Careers with Amtrak

[Brian Battuello]

Great idea! And if you ride often enough and linger over a drink in the cafe car you will hear plenty of discussions between crew members about various work conditions and route bidding strategies. It is just like getting a seat on a plane next to the galley.

 

[Acela150]

Hi, My name is Nasir Smith I have just gotten the clear for orientation on May 15th for my first day as OBS out of Chicago. I am contemplating if I still will like to move forward with Amtrak as I’m nervous about the traveling in on call. Have never worked on a train or railroad a day in my life. I actually turn 22 the day they would like me to come in. Honestly if anybody is or knows anything about the position and has worked the position out of Chicago and can help with information I should know that can help me further clear my decision and calm my anxiety some and make me not feel I’m making a dumb decision for being nervous I would appreciate it

Send me a PM and I can go over the job in depth.

 

[Asaeru15]

not sure how to do that

 

[pennyk]

not sure how to do that

Often new members are unable to initiate PMs but are able to respond. Maybe @Acela150 will send you a PM.

 

[Acela150]

Often new members are unable to initiate PMs but are able to respond. Maybe @Acela150 will send you a PM.

Learn something new everyday. Thanks for the info Penny. I didn’t know that. I’ll reach out to them.

 

[Nickylaz]

Could you not call them to let them know you had an emergency? I would think that being a no-show is going to count against you. Also, if you communicate with them via letter or email, I would suggest proof reading your typing!

Hi I have questions about LSA.

 

[Acela150]

Hi I have questions about LSA.

What questions do you have?

 

[Adamkp1]

I interviewed with Amtrak two weeks ago May 17. They told me it could 2-3 weeks to know if I got the job or not. My application status says “under review”. Now the status date changed from 5/9 to 5/25, but still under review. Is that a good sign? Do they do the background check before they contact you back? Any advice helps me. Thank you.

 

[Acela150]

I interviewed with Amtrak two weeks ago May 17. They told me it could 2-3 weeks to know if I got the job or not. My application status says “under review”. Now the status date changed from 5/9 to 5/25, but still under review. Is that a good sign? Do they do the background check before they contact you back? Any advice helps me. Thank you.

Background checks are completed after an offer is extended and accepted by the applicant.

 

[Jay Boricua]

Greetings,

I'm in the hiring process for the New York to Washington D. C. position; I've interviewed and await a response. Lots of questions:
How difficult is the training at Willington?
What's expected of the trainee during OJT?
What disqualifies an individual from a Medical Physical?
Is Initial pay continuous until fully qualified?

Thank you,

Jay

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Greetings,

I'm in the hiring process for the New York to Washington D. C. position; I've interviewed and await a response. Lots of questions:
How difficult is the training at Willington?
What's expected of the trainee during OJT?
What disqualifies an individual from a Medical Physical?
Is Initial pay continuous until fully qualified?

Thank you,

Jay

I believe you mean Wilmington, not Willington.

 

[OBS]

Greetings,

I'm in the hiring process for the New York to Washington D. C. position; I've interviewed and await a response. Lots of questions:
How difficult is the training at Willington?
What's expected of the trainee during OJT?
What disqualifies an individual from a Medical Physical?
Is Initial pay continuous until fully qualified?

Thank you,

Jay

What type of position?

Most medical disqualifications are either lifting weakness or drug testing related...

Answers to your other questions depend upon the position.

 

[Jay Boricua]

Passenger Engineer Trainee

 

[Jay Boricua]

I believe you mean Wilmington, not Willington.

Sorry, any recommendations on how to obtain information on the passenger engineer trainee school house. How to prepare for the academics. What to expect during the OJT phase. I have several questions and I have no idea where to find the answers. Thank you in advance.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Sorry, any recommendations on how to obtain information on the passenger engineer trainee school house. How to prepare for the academics. What to expect during the OJT phase. I have several questions and I have no idea where to find the answers. Thank you in advance.

This is not first hand knowledge, so take it with a grain of salt.

