Amtrak’s recent surge in ticket sales are thanks in large part to the hard work and dedication of the train crews including BLET members. Amtrak photo
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Amtrak trains are selling out from coast to coast thanks in part to surging demand for Thanksgiving travel as well as uncertainty in airline travel caused by the recent 43-day federal government shutdown and fears of flight delays caused by inclement weather and a shortage of air traffic controllers. In this video news clip, NBC’s Today Show examines the “rush to the rails.”
Underscoring the growing demand for Amtrak across the United States, the national passenger railroad earlier this month reported record ridership and revenue in Fiscal Year 2025.
Pat Darcy, BLET General Chairman for Amtrak locomotive engineers, said the hard work and personal sacrifices made by train crews are a big part of Amtrak’s recent success. “Our members work tirelessly through the busiest travel period, directly contributing to Amtrak’s continued record setting earnings,” said Darcy. “It is important to recognize the Brothers and Sisters who sacrifice time with family and friends, year after year, to make these accomplishments possible.”
Amtrak’s growing success is creating more jobs for locomotive engineers and other railroaders. The passenger railroad is actively recruiting workers. Several BLET members have recently left SEPTA and NJ Transit to take higher-paying jobs running locomotives for the national passenger service.
A breakdown of what customers can expect for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Graphic courtesy of Amtrak