UP doubles down on PSR

[Jbub]

They announced Jim Vena as CEO today. He was number two at CN under HH when they introduced PSR.

https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/united-pacific-railroad-psr-jim-vena-COO/545536/

[Ed Kapuscinski]

One of the benefits of being known as one of the worst employers in the country is that it's tough to be rated much lower.

[eja]

They announced Jim Vena as CEO today. He was number two at CN under HH when they introduced PSR.

https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/united-pacific-railroad-psr-jim-vena-COO/545536/

What is PSR ??? 

[wazzou]

What is PSR ???

Precision Scheduled Railroading

[C855B]

Ah. That explains why the stock jumped 10% today.

I am acquainted with one of the architects of PSR who retired from CN about four years ago, and see him once or twice a month. He followed HH from CP. I'll have to ask him about Vena.

[lock4244]

What is PSR ???

Permanent Staff Reductions.

[lock4244]

Ah. That explains why the stock jumped 10% today.

I am acquainted with one of the architects of PSR who retired from CN about four years ago, and see him once or twice a month. He followed HH from CP. I'll have to ask him about Vena.

I'm not sure that 150 car, 12,000T trains was foundational dogma of PSR on CN, but it seems that after years of oversiding trains, .6hp/t, and holding trains to fill out tonnage they've decided that the model of trains departing terminals on time regardless of tonnage is back in fashion. As I understand it, holding trains played havoc on power planning since it became impossible to tell when the power would show up, and sweating the assets was one big selling feature of PSR. In the early years, CN was able to turn power quickly which of course is a significant savings in and of itself.

[Jbub]

One of the benefits of being known as one of the worst employers in the country is that it's tough to be rated much lower.

But but but, they have two engines that show the support they have for employees. 1111 and 1979 which has a big ONE on the side. Oh wait, that is their Freudian slip for a 1 person engine crew.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

What is PSR ??? 

Are you familiar with slash and burn farming?

It's like that, but with railroads.

[signalmaintainer]

Permanent Staff Reductions.

Ah, but The Borg claim their 2Q TY&E manpower count is up by several hundred compared to 2Q 2022. So they must have hidden the long knives for now. Somehow they suckered a bunch of people to hire on for train service, er, make that "conductor driving an SUV chasing a train service."

[lock4244]

Ah, but The Borg claim their 2Q TY&E manpower count is up by several hundred compared to 2Q 2022. So they must have hidden the long knives for now. Somehow they suckered a bunch of people to hire on for train service, er, make that "conductor driving an SUV chasing a train service."

Pretty sure that number will come down through the magic of PSR.

[Doug G.]

Sounds like it would be similar to PTU, Precision Toilet Usage.

Doug

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Sounds like it would be similar to PTU, Precision Toilet Usage.

Doug

No, precision toilet usage gets the ***** in the toilet.

PSR just shits on everyone who isn't Railroad shareholder.

I have a theory that the PSR ducks roosting was a driver of consumer price inflation.

[lock4244]

I think PSR as a tool to improve equipment utilization, crew scheduling for more predictable work schedule, and more consistent delivery of service is a good thing. But it invariably becomes a tool purely to increase share value by cutting, cutting, cutting, rather thank building business.

[JeffB]

My son quit the UP a few weeks ago, once he got that one time pay out...  He was due to lose his job in the Portland OR yard in the near future anyway (according to him at least) and was getting tired of the crazy hours. 

He's been wanting to move back to the East Coast to be closer to us and his friends...  This was just a good excuse to do it sooner than planned (he intended to stick it out for another year or two).

He's currently entertaining apply to work for Amtrak or one of the regional shortlines here in CT.  Would like to see him work for AT, or perhaps the Housatonic, CT Central, or Pan Am.  But we'll see.

At this point I'm kind of glad he's done with the UP.  Not the greatest company to work for, but I think he could have improved his lot with them if he'd have been willing to do road service, or try for locomotive engineer.  But he's a big boy and can make his own choices.

Jeff