Why is Amtrak so hard to break into?

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Is it because they have so many applicants? Do they want prior railroad experience? I get the feeling they have a high veteran preference. I've been trying to become a Conductor there for a while. I've been a freight Conductor for about 2 months. Is 2 months too soon to apply to Amtrak again?

Thanks for any answers.
 
Stability is a big thing. You've been a conductor for 2 months...and already looking to jump ship before you really even learn the job where you are. That's not a good sign, when hiring, makes one wonder how long you'll be with them before looking to move on. (not a criticism, just the facts, it takes 2-3 years for a Conductor to really get a handle on what they're doing, 2 months is just getting started). I'd try again in a few years, even better if you can go into engine service within that time, an engineer certification will certainly help, especially from a Class 1 RR, but still a plus even if you're with a smaller Regional or Class III RR. With a 240 card you might even get to go straight into engine service if that's what you're end goal is. But yes, it is hard to get on with Amtrak-They have a lot of applicants, and few jobs. There will be a pretty big exodus before long however, as more of their white whiskers move into retirement, so hang in there.
 
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Because they lock their trains at night? :p

(Sorry, I don't really have anything constructive to add...I think think Shortline said it well)
 
Matt: Shortline gave excellent advice!

You're already one of the few chosen from the many applicants that apply to Railroads so I too say learn your current job, work on certification as an engineer and your resume will put you @ the top of the list when it comes to apply again with Amtrak!
 
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Amtrak has some of the greatest employee stability I've seen, and this applies across the board. This is a plus in that you get lots of experienced people in their jobs, but it also reduces turnover in a way that you rarely see anymore. There are a ton of career employees at Amtrak and not many who just "pop in and pop out" like you see in other places. I've noticed this in terms of OBS, but I'd be shocked if it didn't apply elsewhere.

IMHO, your best shot is probably going to be to try and get pulled in when the new routes in IL get started (Chicago-Quad Cities and Chicago-Rockford), since Amtrak will need to add a batch of conductors in the Chicago area...which will probably result in some chain-reaction vacancies if people opt to move to take those slots. Other ramp-ups through 2017 (in the Northwest, for example) should provide other opportunities.
 
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Is it because they have so many applicants? Do they want prior railroad experience? I get the feeling they have a high veteran preference. I've been trying to become a Conductor there for a while. I've been a freight Conductor for about 2 months. Is 2 months too soon to apply to Amtrak again?

Thanks for any answers.
Mostly, it's that there aren't a whole lot of job openings (maybe more as some greybeards retire, and some new services start).

Amtrak can afford to be choosy. The pay and benefits are pretty good. The responsibilty required of operating crew -- also pretty heavy.

The freight railroads seem to be in a hiring panic, but have no clue where even to look after years and years of shrinking, laying off, etc. Now the freights need operators but seem to have lost any clue how to hire.

So -- you already working on a freight railroad, and want the advantages of working for Amtrak. --

Nobody knows how the dice will roll --

Only advice is -- keep a clean nose -follow the news - apply when you think you are ready.

Finding an amtrak conductor or engineer who will even speak with you about the insides of the local situation would be good for you -- but -- unlikely.
 
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Stability is a big thing. You've been a conductor for 2 months...and already looking to jump ship before you really even learn the job where you are. That's not a good sign, when hiring, makes one wonder how long you'll be with them before looking to move on. (not a criticism, just the facts, it takes 2-3 years for a Conductor to really get a handle on what they're doing, 2 months is just getting started). I'd try again in a few years, even better if you can go into engine service within that time, an engineer certification will certainly help, especially from a Class 1 RR, but still a plus even if you're with a smaller Regional or Class III RR. With a 240 card you might even get to go straight into engine service if that's what you're end goal is. But yes, it is hard to get on with Amtrak-They have a lot of applicants, and few jobs. There will be a pretty big exodus before long however, as more of their white whiskers move into retirement, so hang in there.
This is the best answer possible.

As someone who is attending Modoc Railroad Academy railroads look for prior railroad experience. Here's your issue. You've been on the job for 2 months. I can tell you that I've learned more then you probably know in 6 weeks at Modoc. One thing that I can tell you is that a lot of folks jump from railroad to railroad. Most folks try to get on with Amtrak. Major Class I railroads that carry freight are constantly losing folks to Amtrak. For several reasons I will NOT go into. Cause I'm trying to look out for myself.

I can tell you that any railroad looks for job stability. If your trying to jump ship only 2 months in.. Sorry to say this. But you look like a huge a** to your current railroad and Amtrak.

