driver

diesel mechanic

laborer

trailer chassis mechanic

terminal operator

PACIFIC RAIL SERVICES

There’s a reason that when you get hired they tell you not to read the reviews, because they’re true. Every aspect of this job is horrible. The way you’re spoken to is demeaning. Training is horrible and too quick because most people don’t stay anyway. The amount you’re expected to work is unrealistic. Every single piece of equipment is failing and dangerous to operate. There’s no hot water, no paper towels no basic human necessities or creature comforts, and as soon as busy season ends they just start handing out write ups for things that they would never make mention of during the busy season. If you start in the summer you’ll be worked to death through winter then boom February comes and you’ll get written up back to back to back on things they wouldn’t have bat an eye at one month prior. Oh and they lie, constantly. You’re lied to during the interview process. You’re lied to about the amount of days you’ll be working They lie to your face about things you know are not true, try to blame you for mechanical failures… and if they even sense you don’t want to be there they start jabbing at you until you finally quit. You are constantly micromanaged and you’ll get chased out of the break trailer even if you’ve worked 10 hours straight and you just need a bottle of water. The break areas are infested with bugs and mice…..there’s no end to the reasons why you shouldn’t work here. This is the most horrible job I’ve ever worked and it’s a shame because it could be an amazing learning opportunity and employee friendly environment but the managers seem determined to do the very opposite. 

This place sucks, both the district and yard manager will yell at you if you report to your Director of intermodal Serive ( which is probably one of the better bosses I had and will help you any time you need it) of any damages that the drives do to the trucks or anything else that may happen with any pieces of equipment. They have no problem of try to short you hours if you work over 40 ( anything to make the CPL look great), you don't get no tool or boot allowance. O if you don't put away your tools right after using them you can get written up for messy shop, and they don't reimburse you if your tools get stolen which happens alot. They have no problem of threatening your job on daily basis and the drivers are just as bad, they don't care what happens to the equipment as long as they can get the train unloaded so they slack off, overnight will unplug there cameras and sleep till there shift is over or not call you in if a crane goes down just have someone to blame for a missed train. Also the drivers have no problem crashing into anything and everything and never get drug tested or reprimanded, and if say anything some of the drives will threatened you.  From the guy who you stole there keys from and try to hid it by throwing them in a bundle of rag and put  it on my box not knowing that 4 other people help me look for my keys and every single one them checked that box.

The job isn't great at all. The benefits suck. You're underpaid for what you have to do and deal with. And you wont work less than 65 hours a week year round. (The money is alright but there are jobs that you dont have to work this insane amount of hours year round to make the same)   The managers dont care about you, just their close friends or family that work there. There is no room for advancement. And you only get 1$ more to operate the crane or packer machine.  So you only top out at maybe $17/hour.  You're not allowed to take a 30min or even 15min break. The supervisor or manager will look for you if they find you in the breakroom eating and ask you why aren't you out in the yard working. Theyll try to write you up and get you fired for little things like that.. If you get hurt on the job, they will try to push you to not go see a doctor and offer you the rest of the day off.  I've seen it multiple times here. I really think a lot of the things they do here is illegal and unsafe.. I would only recommend this place to get your experience in learning how to drive a truck/jockey, get your experience in backing up trailers cause you'll do a ton of that here.. then leave to get your CDL. If you're old and apply. I'm sorry but you failed at life if you're looking for a job here. There are better yard jockey jobs where you're more relaxed and make more hourly and not rushed.

I'm just going to get straight to the point. Every aspect of your position will be learned as you work. The rules and regulations of this company changes almost every other day that it actually conflicts with the union policy at times. There's no use in taking your concerns to your supervisor, they don't care nor are they interested in hearing them. The write up policy is nonsense because there is no structure to it. Just work like a mindless drone and clock out!

Management is the #1 bad part in this company. They will use hurtful language and verbally abuse you indirectly. They have cameras in all equipment to make sure you don't make mistake and to make sure they catch you in your phone when you're not supposed to. They will try to find anything to get you on and fire you.

Overtime everyday and all you do is drive. This job is a great job, management is the only thing you have to get over. 

15/hr starting with 12 hours everyday. You don't get to be on pacrail when you start. You start out in ptrs another sub company of this brand. They pay less and the bad management must like you in order to move up to pacrail which pays more but treat you bad more.

Good luck and if you're a hard worker you should be good. Come thick skin ready.

This is a good place for someone who is interested in getting their foot in the door with rail logistics. With that being said, it is at best a stepping stone for someone with actual interest within the field of the rail road. Most jobs will be with the ramp (loading and unloading the trains) while some others are with the switching side. (those who build and switch out the trains). If you are interested in any sort of advancement within the company it mostly goes to the ramp. There's not much advancement on the switching side. As far as management goes, there's always a feeling of you vs. them. Most management doesn't even occupy there full job description with some work often falling onto the employees. 

This review is written in regards to the Dallas location. I cannot speak on the behalf of any of their other many locations.

The ramp work goes from slammed to dead depending on the time of night and you can easily find yourself 3 to 4 trains deep that nobody expected to arrive on time. The trucks are often without ac and the groundmen are not allowed to sit inside working equipment and get stuck standing oitside in rain and snow regularly even if there's no work. There are always overnight deadlines and unless youve been with the company longer than a decade you can forget about asking to move to days. Usually, if there are enough people, groundman look to move into a truck around 6 months after hire but remain backup groundman. Sometimes longer. If you know the right peopke, sometimes less. 

Suit up. Show up. Shut up. Work your tail off and go home.  Welcome to pacrail.

ISA represents every negative facet of the modern corporate mindset. You are the only number that does not matter. The pay scale for all employees is far below industry standards, as is the equipment condition as well. Safety is touted as "Number One", but takes a far back seat to productivity unless corporate level execs and/or customer reps are present. Then you get raked over the coals for the slightest infraction. Support from the corporate level is non-existent. Favoritism is certainly present in almost any work place, but is taken to the next level with this company. All in all, you are much better spending your time looking elsewhere, even if you are desperate for work. Hours are long, usually more than 10 hours a night, no holidays, no weekends, no consideration for family or personal life.

Worked many years for them. Im over 50 with health issues but can drive / operate. You have to ground with cranes when new and no seniority. My knees make it hard to do railcars daily. I really wish they would hire people that can drive / operate only without the harsh tiedown / groundman starting point. Great for younger people or older people in perfect health. 

I have so much experience and time in Intermodal that I had hoped to work til I retired. Great job if you want lots of overtime but need to have a open mind with schedule. Raised a family and bought a home with this line of work so it has its upside. 


Everyday I drive containers/chassis to and off the track using a hostler truck. In this company, I have learned how to drive a hostler truck and use the oasis system that is required. The management is a little ruff at times but somewhat fair. One of the biggest disappointments is that all employees will get penalized due to the bad choices of a small few. The co-workers are typical everyday people. The job is not difficult, but long hours are required to work in order to make enough money. It also can be very dangerous because of the machinery and labor that is involved. The most enjoyable part of the job is knowing that others can't affect your work performance. Also, the great benefits that the job offers.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Driver 10 salaries reported	$62,750 per year
Diesel mechanic 14 salaries reported	$76,643 per year
Laborer 2 salaries reported	$62,500 per year
Trailer chassis mechanic 4 salaries reported	$27.09 per hour
Terminal operator 3 salaries reported	$52,500 per year

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