bkdirect

Once you go through school training at ps 248, i believe you have to go through field traning ( in either brooklyn or the bronx yard). Once your in class you will see how they separate yall into who goes to which yard. Probably going to go by seniority.

it is curently 11:24 AM 09/24/2015. I just got the call to come in next friday Oct 2nd for final processing. List number 34x. Good luck to everyone else calls are officially rolling in.

Good luck to all, hey it wont hurt to eat right until that day, just cut out on the junk foods, sugar and salts. It cant hurt. So many people get held back ( or even miss a class) because of medical holds. And dont forget they will scrutinize your 21 page booklet. So dont leave no question marks. You will probably be there all day but the reward is way better than " we will contact u with-in 3-90 days" lol good luck guys!

Not that its any of my business BK but why. I discovered this board because of your posts on another forum. You helped me out a lot with all the info you provided (reliable info). Was hoping you got in ASAP. Anyway, a lot of people are turning it down. I'm just curious as to why. Thanks again for all the posts you made. They helped a lot of people.

Im glad that the info. I provided helped u and others, just as the info. I received from from this forum helped me out alot.

The reason i took my name off the list ( and as long as this list is active ( for the next four years), i can and will put my name back on the list), was because im already in the system. I took a *provisional* structure maintainer posistion that they called me for. Although Track is a permanent position this one pays more and i get to work a trade like on the out side. So thats the reason, but i am in the system already, thanks and good luck to you UPO 1. Just MAKE SURE All your paperwork is on point. Take care of what ever tickes u have. I seen alot of people get turned away and miss a class for simple stuff. GOOD LUCK to all!!

Well good luck to everyone. everyone after 32* can move up a spot. I received a letter ( for the second time), to take the piss test, but instead went down last Wednesday 9/16 and took my name off the list..

Once ur urine test is finished, they will tell u to expect contact from them between 3-90 days so i promise u they will not give u final processing the same day as urine test. This will be my third urine test for transit ( 2 for track worker, and one for the title im currently working)

I have to come in on 9/16 Wednesday

I also got my letter, this will be the second piss test i took for this position. Although ill probably be taking my name off this list for now since im already in the TA system as a provisional worker. Good luck to all. Ps. My list # in 32x range

Finally got that letter today. Must report for pre interview and medical on the 16th.

Right on schedule.

I guess ill be getting a letter soon, took a piss test in april have not heard nothing since. The last class they had was 5/18

Still no letters yet? Hope they get a class started soon. Been reading the other forums and people in other crafts are starting class this month. Don't know how that would affect the timetable for track class. I don't know how much space they have to train more than one craft at a time.

What crafts are these? And they shouldnt affect a track class. There are always multiple classes going on at once

The 10pm-6am shift would allow me to keep my current job which I really do not want to leave, but it doesn't have the benefits the MTA offers. Would the MTA have an issue with me keeping my current job as well as working for them?

You would have to fill out a dual employment form, and mta still have to approve it..

I may have spoken to Moran about three days before I posted. He called me back after I inquired some information. The impression he gave me is that they don't need anymore track workers for now, and if they did, the earliest he would summon me would be the end of the second week of September. That's generally bad news for me. His tone was such that I shouldn't get my hopes up for a September class.

Now I plan to be on the west coast until they contact me, which I was hoping would be by phone, as per my prior experience. But I'm getting the impression, from reading previous posts, that the second contact may come via mail. Naturally, that complicates my trip, depending on the gap between the time I receive the letter and the time class starts.

So, I really need to know how previous listers were contacted and how much time did they have to work with from said contact until class started.

First time they contact u is through mail, for the piss test. Second time they contact you ( for medical & final processing) will be via PHONE call (and they try the backup number you gave them and leave a voice mail if they cant get you). From that phone call you can expect them to want you down there with in 2 days

Where do you access the crew room? I dont see it under any of the forums

Just we are all on the same page, what does "SMB" stand for?

