Give him a raise Lion, you can't take it with you!
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Green Maned Lion
Engineer
What makes you think I'm particularly wealthy? I'm paying him as a Salesman primarily. He isn't my best, why should I pay him more?
J
Jason
Guest
My question has to do with the training in Wilmingham DE. When you are there for 8 weeks, how far is your hotel? I mean, how do ya get there and back? Do shopping? Get around. Is it all via taxi or bus? Coming from CA to DE is going to be interesting to say the least. Any insight from those who have been there for a long duration.
I live in northern DE so I can give you some insight.
I think I know where the training facility is (not positve, though). It's near the train station and that area is in a revitalization period. I don't know which hotel they will put you up in, but it will most likely be in downtown Wilm.
There is a grocery store near the train station.
There are plenty of buses to get you around for shopping. And there are two malls on bus routes in additon to many shopping centers.
Some of the buses run on Saturday's and Sunday. http://www.dartfirststate.com/
You can also train SEPTA up to Philadelphia.
I think I know where the training facility is (not positve, though). It's near the train station and that area is in a revitalization period. I don't know which hotel they will put you up in, but it will most likely be in downtown Wilm.
There is a grocery store near the train station.
There are plenty of buses to get you around for shopping. And there are two malls on bus routes in additon to many shopping centers.
Some of the buses run on Saturday's and Sunday. http://www.dartfirststate.com/
You can also train SEPTA up to Philadelphia.
J
Jason
Guest
Thank you Amtrak Blue. The training center is by the AAA ballpark on High Speed Drive off of 95. From the satelite view there is not much around. I was looking also at taking the train to Philly and to Washington. I have family in both places that I havent seen forever. Thanks so much for the help and the info. Much appreciated.
That's where I'm thinking, near the Blue Rocks stadium. Actually, I just remembered there is a new hotel right there, attached to the Chase Center. Don't know if Amtrak uses that hotel now, or not. There are restaurants along the river walk near there. And some new shops/condos/apartments. I don't know what the stores are as I just drive by them when I go down there for walks along the river. The grocery store is across the river (using the Market Street bridge near the station).
Once you know what hotel you'll be in, you can check the DART website to find which buses would get you around.
You mentioned the difference between CA and DE...I will see for myself in a few weeks when I go out to the Bay Area, via LA (on trains, of course). I've never been to the west coast.
Once you know what hotel you'll be in, you can check the DART website to find which buses would get you around.
You mentioned the difference between CA and DE...I will see for myself in a few weeks when I go out to the Bay Area, via LA (on trains, of course). I've never been to the west coast.
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Acela150
Super Buff
It's worth noting that you will have plenty of studying to do. So I wouldn't plan on spending much time socializing.
Class starts 9/8 for a projected 7 new Assistant Conductors out of Oakland, CA (Capitol Corridor, San Joaquin, California Zephyr, and Oakland Yard) and projected 5 new Assistant Conductors out of Sacramento (Capitol Corridor, San Joaquin, and Coast Starlight). Should be nice to get additional staffing. I had to back out as I have a few other things I'd like to do before being "owned" by the railroad but it sounds like a great opportunity! If you are in that class... best of luck!
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Thirdrail7
Engineer
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2014
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- 4,542
They usually have a van at the disposal of your class. My suggestion is you don't use it to travel to Atlantic City for a night out on the town. Such actions are frowned upon.
J
Jason
Guest
Thanks for all the info. I have been trying to do the research online to see the surrounding Area, and many folks have said I need to do a day in philly when I am out there. I dont know. Like Engineer's post, much of the time will be spent studying, but then again, I was able to crunch it in during college so well see. Thanks again.
J
Jon Blanco
Guest
Simple question in regards to the 8 week training. While i'm there they are only paying for my lodging and meals and I need to make sure I have enough money to cover my personal bills until I complete the training and have a Job Location?
Triley
Real Lead Service Attendant
I'm not sure what your question actually is.
Rest assured that there is a training rate paid to you, though I can not tell you what exactly that training rate would be, as it varies by union. Same with meal pay. I can tell you that as an LSA I received $64/training day (M-F), and $22.95/day for meals, even though the hotel they had us in gave free breakfast. That being said, you can wait and see if someone else here can tell you training pay will be, or else I suggest you just wait for the new hire packet in the mail. In there you will be find your job offer which should detail your training rate, as well as where you will be put up for lodging. In DC there's two hotels we use (which is where they sent us for training), but I've heard that in Wilmington (where Engineers and ACs train) they will either use a hotel or something kind of like a corporate leased apartment.
Also, welcome aboard! It's tough getting acclimated, and you will hear a lot of negativity, but try to ignore it. There are some really good people out there. Take it from me, I've just finished my on the job training yesterday, and tomorrow I'm marking up to the BOS extra board!