It takes about 18 months before you're can be certified. I would expect the first few months to be class room training. Then I believe you go out with a trainer and become familiar with the territory you'll be working on, then qualify on each section of that territory. Then you'll be assigned to trains with a trainer sitting in the fireman's seat. This will be take months before you go through certification and be assigned your first solo trip.

 

[OBS]

Let me add, if you have no Railroad experience, You are going to be learning a LOT of information. You will be training at an Amtrak facility in Wilmington. The first several weeks will be mainly classroom training. You will be housed in a local motel in Wilmington and transported back and forth to class. Not to scare you but there are usually several people weeded out during the first weeks because they don't take the classes and learning seriously. It can be a very rewarding and good $$ career but there is a lot to learn and a lot of responsibility.

Hopefully someone else will be along with more direct experience to provide additional info.

Good Luck!

 

[outbound]

I've been browsing Amtrak's career page recently and if not for this thread, would not have stumbled upon the notice of the National Hiring Day on June 14:

https://media.amtrak.com/2023/06/amtrak-hosts-national-hiring-day-on-june-14/
"Amtrak has more than 4,000 positions available that span a number of disciplines, including IT, onboard services, finance, mechanical, conductors, engineers, customer service, construction and many more. Hosting hiring events in Washington, DC, Philadelphia and virtually on June 14 for National Hiring Day, candidates are encouraged to register and see how their future rides with Amtrak. Walk ins are also welcome."

Obviously this late notice here is unlikely to find anyone here, but thanks to the members of this forum who are responding to questions for new members and lurkers like me alike. Happy rails y'all.

 

[Acela150]

Greetings,

I'm in the hiring process for the New York to Washington D. C. position; I've interviewed and await a response. Lots of questions:
How difficult is the training at Willington?
What's expected of the trainee during OJT?
What disqualifies an individual from a Medical Physical?
Is Initial pay continuous until fully qualified?

Thank you,

Jay

Hiring process or application process?

Two very different things.

Hiring process meaning that you are going to or have an interview for the job.

Application process meaning you applied for the job and are awaiting an answer from HR if you will be interviewed.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Hiring process or application process?

Two very different things.

Hiring process meaning that you are going to or have an interview for the job.

Application process meaning you applied for the job and are awaiting an answer from HR if you will be interviewed.

He said he interviewed.

 

[Acela150]

He said he interviewed.

Thank you! At least someone is paying attention. Lol!

I’ll be able to give the poster an answer either tonight or tomorrow when I get in front of a computer.

 

[OBS]

Thank you! At least someone is paying attention. Lol!

I’ll be able to give the poster an answer either tonight or tomorrow when I get in front of a computer.

Thanks. I knew you would be along to help.

 

[earl hollister]

Hello My Name Is Earl and I was wondering If anyone in this forum works for Amtrak I was thinking about working for them someday I'd like to hear about how you like working for them

 

[Acela150]

How difficult is the training at Willington?
What's expected of the trainee during OJT?
What disqualifies an individual from a Medical Physical?
Is Initial pay continuous until fully qualified?

So your first question, I'll respond with another question that I believe OBS brought up. Do you have any RR experience?

Question 2: That depends on who your running with etc. You'll first qualify on the territory and then start running piece by piece. If you have no RR experience or have no experience as an Engineer you'll be a Student for at least 18 months. Students who are already Certified Engineers are along a 9-12 month path currently.

Question 3: That's an answer that Medical would know.

Question 4: I forget what the student rate is currently. But, until you're marked up and running on your own you make a straight rate of pay with no Overtime.

 

[Jay Boricua]

What type of position?

Most medical disqualifications are either lifting weakness or drug testing related...

Answers to your other questions depend upon the position.

Greetings, I see you have some information regarding the position of Passenger Engineer Trainee. Is it possible to ask you some further questions?

 

[OBS]

Greetings, I see you have some information regarding the position of Passenger Engineer Trainee. Is it possible to ask you some further questions?

You may certainly ask, my info may be somewhat limited, but there are some others on here who may be able to answer as well.