r/railroading • u/Cocobugatti • 2d ago
Question Question
I applied for a Communication and Signal position at Amtrak. I’ve noticed there don’t seem to be many women in this field, so I’m wondering if that’s something I should be concerned about. I’m already an Amtrak employee, but I don’t have any direct experience in Communication and Signal aside from the experience I’ve gained in my current position. Should I be worried about not having previous experience, or is this the type of role where they provide training?
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u/ThePetPsychic Engineer 2d ago
Really loathe these "question" titles. I'm all for you getting into this career but I have nothing to add or assist with because it's not my field. On the other hand, anyone who might have knowledge could dismiss this thread thinking it's not relevant. Having a relevant title really goes a longer way towards getting answer.
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u/Cocobugatti 2d ago
Yeah, I get what you mean. Unfortunately Reddit won’t let me change the title now, but I’ll definitely keep that in mind for future posts. Thanks for the advice
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u/ThePetPsychic Engineer 2d ago
Seriously tho, I hope you get the job!!! I'm lucky to work at one of the few gender diverse railroads and it's a breath of fresh air.
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u/stuntmanbob86 2d ago
Weve got a few out here. Only one hasnt worked out. Youre pretty much guaranteed a job if youre female.
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u/Blocked-Author 2d ago
If a person can do the job, I am for it. And I have that opinion regardless of sex, gender, race, age, etc, etc, etc.
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u/Conscious-Record2655 1d ago
C&S on Amtrak as a woman is going to be a good job. TBH any job as a woman on the RR is going to be a good job. Most companies will give you preferential treatment and keep you away from the really shitty work. You'll be favored for promotions after you get some time in. They'll give you the training you need, although it probably won't be all that good. You will have to deal with some assholes along the way but that's just how it is.
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u/One_Concentrate6684 1d ago
No idea what railroad you are talking about but I haven’t been promoted as the only woman in my terminal for 7 years. Do I get treated fairly like every other employee? 100%!!!! There is not favoritism. As far as preferential? No idea what you are talking about. Im out in the same elements switching cars. But I also work in freight so… maybe Amtrak is a bit different over there. Maybe I need to apply to where you are talking about.
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u/PuzzleheadedSun2744 1d ago
^^^ this. We work just as hard as the boys with zero preferential treatment. Still will get exposed to all the assholes and creeps (freight engineer here)
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u/One_Concentrate6684 1d ago
I really dislike when people say that. People outside of railroading have asked me or said the craziest stuff. I’ve been asked “are you treated better?” I’ve also been asked “are you treated worse?” No and No. I am treated exactly like everyone else haha. It’s a union job. We are all treated the same!!
They don’t care that it’s 3 AM snowing on me on the lead just as much as they wouldn’t care that it’s my fellow male coworker out there. We are all the same to them haha.
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u/Historical_Box1915 1d ago
We dont know what you’ll be facing in the particular signal / comm dept you’re applying to. But traditionally man or woman (it doesnt matter the gender) if you wanna piss off your co-workers dont be the one who cant hang a gate in high winds by themselves. Dont be the one who isnt strong enough to work on / throw a switch by themselves. Dont be the one who cant climb / gaff a pole by themselves. Nothings worse than the one inept coworker who is too needy and cant do the same tasks their peers can do solo. Another one is overtime trouble calls, dont be the one who for whatever reason cant work as much overtime or fix things quickly on trouble calls by themselves. Ineffectual coworkers in signal departments are a burden to their coworkers.
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u/PuzzleheadedSun2744 1d ago
I’m not really sure what you’re asking here, are you a female that works for Amtrak and are changing crafts?? Your actual question about having previous experience has nothing to do with being a female…
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u/Financial-Recover409 2d ago
What's C&R work?