Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific Employee Reviews
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Does not recognize actual talent or dedication
CP Main Office (Current Employee) – Calgary, AB – 12 December 2018
In over two decades I have noticed repeatedly that company has always found a way to make money and keep shares up while appearing to outside world that things must be running well on the inside. Have never seen morale improve in various depts both union and management. Have not seen the brightest workers or hardest workers rise above the mediocre, eventually to just leave and be replaced with more mediocre. Over and over the company seems to reward those that play the "yes man" game or use optics to acquire promotions and raises. this is common knowledge within and leaves a bad taste in everyone plus this protocol leads to a drain in attracting and retaining the brightest and most dedicated employees. Despite changes in leadership the protocol is still ingrained.
Pros
Steady employment mostly unaffected by up and downturns in other industries.
Cons
low morale, zero rewards for actual effort or productivity, just a place to get a steady paycheck.
Draconian Management Style
Senior Project / Program Manager (Former Employee) – Calgary, AB – 4 December 2018
Worst place in Calgary to work. Managers walk around at 3:00pm on a Friday to see who isn't there and if they aren't booked in a meeting or in the building, they are in trouble.
Pros
compensation
Cons
dictatorial leadership
Easy job, great wage, terrible company
Diesel Mechanic (Current Employee) – someplace, somewhere – 1 December 2018
Working at CP is like working in a special little bubble where time theft does not exist. For each eight hour day you really only work for about five hours, maybe less if you're paired with certain people. The work is dirty sometimes but never really strenuous; cranes do the heavy lifting and locomotives are relatively easy to work on.
Aside from the relatively high pay, there are not many pros to this career as a diesel tech at CP. Apprentices rotate 3 months at a time on the various shifts, 7-3, 3-11, and 11-7. The apprenticeship is only company-wide, however. Not ITA. After 3 years (or if you qualify to skip apprenticeship) you are at the bottom of the totem pole and are placed in the fuel stand on night shift. It is a place where Diesel Service Assistants used to preside. CP nixed that contract and now they want Diesel Mechanics to go clean toilets and fuel units (at the DM rate of pay). What a bad idea. After maybe 5-10 years, you may be able to bid your way into a different shift. Good luck, many elderly men refuse to retire even though their pension is already set to go. When they do retire they'll probably only live to enjoy 4 years of pension I wager. Serious.
The afternoon shift earns a $0.75 premium, while nights only earn $0.25 on top of that. The night shift is frustratingly pointless, as maybe five or seven people are there each shift and a few, if not all of them are sent to the fuel stand. The diesel shop sits empty but they still have people working nights. Employees would be happier to not have to work nights so needlessly. How do they expect there more... to be a work-life balance if you are stuck on nights? When do you see the light of day?
This company is the most poorly run I've seen. If it weren't for the power of monopoly, this ship would sink. Supervisors are incompetent at best and abusive at worst. They are not hired by ability or skill.Workers can be lazy, placing others in danger while shrugging off risks. Time theft is the culture of CP. Maybe it is the miserable shift life and the incredible deductions that cause people to give only about half of their effort. Oh well, if I'm going to die miserable I might as well have company. less
Aside from the relatively high pay, there are not many pros to this career as a diesel tech at CP. Apprentices rotate 3 months at a time on the various shifts, 7-3, 3-11, and 11-7. The apprenticeship is only company-wide, however. Not ITA. After 3 years (or if you qualify to skip apprenticeship) you are at the bottom of the totem pole and are placed in the fuel stand on night shift. It is a place where Diesel Service Assistants used to preside. CP nixed that contract and now they want Diesel Mechanics to go clean toilets and fuel units (at the DM rate of pay). What a bad idea. After maybe 5-10 years, you may be able to bid your way into a different shift. Good luck, many elderly men refuse to retire even though their pension is already set to go. When they do retire they'll probably only live to enjoy 4 years of pension I wager. Serious.
The afternoon shift earns a $0.75 premium, while nights only earn $0.25 on top of that. The night shift is frustratingly pointless, as maybe five or seven people are there each shift and a few, if not all of them are sent to the fuel stand. The diesel shop sits empty but they still have people working nights. Employees would be happier to not have to work nights so needlessly. How do they expect there more... to be a work-life balance if you are stuck on nights? When do you see the light of day?
