drenyce311

3 hours ago, 127Ridgefield said:

Has there been any applicants from NJT ??? Or NJ Residents that have gone to LIRR?

We live in all parts of the tri-state area. There’s one trainee now that’s from NJ. I’ve seen people drop out of the program since they live too far and can’t keep up with the work due to long hours and commuting. But it’s doable. 

1 hour ago, jbass1993 said:

Hey - quick question. This is the new wage progression for Locomotive Engineers? Just asking because I had applied back in October 2022 and it was a little less than this. I just did the whole process and I start Phase 2 next Wednesday. Is this the wage progression I should be expecting instead of the one that was on the job posting last October?

The rates on the job listings are always outdated. We ratified a new contract in December. New rates already kicked in. 

2 hours ago, Styllez said:

@drenyce311 not sure if u saw my previous message bro. 

I’m currently studying for the S&D now but I feel like I’m going so slow. I just got the packet yesterday (April 2nd) at the overview, got home around 3 started studying right away. It is now the next day (April 3rd) and I just finished the first page smh. How long did it take you to get thru all the definitions? They gave us 5 weeks for everything but I’m planning to have learned everything by the end of week 4 and use week 5 just to brush up on stuff. 

What’s up bro. I can’t remember how much time they gave us when I did the S&D. I think it was 4 weeks. I had everything memorized by the 3rd week and just kept refreshing and reviewing until the the test. I would suggest just starting with the easy ones. Then keep adding more to it while reviewing the other stuff. Usually add 5 signals and 5 definitions a day to your list. Key is repetition. If you want the job just keep at it. Good luck. 

6 hours ago, Miggz69 said:

Hello all, I went to the S&D on 3/19/2023 and supposed to take the test on 4/23 and was studying for the test. However I took the train operator test for the MTA NYC transit back in June of 2017 and was just officially appointed on 3/31 as a train operator for the MTA NYC transit. Not sure if I should still take the test even though I saw NYCT pays more at the beginning than LIRR or should I reach out to LIRR and withdraw my application and stick with NYCT. Any advise would be good.

 

It’s your call. The new wage progression is:

1st 365 days 60% - $29.94

2nd 365 days 80% - $39.92

3rd 365 days 90% - $44.91

4th 365 days 100% - 49.91

you’ll be at 80% before you graduate. Yes the training is longer and more treacherous with the amount of studying involved. But if you’re worried about money. We do make more in the long run. Also you have do what’s best for yourself. I would still take the test and still work for NYCT. You never know. If you pass great. You move on. If you fail you’re still employed by the MTA. it’s a win win. Good luck 

7 hours ago, Rgrimes said:

Hello,

I have the S&D test in 5 weeks. I'm looking for various ways to help with studying while having a full-time job. I just recently gave up all electrical distractions besides the necessities. And I'm also curious about the background check, If you list exactly everything then they won't have to randomly call out whatever they've dug up.

I think the background agency is done by an outside source. Make sure you put the correct dates. Or close enough. They’ll contact the employer for verification. I suggest to get you IRS Transcript It shows the employer and years you worked there. The best way is to read write recite. No way around it. You want the job put in the time. Don’t worry about comprehending the information. Just memorize it even though you don’t know what it means yet. Some classes were 6 weeks to study. Some 8. When I did it. They were desperate for a class. They gave us 4 weeks to study. I took 2 weeks off from work to study all day everyday. I worked overnights so it was easier for me to study when I got home and no kids around. You gotta put yourself in that mindset. I was eating and breathing all this info constantly. Any chance I got I was studying something wether it was on my phone or at my desk on excel. I always advise anyone to start with the easy ones and keep adding to the list of what you know. 5 a day of each. I did exactly what @kev2112 did. 

On 3/18/2023 at 2:33 PM, SustainabilityEngr said:

Hi everyone. This thread has been very helpful so far. But I have a few things that I didn't see. 

1. Does anyone know if once you make it into the company are you eligible to move to a different department? How soon are you able to do that? Are you still in the union if you move to the engineering department? 

2. Does LIRR have a sustainability department or section within the company? 

3. How many years does it typically take to have a set schedule and not be on-call everyday? Is there overtime? 

4. Was there anyone working a different fulltime job with another company that has been making more than the top pay + 401k but decided to give that up for this career + benefits? 

5. In you're opinion is it worth it to give up a higher salary position at a different company to pursue this position with LIRR? 

If anyone has any information on any of the above, I'd appreciate any help. Thanks so much! 