Structure Maintainer group B ( B is for masons)

Ive got hired for another position with TA but this list is moving extremely slow although my score was 100%. Im glad to be in the system,and im looking forward to that conductor exam as well.

Im on the same boat as you list #3xx for track ( went down for piss test in april, didnt make the 5/18 class though). Ended up taking the SMB position they called me for

People that are waiting should workout..Try carrying weights (50+ pounds) around and holding it for a few mins. as rail road ties are no joke when you got to move them around (carry them). I seen a lot of people breathing heavy as they are not use to doing any type of exercise. Our class will be finished on june 26 then a week after that we will be divided into 4 groups ( one group starting each week ) to go to flagging. It seems for just about all that first day of flagging will be somewhere in brooklyn then 7 days in queens then last day back in brooklyn for a total of 9 days of flagging.

How are things going with the training...

Condutor coming up and Station agent.I'm gonna give them both a try who knows.

Take every test possible. Once your in the system. You can advance to different titles, which is a good thing.

Truly am getting fed up taking these test. The first test I took my list number was 1020 ok no problem. A family member also took that test was hired years later.Then the results were thrown out for my test.Another test was given My family member informed about a year ago some of the new workers got passed with 70's some 77. I'm like wow what the hell, Had they not voided my test I should of been called when my Brother got called my score was 84 It wasn't many people that actually took the test then..OK so I take this test totally different from the test I took before plus a whole lot more took the test this time and with the bonuses some people got I'm like it's no possible way I'm getting this job.But good luck everyone else wait it out and eventually you will be called. My brother is 10 years on the job believe me it's well worth the wait, Benefits are amazing and it's always the opportunity for advancement throughout your employment.

Why was your test voided? Do you mean the 4 years for that list was up?

No they just wont do days/cap. On friday we used 4 power tools. A rail drill,a drill used to make holes in the wood for the lags/screw, a nut driver/runner and the rail saw. The hard one (or the one most people found the hardest) was the rail saw. Each blade is used about 2 times then replaced. Today we used a chainsaw to cut the wood ties. The bronx people have to be divide again (25 people in bx). So about 10 will goto dyckman ave to finish training.The thing they will tell you the most is be on time. Shoot to get there 30 - 45 mins early.

Good heads up info hopefulone! You have been the most informative out of those that were called so far, well appreciated.. thanks

On Friday 5/8, i passed the medical and i was sworn in as a "provisional" structure B mason. Class starts on 6/15. The only answers i can get about the "provisional" part is the reason im provisional is because a list wasnt established as of yet. And the people that were called in now must have scored high based of there education and work experience. I guess we will see. Its just the idea of leaving my current job for a temp position makes me a little skeptical.

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.

Hey dp142, did you ever get a chance to speak to your friend thats a structure b mason?

All Track Workers wear a blue hard hat. The newer hard hats that came out a few years ago are baby blue and a different design than the older ones. That's the one the new/newer guys are assigned.

Do you mind telling which trades wear what color hard hats? I recently seen a pic on a mta forum and guys in the pic had on red hard hats. I also seen another pic where guys had on grey hard hats. Just curious..

I made a mistake, the class starts on 6/15. Not 6/18

MTA called me yesterday to come in on Friday for final processing. Ill post what i find out. What i would like to know is, when do they give you the pratical and what does it consists of?

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.

Thanks Dp142, also if you could find out whos in HR department is in charge of the masons and a phone number for them that would be greatly appreciated also.

Now as far as my day down at livingston st, on 4/28 i went down for a drug test for the second time in 3 weeks ( first time was for track worker on 4/9). I still had to take urine test again, it didnt matter that i took one at the same facility a few weeks before. Now as far as the " temp position the application i filled out at livingston it had "permanent" checked on the papper so i dont know why the letter said " "temporary position" , and when i asked the HR person about it, he said " it only says temp because your not hired yet".

