Los Angeles Rams GuyUlrich, This guy was an evil tyrant; a monster and a functioning lunatic who wrecked countless lives and careers and treated people like dirt. I'm one of them and now it's time for him to pay the fiddler. There's a special place in hell for this guy. Good riddance Eugene.
I will add that at least 4 CN employees were killed in accidents directly attributable to cuts EHH made.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
IslandManPlease bear that in mind when commenting on his recent demise - members of Harrison's family may well read the comments in Trains and be very upset by them.
If they don't expect to read about the controversies he caused, then they really didn't know him. Yeah, he had family, but so do many of those he laid off in the name of his plan for profit.
That's the thing with death - it's the great equilizer. No matter how rich or powerful you are in life, you get tossed into a hole just like the poorest of paupers when you die. The end. Time to move on.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
zugmann The end. Time to move on.
It may be time to move on, but moving on will never happen. If the condition of CSX does not improve, it will be Harrison’s fault. If it does improve, it will be because Harrison died before destroying CSX. So even in death, Harrision will be forever essential in explaining the performance of CSX.
zugmann IslandMan Please bear that in mind when commenting on his recent demise - members of Harrison's family may well read the comments in Trains and be very upset by them. If they don't expect to read about the controversies he caused, then they really didn't know him. Yeah, he had family, but so do many of those he laid off in the name of his plan for profit. That's the thing with death - it's the great equilizer. No matter how rich or powerful you are in life, you get tossed into a hole just like the poorest of paupers when you die. The end. Time to move on.
IslandMan Please bear that in mind when commenting on his recent demise - members of Harrison's family may well read the comments in Trains and be very upset by them.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
zugmannNo matter how rich or powerful you are in life, you get tossed into a hole just like the poorest of paupers when you die.
Or perhaps toasted like many others have chosen. Either way it is the end of life and we all , sooner or later meet that fate.
While I'm no admirer of Harrison after having known several employees at CN who were intimidated by his propensity to fire people for the least infraction I do do not have much respect for his modus operandi. Most of the CN employees I know were running scared when Harrison was CEO.
That said, Harrison did substantially improve CN's bottom line even though it was at the expense of many employees both contract and exempt. He was universally hated by the trades people including T&E personnel for his penchant to fire someone for tha minimal offense. That's understandable.
Perhaps he was wrong in dealing with employees in that way is correct but bear in mind he was not alone in trying to reshape things. Hedge fund owners, in my line of thinking, are nothing more than vultures who are only interested in advancing their profits at the expence of all others. Think the corporate raider Carl Ichan of days gone by. That mentality still exists in the hedge fund managers. Get the money and run is the mantra of the day.
Paul Hilal's plan did not work out like he thought it would. Harrison was thought to be healthy when Hilal demanded he be installed as CEO of CSX.
Best laid plans of mice and men......
We all meet our demise eventually. Harrison's time just came earlier than he expected.
Norm
CMStPnP The only thing that I have witnessed that really bothers a family of a deceased in a time like this would be for example...... that unusually stupid rumor started by someone (forget if it was a writer or reader) that the C&NW business car was haunted by a certain former C&NW CEO. Something like that would and did cause a direct rebuke from the family as it implies certain things on the religious front for some that the wife decided went too far.
The only thing that I have witnessed that really bothers a family of a deceased in a time like this would be for example...... that unusually stupid rumor started by someone (forget if it was a writer or reader) that the C&NW business car was haunted by a certain former C&NW CEO. Something like that would and did cause a direct rebuke from the family as it implies certain things on the religious front for some that the wife decided went too far.
I read that article about that in Trains many years ago. It actually made me feel better towards him. True or not, it showed me some humanity in someone we'll just say that I did not care for. Although with the passing of time, former bad feelings had somewhat moderated by the time of the article's publication.
I can feel sympathy for the family, even for someone like EHH. But if I thought someone was a SOB while they were alive, I'm not going to sugar-coat it once their dead.
I like what greyhounds said. I like to think, as hard as it seems to believe sometimes, that after we move on, all our earthly troubles and grievences will also pass away. Only to become a distant, hazy memory - if even remembered at all.
I know their are a couple of inconsistencies in my post, but I'm only human.
Jeff
Almost as bad as the UP service meltdown of the late nineties, only reason it has not been worse is is the shorter duration of time.
Every place Eugene has left they had to undo damage to retain customers and get some back. CSX will have to do a lot just to make their network fluid again with what traffic they have.
I am nearly 60 and in my lifetime I cannot remember any person so purely evil and rotten to the core as Hunter in any walk of life not just railroads or business, no one even comes close. He may not have been as Hitler or Stalin but was a great example of a despicable human being.
