Large Scale Central

Won't argue with UP on that one

General Discussion
#1

From the “Railroad News by RailNews.net” block on LSC home page.

Won’t argue with UP on that one - “According to Union Pacific, the railroad should not be expected to “send unarmed personnel into Mexico to battle drug cartels that maliciously murder and wage a war against the Mexican military.””

http://www.supplychaindigital.com/global_logistics/union-pacific-railroad-faces-388m-in-drug-fines

Kevin Scarpati said:
Logistics Union Pacific railroad faces $388M in drug fines Freight rail operator Union Pacific refusing to pay drug fines from a U.S. border security program totaling $388M

17 Jun 2011 Kevin Scarpati

What you don’t know can’t hurt you. Or can it?

According to Union Pacific, the largest rail operator along the U.S.-Mexico border, the company had no knowledge of criminals stashing illegal drugs in Mexico on trains on their way to the United States, and is refusing to pay federal fines totaling $388 million.

Huge amounts of marijuana and cocaine have been found on Union Pacific freight rail cars entering the United State from Mexico, something the federal government is holding Union Pacific responsible for.

Union Pacific owns 26 percent of Ferromex, the Mexican rail operator that was responsible for controlling trains in Mexico. But Union Pacific refuses to send employees into Mexico to help control drug trafficking at a time of instability within the country.

According to Union Pacific, the railroad should not be expected to “send unarmed personnel into Mexico to battle drug cartels that maliciously murder and wage a war against the Mexican military.”

#2

So why don’t they (UP) inspect the freight cars as they enter the USA and remove the contraband material?

#3

Dunno all the whys and wherefores but have read, and seen, some cars and intermodal containers are sealed by the shipper. That might have some part in it.

Would expect manpower, money, and the calendar, to be the biggest “why nots”.

While Google-ing for something on numbers of carloads between US and Mexico found this http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-07/mexico-rail-freight-carloads-for-week-ended-april-2-table-.html

Mexico Rail Freight Carloads for Week Ended April 2
By Alex Tanzi -

The following table details the number of freight carloads on major Mexican railroads for the week ended April 2 compared with the same week a year ago, according to the Association of American Railroads.

Motor vehicles, chemicals, metals and grain account for most carloads. Multi-use containers hauled by rail represent most intermodal units originated.

NOTE: Mexican railroads reporting traffic are Ferrocarril Mexicano and KCS de Mexico.

SOURCE: Association of American Railroads,

To contact the reporter on this story: Alex Tanzi in Washington at [email protected]

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Marco Babic at [email protected]

#4
Forrest Scott Wood said:
Dunno all the whys and wherefores but have read, and seen, some cars and intermodal containers are sealed by the shipper. That might have some part in it.

Would expect manpower, money, and the calendar, to be the biggest “why nots”.

SNIP


So, using that logic it would be cheaper for UP to pay the fines than the cost of breaking a seal, checking the car and resealing it at the border.

#5

So what do customs officer do? wave to the trains!
A couple of dogs (drug sniffer searchers) and UP officials to reseal the wagons…what more do they need.

#6

I have a better idea… bring manufacturing back to the US and seal our borders. Anyone caught trying to cross the border illegally will be considered a foreign invasion attempt and shot on sight. Re open Ellis island and make it the only legal entry point on the east coast. Re open Alcatraz and make it the west coast equivalent.

Ya, I’m afraid I’m not politically correct.

#7
TonyWalsham said:
So, using that logic it would be cheaper for UP to pay the fines than the cost of breaking a seal, checking the car and resealing it at the border.
Good point, might be! Then toss in the lost hours in-transit, and it may be very appealing to do it that way. If I was running the RR I'd sure consider it - if my trains get slowed down then my income might move to trucks, and that don't pay for loco fuel.
#8
Jason Gallaway said:
I have a better idea... bring manufacturing back to the US and seal our borders. Anyone caught trying to cross the border illegally will be considered a foreign invasion attempt and shot on sight. Re open Ellis island and make it the only legal entry point on the east coast. Re open Alcatraz and make it the west coast equivalent.

Ya, I’m afraid I’m not politically correct.


The only way this is ever going to happen is for the US government to stop taxing, mandating and regulating US business to death. Chances of that happening are slim to none. The world’s first experiment to have the smallest, most limited government has resulted in the world’s largest and intrusive government ever known to man.

Anyways, freight that is sealed by the shipper can have the seal broken by federal authorities who will provide a new seal and record of inspection. I hauled a load of perfume from Montreal to Newark a few years ago and the USDA decided to do an inspection. Other than the fact that it killed an hour of my driving time it wasn’t a big deal. Got a new seal and inspection report to satisfy the consignee if they wanted to know the details.

#9

If our great government is so hard up for money why not sell all that dope they collect at cut rate prices and fill the budget gap! We spend way to much money on trying to stop the flow when we should just lock up the users, no market, no sales, no sending it over the boder! I know to easy and too many jail cells would get used!

Paul

#10

It’s cheaper to require the Union Pacific to police the border than for the gummint to do it. That is outsourcing at its’ best. Don’t even allow the states to police the border, just require the railroads to do it. Bring on the Pinkertons! :lol:

At least Australia doesn’t have to worry about importing contraband by railroad… or do they?

#11

At least the Pinkertons won’t be afraid to kill someone in the process…

#12

It was much easier to monitor when Britain was only linked to mainland Europe by Channel Ferry ships. Now the Channel Tunnel exists goodness only who and knows what arrives on our shores.

#13

Alan, but at least you only have one single point of entry.

#14

Welcome to the real world.
We are invaded on our southern boarder every day.
Then if you say anything they get mad and uglier.
They come steel your money ,your health care, your identity, and shot your neighbors.

#15

And then it gets political and Bob has to step in…again…

#16

There’s always my solution…Annex Mexico! :open_mouth: …Canada too while were at it! :wink: