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Remaining CSX management hits the bricks.

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Posted by Shadow the Cats owner on Thursday, October 26, 2017 11:19 AM

All I know is our customers that are served by CSX are screaming bloody freaking murder at them calling us demanding anything we can do to help and we are trying our best to do so.  However we can't haul 100 tons at a time of product into them per car and our drivers and trucks are showing the strain.  Hell everyone that has customers on CSX is starting to crack from the extra pressure that I have talked to at the larger fleets.  Our fleet average is up almost 500 miles a week in the last quarter from 2500 miles to jsut over 2900 miles a week per truck on the road and that includes our spotters we have.   Our drivers are tired and need a break but we know they aren't getting one until CSX rights itself and we all know that isn't coming anytime soon.  I'm pulling my hair out trying to get my drivers home when they need to be and also allowing the mechanics the needed time to keep the fleet running right.  When my next vacation comes up I am going to find a place where my phone doesn't work my hubby can see his trains and my kids can run around.  Then I am parking my butt in a chair for 2 weeks and not moving.  This is after if I am given the chance of dropkicking EHH his O2 tank and his freaking EGO and his PSR ideas beyond Pluto.

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Posted by Norm48327 on Thursday, October 26, 2017 10:44 AM

Euclid

From the article:

“…we think investors suspect there could be something else behind this. We do not think the departure of these three people, long-tenured executives at the firm, came on completely amicable terms. We think their departure could further disenfranchise additional employees, many of which may blame current management for their departures.”

 

What evidence is there to “think” these things other than a preconceived belief the EHH is making bad decisions or cannot be trusted?

Harrison's greed and willingness to be used as a pawn of Paul Hilal are obvious to the deaf and blind. He's in failing health, (and his mental health at present is questionable),  yet he demands millions for his service so that his heirs can benefit. He knows he is living on borrowed time yet he is determined to have his way in restructuring CSX.

Harrison, in essence, is working for the hedge fund led by Paul Hilal and short term gains hedge funds seek before they suddenly dump stock. IMO, Harrison does not care if the investors other than Hilal's hedge fund get a good deal.

My thoughts are based on the corporate raiders of the eighties and nineties. Think"Carl Ichan" the classic corporate raider who extracted profits from, and then send companies to their grave yard. I see this scenario recurring again.

Some of Harrison's dictums may have merit but I see him proceeding to far, too fast to be sensible.

It's speculation but I suspect this will not end well and it will be Harrison's last hurrah.

Norm


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Posted by Norm48327 on Thursday, October 26, 2017 10:24 AM

oltmannd

Sounds like Eliasson and Sanborn were fired with a golden parachute.  Press release has all the standard "nice" phrases in it.  EHH just picked a guy he thinks is a "plug and play" replacement for himself.  Time must be short.

Don,

I would suspect those three had minor differences with Harrison that he didn't like. He doesn't take that lightly and probably gave them the option of retiring/ resigning or be fired. Harrison is known to be very heavy-handed with those who have the intestinal fortitude to stand up for their beliefs and challenge him. That was the way he operated at both CN and CP. Would we expect him to change? Not likely IMO.

"My way or the highway" seems to fit Harrison's attitude toward those under him right down to hourly employees.

Norm


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Posted by Euclid on Thursday, October 26, 2017 10:02 AM

From the article:

“…we think investors suspect there could be something else behind this. We do not think the departure of these three people, long-tenured executives at the firm, came on completely amicable terms. We think their departure could further disenfranchise additional employees, many of which may blame current management for their departures.”

 

What evidence is there to “think” these things other than a preconceived belief the EHH is making bad decisions or cannot be trusted?

 

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Posted by Miningman on Thursday, October 26, 2017 9:53 AM

Well now, that is significant. Thanks Bruce.

That is quite the picture of EHH. Guderian had that look when the Soviet forces stopped him cold and threw him back at the gates of Moscow. 

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Posted by Bruce Kelly on Thursday, October 26, 2017 9:27 AM

In case it hasn't been posted elsewhere already at this forum:

http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/freight/class-i/csx-cancels-investor-day-share-price-drops.html

 

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Posted by oltmannd on Thursday, October 26, 2017 7:12 AM

Sounds like Eliasson and Sanborn were fired with a golden parachute.  Press release has all the standard "nice" phrases in it.  

EHH just picked a guy he thinks is a "plug and play" replacement for himself.  Time must be short.

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

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Posted by BOB WITHORN on Thursday, October 26, 2017 6:44 AM
It actually makes sense. I tried to keep most of the staff when 'merging'. A few months in you find the ones that just can't adjust to a new program. Some leave, others try hard but just won't acknowledge they don't fit. I'm now on the other side and hopefully they decide I get it and can stay. CEO back to G/Mgr.
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Posted by PNWRMNM on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 10:11 PM

He is former CN, so presumably understands EHH and what he is trying to do. I am surprised that the change took as long as it did.

Mac

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 10:06 PM

     The new guy must be something! It looks like he's replacing 2 people?

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 7:20 PM

ATSFGuy

So what is the status at CSX?, I read on Facebook that some don't like EHH, they feel he reduced the workforce, fired some top management personel and messed up the railroad somehow.  Or are certain railfans moaning and groaning?

Yes.  As with many things of this nature, there's a little from each column there.

Probably the biggest problem is that no one outside the executive suite seems to have any idea of what the end state of all the changes will be, outside of "precision scheduled railroading."

Many wonder if the bulk of the changes thus far are designed to improve the railroad, or the bottom line.

LarryWhistling
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There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by ATSFGuy on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 7:05 PM

So what is the status at CSX?, I read on Facebook that some don't like EHH, they feel he reduced the workforce, fired some top management personel and messed up the railroad somehow.  Or are certain railfans moaning and groaning?

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Posted by Saturnalia on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 6:53 PM

Shadow the Cats owner

When the big shots leave then it is time for the stockholders to take notice.  However they are so enamered with EHH they could care less.  Only when the railroad is in bankrupcy court will they notice that he is a fraud.  Most of the savings he comes by are from the fire sale of assets in the first few years when he takes out main lines then sidings and sells all locomotives he deems unneeded.

If CSX isn't losing money, then how could they be on the road to bankruptcy? They're making just as much cash as ever. 

He's also sold off almost nothing, except for retire a bunch of 25-year-old GEs which were headed for retirement anyways. 

I just don't buy your argument. It's fine to complain when that stuff actually happens, but currently, there's nothing to support your claims. 

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Posted by Shadow the Cats owner on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 3:10 PM

When the big shots leave then it is time for the stockholders to take notice.  However they are so enamered with EHH they could care less.  Only when the railroad is in bankrupcy court will they notice that he is a fraud.  Most of the savings he comes by are from the fire sale of assets in the first few years when he takes out main lines then sidings and sells all locomotives he deems unneeded.

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Remaining CSX management hits the bricks.
Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 1:18 PM

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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