The next class starts on 6/18 thats all the info. I was able to get, i dont know how many people were sworn in for that class or how many openings they have available. One thing for sure there were alot of people from my union ( bac local 1) there for this job, different trades including stone masons, brick layers, pcc etc. And thats not saying alot for the union when so many members are willing to take a substantial paycut and move to something else IMHO. Good luck to everyone and if any info. Can be added to this thread it would be greatly appreciated, ill update any information I find. Thanks again

Thanks for your help and input dp142, its really appreciated,

 

knowing masons and people in the masonary feild, technologhy and masonary dont mix (this needs to change). Its a funny truth that in the track worker exam (3600), which requires no prior work experience has pleny of participation ( online), but masonary which requires work experience has no participation in this particular online forum( and others)( and that Is because of tradition and exposure IMHO, which needs to change).

 

To get back on track, my next question is, whats the pratical test like? In the application it was said that brick layers, tile setters, concrete guys, ets were qualified but never stated what the pratical test would be. That info. Would help out alot because masonary is such a broad trade.....

 

 

Thanks for your help and input dp142, its really appreciated, knowing masons and people in the masonary feild, technologhy and masonary dont mix (this needs to change). Its a funny truth that in the track worker exam (3600), which requires no prior work experience has pleny of participation, but masonary which requires work experience has no participation in this particular online forum( and others)( and that Is because of tradition and exposure, which needs to change).

 

To get back on track, my next question is, whats the pratical test like? In the application it was said that brick layers, tile setters, concrete guys, ets were qualified but never stated what the pratical test would be. That info. Would help out alot because masonary is such a broad trade...

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.

knowing masons and people in the masonary feild, technologhy and masonary dont mix (this needs to change). Its a funny truth that in the track worker exam (3600), which requires no prior work experience has pleny of participation ( online), but masonary which requires work experience has no participation in this particular online forum( and others)( and that Is because of tradition and exposure IMHO, which needs to change).

To get back on track, my next question is, whats the pratical test like? In the application it was said that brick layers, tile setters, concrete guys, ets were qualified but never stated what the pratical test would be. That info. Would help out alot because masonary is such a broad trade.....

Thanks for your help and input dp142, its really appreciated,

knowing masons and people in the masonary feild, technologhy and masonary dont mix (this needs to change). Its a funny truth that in the track worker exam (3600), which requires no prior work experience has pleny of participation ( online), but masonary which requires work experience has no participation in this particular online forum( and others)( and that Is because of tradition and exposure IMHO, which needs to change).

To get back on track, my next question is, whats the pratical test like? In the application it was said that brick layers, tile setters, concrete guys, ets were qualified but never stated what the pratical test would be. That info. Would help out alot because masonary is such a broad trade.....

Thanks for your help and input dp142, its really appreciated, knowing masons and people in the masonary feild, technologhy and masonary dont mix (this needs to change). Its a funny truth that in the track worker exam (3600), which requires no prior work experience has pleny of participation, but masonary which requires work experience has no participation in this particular online forum( and others)( and that Is because of tradition and exposure, which needs to change).

To get back on track, my next question is, whats the pratical test like? In the application it was said that brick layers, tile setters, concrete guys, ets were qualified but never stated what the pratical test would be. That info. Would help out alot because masonary is such a broad trade...

Pardon the duplicate post my phone is not in sync with this website for some reason.

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.

As of now the biggest question is, the exam 5603 or application that i applied for was for a permanent position but the letter i received was for a temporary position. How does that work? Will they use you for a few months and then kick you to the curb? Im ready to move on from my current job but not for a temp position that will lay me off at any giving time. My current job sucks but it is steady...

Thanks for your input also, been looking for some info. For months ..

I just received my letter to report for medical and drug test .

Wow so did I, what got me confused is this letter said for temporary position. I remember the application saying permanent.

We will see, good luck to you..

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.

I mentioned a CDL beacuse i know alot of people that took exam 3600 also took the sanitation exam ( which the cdl is required). So imho why not get your cdl while waiting, even if MTA does not work out your opportunities will expand.

And i understand it cost money also but for me i would rather have a cdl at hand when im qualified rather than have to train for it later.