Careers with Amtrak

[Acela150]

I just started my training trips . But I had a general question how to do you check your time sheets can you check it online?

Let your OJT Trainer explain time sheets to you and how they work.

 

[MisterDriver]

Hello everyone I am new to this forum, thanks for having me! I just wanted some opinions about Amtrak vs Septa. I was recently offered a position within Amtrak as an LSA with training beginning in May. I was also offered a position within septa to be a Conductor/Engineer trainee, training date TBD. I ultimately want to be a conductor with Amtrak so would it be best to start as an LSA and bid up to an Amtrak Passenger Conductor trainee or sign on with Septa, complete the certification and try to transfer over? Please I can use all the input I can get, thank you!

 

[OBS]

Speaking as a retired LSA, that is a tough question to answer as there are pros and cons to both. It is probably slightly more advantageous to hire with Amtrak now and then after a year ( minimum waiting time to change crafts) apply to become a conductor. I say this only because then you will be very familiar Amtrak operations and will make the transition easier.

 

[Acela150]

Hello everyone I am new to this forum, thanks for having me! I just wanted some opinions about Amtrak vs Septa. I was recently offered a position within Amtrak as an LSA with training beginning in May. I was also offered a position within septa to be a Conductor/Engineer trainee, training date TBD. I ultimately want to be a conductor with Amtrak so would it be best to start as an LSA and bid up to an Amtrak Passenger Conductor trainee or sign on with Septa, complete the certification and try to transfer over? Please I can use all the input I can get, thank you!

Take the LSA job. People are running from Septa as fast as they can these days. I've lost count of how many Septa guys are in the Philly crew base these days let alone Amtrak.

 

[Mardies Parchman]

How does it work when you are released to the board for Lsa? How soon aftercbeinh released dies Cnc contact you?

 

[railiner]

Speaking as a retired LSA, that is a tough question to answer as there are pros and cons to both. It is probably slightly more advantageous to hire with Amtrak now and then after a year ( minimum waiting time to change crafts) apply to become a conductor. I say this only because then you will be very familiar Amtrak operations and will make the transition easier.

I understand that changing from OBS crafts to T&E crafts would effectively mean you are “starting from scratch”, as far as bidding seniority goes (different union’s); but do any corporate longevity benefits carry over?

 

[OBS]

I understand that changing from OBS crafts to T&E crafts would effectively mean you are “starting from scratch”, as far as bidding seniority goes (different union’s); but do any corporate longevity benefits carry over?

Yes for RRB and I think vacation.

 

[railiner]

Yes for RRB and I think vacation.

Yes, RRB carries over even to different railroads, just as Social Security does between different non-rail jobs. If they count total Company longevity for accrued vacation and/or sick leave time, that would be a plus. I had thought each individual union contract would define that…

 

[MisterDriver]

Take the LSA job. People are running from Septa as fast as they can these days. I've lost count of how many Septa guys are in the Philly crew base these days let alone Amtrak.

Thanks Acela150 I read one of your older posts about you working for Septa and was hoping you’d respond. I wanted to PM you but I’m new and don’t know my way around yet lol. Thanks everyone for getting back to me. I have a close friend who has been an LSA for 10 years so I understand a lot of the pros and cons of both but not all. At this point hiring on with Amtrak seems like the better bet so I’m almost certain that’s what I will choose.

 

[Acela150]

Thanks Acela150 I read one of your older posts about you working for Septa and was hoping you’d respond. I wanted to PM you but I’m new and don’t know my way around yet lol. Thanks everyone for getting back to me. I have a close friend who has been an LSA for 10 years so I understand a lot of the pros and cons of both but not all. At this point hiring on with Amtrak seems like the better bet so I’m almost certain that’s what I will choose.

Feel free to drop me a PM at anytime with any questions.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Thanks Acela150 I read one of your older posts about you working for Septa and was hoping you’d respond. I wanted to PM you but I’m new and don’t know my way around yet lol. Thanks everyone for getting back to me. I have a close friend who has been an LSA for 10 years so I understand a lot of the pros and cons of both but not all. At this point hiring on with Amtrak seems like the better bet so I’m almost certain that’s what I will choose.

Re PMing someone. You should an envelope icon at the top right of the screen. Click on that and choose Start New Conversation. Then type Acela150 in the recipients box and your message in the big box

 

[AmtrakMaineiac]

People are running from Septa as fast as they can these days.

Wow I wonder what is happening with SEPTA. One would think a regional rail job where you get to sleep in your own bed every night would have some advantages.

 

[Contreraz77]

Hello,
I got a contingent job offer with Amtrak and passed my background, medical and drug test. I emailed my recruiter for an update to my application, he said it is contingent upon availability in training class next month. However today I noticed they “re-listed” the position I applied for (same job # as well). Does this mean I wasn’t chosen? I’m so confused

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Hello,
I got a contingent job offer with Amtrak and passed my background, medical and drug test. I emailed my recruiter for an update to my application, he said it is contingent upon availability in training class next month. However today I noticed they “re-listed” the position I applied for (same job # as well). Does this mean I wasn’t chosen? I’m so confused

They may not have gotten enough qualified applicatants the first go around

 

[Contreraz77]

They may not have gotten enough qualified applicatants the first go around

So, they have to get a certain amount of qualified applicants in order for me to go to the training class, I’m so confused! From what I was told they were only hiring for 1 conductor position and not hiring again for a while (it’s a small station)

 

[Acela150]

When I get home I’ll provide you more information. I’m on my phone and it’s way too much to type.

