I took that exam about 2 years ago when considering a conductor position out of Milwaukee.I'm not sure what passing is, but I got a call back 2 days later from some guy in Chicago who said "you passed with flying colors, and we'd like to see you down here later this week for an interview".
Is it still the test that was obviously written in the 1980's and asks questions about Slumbercoaches? (I'M SERIOUS!)
I aced the interview and got an offer, but didn't take it for a number of reasons:
1. Less pay than I make now
2. Don't really want to go to Delaware for 3 months
3. Don't really want to work or be on-call 6 days a week with only 1 day off
4. Don't like the whole extra-board thing... as the guy said... you could be on it for 10 days or 10 years
5. Like my current work schedule (FRI-SUN off every week)
6. I have 4 weeks vacation at my current job and dont want to give that up
and most of all, I'm afraid I'd lose my love of riding as a passenger. When I told a conductor friend of mine I was going to apply... he was like "Are you sure? You're not likely to be a big railfan after you work out here." I was like... YES I WILL BE!
Then he asked... "Do you hang around the TV station you work at on your day off?"... And I was like... HELL, NO. Then he was like... Exactly. "You're not going to want to ride trains for fun on the 1 day off a week you have".
Yeah, and that really got me thinking.
I think if I was laid off from my current job, I'd apply in a heart beat. OR if they had more of a communications or PR job I would definetly apply, but not a conductor -- I don't think I'm cut out for it.
RT