A
AsstPassConductor
Guest
Asst. Conductor Training pay is $15.75/hr. While in Delaware you will be paid 40 hours per week plus $25 a day for meals. Lodging is provided. If it is still the same place, the hotel has "breakfast". I hope you like chewy granola bars. A large passenger van is afforded to each class for going to/from school and running errands around town. Pay periods are two weeks long and pay is disbursed two weeks after that. Depending on when class starts relative to the pay period, the first check won't arrive for three to four weeks.
Once at your crew base the $15.75/hr rate continues and is paid based on actual working hours until you mark up.
Once at your crew base the $15.75/hr rate continues and is paid based on actual working hours until you mark up.
andersone
Conductor
Welcome aboard, and remember the great traditions of your profession.
Many have gone before you who have made the rails proud.
Many have gone before you who have made the rails proud.
I
inthegauge
Guest
Great. A thousand more foamers who think they know everything about railroading. Because they've waved at or taken pictures of lots of trains. Most have terrible social skills in an environment surrounded by people.
Love Amtrak trains? Ride em. Don't apply. We are professionals, not just out for a paid train ride.
This site is full of foamers, and while its great to have a hobby, Foamers need not apply for these jobs.
Love Amtrak trains? Ride em. Don't apply. We are professionals, not just out for a paid train ride.
This site is full of foamers, and while its great to have a hobby, Foamers need not apply for these jobs.
You do realize many members of this site are current or former OBS, right?
unfortunately, the attitude shown is shared by many in the RR industry....
OTOH, good luck TRILEY!
OTOH, good luck TRILEY!
Bet your tips aren't what they could be Scrooge!
Ever hear the saying that if you love what you do for a living you'll never spend a day working? Most of us, no matter what our careers, work very hard for the money, but loving what you do is the way to roll!
I hope I never have to ride on your train no matter what your job,you must be a very unhappy person and this kind of attitude makes being around people like you an unpleasant experience!
Hopefully you dont pass this attitude on to new hires when they are training, maybe you should move to freight!
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FormerOBS
Conductor
Loving your job is important, no matter what that job may be.
Railfans who come into railroad jobs are sometimes looked upon with suspicion because they often know more about the industry than a typical (non-railfan) new hire would know. There are some veterans who feel threatened by this. There are also new hire railfans who look and act like know-it-alls. Veterans may not feel threatened by them, but they can feel insulted by them.
The trick is to enter the job with a certain degree of humility. Don't act like you know everything. You don't. It's clear that railfans do know more than a typical new hire knows; but they certainly don't know the details of the job the way a veteran knows them. Use the job as a means to enhance and increase your knowledge. Don't use it as a free ticket on an ego trip.
In my own case, I never hid my railroad interest. Maybe I should have, at least in the beginning. But I approached veterans by showing my curiosity, rather than showing off my prior knowledge. Eventually the veterans accepted me on a basis of mutual respect. Before I retired, I was the train's go-to guy for all questions related to railroad history. But even after working there for over 25 years, I was learning things.
People asked me how I could have railroads as both my job and my hobby. I responded by telling them my job involved passenger service on a modern railroad. My hobby, on the other hand, involved railroad history ands practice, with an emphasis on steam locomotives, timetable/train order operation, jointed ("stick") rail, cabooses on freight trains, full crews, LCL, and all the things that characterized railroad operations 60-70 years ago. I like people, so I liked many things about my job. And I was on the rails, which is as close as you can get to those days in the past. But I always tried to keep one foot in the real world, even if the other foot was in the past.
Tom
Railfans who come into railroad jobs are sometimes looked upon with suspicion because they often know more about the industry than a typical (non-railfan) new hire would know. There are some veterans who feel threatened by this. There are also new hire railfans who look and act like know-it-alls. Veterans may not feel threatened by them, but they can feel insulted by them.
The trick is to enter the job with a certain degree of humility. Don't act like you know everything. You don't. It's clear that railfans do know more than a typical new hire knows; but they certainly don't know the details of the job the way a veteran knows them. Use the job as a means to enhance and increase your knowledge. Don't use it as a free ticket on an ego trip.
In my own case, I never hid my railroad interest. Maybe I should have, at least in the beginning. But I approached veterans by showing my curiosity, rather than showing off my prior knowledge. Eventually the veterans accepted me on a basis of mutual respect. Before I retired, I was the train's go-to guy for all questions related to railroad history. But even after working there for over 25 years, I was learning things.
People asked me how I could have railroads as both my job and my hobby. I responded by telling them my job involved passenger service on a modern railroad. My hobby, on the other hand, involved railroad history ands practice, with an emphasis on steam locomotives, timetable/train order operation, jointed ("stick") rail, cabooses on freight trains, full crews, LCL, and all the things that characterized railroad operations 60-70 years ago. I like people, so I liked many things about my job. And I was on the rails, which is as close as you can get to those days in the past. But I always tried to keep one foot in the real world, even if the other foot was in the past.
Tom
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greatcats
Engineer
I nominate Tom for AU member of the year. I appreciate your excellent information and viewpoints.
What!?! There's an AU member of the year? Dang, I should have behaved myself this year (on AU and at the gathering). :giggle:
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