News Wire: Medical condition often forces Hunter Harrison to work from home

[Brian Schmidt]

But CSX says chief executive is fully engaged in daily operations

http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2017/05/18-ehh-health

[wanswheel]

Excerpt from Morningstar (WSJ article via Dow Jones Newswires)

http://news.morningstar.com/all/dow-jones/us-markets/201705181435/health-issue-looms-over-celebrated-csx-chief-wsj.aspx

During his final two years at CP, he used the portable oxygen system and rarely traveled to the company's head office in Calgary, Alberta, because the high altitude made breathing difficult, people familiar with the company said.

For many years he has conducted most of his business from his home office near West Palm Beach, Fla. Lately, he has been monitoring the progress of new train schedules and cost cutting at CSX rail yards and dispatch centers from computer screens.

Mr. Harrison said he plans to attend next month's shareholder meeting.

[CJtrainguy]

Fully engaged or bunkered away behind layers of gatekeepers? How will he know the railroad he heads if he's not out there, on the actual premises?

And I see folks traveling on Amtrak with oxygen, so what else is there to the story?

[BaltACD]

CSX does not need a invalid pawn of a hedge fund as a CEO.

[NKP guy]

BaltACD

CSX does not need a invalid pawn of a hedge fund as a CEO.

 

As usual, right on, Balt.  

 

[cprtrain]

Sorry, but a CEO on life support and a pawn of a hedge fund is not what CSX needs. This is nothing more than GREED!

[Ulrich]

He's not on life support. He's 70+ years old and toting an oxygen tank. Lots of people his age in the same situation.

[switch7frg]

Could it be he has C.o.p.d.. That is not a nice illness to have. That would a person have shortness of breath and rob one of energy. Higher altitude surely don't help a person to breathe. 

                                                 Cannonball

[BaltACD]

Ulrich

He's not on life support. He's 70+ years old and toting an oxygen tank. Lots of people his age in the same situation.

If you have to carry oxygen at 70+ you should not be in a position to make decisions that affect thousands of people's lives.  You are subject to poor oxygenation of your body and the poor decisions that result from a oxygen diminished brain.  Even if you are younger you should not be in a position to make life critical decisions.

[Ulrich]

To the best of my knowledge that's the purpose of the oxygen tank, to prevent poor oxygenation. If the condition has been corrected via means of the tank then there's nolonger a problem. 

[NKP guy]

   Would CSX hire a man of 70 with a serious respiratory condition for any other position except CEO?  Why should this man be given a pass?  

   For that matter, should a man of 70 be President of the United States?  What's with these old guys?  

   In both cases, does (advanced) age lead to better outcomes for either company or country?  As evidenced by what?

   It's time for some new ideas from some younger people who will be around in a few decades to live with the results of their decisions.  These two men should be having lunch with their buddies, doing service work, or playing golf.  Who would argue that either one is at the top of his game?   

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ulrich]

Because he passed the company medical? And maybe because he wasn't hired to lift refrigerators or to run the four minute mile. He was hired for his ability to think and to lead. And because the same laws that protect a lower level employee from being discriminated against on the basis of a physical disability also apply to him. 

Don't knock the old guys.. you and I and everyone else here, should we be lucky enough  to live that long, will one day soon be old too. Maybe not on top of his game anymore, but still functioning and capable.. not quite ready for the grave yet.

 

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

My understanding is that Harrison (and the hedge fund) have refused for him to be subjected to any kind of medical exam. 

- PDN. 

[Ulrich]

Apparently they didn't think his medical condition was much of an impediment.. and they're the ones who are paying him. 

[BaltACD]

Ulrich

Apparently they didn't think his medical condition was much of an impediment.. and they're the ones who are paying him.

Their intent is for CSX to pay him, not only for service at CSX but what he left on the table at CP.

No F'N way!

I know how I voted my shares, if the 'institutions' are dumb enough to hire a invalid they are too dumb to be handling the funds they have been entrusted with.

