust?
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
LOL Or the Emperor's new clothes ?
Perhaps we'll again see a beautiful scheme (theory) murdered by a gang of brutal facts (and laws/ policies).
- PDN.
Don and Paul,
I'm taking my usual "wait-and-see" attitude here. It's going to be difficult for Harrison to work his magic given that CSX is not a "point A to point B railroad" like the previous three he headed up. Too many spiders spinning the CSX web for it to be that, and the income from the coal lines would be lost should he try to make the triangle the sole source of revenue while selling off the lines that have traditionally provided substantial income for CSX. Today's politics are, or should be, a huge factor in his decisions. Under Obama's "war on coal" shedding thos lines may have been appropriate; not so much now that there is a new sheriff in town.
Given the changes in government coal is not dead and Harrison would be a fool to ignore that and sell those lines to short lines simply to seek short term profit. Sure, the bottom line can temporarilly be made to look better by selling off assets. Whether that leads to long term results remains to be seen. I will give him the benefit of the doubt as there are inefficencies in every system and if he can ferrett those inefficiencies out and eliminate them without creating havoc and destroying employee's lives more power to him.
Perhaps his ultimate goal is a true "transcontinental" railroad. No one knows that at this point and we can't read his mind.
Harrison's track record clearly shows he is "an investor's man" and is not concerned in the least about those who make profits possible through the sweat of their brow.
Far too many time in my lifetime have I seen CEO's get multi-millions in rewards while destroying a corporation. Think Sears, Montgomery Ward, and many other companies.
I have no dog in this fight. The above is simply my observation.
Norm
Understand a non-contract 'blood bath' is taking place in Jacksonville today. No idea of the numbers being terminated. Nothing is safe!
LOL - Someone is pretty creative (and has too much time on their hands . . . ). And C. Keurig the coffeemaker is more critical to operations and is probably the one actually responsible for the failures . . .
I'm very curious why 2816 is sitting dormant in a Shop in Calgary and what affiliation Harrison Hunter has with it.
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