This company is the most poorly run I've seen. If it weren't for the power of monopoly, this ship would sink. Supervisors are incompetent at best and abusive at worst. They are not hired by ability or skill.Workers can be lazy, placing others in danger while shrugging off risks. Time theft is the culture of CP. Maybe it is the miserable shift life and the incredible deductions that cause people to give only about half of their effort. Oh well, if I'm going to die miserable I might as well have company. less
Pros
Decent pay, easy work
Cons
Everything else
This company has taught me a lot about myself
Running Trade Employee (Current Employee) – Kamloops, BC – 16 November 2018
Canadian Pacific is a company sewn into Canadian history. I am proud to say I have been a part of it. It does have its issues though. The management culture has been documented quite well in the past couple years as being hostile and toxic towards its employees. Wrongful terminations and unjustified punishments were rampant up until recently. Adding this to the fact that Running Trade Employees (RTEs) such as myself are required to be on call 24/7 makes it quite a stressful workplace.
On freight trips, RTEs will take a train across 1 subdivision (usually about 120 miles long). The engineer is responsible for the movement of the train (driving it), while the conductor is responsible for any switching tasks that may need to be performed, making sure that proper documents are on the train, as well as making sure that the train is operating within all of the rules set out by the railway and Transport Canada. Crews can be away from home for over 30 hours on 1 trip, and working up to 3 or more trips a week.
On yard shifts, the engineer is responsible for the safe movement of the locomotive. The conductor and brakeman are responsible for executing the switch lists assigned to them by the yardmaster or assistant train master. One of the skills that comes with this is learning how to problem solve and create efficient and safe short cuts in the switching operations to help execute the switch list faster.
The hardest parts of this job can be boiled down to two things. The lack of being able to plan life due to being on call 24/7, and the toxic and hostile management culture more... implemented within the past couple of years.
I have learned some valuable skills at Canadian Pacific. It has taught me problem solving skills, has taught me to be resourceful with my time and helped me learn how to be flexible with planning. Other skills it has taught me are the obvious ones, like becoming a locomotive engineer and operating/driving some the biggest trains in North America, if not the world. less
On freight trips, RTEs will take a train across 1 subdivision (usually about 120 miles long). The engineer is responsible for the movement of the train (driving it), while the conductor is responsible for any switching tasks that may need to be performed, making sure that proper documents are on the train, as well as making sure that the train is operating within all of the rules set out by the railway and Transport Canada. Crews can be away from home for over 30 hours on 1 trip, and working up to 3 or more trips a week.
On yard shifts, the engineer is responsible for the safe movement of the locomotive. The conductor and brakeman are responsible for executing the switch lists assigned to them by the yardmaster or assistant train master. One of the skills that comes with this is learning how to problem solve and create efficient and safe short cuts in the switching operations to help execute the switch list faster.
The hardest parts of this job can be boiled down to two things. The lack of being able to plan life due to being on call 24/7, and the toxic and hostile management culture more... implemented within the past couple of years.
I have learned some valuable skills at Canadian Pacific. It has taught me problem solving skills, has taught me to be resourceful with my time and helped me learn how to be flexible with planning. Other skills it has taught me are the obvious ones, like becoming a locomotive engineer and operating/driving some the biggest trains in North America, if not the world. less
Pros
Operate heavy machinery, job rich in national history, powerful work equipment
Cons
long hours, unpredictable work schedule, bad management
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Crew Dispatcher (Former Employee) – Calgary, AB – 10 November 2018
12 hr shift,learned that you must balance work and life...very stressfull,hardest part working gruelling long hours...most enjoyable the people you have a lifetime of friendship.good paying job.
Pros
Good pay
Cons
No lunches or breaks
Terrible work environment
Engineer (Former Employee) – AB – 29 October 2018
It sounds good when you say you work for Canadian Pacific but avoid it if you can, Mainly here in Alberta. Senior staff treat you like garbage, they are bullies, I know that attitude exists in this kind of job, but theirs is the worst! Racial comments, mocking and discrimination, they will not help you if you need help. No one stands up for you even if they here/ see you being bullied. Yes money is great, but they will strip your morale. No life. Read the comments, mostly Alberta and you’ll get some ideas.
Avoid it if you can.
Avoid it if you can.
If you want to have anything but a work dominated life....
Conductor (Former Employee) – Revelstoke, BC – 28 October 2018
CP Rail- their biggest asset is the men and women who work for them. I had the pleasure of working with some really interesting people. I feel bad for the guys that stick it out. F that place- it is toxic......
Cons-
Management. CP has the potential of being a really cool job but not with their current management and lack of leadership. Think of management as a bunch of micromanaging, nitpicking inept personnel who don't know jack about how to take care of people. During the class room portion of orientation, I had a running bet on how many times a day they would threaten to fire us. I've never seen management this bad. That was just the instructor's- the TM's, AT's, Super's were the worst bunch of manager's I`ve ever seen-
Hours- Work your butt off- never home and always chasing the proverbial carrot.
