A terrible mistake and a stain on my resume for years to come... - Finance Director Amtrak Employee Review

1.0
Aug 1, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There are no shortage of problems to tackle or areas that need improvement. It's a 9-5 office environment. No one is ever in the office after 5. So there is plenty of time for outside interests. The company pays well at the low-end (market median), but doesn't develop or attract innovative managers.

Cons

The culture of the organization is best described as schizophrenic. The company and its executive team constantly talk about running the organization like a business, yet they never address the underlying problems that cause the organization to struggle. Excessive union pay, benefits, and work rules essentially tie the hands of most managers. There hasn't been a true CFO with real world experience in the organization in years. No one is ever held accountable for poor performance or management. The executive team is an absolute joke: they either hire unqualified candidates from the outside that just want to get experience (because the company can't attract A players with its low high-end pay), or they hire soon to be retirees that just don't have the desire to tackle tough problems. Those that get experience in mid-level jobs and are truly talented eventually leave. Only low-caliber managers and rank-and-file union employees who've moved into management stick around. Most "managers" are former union employees that have no other options after wearing their bodies out in operations. The end result is a culture of railroaders that have all risen through the ranks together butting heads with managers who've come from the world outside of Amtrak. In such an environment, very little of substance actually seems to improve from year to year.

Explore other reviews about Amtrak

5.0
Jun 23, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Very great company to work for! Great Job Stability and good benefits.

Cons

May be difficult to move up the ladder. Promotions within aren't very common.

1.0
May 14, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great friends and Travel with plenty to see

Cons

The culture is horrible it’s a very demeaning please. They will fire you for anything. Harassment amongst employees and by management to their employees Is extremely high. I have a MBA degree and I still can not move above the customer service level. I’m a union member and you have to pay union dues to work a non management position. The union Reps work for Amtrak to so there is a conflict of interest. The union is TCU in which they defend the company 100x harder than they do their members. TCU is not organized very well. The pay is fairly well but after union dues in medical and taxes are withdrawn your net income makes it look like you are making at least 15 to 17 an hr. As far as Work culture at Amtrak it is fueled by many rumors and those rumors are more affluent then your resume .

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