RAILROAD CONDUCTOR REACTS: A Day in the life of an Amtrak conductor
Vložit
- čas přidán 6. 11. 2022
- A lot of you wanted to see me react to this video, A day in the life of an Amtrak conductor. Here it is and I loved it. Amtrak did it right by talking about the truths of the job and the sacrifices you're going to make to become a railroad conductor for Amtrak. This is in the top 2 reactions so far even though it's a longer video. What do you guys think?!
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @railroad_talk - Zábava
Making my move to Amtrak has been the best railroad decision that I’ve ever made
Most of y’all days are less than 12 hours?
@@TexasAlabamaBoi205 yes generally 5-8 hours
I’m sitting on the opportunity to go from class 1 freight to Amtrak I’m imagining taking a slight cut in the beginning but I feel it would definitely be a better life
How was training?
@@drphil0110 stop the bloody lies
So I work for the engineering dept. Amtrak conductors are very good at their job. I work on the corridor northeast and it's busy. Most of the conductors dead head home everyday. Since it's high speed they can usually get places within 4 hours.
I’m working as an en route cleaning and thought about applying for the engineering class once my first year is up. What I need to know though is how they drug test you when you apply to these training programs. Is it a piss or hair test?
Amtrak is where it’s at! Can’t wait to start working for them - Everyone I spoke to there LOVES their job and were fantastic to interview with.
Glad Amtrak actually tells you what the shifts end up being like and the trainings, but actually gets (probably) real conductors.
I had been trying to get in to Amtrak for years and almost gave up, then one day they called me up for an interview. Several months later, I’m finally in! Started training last week.
One thing I got to say is that everybody there is super nice. It’s like a gigantic family and depending on your age, it might feel like you have several aunts/uncles or brothers/sisters and a few cousins thrown in there. It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty damn good.
For someone like me who’s an only child it’s a great environment to be in. Completely different from the transit agency I worked for before where it’s always about “me” and not about “us”, which is why, among other reasons, the company is such a mess right now, but I digress.
I look forward to the next 30 years with Amtrak.
Hey man! I’m supposed to go to training next month, any insight you could give?
I can tell when I ride. It's weird but I feel like I belong. They all work together so well. Where i work now, they say we are one big family... more like a disfunctional family. 🤣
@@exodusATTWN Not much past show up on time and stay engaged in class. Also if you already are familiar with something keep it to yourself. When they teach something and you understand it well the first time (you already know it) it makes them feel good about their teaching abilities. Besides, they often want to show you _the Amtrak way_ regardless, but I think it’s like that at most railroads.
Good luck!
@@exodusATTWN Eyes and ears open, mouth shut for the vast majority of the time. Do your homework every night!
Would really like to see a video on the life of a car attendant, coach and sleeper. I have been all over the country on Amtrak (and before Amtrak). Seems the crews on long distance trains don't change very often, and im always amazed at how friendly they are while working hard. Can we see crew quarters?
Signals are very easy to memorize in normally 1 day of studying, plus the trainers make it super easy for you and make sure everyone knows the signals ample time before the test. I'd focus more on understanding the signal territories, such as CTC (centralized traffic control), ABS (automatic block signal), and TWC (track warrant controlled, sometimes known as dark territory).
Good point Lewis, i created a chart to help understand this and I can’t find that thing to save my life. I need to see if I can remake it and share it with everyone.
I understand the importance of signals in freight operations with the conductor up front with the engineer, but how does that apply to an AMTRAK conductor that is in the passenger cars and can't see the signals? My wife and I have been on a lot of long-distance trips from Syracuse, NY to Portland, OR, Salt Lake City, Texas, NYC. etc. We ride for free with Amtrak points accumulated on their credit card. Cheers to all crew members, both passenger trains and freight trains.
Amtrak makes you write out the indications exactly as they appear on the signal sheet. You mix up an “and” with an “or”, they will fail you. Two failures equals disqualification.
@@NikRiddick damn that’s pretty intense
This is very comforting as I am starting Amtrak the end of the month and i’m coming from MTA.
