drenyce311

8 hours ago, LinkyOG said:

Just got back home from phase 1. I cannot believe how much information was given to me....Book of Rules is WILD to say the least . Had super cool instructors Alex and Pete, you could tell they really want people to succeed. It could be the lack of sleep and working a full time job and while doing this but my Brain is fried going to review my signals and definitions again look over some of Rules 10,12,and 14 and call it a night. Anybody else that was there share your thoughts.... Dre does this get easier in the coming weeks ?

No it doesn’t. It’s hard to keep up with all the information you have to keep up to date with. You’ll get tested every time  you guys meet up. 

On 1/17/2023 at 3:34 PM, Djf22 said:

What can I expect from the first physical, what kind of testing?

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

18 minutes ago, smitk said:

Quick question, if I'm unable to bring a drivers license to phase 1, what other forms of identification is accepted by security?? 

I’m assuming any government ID such as passport  

10 hours ago, Djf22 said:

Would they have more than one phase 1 class going at a time my signal test is this Sunday ?

No. There are only 4 instructors. The next instructor available his class graduates in March. He’ll be available for the phase 2 guys in March or April So the following Phase 1 class would probably be starting End of March early April. (Next class to graduate after March is in July). They usually call 12 applicants. In the past they would call 16-18 applicants and the 12 highest scores move on to phase 2.  

23 hours ago, NH90 said:

Hi! Has anyone here attended the Locomotive Engineer recruitment event first and then also get invited to the Assistant Conductor recruitment event?
 

Just received the email for the invite yesterday and I was wondering if they let you attend and also make you take the aptitude again? The email says disregard if I attended the Locomotive Engineer recruitment event but I still want to be a contender for this position as well. So not listening to that. Thanks!

If you got an invite to the AC Overview. Yes you will have to take the cognitive test again plus an extra test on math. I would take both. Just in case one doesn’t call. At least you’re in the pool for another. Usually there’s a disclaimer that if you already applied to another position to don’t apply for another. But why not. You never know. 

Good luck to all. 👍🏽👍🏽

On 1/10/2023 at 5:00 PM, mnoer48 said:

Hey Dre thanks for all info up to this point. The lady on phone told me I will have to write an essay and look over some reading material. Any clue what kind of essay they want me to write and what reading material will it be?

The essay part is just a question on why do you want the job or why should we pick you. Something along those lines. I can’t remember the exact question. The reading material they will give it to you the day of your interview before they call you in. It’s pretty much the job description job related stuff. They’re going to ask questions on what you just read. 

4 minutes ago, Mnoer4883 said:

Just got the call. Interview Friday 10 AM

Congrats. Good luck. 

15 hours ago, Djf22 said:

Ok that’s not so bad but in the beginning I’m sure it must’ve been rough if he got an update start location 

When he started he lived in the Bronx to be closer to upstate. Then he moved back to queens with his wife. He brought his house in East Meadow 7 years ago. 

49 minutes ago, Djf22 said:

It’s all relative to where you live why would a Long Island guy go to metro north 

My boy is an MNRR engineer and he lives in LI. Been an engineer almost 19-20 years. Works out of GCT

45 minutes ago, Djf22 said:

I’m assuming there is night differential pay

Depends if you work over night. And it’s only like an extra .982/hour.hours from night diff are 8p-5.59a. 

44 minutes ago, Djf22 said:

49.91 is the top rate for this current contract or this year?

We didn’t have a contract for the last 3.5 years. We just ratified December 2022. We’re just waiting on the new rate to kick in for the remainder of the contract which expires April 2023. 

2 hours ago, danielhg121 said:

They start at $35 and work their way up to top pay $50/hr though whereas LIRR starts at $27 and max is $45/hr after 4 yrs. 

MNRR top pay is 50.21 at 7th year. 
LIRR starting is $30 now and top pay is 49.91 at the beginning of your 4th year. 

6 hours ago, Djf22 said:

Can’t see how they could ask to many operational questions as you don’t have much to base the answer on unless that’s what they’re trying to gauge.

Yes they do ask operational questions. The “What would you do” scenarios along with the common interview questions.  

8 hours ago, LinkyOG said:

The instructor said there was actually 40+ odd people, we had to split the class in two rooms 

 

They said anytime from 4 days to a couple weeks I guess to let you know if you passed and to set up the panel interview. An engineer instructor in the hallway was saying that they are trying to set up a class either in late January or mid February and that they might be under a little pressure because they just released a "crew book" for Grand Central Madison and they are super short on Engineers. I'm not sure what any of this means Dre can probably provide some insight. 
 

