It started off with applying. It was pretty routine though it was lengthy. After a day they asked me to complete a math and reading test which I did in the comfort of my own home. Less than a week later I was asked to come in for an interview depending on the results of my strength test which I did a day or two before. It was all a bit intimidating as you are part of a group that gets interviewed one by one by a union rep and an amtrak manager. It was a bit of a good cop/bad cop like interview as one of the memebers of the party did ask more difficult questions than the other. As nice as both of the interviewers were I didn't think I got the job. Just when I said goodbye and was about to leave-- the head of the sa/ta training told me I was hired. They took my hair follicle test on the spot and I did my pre-medical and background test a few days after. It took two weeks for them to tell me I passed everything but yeah ...I signed a contract stating I was hired on the spot right after the interview. It'll be a month before I go in for training. The process does take a while but keep your chin up if you signed the contract and passed your tests you're as sure as in.