Kid you got a good head on your shoulders, grew up in a family of NS conductors, my dad to get off freight trains could get a little passenger work in the summer, and took me with him, what a thrill and fun, I’m 69 yo and still remember it like yesterday.
Into the last couple weeks of Delaware currently. Third one of my family to come aboard with Amtrak. Very happy with my decision so far.
That's awesome! What do you think about the training so far? You think they're doing a good job?
@@Railroad_Talk It’s a lot of information to take in in a short amount of time. That probably goes for most railroad trainings I would think. It’s been a solid training experience and most of us are just ready to be done with the classroom and hit the road.
This is a fantastic idea for a channel. I learned much more about Amtrak just from this video. Thanks.
My class in Delaware consisted of 70 people, and it wasn't bad. I will say that the material was fairly generic with the class being so large, and all of the instructors were from the east coast, which did make it slightly confusing coming back out west. I left Wilmington in late November, and the two weeks of initial training back at my crewbase before starting OJT on each route was taught by the second gentleman in the video, and he is an outstanding instructor!
Dose Amtrak pay for hotel and airfare?
@@CHENCHO801 Yes
Did you just apply on their website?
@@jamallinyear3465 Correct
I found this video because I was randomly curious about what it’s like to be a train conductor, and was really pleasantly surprised to find such a positive and supportive channel!
We are all here to help you out the best we can! Appreciate the kind words!
I take Amtrak often and so much appreciate the conductors and all the staff!!!
I really appreciated all of your “day in the life” vids. After nearly 10 years of being a professional firefighter and paramedic it was time for me to get off the job due several issues. I’ve loved the railroad since I was a small boy and have some distant family that works for CSX so these were definitely great to help me know what exactly is involved with the job, the life, and what it’s really like. I live right near the Northeast Corridor and will be keeping an eye on Amtrak’s hiring board.
I work in the mechanical department as a laborer at Amtrak. That is the best place to be a conductor and a good company to move up in. Everything is well organized there.
You are so kind, your understanding of the importance of work place empathy is top notch. Thank you for what you do.
Empathy is something lacking in most work places. Especially by upper management. Thank you for the kind words and the support on the channel!
As a locomotive engineer for NS. I love your videos.
Love to hear it! I hope I have helped the new conductors just a little bit and kept you guys (engineers) from babysitting.
Thankfully most engineers understood NS was just throwing new guys out to the wolfs and depending on you guys. Hopefully that has changed for the better.
@@Railroad_Talk things have gotten slightly better here. For the first time in 17 years I feel the company is starting to act like they care about employees. During PSR it was absolutely terrible.
Amtrak’s got 3 major yards on the west coast. LA, Oakland and Seattle with San Diego in the planning stage. With 8 minor layover locations some of which will likely grow into small yards. California is planning to become a very busy network in the next decade.
Can you apply in one area and work in another state
Always a pleasure to watch your reaction videos on the class 1s and Amtrak everything from advice to reaction is genuine keep up the videos
Thank you for the kind words Maiki! I am glad you enjoy them and thank you for the support on the channel.
Amtrak is a whole different beast from freight. Don't discount the extra board. There are some crew-bases that have senior guys working the board as you do not get called out very often, especially smaller bases. And you can place a hold-down on a known vacancy, meaning if the regular guy is on vacation, you hold the job until he/she gets back. Leadership is far better than I saw at UP, and I've never had a bad experience in approaching and dealing with Mgt. for the past 17 years here at Amtrak. I cannot say the same for my previous Carrier.
Also, you'll have 2 conductors (Conductor and Assistant and 1 or 2 engineer, depending upon the duration of the trip, over 6 hours, 2 engineers) for all trips, unless you are called for a dog catch (1 conductor and 1 engineer). Yard jobs are fantastic, and the extra board is a whole lot better than freight, since we have known and set schedules, we can easily predict vacancies. I haven't looked back once since I left the UP for Amtrak in 2007.
Great video and you made some very nice points and comments as well. You're a good man Joey.
Appreciate the kind words lander! Hope all is well buddy. Appreciate the continued support on the channel
Very interesting and encouraging experiences shared here. Thanks for sharing
Nice video man. I enjoyed watching this one. 👍
When I was a conductor and would tell people that this is what they pictured I dressed like and yelled all aboard lol
great video, this one was my favorite one so far. would very much appreciate if you made more videos on Leadership. Best regards.