Now we have to consider the Unions who did apparently nothing to counter this evil man, the government who did nothing effective for months about a functional manaic destroying a transportation company threatening the national economy and the vulture fund Paul who should be hung in public as the worst example of what not to do with investing and control of corporations.
I got the call early yesterday afternoon from a friend who retired from CSX years ago, they picked it up from links to people at CSX they still have contact with. I stopped my projects and when in and had a drink to celebrate. Called my boss to give him the news and his immediate reaction was to laugh. We have had to go to extrordinary lenghts to keep our plants going at huge cost due to Hunter.
We were watching Christmas movies last night and I actually found Mr. Potter to be someone I would like to hang with and exchange stories and enjoy brandy with by the fireplace vs Hunter, who is finally out of this industry and enjoying fire and brimstone.
I'm so gonna haunt a railcar when I die. Or maybe that mother-slug set I always have.
EuclidIt may be time to move on, but moving on will never happen. If the condition of CSX does not improve, it will be Harrison’s fault. If it does improve, it will be because Harrison died before destroying CSX. So even in death, Harrision will be forever essential in explaining the performance of CSX.
A footnote in history. Nothing more.
Norm48327 We all meet our demise eventually. Harrison's time just came earlier than he expected.
The fact he never consented to a medical examination leads me to believe that this was not so unexpected.
zugmannThe fact he never consented to a medical examination leads me to believe that this was not so unexpected.
Zug,
Perhaps that thought has basis in reality. I don't think anyone including Hilal considered that prior to Harrison's becoming CEO of CSX. OTOH, stuff happens. Perhaps Harrison had a condidtion that was thought to be of no consequence but a sudden change also altered that opinion.
One never knows when they are going too meet their demise. It could happen to you or me the next time we arise in the morning.
My sympathies to Harrison's survivors but who will mourn your or mine's passing? I suspect no one will even leave a comment simply because we are "nobodys".
Norm48327My sympathies to Harrison's survivors but who will mourn your or mine's passing? I suspect no one will even leave a comment simply because we are "nobodys".
Nobody better mourn me. They better hold a party and do their best to insult me. If they don't - I'm haunting them.
I know that stuff happens. Buried both my parents last year, and had some people from my terminal instrumental in my learning of all thigns railroad pass in the past few years as well. But it is no secret EHH was in poor health. I'm just amazed the money CSX shelled out for a few months. Guess we'll see if they got more return for their invesment than they would have on some ET44ACs.
If someone wants to spend their life being a miserable SOB obsessed with profit and power, that's fine. But we shouldn't act like they were a saint after they died. Remember them for what they were. Or forget them for what they weren't.
Don't get me wrong - I won't celebrate their death. . But I'm, not going to put them on an artificial pedestal either.
It was scumbags like him and gutless unions that lead to Lac Megantic and one- person trains.
May you burn in hell like those who died in one of railroads worst disasters
slotracer Almost as bad as the UP service meltdown of the late nineties, only reason it has not been worse is is the shorter duration of time. Every place Eugene has left they had to undo damage to retain customers and get some back. CSX will have to do a lot just to make their network fluid again with what traffic they have. I am nearly 60 and in my lifetime I cannot remember any person so purely evil and rotten to the core as Hunter in any walk of life not just railroads or business, no one even comes close. He may not have been as Hitler or Stalin but was a great example of a despicable human being. Now we have to consider the Unions who did apparently nothing to counter this evil man, the government who did nothing effective for months about a functional manaic destroying a transportation company threatening the national economy and the vulture fund Paul who should be hung in public as the worst example of what not to do with investing and control of corporations. I got the call early yesterday afternoon from a friend who retired from CSX years ago, they picked it up from links to people at CSX they still have contact with. I stopped my projects and when in and had a drink to celebrate. Called my boss to give him the news and his immediate reaction was to laugh. We have had to go to extrordinary lenghts to keep our plants going at huge cost due to Hunter. We were watching Christmas movies last night and I actually found Mr. Potter to be someone I would like to hang with and exchange stories and enjoy brandy with by the fireplace vs Hunter, who is finally out of this industry and enjoying fire and brimstone.
Good Grief: It seems like CSX is going to have to run a special train to where ever they plan to bury EHH... It sounds like between the dance band, and the folks that want to 'dance on his grave' there'll quite the crowd(?) .
I met him in 1964 at Tenn Yard in Capleville,Tn. He was working in the Engine House at that time. He was a laborer(?); while he was going to college at Memphis State. Those were a lot more, different, times around the railroad,then. He went from the Frisco, to the BN; when it bought out the SL-SF in (89 (?). By then he was in upper-management at BN. And the rest is history.
