dp142

CONGRATULATIONS on passing!!!

Even though you passed address the blood sugar issue. 
I was warned many times by my Dr. without taking it serious and thinking I knew how to handle it.
It's very easy to get control over if border line once educated with a change in eating habits lower / eliminating carbs and simple sugars.
Once you start in Track the hours and choices of what's open to eat are hard on the body. Even bringing your own food can be difficult at times. 

I have it back in April it was 138

 

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A1C is a single digit number.

usually over 6.5 is considered Diabetic under 4 is a different problem.

Blood sugar is unpredictable. Everyone reacts differently. Mine sky rockets when working out whereas others drop. If I skip dinner when I wake up my sugar is high others go into a coma from the drop.

Normally your sugar at any given time should be between 70-180. The first hour after a meal it will peak and within the second hour should come back down to whatever is normal for you.

That test was BS. You could have eaten something carb loaded before it. An A1C test shows a 3 month average and is what Dr's use to gauge if your Diabetic. If they were really concerned they would ask for Dr's records showing you past A1C counts.

The clearance letter from your Dr. may be good enough since he's taking the weight off the TA. Also, Blow some sunshine up their asses thanking them for bringing it your attention so you get control of it before becoming diabetic and ask them for any advice. Make them feel like a real Dr. and that your pro-active about. 

Is your sugar borderline or did you cross the line already? Do you know your A1C?

In regards to Track diabetes is nothing. They do not monitor it. Most of us, myself 9yrs, are all diabetic now due to lifestyle and new medical guide lines.

In RTO (motorman and conductors) they do monitor them.

If you want the job cut back on your carbs. Those are worse then simple sugars like soda and candy. Take the metformin to bring your A1C down to pass the medical and once your hired do what you want with the meds if you don't want to take them.

It's not as bad as it may seem.

For the people on the inside, is there any talk of mass hiring due to the problems plaguing the system right now? I'm hearing that the city and state want to fix the ongoing problems with the transit system. I remember a few years back when the system was running like a well oiled machine, now everyday I take the train into work there is always some type of delay. Do any of you have input on what's causing these problems or possible ways of getting this fixed or is it beyond track work and the mismanagement of the system on a hold? (granted I do know certain info is not availble to the public but any insight is much appreciated)

So far there isn't any talk of increased or expedited hiring but it's still early.

Depending on your position within you see problems from within your own department. I've seen posts from people fascinated with the train cars blaming it on outdated cars.

From my perspective (M.O.W.) most if not all of the problems come from EXTREME mismanagement, lots of the "who you know" promotions into management and supervision in every capacity not actually knowing the job or spending anytime on the Tracks. 

Anyone doing on the job training in Westchester square yard today?

Does anyone know if MTA gives rail passes for those of us who live outside NY?

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If you live outside of NYC, as in Long Island or Westchester counties they will give you a pass good for Long Island rail road or Metro North. You would have to fill out an application for one.

According to what I've seen in regards to the new contract a universal pass was won that would cover NYC Transit trains and busses as well as Metro North and Long Island rail road.

Okay I will send a request see If I get in or nah

Can't hurt to try

Marcel876 it's a private page on FB by invite only from another member.

"Rails & Spikes for life."

Another track worker added it's the last staircase on the 85st. end. The door also has a gate that closes on top of it.

I'm being told from the street level go down the stairs at 85 street and 4th Avenue through the turnstile and the door will be infront of you.

Another said on the platform is the North end of the station on the south bound side.

There is a Quarters there

I'll post more shortly

What other information do you have?

Days off (RDO's) ?

Working hours ?

Capital or Maintenance ?

I'll post it in the Track workers FB page and find out.

Will the MTA help with getting a CDL license if I have the permit already?

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Only if you pick a job that requires a CDL will Transit pay for any training needed.

Just for accuracy Louis Gray, may he rest in peace, was a Construction Flagger.

Those are regular conductors who pick a flagging job for contractors.

Normally they do not enter the Tracks until we've removed power and notified everyone the Tracks now out of service. 

Though I've never seen it writing I've also heard because of federal money NYC Transit has to have a minimum of 2000 Track workers.

They have always been over that number though.