Policy and Procedures- I`m sure if you asked 10 different managers the same question, ,you would get 10 different questions- no-one is on the same page- except for maybe the union, on how much the management ........
Cons-
Management. CP has the potential of being a really cool job but not with their current management and lack of leadership. Think of management as a bunch of micromanaging, nitpicking inept personnel who don't know jack about how to take care of people. During the class room portion of orientation, I had a running bet on how many times a day they would threaten to fire us. I've never seen management this bad. That was just the instructor's- the TM's, AT's, Super's were the worst bunch of manager's I`ve ever seen-
Hours- Work your butt off- never home and always chasing the proverbial carrot.
Policy and Procedures- I`m sure if you asked 10 different managers the same question, ,you would get 10 different questions- no-one is on the same page- except for maybe the union, on how much the management ........
Pros
paycheck? scenery?
Cons
mgmt
Lots to learn if you new or seasoned in the logistics business
Analyst (Current Employee) – Ontario – 24 October 2018
There's lots to learn once you get in, be ready for that, there will always be someone there to help, you need to just ask
There's room to grow within the company if you want to always
There's room to grow within the company if you want to always
Pros
Salary
Cons
Working hours
was a good job
track man (Former Employee) – Calgary, AB – 30 September 2018
was good except for the travel was away from home too much if you were a young person it would be a good job just got tired of living out of a duffel bag
Pros
met a lot of good poeple
Cons
too much travel
Unique place to work
Recruitment Specialist (Former Employee) – Calgary, AB – 24 September 2018
I've met the greatest people and have had some amazing opportunities. CP is a good company however the corporate culture is not for everyone, you need to be adaptable to constant change. Overall a good place to work.
Want to know more about Canadian Pacific? Just ask.
What is the interview process like?
hostile environment
Conductor/ Belt Pack Operator (Current Employee) – Edmonton, AB – 24 September 2018
hostile environment, not a great place to work.
20 minutes for lunch break for a 10 hour shift.
something goes wrong and you don't finish work
your to blame.
20 minutes for lunch break for a 10 hour shift.
something goes wrong and you don't finish work
your to blame.
Pros
co workers
Cons
20 mins for lunch, weather working outdoors all types of weather.
Stay away
Supervisor of Mechanical (Former Employee) – Golden, BC – 6 September 2018
If you enjoy stress. You will love it here. If you enjoy feeling like you could get axed daily. You will love it here. Want to work lots of extra time for free. This is your job. Management doesn't even back up management. They just stab you in the back. Sounds great eh? Job was great pre Hunter/Creel takeover
Pros
Taking home your lunch every day because you could not find time to inhale it
Cons
No extra pay for all the free hours you put in. No backing from higher management!
Great people. Awesome learning experience
Acct. Mgr. (Former Employee) – Mississauga, ON – 1 September 2018
A great place to learn about the history of this great nation. Challenged daily to find transportation and logistics solutions for Fortune 500 companies.
Pros
Customer events
Cons
None
Amazing Place to work
Equipment Operator (Former Employee) – Calgary, AB – 31 August 2018
Great Place to work, great pay, benefits, great work atmosphere! Learned how to operate various different pieces of equipment. If you can't live in a hotel this isn't the job for you!!
Would not reccomend
CREW DISPATCHER (Former Employee) – Calgary, AB – 24 August 2018
Worked here for three months and would never recommend to another person. Trying to manage your personal life with your work life is IMPOSSIBLE with the hours they have you working.
Great work environment
Sales manager (Former Employee) – Calgary, AB – 19 July 2018
Awesome place to work, beautiful new offices, career advancement opportunities and a really fun culture to be apart of. Really cool place to work as you drive the Canadian economy.
Micro mangement
Assistant Trainmaster (Former Employee) – Golden, BC – 18 July 2018
Hired to one job and then told to do another role. Lots of stress asked to preform the impossible with the minimal amount of resource. Criticized for all your decisions, never told you did a good job. General Managers to Vice President micro managing everything. Expected to know everything with very little training. Huge amount of turnover in the Trainmaster and Assistant Trainmaster position, make it or brake you, trial by fire way of grooming new employees. No work life balance, vacation block between December and March, given lieu days never able to take them. If you want time off have to find someone to work for you. Company only cares about making money and share prices, doesn't care about front line employees or manager's.
Pros
Pay and bonus
Cons
No work life balance
Not good work culture, no work life balance, very hard to move up ladder
NSC (Current Employee) – Winnipeg, MB – 19 June 2018
Only good thing about CP is the money; management, culture, hours, policies, opportunity for promotion all suck. Think very carefully about your desires in life before working here. They use various fear tactics daily against employees, always have to fear losing your job tomorrow!