[Paul_D_North_Jr]

wanswheel

Excerpt from Morningstar (WSJ article via Dow Jones Newswires)

http://news.morningstar.com/all/dow-jones/us-markets/201705181435/health-issue-looms-over-celebrated-csx-chief-wsj.aspx

During his final two years at CP, he used the portable oxygen system and rarely traveled to the company's head office in Calgary, Alberta, because the high altitude made breathing difficult, people familiar with the company said.

For many years he has conducted most of his business from his home office near West Palm Beach, Fla. . . . [emphasis added - PDN]

 The high altitude rationale for him needing oxygen is bogus if applied to his tenure at CSX.  Neither his office at West Palm Beach nor CSX headquarters at Jacksonville can be much more than 100 ft. above sea level . . . 

- PDN. 

[samfp1943]

switch7frg

Could it be he has C.o.p.d.. That is not a nice illness to have. That would a person have shortness of breath and rob one of energy. Higher altitude surely don't help a person to breathe. 

                                                 Cannonball

 

Could Be, (I'm no doctor!) but COPD can lead to a condition that is refered to by its initials as well, S.O.B. ( Short of Breath)....In some quarters, this might be considered to be KARMA?  

[Ulrich]

I guess we'll see.. Hunter has arrived so the proverbial horse is out of the barn. Best we can do now is to wish him luck..

[Los Angeles Rams Guy]

It's obvious that Ulrich is an EHH apologist and I guess if you like that lying slimeball who obviously has no regret or care in wrecking other peoples lives and careers, that's your prerogative.  But I find it incredibly sad and gut-wrenching that CSXT stockholders would want this guy who's health is questionable at best to lead the railroad.  Just as he did at CN and then at CPRS, he may initially raise the market worth of the company but what he'll leave behind is an absolute wreck of a railroad that's been gutted beyond recognition and will take YEARS if not decades to recover.     

[BaltACD]

Ulrich

I guess we'll see.. Hunter has arrived so the proverbial horse is out of the barn. Best we can do now is to wish him luck..

The Stockholders vote will decide the EHH issue, the date of which is June 7.  I know how I voted my shares.  EHH has stated that if CSX doesn't pay the money he left at CP he will go away - hopefully we will get to see of EHH is a man of his word.

[Ulrich]

Los Angeles Rams Guy

It's obvious that Ulrich is an EHH apologist and I guess if you like that lying slimeball who obviously has no regret or care in wrecking other peoples lives and careers, that's your prerogative.  But I find it incredibly sad and gut-wrenching that CSXT stockholders would want this guy who's health is questionable at best to lead the railroad.  Just as he did at CN and then at CPRS, he may initially raise the market worth of the company but what he'll leave behind is an absolute wreck of a railroad that's been gutted beyond recognition and will take YEARS if not decades to recover.     

 

CN and CPRS are far from absolute wrecks... whatever gave you that idea?   

[Los Angeles Rams Guy]

Ulrich

 

 

Los Angeles Rams Guy

It's obvious that Ulrich is an EHH apologist and I guess if you like that lying slimeball who obviously has no regret or care in wrecking other peoples lives and careers, that's your prerogative.  But I find it incredibly sad and gut-wrenching that CSXT stockholders would want this guy who's health is questionable at best to lead the railroad.  Just as he did at CN and then at CPRS, he may initially raise the market worth of the company but what he'll leave behind is an absolute wreck of a railroad that's been gutted beyond recognition and will take YEARS if not decades to recover.     

 

 

 

 

CN and CPRS are far from absolute wrecks... whatever gave you that idea?   

 

Being a 20-year CPRS employee who wound up having his job abolished and was subsequently forced to apply for RR Disability and watched things go hell in a handbasket firsthand, I think I have a pretty good perspective on what all went down under EHH's regime.  Keith Creel may eventually get the company back on good standing but he's got an uphill climb and even he knows it.

[Norm48327]

Ulrich

CN and CPRS are far from absolute wrecks... whatever gave you that idea?

