deckhand

terminal operator

Canal Barge Company

At Canal Barge Company, technology direction kept changing rapidly, and projects never get completed, instead they linger on year after year, then they get replaced with a shift and life.

At Canal Barge Company, I had a wonderful boss, he was innovating, very technical and he could code.  My boss allowed me to grow and bring solutions to the table and at times allowed a proof of concept.  He has another 5 years left at the company before he retires.  There is no one to replace him at Canal Barge Company.

I had a work life balance, others I do not believe did.  Although, that never stopped anyone from needing time off or getting support with others in the department.  Everyone worked well together, it is a small team.

Overall the experience with this company was positive. They are very flexible with your work schedule, have great benefits, and most employees have been there for over 15 years which shows that it is a great place to work. There has been some change in the exective leadership team over the recent years that hasn't proven to be a positive change yet. There are some new employees at the higher level that are trying to make a name for themself and will take ownership for the work of others and then throw them under the bus the first chance they get. Although this doesn't project a view of the company as a whole, it is something frustrating to deal with.

 Management is poor at best. The company as a whole puts up a good front to attract new people but there is a revolving door for anyone who comes in with experience prior and they usually leave. The management as a whole has the “just get it done attitude” and disregard any actual issues brought to them. Starting out wouldn’t be a horrible company but wouldn’t recommend them as a long term position as you are just a number on the books to them regardless of their “family run business” claims. Company is trying to grow to fast and don’t take care of the employees they do have and constantly raise the requirements for employees with out offering any further compensation 

Working at Canal Barge is quite the trip; it is a very pro safety company that is also quite productive so there will be plenty of work to do on your 28 day hitch. The crew is always pretty easy to get along with out here in my experience and it’s quite easy to move up the ladder as long as you put in the time and effort. Hardest part of the job is for most is probably being away from home, but me personally it’s just the sleep schedule that bugs me a lot. The job is very rewarding though especially when you bask in the glory of an absolute unit of tow that you put you’re blood, sweat, and tears into putting together. All in all though great company; would recommend anyone who’s looking to get into the industry to start here.

A typical day of work is pretty strenuous depending on what captain you're working for.  You can expect to build tow at least 10 times a week not including breaking up tow for locks.  I learned more than I expected out on the river.  Management was good for the most part.  My coworkers knew how to do their job well, but did not assist me in learning the job as much as they could have.  The hardest part is being away from home.  You're gone for a month at a time.  But, after being gone for a month you are then home for a month and you're paid while you're home.  You can't beat being paid full time while doing nothing but chilling at home.  The most enjoyable part was travel and money.

Good company to work for where you matter. Co-workers are usually very easy to get along with and a strong teamwork environment is pushed. Sometimes as a wheelman you can feel overloaded but it’s a losing battle with the office and you’re going to have to take your tow anyway. High stress environment at times and feels as of your concerns are overlooked. Company has grown exponentially in the last 15 years and is losing its approachable management qualities it once had. Plenty of overtime if you need the extra income and they make it worth your while. Canal will not hold it against you if you deny coming back on your off time. 

Started out pushing Liquid Cargo tows, and worked way up to first barge line tow which was 25 barge coal tow on 6,000hp twin screw open wheel towing vessel. I worked way up to Relief Captain on this vessel. Learned how to flank bends, push barge line tows, and worked way into better money. Management was super, co-workers were all great, hardest part of job was learning ropes of barge lining. Most enjoyable part of job was learning barge lining and working way up  to larger vessels.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The Company is excellent and takes care of their personnel very well.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Actually nothing is stressful 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Wonderful like friends and family atmosphere 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Just like at home I prepare 3 meals a day

A typical day at work was average, it was the stress and the drama that TSG office brings that make it unbearable.
What I learned was that if they asked for your opinion and they didn't like it, then you are a target.
TSG management always playing office.
Workplace culture was good on paper, but not actually followed.
Talking with management was the hardest part of the job.  
The day I resigned was the most enjoyable part of my job.

If your assignment is is working on a barge, your left alone on an island,  no support of management,  because they're not around,  only you working alone. If you were to have an accident or get hurt no one would know. They tell you you can can earn more money buy being trained for different types of jobs, but you'll never get the training because you're working remotely by yourself and won't be able to move until they hire someone to replace you.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Deckhand 5 salaries reported	$230 per day
Terminal operator 2 salaries reported	$1,000 per week

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