P.S. { Small World Dept. addendum ] Since I wrote the above, it has bugged me about some of the details. Where had I met EHH before ? I met him in the Engine House in 1964? It finally dawned on me.. His Dad was 'Tank' Harrison, who was a Sgt in the M.P.D. A man I had known, and worked around; I had known since the early 1960's.[ He was a big part of the 'force' behind the Juvenile Court's fresh air, youth camp[Camp Courage] at Walldoxie St. Park near Holly Springs,Ms.] I had tried to talk Hunter into joining the Marine Reserve Unit , but he was having no part of it.. He was going to Memphis State and get his degree. He was set to start working at the Frisco, and there was no changing his mind. Over 50+ years since then....
All I've got to say is this, I sure wouldn't want to leave this world with all that hate and discontent following in my trail. Oh, boy...
All I can think of are the words of the greatest teacher that ever lived and the nicest guy the world's ever seen, and who's birthday we'll be celebrating in a few days...
"Whatever does it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his soul?"
Money isn't everything. You sure can't take it with you.
zugmann Norm48327 Nobody better mourn me. They better hold a party and do their best to insult me. If they don't - I'm haunting them. I know that stuff happens. Buried both my parents last year, and had some people from my terminal instrumental in my learning of all thigns railroad pass in the past few years as well. But it is no secret EHH was in poor health. I'm just amazed the money CSX shelled out for a few months. Guess we'll see if they got more return for their invesment than they would have on some ET44ACs. If someone wants to spend their life being a miserable SOB obsessed with profit and power, that's fine. But we shouldn't act like they were a saint after they died. Remember them for what they were. Or forget them for what they weren't. Don't get me wrong - I won't celebrate their death. . But I'm, not going to put them on an artificial pedestal either.
Norm48327
You have summed up my thoughts to a T.Don't mourn me just wish me well in my new endeavour. Hopefully my diety will be gracious enough to forgive me for my mistakes.
Here is a YouTube video that shows how the news of EHH's passing was reported locally in Jacksonville, Fla
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50nNqE8wpMI
The interviewee in the story raises a couple of interesting questions;
1) Will James Foote stay as the permanent CEO or will there be a nationwide search for another CEO?
2) Will the next CEO, be it Foote or someone else, continue Harrison's policies?
Firelock, my friend, I warmly shake your hand for that. Thank you. That was needed.
But, having said that, one of my favourite songs is "Tennesee Waltz." I was at a car show last year and a pair of people were playing it on accordions. I stood there listening and a woman who kind of irritates me asked me what I was doing. I said that I was listening to the song and I said how I wanted it played at my funeral. I like it that much. She said that she would see to it. I said, "Well that depends, if you're invited." Didn't talk to me the rest of that weekend for which I am grateful. Not to divert the thead or anything.
I am reading this as I get ready to head out to work this morning. My husband is looking over my shoulder and goes EHH should meet up with his grandma Sharpe in hell then. I asked where did that one come from. He goes the one that would get mad and not call us for weeks at a time. I went oh yeah. He then told me about when she died. It was right after Desert Storm ended troops were being sent back well she passed on and my MIL called the Red Cross to see if they could get my BIL home in time for the funeral. The were like no not his immediate family aka a father or mother had passed. Then my husband goes on we also had to put down the family dog about the same time got hit by a car he broke his chain. Both my husband and BIL were more upset about losing a dog than having to bury their mother. As my MIL put it my own now late FIL did not even care.
EHH destroyed thousands of lives on 3 seperate railroads the only ones crying that he died are his backers in the Hedge Funds. The nuts and bolts of the operation aka the men in the field are happy. Look for tourism to where he is planted to spike for a little bit why I bet there are going to be a few people making a pilgramage of sorts to either spit on his grave or worse or leave a reminder of their own on his grave.