Ulrich,

I disagree. Morale at CN in my area when Harrison was CEO was at an all time low. Dismissal for the slightest infraction was the order of the day and most employees and low level managers were running scared and covering theirs to the best of their ability. Things changed atfer Harrison went to CP. Now go read the comments from employees there. You apppear to have a closed mind to the realities and only care about  the stock value. Seek some daylight.

We all have our own take on things but I think yours is off base. My observations are from one who has no dog in the fight.

[Ulrich]

Norm,

I go by what I read in the quarterly and annual reports, and I do read them. I really do not care about the value of the stock over the short term (more interested in dividend yield) Unless the reports are a complete fabrication and there's massive fraud going on, both carriers appear to be doing alright or maybe even a little better than alright. Yes, I know, the reports don't tell you everything, but they are a pretty good indicator of the health of the business, especially if one goes through the financials. 

About morale being low.. morale is almost always low no matter who the employer happens to be. Sometimes its because the employer is doing a poor job, and sometimes its because people have made up their minds to be unhappy and disatisfied. ..usually its a combination of the two.

[Shadow the Cats owner]

Ulrich I can give you 3 companies in the OTR industry that are being run so similar to how EHH ran CP and CN and how well they ended up.  Celadon, Arrow Trucking and CR England are the 3 I am talking about.  Celadon is for all intents bankrupt why they got caught pumping up their P/E ratio by hiding costs by using Lease Purchase drivers to the point were they are now facing multiple fraud lawsuits.  Arrow literally imploded right before Chirstmas in 2009 stranding thousands of drivers all over the USA with no money fuel and their CEO CFO COO all went to prison.  CR England has spent more time in federal court fighting lawsuits from former employees that they refused to let have a truck that refused to sign a lease Purchase plan that the EEOC and Labor Department stepped in along with the FMCSA and forced them to make 1/2 their fleet company drivers.  Why they were starving new drivers that refused to sign a lease purchase by not letting them finish their training peroid then would deny them their license.  

 

Yet they were all darlings of Wall Street and Venture Capatilsts at one time.  2 of the 3 carriers listed are still running 1 of the 2 still running is so desperate for drivers England that they will almost hire anyone that will sign on.  They have gone so far as they are trying to get H1B visas for drivers.  

[Norm48327]

Ulrich

Norm,

I go by what I read in the quarterly and annual reports, and I do read them. I really do not care about the value of the stock over the short term (more interested in dividend yield) Unless the reports are a complete fabrication and there's massive fraud going on, both carriers appear to be doing alright or maybe even a little better than alright. Yes, I know, the reports don't tell you everything, but they are a pretty good indicator of the health of the business, especially if one goes through the financials. 

About morale being low.. morale is almost always low no matter who the employer happens to be. Sometimes its because the employer is doing a poor job, and sometimes its because people have made up their minds to be unhappy and disatisfied. ..usually its a combination of the two.

You've made your point clear.

[schlimm]

Ulrich

Norm,

I go by what I read in the quarterly and annual reports, and I do read them. I really do not care about the value of the stock over the short term (more interested in dividend yield) Unless the reports are a complete fabrication and there's massive fraud going on, both carriers appear to be doing alright or maybe even a little better than alright. Yes, I know, the reports don't tell you everything, but they are a pretty good indicator of the health of the business, especially if one goes through the financials. 

About morale being low.. morale is almost always low no matter who the employer happens to be. Sometimes its because the employer is doing a poor job, and sometimes its because people have made up their minds to be unhappy and disatisfied. ..usually its a combination of the two.

 

A few observations:

1. The hate-filled ageism seen here by the 65+ crowd is amazing, even more so since many of them voted for the current (as of 5/19/2017) occupant of the WH.

2. The views of current and terminated CN and CP employees might just be a wee bit biased, though understandably so.

I also have no skin in the game.  Let's see where poorly performing CSX is in two years.