Preparing for the SnD was pretty tough but I've heard phase 1 and 2 make it look like a piece of cake and we'll wish we could go back to just studying some signals and definitions. Not trynna get ahead of myself but What was your experience like Dre ?

To answer your questions

1. yes we are short about 50-60 engineers. There’s always a class 10 guys graduating 2-3 time a year. Plus 15-25 guys retire every year. The crewbook for routes including GCT was released Sept 2022. The crewbook doesn’t go into effect until GCT does a full opening. They were supposed to open in Dec. didn’t happen. Too many kinks that they’re finalizing. There will be a shuttle service program (soft opening) before the new crewbook takes effect. But to as to when will it begin. We don’t know yet. 

2. It’s true. P1 and P2 make it seem like a cake walk. But don’t worry you will keep studying the signals and Definition for the next 16 months along side drawing, air brake, rules and regulations. Plus learning how to operate. In the most recent class, 1 trainee failed out the program. it’s not an easy program. Just be prepared to be mentally checked out with your families and warn them about not being involved in family time. This program does affect marriages and relationships. Kiss your social life’s goodbye for the next 2-4 years. 

3 hours ago, mnoer48 said:

There were 36 people out of the 75 that went to the overview. 2 people got up and left in middle of test so 34 actually got scored

 

I mean how many showed up for the test today? 

15 minutes ago, mnoer48 said:

Good luck to all that took S&D test today. Felt confident and pretty sure I passed with a high score. Now time to wait for results.

Good luck.  How many people showed up? I just heard that the last test  40 invited. Only 10 showed up. 3 of them passed. 

17 minutes ago, Mnoer4883 said:

what happens after you hit top pay? Do you still get annual increases after. Like at least a dollar/per hour a year.

No. Everything is based on union contracts. We just ratified ours. We haven’t had a contract in almost 3.5 years. The contract we just signed expires April 2023. It’s usually around 2-2.5% a year when contracts are signed. 

6 hours ago, LinkyOG said:

This actually makes a lot more sense, whatever the case is it's still 1000% better than conventional 2-3% raises you get at other jobs. Do it in 4 years instead of 20 years ! 

MNRR is a 7 year progression. That’s too long for so much responsibility 

8 hours ago, GR2801 said:

Hey everyone,

was wondering if any past test takers had any info on how they format the indication portion of the S&D’s exam. Do they give you the name (ex: stop-signal) or do they show you a signal and then you gotta figure out the signal before thinking of the indication. My exam date is 1/15/23 so I’m just trying prepare for what to expect. Thank you! 

Welcome. The signals part of the test is just gonna show you the image of signal and you have write down the name. The signals indication will be part of the definitions test. It will say the name of the signals and you write out the indication. 

8 minutes ago, Djf22 said:

The notice for the job doesn’t say year it says days that’s why I’m wondering if it’s a four year progression or working days because 365 working days is about a year and a half. 

It’s not 365 working days. It’s 365 calendar days. By the year anniversary when you get hired you’ll get the 20% increase and every 365 calendar after that. I was the 3rd class in the new progression 

22 minutes ago, LinkyOG said:

From what they told us at the overview its based on calendar days in the phase 2 part of the program but as soon as you finish it and qualify and become an actual Locomotive Engineer with your green badge you get 100% of the pay therefore reaching the max of the wage progression chart.

It’s a four year progression now. It’s 60-1st year. 2nd year 80%. 3rd year 90% 4th year is 100%. Before it was 70% then straight to 100% when you qualify. That got voted out in 2015. 

On 12/19/2022 at 9:04 PM, LinkyOG said:Also Dre I know it's been years but how was it when you did it ? Were the Zone A signals all mixed in with the regular LIRR ones or did they separate them on their own? 

It was mixed in. Your gonna get a packet with all of them in it. 

Just now, Djf22 said:

Thank you. Are you happy with the coverage overall?

Medical yes. My sons hospital visit was almost $90K for 4 days. They paid it. Just paid the hospital copay which was $100 I think 

9 minutes ago, Djf22 said:

Who is the coverage medical coverage from like what brand?Copays? Referrals any of that nonsense. Just curious because I have a child with special needs 

Our medical is NYSHIP. a combination of United healthcare and bluecross blue Shield. Dental is MetLife primary and secondary is delta dental and vision is eye meds. Medical is $25 copay. Any urgent cares is $35. My sons medication is around $5-10 a month. Anything that is an annual visit is no copay. I have flex spending for the copays and medications. Our eye meds vision only pays for the exam and like $15 for frames. That’s why we use our union supplemental plan. Covers lenses and frames up to $150.