Pros
Union Pacific will hire you. Your background or experience does not matter. They badly need people.
Cons
Is it a good job? No. It is not. I started at the bottom and worked my way up into management. I would not wish this place on my worst enemy. Please, put your family and health first. The railroad will tell you it is good money. Trust me, It is not. Very reduced pay for years and then furloughs. When you decide to take a “promotion” to Engineer, Union Pacific will reduce your pay back down to student wages. This will last six months and is not enough to live on. The actual income after that is terrible. If you count all of the hours that are unpaid by the railroad it is very easy to make more money for any other company and have a better lifestyle. They are constantly reducing their workforce and there will not be a long term future for any craft. Moving frequently to keep your job is expected. I have seen so many people lose everything trying to stick it out for Union Pacific. Even if you move into management the hours are criminal. It is life consuming and nothing you do is ever enough. Military family, beware. Very toxic place. Union Pacific’s favorite word is nepotism.