How to Become a Conductor for Amtrak | Career Trend
- Complete a railroad conductor's certificate program. ...
- Zephyr is based out of Oakland, you would work the extra-board in sac, so Capitol Corridor, San Joaquin, and Coast Starlight primarily. ...
- The rule requires railroads to have a formal program for certifying conductors. ...
Full Answer
How do I become a train conductor?
This article has been viewed 77,270 times. To become a train conductor, try going on a train ride and talking to the conductor so you can get a firsthand account of what the job is like. You can also check out online forums about the train industry to learn more about the job.
What is it like to work as an Amtrak Conductor?
Our Conductors work in a fast-paced and demanding setting providing a safe, efficient, and pleasant environment for our passengers and ensuring compliance with various regulatory agencies, state and local officials and Amtrak standards and guidelines.
How do I get a job with Amtrak?
Certificate programs will boost your chances of getting hired by Amtrak, but you can apply as soon as you're 21 if you hold a high school diploma or have passed the General Educational Development, or GED, test. Take classes in high school that focus on communications, electronics and computers.
What does a train conductor do?
This article has been viewed 77,270 times. Learn more... Train conductors are responsible for holding together the train, the freight, the passengers, and the crew. You will work with the driver or engineer to bring the train safely and quickly from station to station.
How long is Amtrak conductor training?
eight weeksSome jobs, such as Conductor, Engineer, and Dispatcher will require the completion of a rigorous training program of at least eight weeks in length at our National Training Center in Wilmington, Delaware.
Do train conductors make good money?
Salary Ranges for Train Conductors The salaries of Train Conductors in the US range from $13,808 to $373,999 , with a median salary of $66,833 . The middle 57% of Train Conductors makes between $66,837 and $168,912, with the top 86% making $373,999.
Is Amtrak conductor a good job?
Great position if youre looking for job security. Company pays and trains you on all aspects of the position. Timeliness and safety are the biggest focal points.
Is being an Amtrak conductor hard?
Being a conductor takes over your life While being a conductor provides a good living and a great retirement plan, it's incredibly demanding.
How long does it take to become a train conductor?
Some train companies require new conductors to complete a 5-6 week training program--often offered through a community college or technical school. These programs often lead to a certificate in railroad conductor technology.
How many hours a day do train conductors work?
Train conductors often work 40 hours a week. Both cargo and passenger trains run at all hours, requiring evening, night, weekend and holiday shifts. Pay adjustments for these periods vary depending on the employer.
Is it hard to work for Amtrak?
It is a very tough and challenging job, but worth it in the end.
Should I become a train conductor?
So for those who want to have their cake and eat it too, one great career option is that of a railroad conductor. As a railroad conductor you'll be given ample opportunity to stay “on the go,” seeing the country and getting paid to do it, while you're still able to maintain a permanent residence.
What does a conductor trainee do?
Conductor trainees work on both freight and passenger trains, checking tickets and collecting payments from those who don't have tickets. They also help passengers to safety during emergencies, and supervise the loading and unloading of materials on cargo trains.
Can train conductors sleep?
Two decades after federal officials identified fatigue as a top safety concern, the problem continues to haunt the railroad industry, especially the largest carriers responsible for moving the vast majority of the nation's rail-borne freight. “Engineers and conductors sleep on trains.
Do train conductors wear uniforms?
For more than 100 years, traditional railroad conductor uniforms have been navy blue, and when Amtrak was established in 1971 the company honored the tradition by drawing on the same color scheme as the railroads before it. For our conductors on the trains, the hat is a key component.
What's the difference between train conductor and engineer?
What is the difference between a train engineer and a train conductor? A train engineer is responsible for operating a train and driving it from one destination to the next. Tran conductors, on the other hand, work on the ground and are responsible for assisting the train engineer with whatever they need.
How to become a railroad conductor?
According to the CollegeBoard website, these courses will help you with your career as a conductor. Complete a railroad conductor's certificate program.
How long does it take to complete Amtrak application?
Fill out all sections of the electronic application. You have 30 minutes to complete the application so gather information about your work history and education before starting the application. The application will ask for your name, address, work and school history. Take the aptitude test that Amtrak gives to all potential conductors.
What is Amtrak's job?
Career Paths •. Compare Careers. Amtrak is a large passenger train company owned by the U.S. government. The conductor is responsible for collecting fares and tickets and helping guests, but also coordinates the crew and checks the freight cars.
Does Amtrak check criminal records?
Amtrak also checks for any criminal records. Complete company training once your hired before you can become a full-fledged conductor. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, training programs usually split time between the classroom and hands-on activities on trains and teach you company best practices.
What is the Prepare training for Amtrak?
PREPARE is designed to equipcrews to deal with potential emergency situations. The course defines a wide range of potential emergency situations and locations, andtrains crew members to respond appropriately and as a team in the event of an emergency, with particular emphasis on communicationsprocedures. In addition to classroom instruction, hands-on skills training is provided, using training aids such as rail cars, smoke generatorsand fire extinguishers. The course focuses on key areas, including:
What is T&E in Amtrak?