 

[Contreraz77]

When I get home I’ll provide you more information. I’m on my phone and it’s way too much to type.

Ok thank you it’s very much appreciated!

 

[Acela150]

Hello,
I got a contingent job offer with Amtrak and passed my background, medical and drug test. I emailed my recruiter for an update to my application, he said it is contingent upon availability in training class next month. However today I noticed they “re-listed” the position I applied for (same job # as well). Does this mean I wasn’t chosen? I’m so confused

Apologies for a delayed reply. I haven't been able to touch my computer lately because I've been really busy with work and my personal life.

Amtrak runs Classes for AC's once every few months. Currently the classes are abnormally large to push through hiring. I will not publicly comment the size of these classes. They don't just hold a class for one person, they hold classes for multiple people across the country.

Don't worry about the job being reposted. That is an extremely frequent occurrence.

 

[zezerbing*]

So.. I am a welder. The kids are out and married, I'm divorced. I sold the house.I've always wanted to do something else. I've ridden Amtrak several times. Working on a train appeals to me.Ive filed out the job app. Its been about a year and been turned down several times and want to know if my resume is all wrong. Yes, being a welder is a lot different that OBS. But I tried to high light what I can do. Being a welder means I'm hard working.Ive never been fired. I also owned my own welding business. I high lighted that I worked retail with people. (sears, JCPenny, Home depot, etc..).I also have B,S in Biology, Being single I have no problem working week ends or holidays. I would like working 3 days across the country. I work in a union shop. I don't drink. I have no criminal record. Im vax. and so on. The only thing is I don't have food exp. I don't know what to ask for pay. I looked up what the average salary was and used that. Am I sending up a red flag or something?

 

[pennyk]

So.. I am a welder. The kids are out and married, I'm divorced. I sold the house.I've always wanted to do something else. I've ridden Amtrak several times. Working on a train appeals to me.Ive filed out the job app. Its been about a year and been turned down several times and want to know if my resume is all wrong. Yes, being a welder is a lot different that OBS. But I tried to high light what I can do. Being a welder means I'm hard working.Ive never been fired. I also owned my own welding business. I high lighted that I worked retail with people. (sears, JCPenny, Home depot, etc..).I also have B,S in Biology, Being single I have no problem working week ends or holidays. I would like working 3 days across the country. I work in a union shop. I don't drink. I have no criminal record. Im vax. and so on. The only thing is I don't have food exp. I don't know what to ask for pay. I looked up what the average salary was and used that. Am I sending up a red flag or something?

Welcome to Amtrak Unlimited. Please note that most of the members of Amtrak Unlimited are railfans and not Amtrak employees. However, some members are Amtrak employees that may (or may not) be able to answer your questions. Good luck.

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

Am I sending up a red flag or something?

Your age might be the source of your stress. Amtrak use a computer program to scan resumes. You have to de-age your resume. No dates, limited the numbers of job listed. Amtrak will hire us older people. There computer will not.

Try using a resume service, have them generation a de-age resume. Shows your experience, but does not show them your 82* years old. Cover letter need to fit the job your applying for.

A lot of OBS jobs are internal posting, so you have no chance. Keep your application limited to one set of position.

Best of luck, any type of job application in most business is very stressful and quite annoying. They say there all these job openings, into you apply for them. Then radio silence.

No I don’t work for Amtrak. They never respond to my application. Ok maybe they did call once, but no voicemail or follow up. At my age I can still get the railroad retirement in (10 years). But they don’t respond to my application.

Heck one of the jobs I applied for is doing a hiring event with cash bonus this month. Yeah I apply several years back, but really now.

 

[Willbridge]

Know someone who wants to get into Service Planning? In 1966 three of us inner city kids were hired as summer interns for the City of Lake Oswego, Oregon. One thing led to another and I did the first ever transit plan for them. In the short run it led to a cab ride on the SP between Lake Oswego and Milwaukie. Later, that led to a surprise career.

Summer 2023 - Network Planning Intern - 90357336 - Philadelphia

Summer 2023 - Network Planning Intern - 90357336 - Philadelphia

careers.amtrak.com

 

[zezerbing*]

Your age might be the source of your stress. Amtrak use a computer program to scan resumes. You have to de-age your resume. No dates, limited the numbers of job listed. Amtrak will hire us older people. There computer will not.

Try using a resume service, have them generation a de-age resume. Shows your experience, but does not show them your 82* years old. Cover letter need to fit the job your applying for.

A lot of OBS jobs are internal posting, so you have no chance. Keep your application limited to one set of position.

Best of luck, any type of job application in most business is very stressful and quite annoying. They say there all these job openings, into you apply for them. Then radio silence.

No I don’t work for Amtrak. They never respond to my application. Ok maybe they did call once, but no voicemail or follow up. At my age I can still get the railroad retirement in (10 years). But they don’t respond to my application.

Heck one of the jobs I applied for is doing a hiring event with cash bonus this month. Yeah I apply several years back, but really now.

Thank you. That was helpful.

Welcome to Amtrak Unlimited. Please note that most of the members of Amtrak Unlimited are railfans and not Amtrak employees. However, some members are Amtrak employees that may (or may not) be able to answer your questions. Good luck.

Thanks

 

[Asaeru15]

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

 

[PeeweeTM]

I don't work for Amtrak, I'm a Dutch railroader. But it's almost weekend, if you have some time and money, why don't you take a train and chat with some future co-workers?