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There are dangers with the job. The only thing that makes a difference is yourself. Don't let senior guys pressure you into something your not comfortable with. Things were a lot different 10-15 years ago and many haven't adapted to the new safety procedures. Always work as if the third rail is alive. Never take a step without looking. Even a small one backwards. Be aware of what the guys around you are doing. They can fall into you and a cause a chain reaction. Lots of guys in one small area working. Nothing on the Track is made for comfort. The walking with new plates is a pain in some areas. Trains are much more quiet now. New fiberglass insulators under the 3rd. rail don't magnetize and click like the old porcelain with metal caps did warning you of oncoming trains. Test the hand rail by pulling on it before pulling yourself up on the bench wall from the Track or even going down. The iron grates on the bench wall, don't step in the middle. There's grease and mud in many places. Never rush for a train and never think that you have lots of time in between trains to make a move to another track or down the Track without proper flagging or a look out at least. These new train operator are being trained to call guys in when seen on the tracks without proper flagging. On the structure don't step in the middle of tie. It could be rotted or burned out inside and collapse. Step near the plates which are over the girder or where there is a cross member. I can go on and on but it comes down to being aware of your surroundings and fellow co-workers and where you put your hands and feet and not taking unnecessary chances. I speak from experience. Lots of dumb things I did over the years, broke my wrist once and re-injured it again years later, thanks to my own stupidity and established culture at the time. Luckily none ever costed me my life.

With regards to OTO (other time off) we can now save up to 72 hours of OTO as opposed to being paid for your over time. Work a double (extra 8 hrs) and either get paid for 12 hours (time and a half) or bank it as OTO for use at a later time. For me having young kids I bank it for when I need a day off. It does not carry over year to year. At the end of the calendar year (December) you are paid for any un-used OTO time. Vacation time also expires at the end of the FISCAL year which begins May 1st. Anything un-used you are paid for. Sick time is the only thing that you can carry over year to year and is worthing saving incase you ever need it for a long period. Also, for a promotion you need to have at least 50% sick time. Personally, I use my OTO time instead of sick time if I'll be out a week or less because I can replace OTO time easily enough with all the OT we get and it keeps the TA out of medical history. I tore a calf muscle and was out a month. Thats a little over 2 years worth of sick time gone. Sick days you only get one day a month. That's not a lot. Just something to think about.

Night Diff on my last check was a $1.50 an hour. Honestly, I don't remember if it's a set amount like a $1.50 or a percentage of your hourly rate but I can check tomorrow if someone really wants to know. Overtime is anything OUTSIDE your regular tour. Some outside jobs want you to go past 8 hours, 40 hours or however they pay you. My brother in the private sector who is paid once a month gets OT after 160 hrs. If your tour is 8 am-4 pm for example but you report early in the morning at 4 am (like on weekends in capital) but go home sick at 12 noon you are paid OT from 4 am to 8 am then straight time from 8 am to 12 noon then sick time from 12 noon to 4 pm. Lets say you fill out a PB form (personal business) and come in at 12 noon instead of 8 am and have to stay late for an emergency. You are paid from 8 am-12 noon vacation time / OTO or comp time (your choice) then regular from 12 noon to 4 pm then OT for anything past 4 pm. Also, if you are out sick 3 days in one week, doesn't matter if you have Dr's lines or not, the sick days are together or separate, you will not be paid the bonus (half time) for any OT worked that week. only straight time for the extra hours worked. You can take vacation days, OTO or Comp time and come in and still get paid the bonus for any days worked with OT. Those types of time off do not affect your OT. Lastly, unless it changed you are not paid for your very first sick day you take. That's the TA's gift from you to them, LOL

I forgot to add- same goes for blood pressure. They catch it high one time and you become a regular at the medical. Watch what you at eat at night. White castles & McDonald's $1 menu was my best friend for sometime.