Put 2 years or so in with your current railroad and then look to jump to Amtrak. I can tell you that another railroad wouldn't even consider you since you only have 2 months in.
 
I should add that your probation period is most likely not over yet. Keep in mind that the railroad you work for can terminate you without cause during that period. Should your railroad find out you're trying to shift to Amtrak you will lose your job and the union won't be able to do anything about it.

Cliff one reason why Amtrak has a stable rate is because other then paperwork their isn't much for the conductors to do IMO. Scan tickets, ensure safe en-training and de-training of PAX. I'm sure there's more but it's not as hard of work as a Freight Conductor goes through.
 
Think about it from Amtrak's (or any employers) view as well if you're looking to jump ship after only two months a hiring manager will figure that the same will happen to them should something happen that you don't like workwise.

Take the time, learn the rules, signal aspects, etc. gain a good transferable knowledge base then try to go to Amtrak with that. Use the time to make yourself the strongest candidate you can be then shift. Remember while things seem rough right now you'll get through the nerves as your knowledge increases and be in better shape.
 
I should add that your probation period is most likely not over yet. Keep in mind that the railroad you work for can terminate you without cause during that period. Should your railroad find out you're trying to shift to Amtrak you will lose your job and the union won't be able to do anything about it.

Cliff one reason why Amtrak has a stable rate is because other then paperwork their isn't much for the conductors to do IMO. Scan tickets, ensure safe en-training and de-training of PAX. I'm sure there's more but it's not as hard of work as a Freight Conductor goes through.
Not much for Amtrak conductors to do - maybe so. Surely when the brake pipe breaks from crossing debris it is a lot easier to walk a 10-car Amtrak train than a 110-car freight. Ya sure.

But - the people skills an Amtrak conductor needs -- Consider -- the only other human on a freight (besides you, the conductor) is the engineer. It's relatively easy to get a working relationship with one other person for a short-term (no more than 12hours) relationship.

An Amtrak conductor may be on the NEC where half the riders know her/him but still has to be really really up on -- CPR - the onboard AED (there's a thread about that), and the best ways to get drunks and gropers off the train with minimum delay :)

Different strokes -- like we used to say long ago.

Actually, well, freight conductors and Amtrak conductors -- not the same -- aside from qualifying on all the rules, and walking the train when there's an "unwanted emergency application" -- do freight conductors have to qualify on CPR ?
 
Sorry to be dense, but what do freight conductors do, anyhow? Where do they sit? What similarities, other than the title, are there between a freight conductor's job and a passenger conductor's job? Do all freight trains have a conductor? Is it an anachronistic holdover or is there some practical aspect to the job that cannot be done by the engineer?
 
Sorry to be dense, but what do freight conductors do, anyhow? Where do they sit? What similarities, other than the title, are there between a freight conductor's job and a passenger conductor's job? Do all freight trains have a conductor? Is it an anachronistic holdover or is there some practical aspect to the job that cannot be done by the engineer?
Freight conductors are the backup for the engineer. When the train trips the detector it's the conductor that walks the mile to the end of the train FRED and back to the engine, and fixes the brakes.. The engineer gets to sit in the cab - the conductor has to walk the train and fix the brake-pipe.

deal with the

Passenger conductors also have to fix broken brake-pipe type4 stuff, - and deal with the stupid drunk pax, and deal with the sorry sorry broken infrastructure ""slow orders" world.

Even in Ecuador they make the trains work.

Sheesh!
 
I should add that your probation period is most likely not over yet. Keep in mind that the railroad you work for can terminate you without cause during that period. Should your railroad find out you're trying to shift to Amtrak you will lose your job and the union won't be able to do anything about it.
OP, if that is the case, you might want to consider changing your display name on this board so that it isn't your first and last name which will be easily google-able.
 
Amtrak has some of the greatest employee stability I've seen, and this applies across the board. This is a plus in that you get lots of experienced people in their jobs, but it also reduces turnover in a way that you rarely see anymore. There are a ton of career employees at Amtrak and not many who just "pop in and pop out" like you see in other places. I've noticed this in terms of OBS, but I'd be shocked if it didn't apply elsewhere.
I've talked to some conductors about taking Caltrain on occasion, and have been told by a few that they used to work on Caltrain when Amtrak had the contract. Then the inevitable question was why they didn't accept the Caltrain positions with the new contractor, and the answer is "seniority". They've got a good thing with Amtrak.
 
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