I've just applied for the position of a conductor at NS, hoping to hear from them soon. I've found your channel very informative. Thank you.
Glad you found the channel Frank! Hope you find some value here and welcome to the family. Always here if you need anything.
I like the extra board, it gives me the most variety of jobs and it beats being forced onto a "local" switcher job 1.5 hours away. I'll probably come around after a few weeks once I'm used to it.
You will not like the extra board lol
You always have great videos and helped me in so many ways. I messaged you on Facebook about a question.
Great video!!
Amtrak seems to be an awesome place to work. I think they genuinely care more about the well-being of their employees than the freight railroads.
From my complete outsider point of view (and also working in the customer service industry), if the employees aren’t happy with their work then depending on how good they are at hiding that they’ll potentially take it out on the customers (i.e. getting annoyed very easily, not being polite, etc). You have to interact with an entire trainload of people when working for Amtrak and that necessitates having a positive attitude and being courteous and respectful. On a freight carrier, you’re working with equipment and don’t have to deal with actual customers as much, so they can afford for you to be pissed off.
I’m in school now at NS and theses signals are stressful but I’m going to pull through
I’ll be in Georgia for training for NS as a conductor soon once everything comes back
Your take on this Amtrak Video is very similar to my take on Greyhound was I worked there as a supervisor before the pandemic. Lots of similarities.
I start training for amtrack in sept im so excited 😊
11:52 PM MP 432. That "holler" brought some music tonight, Wednesday the 9th. Barry
Good stuff just found your channel and just subscribed
I have a good friend who hired out with Amtrak about 9 months ago, he worked on KCS and CN and he also tried for years to get on and one day the phone rang and it was Amtrak. He’s an engineer and so far he said he really likes it! He’s extra board but is guaranteed 40 hrs weather he works or not! He also said the trainers do make it easy for everyone to understand what they’re teaching.
This was an awesome video! I’m heading off to train as an Amtrak Conductor soon. I enjoyed hearing your perspective.
Are you in the Jan 9th class as well?
Don’t be a train buff please nobody likes to work with a former
Foamer
@@yankzztv7263Why would you want to work for a railroad (outside of financial reasons) if you didn’t already like trains? A truck driver doesn’t drive if he hates driving
@@daRealB-Rex you just said it, financial reason it’s good money with good benefits. I know some train buffs that are very good at the job, but most people dont like working with them
I remember the days before Amtrak the conductors seemed to be grumpy old guys. In 79 when I was coming home from the army I was on an Amtrak night train and asked the conductor how much a sleeping compartment cost, he said "More than you can afford." I didn't tell him I had a big wad of $20 bills in my pocket.
CRM, which the conductor mentioned, is a collaboration framework pulled from the aviation industry that I highly recommend everyone study.
Not speaking railroad specifically, but lots of corporations out there that intentionally don't hire leaders. They hire managers, people who are willing to tow the company line.
Great video buddy
Thank you Austin! Appreciate the support buddy
Take care of your feet! I just went to the podiatrist today and found out I have plantar fasciitis in my right heel and a floating bone fragment in my left toe from a fracture. It Has been tough to make it through a 12 hour day of switching in the yard.
Indeed. Have your podiatrist fit you for inserts, once you have the inserts, take them to your local Red Wing store and find a boot that allows easy fit and feel with those inserts. You'll find any of the Red Wing brands do a good job for our yard jobs. I've been using Red Wing since 2004.
I ride Amtrak. I ❤️Amtrak and if I didnt have medical issues, I would SO work fir Amtrak... or try to. Anyways, from a passenger stand point, their team work is AMAZING!! They should train people in thier leadership to train others in other businesses, because GOD knows, where I work, it is needed. The conductors are great too, not just to the passengers, but their crews. As a passenger train conductor, they are leading the passengers too...especially when things get ...weird or something happens
Good stuff
I’m getting ready for an interview next week. I’m looking forward to doing the best I can for a long time !!
update??