The managers and employees who provide Train and Engine (T&E) service for Amtrak®follow a program developed over several decades inclose partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and in collaboration with the labor organizations. Incorporating a layeredapproach to training and oversight, Amtrak’s program meets all required federal standards and exceeds many of them.
Does Amtrak train T&E?
In addition to efficiency testing, Amtrak conducts annual recurring training for T&E employees. This training is designed to ensure that Amtrak employees possess the necessary knowledge and skills to operate trains safely and effectively. All Amtrak engineers are trained annually on the operating rules, and all conductors, engineers and assistant conductors are trained biennially on emergency preparednessas mandated by 49 CFR – but they are also subject to training requirements that greatly exceed the mandatory training minimums. Federalregulations require certification every three years, but Amtrak engineers, conductors and assistant conductors attend annual training, in excess of the federal requirements.
When will conductors be in Philadelphia in 2021?
Conductor (Current Employee) - Philadelphia, PA/ New York City - June 12, 2021. Not rewarding, union doesn’t defend their constituents not a healthy environment that cares about their staff whatsoever and it shows in treatment. Don’t do it.
What are the two sides of conductor?
Two Sides to the Conductor job, the "road" and the "yard". On the road you will be traveling a lot and spending layovers in various hotels. Your job is to ensure passenger safety collect fares, and many other task that go hand-in-hand such as opening doors and helping with baggage or assigning seats. In the yard you will be doing a lot of hands on type work, hitting the switches, connecting hoses, being on, around and under the trains. Hardest part of the job is keeping organized with all of your paper work, mainly the rule books you carry and the constant updates of rules, regulations and things such as environment hazards. Another Hard part of the job is the schedule. This job is seniority based so you could be on-call for a long time or be stuck with bad schedules which are not permanent, but that also means if you get a good schedule, that it too is not permanent.
Is Amtrak a place for innovation?
No place for innovation. Conductor (Former Employee) - Chicago, IL - August 25, 2019. Amtrak was a opportunity for me to see how nepotism and racial discrimination in discipline can ruin a company with many opportunities to grow but with narrow minded individuals in mgmt it will never see its full potential.
How to become a train conductor?
1. Speak with current and former train conductors. Ask a lot of questions about the job, and try to decide whether it's right for you. Ask about the pay, the hours, the co-workers, the passengers. Ask about the skills you'll need and the skills that you'll develop .
What is a train conductor?
Train conductors are responsible for holding together the train, the freight, the passengers, and the crew. You will work with the driver or engineer to bring the train safely and quickly from station to station. Be prepared to travel for days at a time and work long hours--often through the night and over the weekend.
How much will the train conductors job market expand in 2020?
Most of the major railroads in the United States are constantly hiring conductors. The job market for train conductors is expected to expand by 5% by 2020, driven largely by population growth and global trade along with a flux of aging, retiring conductors.
What do you do if you don't have any experience in the transport industry?
If you don't have any prior experience in the transport industry, you will likely need to start out working on the train crew as a switch-person or a brake person. Switch people and brake people work for rail lines as on-the-ground traffic control.
What happens if you work on a freight train?
If you work on a freight train, you'll be primarily dealing with the driver, the yard workers, and the freight itself; if you're the type of person that needs to be around people all the time, you may grow lonely from freight life.
Do rail companies provide retirement benefits?
Rail companies tend to provide excellent benefits and retirement packages. You'll get to travel the country and see a new place every day--and get paid to do it. You'll learn the ins and outs of the train industry. You'll get to spend a majority of your days riding trains around.
How to become an Amtrak locomotive engineer
General discussion about working in the railroad industry. Industry employers are welcome to post openings here.
How to become an Amtrak locomotive engineer
Hi, I'm a 15 year old who is coming into sophomore year in high school. I want to be a locomotive engineer when I grow up. I live near Philadelphia now but when I grow up I want to live in New York. I would like to be an engineer for Amtrak.
Re: How to become an Amtrak locomotive engineer
While you are very young and there is nothing wrong with that I always tell people that want to work for the railroad especially engineer to ask yourself why? Why why why then compare your answer to some of the characteristics of the job.
Re: How to become an Amtrak locomotive engineer
AEM7AC920 wrote: I know when i was that age I was between engineer, police officer, and military and it still took me until the end of high school to decide fully that I was going to join the railroad. So before I ramble on any longer from what you may think you know about the position what makes you want to be an engineer?
Re: How to become an Amtrak locomotive engineer
The previous poster is correct. A hitch in the military will provide a headstart in the railroad hiring process. Railroads like people who are disciplined and used to following orders, who understand what a rule book is, and who are ready to go on duty 24-7.
Re: How to become an Amtrak locomotive engineer
Thanks for your answers and also can you give me an idea what the pay is like and what age I should apply for the job.
Re: How to become an Amtrak locomotive engineer
2015Railfan wrote: Thanks for your answers and also can you give me an idea what the pay is like and what age I should apply for the job.