We're here to help each other and Dunnlick is on to something. I started as a Track worker when I was 22. I'm 45 now. I had no kids, no second job, nothing requiring my attention other then my girl friend and pet fish at home. I tried showing the old timers I could pull my weight with the He-man acts, tried keeping on the bosses good side carrying as much as I could handle. Plus, I didn't want to make to many trips up and down. Now I have bursitis, a bad back, calcium deposit in the rotor cuff, etc. Don't be a show off to much trying to prove yourself. There's plenty of time for proving your self. For some guys this job if all they have going for them and it's their life. Let the other guys help if they offer. It shows your a team player and you get to know the other guys. Lunch, by the book, is between the 4th & 6th hour. In reality, by the time you get on the Track, get set up and start working lunch comes after the job is done close to morning time. Once in awhile you'll get a easy night and the foreman lets a few guys break off and rotate going to get something but usually the men vote to work straight thru. Point I'm making is most guys would eat heavy in the morning after work and then rest and go home and go straight to sleep. The guys with kids had it even harder and pretty soon 5 years later half my class were now type 2 diabetics from not burning off heavy meals. If that's caught on a physical for a promotion or return to work after being out 21 days sick or from an injury, then you'll be going for a medical every 6 months to a year. Don't let the schedule / life adjustment get the better of you. Watch your health. Every aspect of it.

I agree it's good to take care of your health. The job will take a toll on you especially nights and in capital. However, Unless a yearly physical is something for new for new hires only RTO (Train Operators) and Bus operators are the only departments that requires a physical every year. In Maintenance of Way Track dept. you get a physical when you are hired or promoted. You are subject to random drug tests at anytime, even if out sick or service connected injury during your normal work hours. The only time a Track worker may get a physical is if they pick a specialist operator job such a crane operator or pay loader. Even then I've never heard of them going for one yearly. When I had my NYS department of labor class A asbestos abatement license thru Transit (I was in a cable gang abating the old asbestos wrapped cables) we only went for a chest X ray once a year.

As soon as you start school ask about the form for the metro north pass. It takes time to process and the woman who handles it is very particular on what color ink you use to fill it out. I'll get some info, even the form if I can, for those who need it today. Being I'm in the Bronx I've no need for it.

Chances are good for the mini pick as it's usually senior track workers retiring when spots open. At the General pick you may even get lucky. I did for my first two years staying days near my house. Some guys prefer nights because it's a bit more money, they get into a routine or nights just works for them with regard to their personal and family life.

Once you've completed Track school a temporary seniority list will be established. It may have changed since I was hired but they use the day and time you are sworn in. They wouldn't take someone who is ahead of you on the civil service list but may have been put on hold during the hiring process and started class months or even a year later then move them ahead of you once hired. Once training is complete you have your "Mini pick." It's a list of jobs (Days, Nights, Evenings with various days off in all boroughs) that you will pick from in seniority order. The Mini pick will last until the general pick comes when all Track workers pick. At that time your added to back of the Track worker seniority list. Picks can be anywhere from 1-3 years long. During that time you do have bid sheets that come out. If the person who left that position was seniority #400 then from 401 on you could bid with the next senior person after #400 getting it. At the general pick you also have "X" jobs. Those are temporary jobs created that are over budget. once a permanent opens up the "X" job is closed out and you relocate to that permanent job. Sometimes they never close out and sometimes they do. It's a gamble.

You are correct UPO 1. When I started in '92 we were informed against taking our pensions if we left in the event we wanted to and were taken back. Many guys, both hourly and supervision, have done just that. Left for whatever the reason and within a year returned paying extra to make up the difference if they didn't want to stay longer instead.

Congratulations to all of you soon to start school. For those who will be starting Track School soon at P.S.248 in Brooklyn just some info- If your driving try to get there at least a half hour early. On street parking can get rough around the school. There is a very small parking lot half taken up by Police you may get a spot in. Also, if you use your GPS near the school it will have you make a left onto a one way street going the wrong way, lol. Everyone I know complains about it. There's a Dunkin Donuts nearby and a good Deli called "John's". It can get crowded around lunch time. The school has a decent lunch room to eat in if you bring your own. Good luck!!!!!

Training is only Monday thru Friday.

I'll talk to my buddy who knows the Masons and ask him. Track is an entry level position. Nothing special needed to qualify. Just a Diploma or GED is it. You'll always more people talking about Track worker being whatever job they are in at the moment may have little to no security and or benefits as opposed to skilled trades.

In the past guys would be called for provisional as a promotion (as I was from Track to 3rd Rail) and stay in title until their name was reached on that list providing they took the promotional exam and passed. Lately people are taking an exam (Mason, Electronic Equipment Maintainer, Power Cable) for a permanent position and instead are being called as a provisional instead. It's new territory. There were about 40 people hired as "provisional" power cable maintainers. After a few years it was decided the provisionals were not needed and given the option of going into similar type departments. No one lost a job and it's been over 5 yrs but they are not doing the work they thought they'd be doing. Many years ago 180 structure maintainers in various titles (Mason, Iron, carpenter, etc) were placed as Track cleaners for a year or so because some jobs were given to outside contractors and they had to something with the maintainers. I'll reach out to a friend who knows many Masons (all from the same hometown) to try to find out more about it.