PLEASE do more videos on the Southern signals. I start soon and they are kicking my butt. Like I know what the signals ARE. But not so much the why and the what I'm supposed to do/what they mean.
Most civilians picture an engineer as this old grumpy looking man with a beard that always wear overalls and steel toe boats.
They are selling that extra board lol. After I leave training I want to be that type of conductor that you see interacting with the rail fans and kids that love seeing a train.
one of the best parts of the job man. I use to love going by the park in huntsville and see all the kids. Good times
Let’s not forget that Amtrak is run by the government and loses money every year, but hey, at least they pay into RR Retirement.
Csx class in the future. Already hired. Excited & positive. Ny state
I drive a LRV right now. I’d like to drive the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner some day but I live in San Diego I think I would have to move to Los Angeles
I'm putting in more applications soon. Almost got an interview earlier this year but something happened in LA plus the gas prices shot up. But I'll be reapplying soon.
I do not recall having to do online assessments when I applied. It was I applied online then I was called in to take a physical strength test.
Talking about good footwear: Have you tried Darn Tough Socks? I'm not affiliated with them, but I do like their product.
Tip your conductors on the long distance trains, especially in the sleeper cars.
Signals are a nightmare until you learn them lol
to a person who has ZERO railroad experience, the signals, at first, just look like a bunch of colored dots... hopefully at some point they turn a corner and the signals start to make sense... but if you're a few weeks into training and, for example, still all you see is colored dots instead of diverging approach, man you're in trouble
I'm the most fun Conductor at Amtrak, so ya'll probably want to come to MY crew when you come over 😎
I'd like to see the engineer's side of this.
I was a conductor trainee for NS and once I finished my training down McDonough it was a total mess in Chicago! The conductors and engineers refused to train new hires….
Are you still there?
I’m starting Amtrak at the end of the month for Passenger Engineer Trainee… i’m coming from MTA as a Motorman…
That’s awesome! Be a nice change of pace I’m sure. Good luck!
@@Railroad_Talk thank you so much! any advice or pointers?
@@God_Lee1 I’ll be honest it’s really hard for me to say as I was never an engineer, I don’t want to steer you in the wrong direction cause I’m totally ignorant to engineer training lol. I’m sure you’ll spend a lot of time learning signals and your territory, turn out speed, speed restrictions which is easily learned with time and repetitions.
@@Railroad_Talk okay. Thank you! I appreciate the honesty and info! Much love!
In Australia on long distance passenger services we have what's called a 'train manager' role which is similar to a conductor. However repair and inspection work - esp damage (ie 1:30) is only undertaken by the driver's assistant (fireman).
Amtrak (probably other RR co's as well) seem to expect alot more out of their conductors by comparison.
Hey, Just found your site. I am not a foamer. I used to fire in the mid 80s on the Mississippian 2-8-0 #77 in Amory, Ms. She is now in Stettler, Alberta Canada. Anyway, I live 1 1/2 miles North of MP432 Oldham on the Memphis run. Just west of MP432 is a "holler" where my engineer friends would play on the horns at 2 or 3 AM. I think they are mostly retired now. Be safe. Barry
oh yeah, I have mentioned oldham many times on the channel. Good times out there on the west end.
"I am not a Foamer" 😜
I have an interview for a trackman position with Amtrak coming up in a week. Any tips on questions to ask in the interview or the overall pros and cons of being a trackman with Amtrak?
Work/Life balance?
Regular wages and overtime?
Going to make the switch to amtrak. I was a truck driver for 30 plus years
I’m tempted to either get my CDL or apply at Amtrak. I could work for a freight carrier but would like to use that as a last resort.
I currently work for fedex here in boston. I'm trying to get an assistant conductor position. I can't wait for them to have openings here in boston so I can apply
I’m applying for the carman position in Philadelphia.
The young lady you said was lying about the extra board is my Trainmaster in the PNW 😂. I’ll have to ask her about this….lol
🤣🤣 yeah it doesn’t take long for most female conductors to move up fairly quickly lol.
All you gotta do is ask her one question and see what her response is. “Would you go back to the extraboard after being a trainmaster?” Lol
I love it! Yes she is lying the extra board sucks. LOL
I wish they thought us how to change gaskets down at the REDI center for csx
I have a process on how to do it, I need to shoot a video showing you guys how.
