need more advice

[megan Andon]

I am studying Amtrak at (TCU) Transportation and Communication Union in San Jose California.

My goal is an Amtrak job. I like to Travel alot and that is why i am so interested in Amtrak.

i have only been here in the United States for two years and 10 months, I came from an Island named Yap by Guam, part of Micronesia. I cam here to the States to start a Career as Amtrak and now I am half way done and i've been browsing through Internet searching about Amtrak information and thats how i found this site and so I created my Account.

I'm only 21 years old and i have only speak English when i first got here. I am really striving and working hard

for my Career. Anyone can share anything related or about Amtrak?? i'll be morethan happy and appreciate your advice.

Thanks

 

[TimePeace]

Wishing you the best in your carreer plans. There are a few current and former employees of Amtrak that participate here, perhaps some of themn can answer some qustions for you.

Welcome to AU!

 

[The Davy Crockett]

I'll second the motion: Welcome to AU!!!

I consider this forum to be almost like an online Amtrak University, so the 'AU' abbreviation seems very appropriate . I know I've learned a lot here and it is a great place to keep current on the latest.

Good luck in your great career choice, and don't be afraid to ask questions. A lot of us might learn something!

 

[the_traveler]

And another welcome aboard Amtrak Unlimited (AU) and best wishes in the pursuit of your goal.

I just want to make you aware that AU (although it has the word Amtrak in the name) is NOT affiliated with Amtrak. Yes, there are some current and former employees on AU, but 95%+ of the members of AU do not work for Amtrak! If you have questions, we can try to answer them, but remember that what is "the official Amtrak answer" and what the general public thinks are not always the same thing!

And for speaking and writing English for under 3 years, you speak and write better than many who have lived in the US for 50 or 60 years. So that itself is quite an accomplishment!

Again, welcome! :hi:

 

[guest]

Your English may not be perfect, but at least you know not to use uppercase for the first letter of every word, like some people.

Note that Amtrak is probably not a great choice of career, because no one knows if it will be still around until you retire. And it is not like an airline where you can just work for another airline if the first one folds.

 

[OBS]

Your English may not be perfect, but at least you know not to use uppercase for the first letter of every word, like some people.
Note that Amtrak is probably not a great choice of career, because no one knows if it will be still around until you retire. And it is not like an airline where you can just work for another airline if the first one folds.

There is no guarantee ANY company will still be around when you get ready to retire 40 years later...

 

[rusty spike]

Note that Amtrak is probably not a great choice of career, because no one knows if it will be still around until you retire. And it is not like an airline where you can just work for another airline if the first one folds.

Well, Amtrak has been around for almost 42 years and is still "chugging" along. How many privately held companies that were robust corporations 40 years ago that do not exist today?

As for as transportation companies, do Greyhound Bus Lines, United Airlines and the most current obvious example, American Airlines, even resemble what they looked like 40 years ago? If and when the US Airways/American Airlines merger finally shakes out, e'll see how many of those folks are still employed in the airline industry.

 

[Amtrak Cajun]

Megan, welcome to the forum. I hope you enjoy it here.

Feel free to ask any questions, and we will try to help you to the best of our abilities.

 

[the_traveler]

Note that Amtrak is probably not a great choice of career, because no one knows if it will be still around until you retire. And it is not like an airline where you can just work for another airline if the first one folds.

There is no guarantee ANY company will still be around when you get ready to retire 40 years later.

That is very true. Does Braniff Airlines, Eastern Airlines, Pan Am Airlines, Trans World Airlines (TWA), Aloha Airlines, the original Trailways bus company, the original AT&T, etc... still exist today? :blush: 40 years ago, these were all major companies! And Amtrak was just beginning. As far as I know, Amtrak is still in existence, while the others listed are not! :excl:

 

[Guest]

Doesn't anyone read? As I said in my previous post, there are always other airlines, but that's not true in the long distance passenger rail business.

 

[rusty spike]

Doesn't anyone read? As I said in my previous post, there are always other airlines, but that's not true in the long distance passenger rail business.

I can read but you need some help with the facts. Your statement that "you can just work for another airline if the first one folds" is based on a false premise that the airline industry is expanding. It is not.

Some facts out of July 2011 Air Line Pilot Magazine: the peak year in U.S. airline employment was 2000 with over 650,000 employed Americans working for an airline. Since that time the airlines have cut nearly 150,000 jobs. 30% of all U.S. airlines filed for bankruptcy in the decade 2000-2010. Of course that is still going on as we speak. I'm sure it will comfort those 9000 employees of U.S. Airways in Arizona that the ones left out of the merger and move of US Airways and American Airlines, can just hop on over the Southwest Airlines and get a job.

Just wondering though.... If any of those 150,000 kicked out by the airline industry are working for Amtrak today.

 

[The Davy Crockett]

Doesn't anyone read? As I said in my previous post, there are always other airlines, but that's not true in the long distance passenger rail business.

I can read but you need some help with the facts. Your statement that "you can just work for another airline if the first one folds" is based on a false premise that the airline industry is expanding. It is not.

Some facts out of July 2011 Air Line Pilot Magazine: the peak year in U.S. airline employment was 2000 with over 650,000 employed Americans working for an airline. Since that time the airlines have cut nearly 150,000 jobs. 30% of all U.S. airlines filed for bankruptcy in the decade 2000-2010. Of course that is still going on as we speak. I'm sure it will comfort those 9000 employees of U.S. Airways in Arizona that the ones left out of the merger and move of US Airways and American Airlines, can just hop on over the Southwest Airlines and get a job.

Just wondering though.... If any of those 150,000 kicked out by the airline industry are working for Amtrak today.

3 points for rusty spike. 'guest' - 0

 

[CHamilton]

This might be of interest. It's probably more advanced than where you are right now, but you might want to contact the college and see what else they offer.

Pennsylvania college offers introductory course for engineers, conductors

For the sixth-straight year, Bucks County Community College in Newtown, Pa., is offering a locomotive engineer and conductor basic training program. Classes begin May 4.


The college's division of continuing education will conduct information sessions on the 65-hour introductory course April 15 and 22. Targeted at people who are considering a career change to the rail industry, the course helps prepare students to enter an engineer or conductor training program at a freight or passenger railroad.
...
Students enrolled in the course will meet twice a week from May 4 to June 25 at the college's Newtown campus.

 

[oldtimer]

Doesn't anyone read? As I said in my previous post, there are always other airlines, but that's not true in the long distance passenger rail business.

I can read but you need some help with the facts. Your statement that "you can just work for another airline if the first one folds" is based on a false premise that the airline industry is expanding. It is not.

Some facts out of July 2011 Air Line Pilot Magazine: the peak year in U.S. airline employment was 2000 with over 650,000 employed Americans working for an airline. Since that time the airlines have cut nearly 150,000 jobs. 30% of all U.S. airlines filed for bankruptcy in the decade 2000-2010. Of course that is still going on as we speak. I'm sure it will comfort those 9000 employees of U.S. Airways in Arizona that the ones left out of the merger and move of US Airways and American Airlines, can just hop on over the Southwest Airlines and get a job.

Just wondering though.... If any of those 150,000 kicked out by the airline industry are working for Amtrak today.

Rusty,

I just had to post as I worked as an aircraft mechanic (airframe and powerplant FAA licensed) for 3 different airlines and one repair station from 1968 to 1971. Laid off from the last one on Christmas Eve! I went to the railroad in April 1972 to get enough money to by a new car, I still think I have 47 more payments and that baby will be all mine!

 

[user 1215]

Is that a RAIL car you're buying?