Originally Posted by
Quarryman
Assuming this isn't a troll post, have you tried applying to various class II railroads? There are railroad training programs that you can apply to, and pay for, but I am not sure how much of an edge it will give you. Railroads have in house training programs. National Academy of Railroad Sciences is one such pay to learn type outfit. Don't know anything about them.
Your career in the railroad will be similar to the airlines with respect to schedules and being away from home. However, you will be vested in a better retirement system with a railroad and that retirement will go with you when you decide to move on to a class I railroad.
And as an aside, anyone who recommends anyone to go to art school needs their head examined. Going into debt (in terms of time or money spent) for an art degree is not wise decision making. Glad you got out in time.
This definitely isn't a troll post lol. Also "training" schools outside of rail companies are sort of a joke which explains why there's so little of them. Especially in a place like NJ. I've got relatives in significant positions within NJT (including my dad) that say that it isn't uncommon for railroads like Amtrak to have their employees tested at their facilities due to the rigorous testing that goes on. I think the passing average per class is around 10% of the student bodies or smaller. That didn't scare me though, it's just the fact that getting in the company is a bit annoying. Also I wasn't interested in Class 2 Rails so there's that. As for the art school thing, I was never a big fan of "formal" education just to have it, so my parents thought it would be easy if I just got a degree from an art school considering I do a lot of things involved with media but like I said, that was a horrible choice and it was $20k I could've invested in flight certification. I just talked to my parents about this school I mentioned here today and it looks like I'll be going to an open house for it soon. I'm curious, how is the retirement system in the airline industry?