6:36 made me LOL. she definitely is lying!
Debating switching from light rail in a crowded metro area to Amtrak as an engineer. We only have 9 signals kind of aprensive of loosing my seniorty and going onto the board again. However i believe amtrak pays a little better and offers a pension were my rail does not.
I just applied for a conductor position with Amtrak. The Extra Board part had me a bit concerned, mainly the 2-3 hour window they give, I assume they won't assign you somewhere to report to that's not too far away to reach in that time. Like I'm not far from a station but the main base is likely a major city more than an hour away and that's without traffic.
I am looking forward to Amtrak coming back to Dayton Ohio also Cincinnati Columbus and Cleveland Ohio the wheels are turning on this the the paperwork has been turned in to the officials Amtrak used to come through Dayton before and then it left but I'm looking forward on seeing it come to Dayton again
14:28 thats my local Amtrak station martinez! Lol funny its on ur youtube
If you can't be lead, you can't be a leader.
I always assumed Amtrak crew would know their start time since they are running a passenger service with a published schedule.
Work trains are popular because our mow gangs do a lot of big production jobs
Question! When are you technically on clock? Like say, per usual with Amtrak, the train gets a several hour delay, and by the time you get there, it's four hours past your usual shift beginning. Does your 12 hour start when you're on board, or when you take the call?
With NS you would get a 1 1/2 call time lets say they called me a 12am, my time would start at 1:30am and I could only work till 1:30pm
Hey brother!! Show us a video on how to go from railroader to CZcamsr 😂!! Many of us will be very thankful lol
As a nowegian engineer driving passenger trains i would add deling with troublesome customers. Like those who are either drunk or affected by drugs. They can become a disturbance for other passengers. Also do freight crews ever travel with amtrak job related? Like relieving a train crew or something?
Freight crews sometimes deadhead on Amtrak if van service is not available. Freight engineers may be called to pilot Amtrak engineers on unfamiliar territory. For example, the train gets rerouted due to flooding. Hope that answers your question.
I worked for Amtrak for a short time in 1988as an engineer.. received a leave of absence from the SPRR. I had 18 years of service going to Amtrak. In my short time there talk about a company that was in total disarray. This video is a little far fetched. Prior to Amtrak taking over I worked with regular SP employees that had the seniority to hold passenger assignments. Amtrak is great place if you like being clean and not getting dirty working a freight train.
I think you should apply for Amtrak
Does Amtrak restaurant cater to your food preferences. How is it done.
Amtrak is looking to open up the Mobile to NOLA territory. Their might be a shot for you there.
I have my Bachelor in IT, unfotuneately I had to work full time and go to school full time, so i couldn't intern. Is it possible to get into IT with out interning first? Also, where can I familiarize myself with the software Amtrak uses??
working for AMTRAK wouldn't be a bad deal... i liked working freight but freight has so much work instability, i was always wondering how long will it be before they take another man off the job or before they abolish another job... but AMTRAK is pretty much GOVERNMENT FUNDED RAILROADING and it ALWAYS gets funded no matter what... better work schedules than freight and decent pay to... also, i don't think they hire to fire on AMTRAK, a HUGE plus... downside is if you are not a people person AMTRAK ain't for you... in freight you don't run into the customers near bout as much
Remember though that some Amtrak routes (like the Texas Eagle) are four days and three nights long --- a long time for the conductor.
It doesn't work that way. The conductor is not with the train the whole way. The onboard service people (car attendants etc.) are. But there are regular crew changes along the route where the engineer and conductor are replaced.
You may not like the Extra Board. Some people don't. I work in an industry with similar labor/dispatching needs. Like the railroads, you can mark off for planned events. I make a lot more money working our version of the extra board. And when I need a break, I mark off. Much harder to do if you are on a scheduled route.
How can I get started with Amtrak I’m currently going through the csx hiring process right now
"Take good care of your feet and don't do anything stupid to get yourself killed " lt. Dan
What criteria is the Amtrak looking for when looking through resumes
I’m not exactly sure but I would believe they’re looking for someone that is great with people, okay to work the crazy schedule and being on call, and working in the elements from time to time if something goes wrong. Attention to detail and communication skills. Would be my guess. I’m sure they’re looking for something very specific but unfortunately I’m not exactly sure what that is.