[Norm48327]

schlimm

 

 

Ulrich

Norm,

I go by what I read in the quarterly and annual reports, and I do read them. I really do not care about the value of the stock over the short term (more interested in dividend yield) Unless the reports are a complete fabrication and there's massive fraud going on, both carriers appear to be doing alright or maybe even a little better than alright. Yes, I know, the reports don't tell you everything, but they are a pretty good indicator of the health of the business, especially if one goes through the financials. 

About morale being low.. morale is almost always low no matter who the employer happens to be. Sometimes its because the employer is doing a poor job, and sometimes its because people have made up their minds to be unhappy and disatisfied. ..usually its a combination of the two.

 

 

 

 

A few observations:

1. The hate-filled ageism seen here by the 65+ crowd is amazing, even more so since many of them voted for the current (as of 5/19/2017) occupant of the WH.

2. The views of current and terminated CN and CP employees might just be a wee bit biased, though understandably so.

I also have no skin in the game.  Let's see where poorly performing CSX is in two years.

schlimm,

 based on previous agreements I believe you are in violation of them therefore I am terminating the agreement we reached a few years ago. Your intent is nothing more than an intent to stir the pot and create dissention among the troups.  All bets and agreements between  us are off. You have revealed yourself to the political position you stand for. You have declared all bets off at this point.

Take your degree which I have doubt of and your sense of self-worthiness and stick it where the sun don't shine. You have been feeding us a line of bull for years. I speak for myself but think others think the same of your attitude toward those who don't have the level of education you think necessary to form an opinion. You , in your manner, have corrupted this forum in the name of political correctness. You occasionally slide something in to back up your agenda.

[Comment removed by moderator]

I will not be awaiting a reply but wil be waiting to hear what others think.

This forum needs an "ignore" button.

[Euclid]

Norm48327

schlimm, based on previous agreements I believe you are in violation of them therefore I am terminating the agreement we reached a few years ago.

I didn't know you two had an agreement.

[Ulrich]

Norm48327

 

 

schlimm

 

 

Ulrich

Norm,

I go by what I read in the quarterly and annual reports, and I do read them. I really do not care about the value of the stock over the short term (more interested in dividend yield) Unless the reports are a complete fabrication and there's massive fraud going on, both carriers appear to be doing alright or maybe even a little better than alright. Yes, I know, the reports don't tell you everything, but they are a pretty good indicator of the health of the business, especially if one goes through the financials. 

About morale being low.. morale is almost always low no matter who the employer happens to be. Sometimes its because the employer is doing a poor job, and sometimes its because people have made up their minds to be unhappy and disatisfied. ..usually its a combination of the two.

 

 

 

 

A few observations:

1. The hate-filled ageism seen here by the 65+ crowd is amazing, even more so since many of them voted for the current (as of 5/19/2017) occupant of the WH.

2. The views of current and terminated CN and CP employees might just be a wee bit biased, though understandably so.

I also have no skin in the game.  Let's see where poorly performing CSX is in two years.

 

 

schlimm,

 based on previous agreements I believe you are in violation of them therefore I am terminating the agreement we reached a few years ago. Your intent is nothing more than an intent to stir the pot and create dissention among the troups.  All bets and agreements between  us are off. You have revealed yourself to the political position you stand for. You have declared all bets off at this point.

Take your degree which I have doubt of and your sense of self-worthiness and stick it where the sun don't shine. You have been feeding us a line of bull for years. I speak for myself but think others think the same of your attitude toward those who don't have the level of education you think necessary to form an opinion. You , in your manner, have corrupted this forum in the name of political correctness. You occasionally slide something in to back up your agenda.

Show us the proof or shut up. We are tired of listenning to your political agenda. IOW, GFYS! Your ilk is not welcomed by those of who are railfans.

I will not be awaiting a reply but wil be waiting to hear what others think.

This forum needs an "ignore" button.

 

 

I'm going to say both of you are valuable contributors to the forum. An opposing viewpoint is not a personal affront or a declaration of war.