Anything particular you'd like to know? I'm in Maintenance of way days. When I was nights for the last 20 ears we worked closely with the Masons and Carpenters. The majority of Masons worked nights along with Track dept. as well as their own work maintaining bench walls and the underground structure. At one time when Track did chip outs (Brokking) the masons would come in to pour all the new concrete for the Track. Usually 600'-800' Now some new Hilti Concrete repair that comes in 5 gal. buckets is used. Hundreds of them as the Tracks are no longer chipped out as much as ties and rails are replaced now. Days does not have as much Masonry work as nights does.

It all depends on what he went to prison for. You have employees with felony convictions here. He may be able to have his name re-instated if the last is still active. As for uniforms boots will be issued. If they are not comfortable and hurt your feet you can have a Dr. fill out a form stating you need to purchase your own and you will be reimbursed a percentage of the cost. It's well worth it to keep your feet in good shape. Don't worry about being on probation. Most guys are getting Timberland pros (TA gives you a paper with specs they have to meet) for just under a $100 online. As for pants most wear jeans or overalls. Shirts by the rule should be long sleeve even in the summer regardless of working Days or Nights when working around live rails. Some guys wear T-shirts and RARELY does anyone (supervisor) say anything about it. Most just wear long sleeved anyway to stay clean and keep their arms protected. Nothing too flammable obviously.

Ah, ok. From that perspective it does make sense.

Why all the talk on having a CDL? The only difference having a CDL or not makes is if during your mini-pick after Track school there is a driver's job open that requires one. Other then that at the normal pick its strictly by seniority. No preference is given too anyone for already having a CDL. You could go to APEX Technical school, become a licensed Welder but if you don't have the seniority to pick a welders job then that's the end of it. The only time It may be beneficial is if the driver is out for some reason and even then they have a second driver as back up. The TA will pay for your CDL along with any other training necessary (including the crane & heavy machinery) for a job you "pick" based on your seniority.

Filterdnoiz going to message you. Just an FYI- you only can take any promotional (foreman, Third Rail, Train Operator) you want while on probation. You only have to be off probation if and when you are promoted.

Being your an employee now your best bet is to get a copy of the maintainers manual. The instructor is a guy named Kelly. I'll get you some contact info on him and I'll find out if he'll be giving classes for the exam as is usually done. If you meet any 3rd rail guys you can just all then also. Look for the grey helmets. The only draw back to being in Power Distribution, 3rd Rail or whatever they want to call us is Track offers more specialist jobs that are useful on the outside like a CDL and the seniority moves a little better. We have some also but it could take time to move up. Are you now in a gang? Training over?

Just an FYI- there is a promotional from Track worker called "Power Distribution Maintainer." Basically You are a Track worker but on the 3rd Rail and it's attached cables. It's considered a specialist position. That's the position I hold. It's just become an open competitive exam with the filling starting April 1, 2015. As of yet I do not know what qualifications they are looking for. As a promotional you either had to be a Track worker or a helper. Helpers are required to have electrical experience because of the specific job they perform in our department. Maintainers are just glorified Track workers really. Where there is a little over 2000 (two thousand) track workers you only have just over 400 maintainers. Something to think about if anyone meets the qualifications whatever they may be.

In my own opinion being a bus driver is much more cleaner and less physically demanding then being being a Track worker. With that said, I'd take Track Worker any day over being a bus driver or Train operator. It's a great job once you get in and get some time under your belt.

CWR not a bad gig at all compared to chip outs and dig outs. Some guys will help teach you and some guys will let you know your the new guy and tease you. Have a thick skin, don't take it personal and just try to roll with it. Also, don't be embarrassed to wear your respirator when there's a work train around and had powered tools. I spent 20 years nights. At times that clouds was heavy with dust.

Filterdnoiz have you had your mini pick yet? Any idea where your going after school?

I hear you. When I first took it with a buddy he scored much higher then I did. Within six months he was in school. I waited 2-2 1/2 years till I got into school. The wait sucked only because he had already been called so quick quick.