Cargo trains have two people in the engine when on the line, right? Do Amtrak trains also require two people in the engine also?
Two engineers, if the trip is over 6 hours long.
I’m hesitant to join Amtrak as I’m a bit nervous about the pay I currently make $29 for another company
Looks like a great inside Amtrak channel. How about following up with management in having all revenue trains washed a hella a lot
more. Too many just dirty from the outside, appearance matters.
They clearly didnt know the speed limit for a turn at a bridge down the road from me, I'm pretty sure the train is supposed to stay on the bridge, they don't work well on freeways
I’m thinking of leaving csx and go to Amtrak what is your opinion?
i have always herd class 1 guys talking about going to Amtrak due to the schedule. Might not be a bad idea man. You might have to wear a uniform until you make it to engineer or work in the yard but i have always herd nothing but good things. Quick trips, better money, better management.
Working the spareboard or what you're calling the extra board keep you qualified everywhere you're supposed to be qualified.
@8:53 - boarded with no shoes. A MASSIVE NO-NO with Amtrak - - FYI
can you explain why they can't plan more than 2-3 hours ahead when you will be called. I get emergencies - but why does it have to be like that. Can't they schedule things better? Can't you just be on call for a for a few routes that are known ahead of time? After a certain amount of time or working shouldn't that "last minute" on call thing go a way. Why do most people have to always be on call?
in a perfect world that would be ideal, I am not sure as to why Amtrak couldn't do this, I know on the freight side there is no planning lol. Thats why there are always people on call. But that's a good question and I would like to see what management would say to that.
Amtrak’s assignments are mostly scheduled, with the extraboard covering vacancies (sick, vacation, training). In the case of freight service the way they run operations it’s hard to predict what will happen more than a few hours out. In Amtrak’s case it *IS* possible to predict, and often we know the day before what assignment we’re expecting to work. But as you said there are emergencies, delays, someone else calling off sick at the last second, and the company can’t really commit you to an assignment too far out without risking having to change things up. So they don’t commit you to an assignment until that 2 hour mark.
That being said, once again; service is scheduled, vacations and training are scheduled, the only things not scheduled are emergencies and sickness. Everybody knows what the schedule is and most of the people on the extraboards I worked over the years communicated with each other, planned, and knew hours or even days in advance of getting called what everybody expected to work as long as those unscheduled things didn’t interfere. But still, the railroad won’t publish that as a plan because those unscheduled things will inevitably screw up the best-laid plans.
Except for 2020, I’ve been on a regular schedule for five years now. Best thing ever after 12 years on the extraboard.
@@jaanfo3874 great insight Jaanfo, appreciate the comment and shedding some of your knowledge with the channel.
@@jaanfo3874 thanks for the detailed answer. I am a railroad enthusiast. I am actually in IT for ISPs, and our on call is scheduled, so you only get called every three weeks (or so). Why can't the rail roads split the work force in 3rds so you know at least know you aren't always on call all the time. It seems sloppy to have everyone on call. After we get called in my field, it is but more rough. With in 10 mins of a call, I have to be booted up, online, logged in and on a call. I do not stop until done.
@@msears101 Ultimately when it comes to the railroad (and a lot of other industries I’m sure) the answer to “Why don’t they do this thing that would make so much sense and improve workers’ quality of lives immeasurably” is “Because profit”. From the bean counters’ perspective, breaking up the pool of on-call employees into multiple smaller pools (really, any scenario where an on-call employee is not available to call) will decrease efficiency, and decreasing efficiency increases costs, and increasing costs decreases profits.
I always loved the idea of calling windows. Even with 12-hour windows I know that at a certain point in the day if I haven’t gone to work yet then I’m not going to get called, and I can go out and have a beer, sleep thoroughly without concern of the phone ringing…. But alas, that was never an option.
I must say I would like to see passenger train service in America boom Such a shame commercial passenger trains were removed from service The early 1970s
Namaste sir does Amtrak provide paid training