1. Yes!   you can  move around the company. once every few months they post positions for transportation Manager, Road Foreman, Special Duty. You would need 1 year in the position you’re hired for before you can apply for any other position. Yes you can still pay union dues. As for trying to move into an actual engineering position (civil, electric, mechanical) is considered a downgrade. locomotive engineers used to be held a prestige position. Somewhat still holds true.  You can become conductor then become an engineer but not the other way around.

2. Our railroad is electric except for the diesels. I would assume so for a sustainability department.  You would have to keep looking at the careers website for listings. 

3.it can vary. I waited almost 2 years to have a shitty regular schedule until I was able to get back to extra list. I can have weekends off. But I chose to have mid week off. Right now since we have a new crewbook we’re short 30-40 guys. They’re plenty of overtime.  But if you own a regular schedule shift  it will be a flat 40 hour work week. You can work your days off also. So to answer your question 2-4 years for a steady schedule. 

4. People come here for the benefits despite the money they were making. I wasn’t close to top pay when I came. I was making 70k before I came here for the benefits and pension. Our top pay now is 103K a year not including incentives, holiday, OT. The only think I wish they did was match 401k’s. And yes there are plenty of people who made over 6 figures who left their jobs to be here. 

5. Depends. If you like taking orders from a snobby boss and sitting in cubicle all day. Then stay at your job. This job is not for everyone. The whole process is a mental drain on your mind and soul but rewarding and satisfying in the end. I’ve been here almost 9 years and yes it does get boring. It’s like ground dog day everyday. But it does have its moments. Just like any other job.  You have your awesome people, jerks, a**holes. It’s what you make of the job. But now the question is are you willing to give up social and family life for the first 5 years? If you’re fully vested at your company with plenty of vacation in the bank. Then I wouldn’t advise coming here. I was working for JPM for 12 years and had 6 weeks vacation and I gave it all up. I wasn’t happy.Now I have 3 weeks vacation. Almost 4 weeks next year. After being here for a while. Those of us who came from real working class jobs realize this is cake compared to what’s out there.

Hope this helps. Message me if you want to know more. I can give you more insight. 

6 hours ago, jbass1993 said:

I can't imagine going through all these classes and testing to fail the background or medical. I just had my medical yesterday, everything went well. Background check is currently in progress. I got an email from them yesterday to provide proof of two jobs I worked at in 2014. I know I don't have any criminal history or anything shady that would cause me to fail the background check, but I'm just going to be on edge until this clears and they finally give me me the OK to quit my job. This is such a long, drawn out process, but I know it will be worth it in the end. 

It’s happened plenty of times. 

7 hours ago, crii718 said:

Hey everyone. I recently graduated from school car as a train operator for mta subway. I received an email from lirr for a recruitment event for locomotive engineer. I live in long island and I'm thinking of taking this chance for lirr. Any advice?

I would jump on it now since you’re still at the bottom of your roster before you start gaining seniority. Just don’t know how your schedule would be if you get into phase 1. Which is Wednesday nights and Saturday morning classes. 

6 hours ago, LinkyOG said:

I haven't gotten any word yet but I've spoken to one of the people that scored the 2nd highest in our class he got a 94 he got called to start April 12th they just called him a couple hours ago. 

Just keep studying. You never know. If anyone in doesn’t doesn’t pass the medical or background check. Pretty sure they lll start calling others asap to fill the class. 

2 hours ago, BloomSmall said:

Hi i am going to the overview sunday for signals and definitions i want to know what can i expect for phase 1 and what is considered passing on the final. Lastly, do you have any study tips to help memorize the material. im very excited and really nervous i appreciate any advice thanks.

Hey what’s up. You gotta get through the signals and Definition test first.l before you get invited to phase 1. Read through the forum. Lots of good info in here on what to expect. Good luck. 

16 minutes ago, TripleZ said:

I’m taking the cognitive test, math, vocabulary tomorrow. Any advice? Phase 1 is also definitions/signals correct? I’m nervous for tomorrow. What’s the process like tomorrow

Good luck tomorrow. Please read through the thread. This has been discussed numerous times. A lot of helpful stuff in these 90+ pages. My advice would be just take your time and carefully read what they want answered. If you have math involved, then it’s for assistant  conductor position. Engineers doesn’t include math. Phase 1 is not signals and definition. It’s the Operating Rules. Signals and def is the next step after cognitive test. For AC there is no phases. Only for Engineers. 

2 minutes ago, LinkyOG said:

WARNING !!!

This process is not for the faint of heart!!!!!

It’s not for everyone. This program will make or break you. it’s a test on one’s self dedication and discipline and sacrificing more for the next 14 months. Good luck bro. Message with me any questions. 