Well if its a yes/no question on have you ever had a seizure I'm going to say no, I passed out. Whatever it was, no one witnessed it, certainly no doctors or anyone and they didn't find anything on tests. But if they ask if I have ever been to the emergency room should I say like 6 years ago I passed out at work it was no big deal, didn't find anything wrong and its never happened before or since then. Or should I just say no ?

Don't even say you passed out.

There are no "grey" areas with the Medical dept. Things are either yes or no.

It was 6 years ago, Transit is not going to call every hospital in the tri-state area asking about you and if you ever passed out.

Just say "no" and leave it there.

Never offer more information then what's asked.

In some 1 in a million chance they say to you we checked with your last job and they said six years ago you passed out then say "oh man, I forgot all about that" and run with whatever story you have.

If you've no "on the books" diagnosis and was never prescribed any type of medicine to be taken regularly and you say you had a seizure 6 years ago then I would answer "No" to all those questions.

Especially being you went to an emergency room and it was a one time incident. That record Is long buried somewhere.

Should it ever come up, and I'm 99.99% sure it won't, you simply say that was a one time incident long ago and I forgot about it.

If you answer "yes" and volunteer information, regardless of how long ago it happened or even if it was a one time incident, they'll place you on a medical hold till you get the ok from your regular Dr.

As a side note lately Dr's are more tight lipped and defiant with the Transit Authority.

Myself and other co-workers when going to the Dr. and asking them to fill out the TA's form (sick lines or Dr's lines we call them) the Dr's are refusing to be specific on why you were seen and only put "an illness requiring a visit or hospital stay."

I was out two weeks and hospitalized and that's what my Dr. wrote on the form; "an illness requiring hospitalization"and that I was now "fit to return to full work."

I thought for sure that would come back at me but the Dr. said he doesn't have to disclose anything in detail by law.

Others co-workers have been coming in with similar lines.

It's been six months since then and I haven't heard anything.

I would say 95% is on the weekends.

You might catch a wee bit during the week if a few guys are needed to stay late for something but overall it's all on the weekends.

What Steve posted is all correct.

Also, as the years go by and your seniority moves you may eligible for one of the Day Track jobs in the Yard or a dual rate where you're not on the elevated structure as much like specialist operator.

During the week it's a small job not to crazy and safer feeling compared to the weekend panel jobs.

Wherever you go, get your foreman to the side and let him know your not comfortable with structure but you'll do your best.

That's all they want to hear. Not "I can't do it" but "I tried."

When I was in Track a few guys I came in with on our mini pick had no choice but a day job. They made the attempt up top but it made the foreman nervous and slowed the job down. After that they did street flagging during the week and worked closing off the street on weekends, prepping the panels in the street, cleaning up debris etc. Usually senior man work but it's still up too the foreman.

question- realistically what should my expectations be if my list number is 187x's? any other recommendations for up coming tests, ect.?

My list number was similar (1600's i believe) when I was hired in '92.

I waited 2 1/2 years.

Just stay on top of where they are up to on the list, be patient and keep taking tests.

If a bid comes out and your seniority number as a Track worker (not the one used for your mini pick in school) allows you to be eligible, meaning the person gone had a lower seniority number, then yes, you can bid for it.

The only exception is if it's a specialist job where your required to be a dual rate first.

Once you have your mini-pick out of school it will last as long as the general pick does.

Track just had their change over meaning a new pick is in effect now. Anyone coming out of Track School now, wherever they picked on their mini-pick, will last until the next general pick. Could be a year, 2 years, 2 1/2 years....

I just reread your post saying you were called FROM the Track worker list for Cleaner. I thought you took two separate exams. My apologies.

To the best of my knowledge only Station Cleaners still exist. Rail road Track cleaners were phased out long ago. That being said if it is for Station Cleaner go with my original response as far which is the better job.

As for your question your better off asking the powers that be, whoever sent the letter, for an accurate answer.

I don't believe you do.

It's two separate exams with two separate lists. Even for my promotional from Track I was called for both Train Operator and 3rd Rail.

Many guys come from Track and take a promotion to another title then get called for Track foreman and take that job.

In my opinion, and it's just MY opinion, take the cleaner job (better then nothing) but keep on top of the Track list. It's a much better position!

There's little over time in stations. The supervision is very strict and most jobs are at night with little movement in seniority. Also your more involved with the public in stations and that can be a pain.