It is quite amazing how so many that never were within a hundred miles of EHH have all thwe answers.. . They are absolutely convinced that he was the devil himself!! Never met the man but have talked to a couple people that worked for, and had direct contact with, him... One worked at IC then CN/IC at the Homewood shops... He was involved with the Executive trains maintenance... The other was a CN road crew that hired in well after EHH became CEO. What you all describe is really contrary to the excepted facts... EHH was a corporate 'hatchet man' to those that could not adjust to something new, granted. If, you were one of the majority that excepted change and could adjust, he really wasn't as "evil" as you submit.... My understanding is that he had a great sence of humor and a very foul mouth... He told you EXACTLY were you stood and EXACTLY what he expected... To those that 'got it' he was a great boss... To COMPLETELY change the personality and style of an operation, he cut to the bone... That causes alot of pain, but, there is never change without some pain... Because someone lost their job in his cuts does not make him evil... When is the last time you talked to someone who just lost their job and was thrilled... Again, doesn't make him evil, just makes them unemployed... I look at CN and CP and to me, he cut to the base to rebuild the frame for others to build upon... If you were an average employee, doing an average job, you shouldn't expect to keep your job just because you work there... I see a CEO that pushed everone VERY hard to find the one that would break and the ones that could dig in and create something new... Look at CN now, the industry leader... They still use his 'frame' and are growing fast... At CP, they are doing the same... CP is taking the 'frame' EHH created to build an efficient, profitable railroad... Having said all that, THERE IS NOT A CEO ON THIS PLANET that deserves $10, 15, 20, 40 million per year at ANY publicly traded company.......... How many companies or how many jobs would still exist if corporate boards and mgmt. took a pay cut..... EHH was not the devil, unless you're one of those that's unemployed....... What he was is a hardcore operator, you either got with the 'program' or you got out of the way.......Now feel free to call me names and pick me apart... I get what he was doing... By the way I'm corporate mgmt. just in a private, not public company, and like Mr. Harrison, I started at the bottom.
wreckofthe old It was scumbags like him and gutless unions that lead to Lac Megantic and one- person trains. May you burn in hell like those who died in one of railroads worst disasters
An "expensive model collector"
As far as modern day CEO's go, Harrison was not much different than the other hatchet men who roam the corporate landscape today. Railroad workers should just be grateful they have a Federal retirement program.
Based on the overwhelmingly negative comments about EHH everywhere I go, he certainly p----d off many thousands of employees and customers at every railroad he managed. I worked for eight years for a very large Wisconsin based building products manufacturer that is family owned and headed by a person very similar to EHH in many ways (both hated by most of his employees and his customers alike) but loved by those family members who co-own the company and make millions off of it...so I know the EHH type of "manager" very well. My first thought when I read that EHH had refused a "mandatory" health exam when he first joined CSX was wondering what he was hiding...now we know.
The picture shown on today's (12/18/17) News tab photo shows Cindy Sanborn giving the 'death eye' look at EHH - it just too longer to work than she would have liked.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
while I think he had some good ideas I do find it odd CN and CP both had to struggle to regain customers after his changes and think he tried to do much at CSX way too fast.
this article (while I cannot attest to how well vetted it is) has always grapsed my attention
http://business.financialpost.com/transportation/the-other-side-of-hunter-harrisons-cp-legacy-white-collar-workers-driving-trains
I feel for his family AND I feel for those affected by his cuts.
EHH made no bones about getting rid of marginal business.. there's alot of it out there. On a smaller scale many businesses do the same. Want to increase your sales? Step 1: get rid of your marginal accounts that tie up limited resources that could be more effectively deployed in servicing your A level accounts.
BOB WITHORNIt is quite amazing how so many that never were withing a hundred miles of EHH have all the answers. They are absolutely convinced that he was the devil himself!! Never met the man but have talked to a couple people that worked for, and had direct contact with, him. <<sni>>.......Now feel free to call me names and pick me apart. I get what he was doing. By the way I'm corporate mgmt. just in a private, not public company, and like Mr. Harrison, I started at the bottom. Bob, I think that was a very balanced summary of a very polarizing figure. It's not easy to see the 'shades of gray' in his career. EHH won respect as an operating man at long, skinny railroads, but perhaps he pushed his philosophy too far by trying to hold a last rodeo at CSX after his merger ideas were spurned. EHH sounds like a good topic for Fred Frailey's next book!!
UlrichEHH made no bones about getting rid of marginal business.. there's alot of it out there. On a smaller scale many businesses do the same. Want to increase your sales? Step 1: get rid of your marginal accounts that tie up limited resources that could be more effectively deployed in servicing your A level accounts.
Problem is EHH's methods made all business marginal, and virtually all customers unwanted.
Dmacleothis article (while I cannot attest to how well vetted it is) has always grapsed my attention http://business.financialpost.com/transportation/the-other-side-of-hunter-harrisons-cp-legacy-white-collar-workers-driving-trains
I read the article and am reminded of the line. EHH said a doctor is a doctor. He needed a brain surgen and got a proctologist. Any desk worker can run a train. But like is said in the Play, the Music Man, "YOU GOTTA KNOW THE TERRITORY" and a lot more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHQLQ1Rc_Js
RDG467 EHH sounds like a good topic for Fred Frailey's next book!!
EHH sounds like a good topic for Fred Frailey's next book!!
I completely agree.
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