2 minutes ago, LinkyOG said:

DDDRRREEEEEEE !!! Passed the Phase 1 final today man !!! Last 6 weeks were HELL LMAO literally nothing could have prepared me for that. Rules Instructor said it was the easiest test we're going to take for a while too. This is just a complete lifestyle change man I had to sacrifice so much to past and this is only the beginning !! I'm beyond excited, a lot of work man! Gotta take the 2nd part of my medical with drug tests and then background test and just wait to figure out if I'm in the class starting in April or the class starting in August ! 

What’s up. NOIIICCCEEEE. congrats. I keep reiterating the information on this forum. It ain’t easy. It’s just going to get harder. Keep at it. How many people passed? 

2 hours ago, NYYankee said:

Any new locomotive engineer hires here? What's the process after the exam and how long does it take from the exam date to the first day of class? I just applied.

Hey. Read through the forum. This has been discussed several times.  But it takes a while and a series of exams before you even get called for phase 1 class. Just keep looking out for the email from BSC inviting to the open house. Good luck. 

On 2/16/2023 at 2:54 PM, Jawzeyez said:

Not sure if anyone here can answer this but how important do date discrepancies affect employment at Metro north railroad. In regards to the background check, one of my past employments revealed a date discrepancy larger than three months. Will that knock me out as a candidate?

I would think they would call you to verify as well. I don’t think it would be problem especially if I haven’t been there in years. When I did my verification I got my IRS transcript to check dates. It’ll give you a rough estimate. 

Morning folks. Engineer trainee is posted again. Application closes 2/16/2023. 

2 minutes ago, arcangeldaprince08 said:

What happens after you pass pre screening, I applied for the last exam and have heared nothing back from them yet. Does any one know ami supposed to call bsc?

What’s up. There is no exam.  Unless you already got invited for the open house and are talking about the cognitive exam. But if you just applied and it says pre screening. Just wait for an email or keep checking if the status changes. 

22 minutes ago, smitk said:

Shit is no joke, I'm working full time currently and realizing that it's really not feasible, I need to cut my work hours. Does anyone know if the quizzes we have in class make or break us getting into phase 2?? I know there's "Mandatory Quizzes" and I'm assuming those cut people from the class if we don't pass, but for the non mandatory quizzes is that for our own benefit to gauge where we're at?? Not much was really said about the quizzes, only the final. 

All the tests in Phase 1 is to gauge how far along you are studying. The final test is what counts. Not a cumulative score. That’s how it was back then. It could’ve changed. DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED BECAUSE THE GUY/GAL NEXT TO YOU KNOWS IT MORE THAN YOU DO. study at your own pace and try to keep it up. I worked full time, wife and kids too. I had 6 weeks vacation at my previous job. I took my last 3 weeks off to study for Signals and Def. And 1 week I spilt into half days to go to class on Wednesday’s and I was off Saturday’s. So it worked out. There’s no way around it. YOU HAVE TO PUT IN THE TIME. the job is yours. It’s just a matter of how much you want it. 

1 hour ago, Djf22 said:

Would questions about buzzer horn and lamp signals need to be answered verbatim? Does everything on the phase 1 test need to answered verbatim 

Yes. For the next 6 weeks and in phase 1 and 2. Everything needs to be answered in verbatim and you need to able to recite it verbatim. 

To all in phase 1. Good luck and message me with questions. 

11 minutes ago, LinkyOG said:

Tbh most people won't make it through this I'm really anticipating the class to break to about half but you never know. 

Yea. That will happen. Let’s hope not. Those that will drop will think it’s not doable and have a hard time to catching up. But you never know. The company will be happy if half of you guys make it to end of phase 2. 

8 hours ago, LinkyOG said:

I wrote down 6:00AM-2:30PM I don't want to mislead you but I may have wrote that just to arrive 30 minutes early. Worst case scenario you're there early. Apologizing in advance if I'm wrong 

How many people in phase 1? And did they say how many people will move on to phase 2? 

2 hours ago, Djf22 said:

What about the second one the medical exam ?

The second one is after phase 1 and before you start phase 2. Same as the first I think a EKG will be done. 

3 hours ago, LinkyOG said:

I wrote down 6:00AM-2:30PM I don't want to mislead you but I may have wrote that just to arrive 30 minutes early. Worst case scenario you're there early. Apologizing in advance if I'm wrong 

Punctuality  is big here. Last thing you need is to show up late for class. Not a good look. 

2 minutes ago, drenyce311 said:

Vision, hearing, simulate walking on gravel and tracks and climbing up and down a train. 

Good luck and keep studying. It does get better after phase 2 after the midterms. It’s gonna suck for the next 6 weeks. But keep at it.