Thunderpants

 

Thanks, drenyce.

 

I mentioned the Far Rockaway because I saw it as your location.

 

It is for the Locomotive Engineer position. I really want to make it past that test. Relieved there is no math. Not so relieved that I don't know how else to prepare for the test.

 

We'll see how it goes.

 

I appreciate the fact you posted your experience on this forum. I learned from them, and found inspiration in them. The responses were just as informative.[/quote

 

If you're relieved that there is no math portion of the test, it would leave me to believe that the engineer program is not for you. I don't know anything about you, but if you were worried about a little math on that test you're most likely going to be overwhelmed if you make it to phase 1.

If could take a leave of absence I would. It's not that simple where I'm at unless it's a medical reason. I'll look into it when I get to work tomorrow. But good advice. But at the same time I'll need to focus too. I'm pretty sure my job will love to have me back if things don't work out.

Do NOT quit your job before or during Phase 1 unless you cannot make it to classes or some reason like that. HR will tell you the same. You do not get paid for Phase 1. It's on your time, not the RR.

 

They will give you notice before you start phase 2, should you get that far, to quit leave your current employment.

 

Phase 1 is very very stressful, you don't need the added pressure of a lack of income (unless you live with your parents) or taking the chance of leaving your current employer and not making it to Phase 2.

I would advice you if you make it to phase 2 to try to take a leave of absence from your current job instead of just quitting. Phase 2 is where the most drop outs and failures happened.

And to elaborate on what LIRR 154 stated, if you can pass Phase 1, you can pass the materials part of Phase 2. You have demonstrated at this point what it takes to study and be tested on the material. Most failures and drop outs occur for 2 reasons; train handling and the lifestyle in general. Some people have never even driven a u haul truck and when you put them up front on 800 feet of 2 million lbs of stainless steel doing 80 mph they can't hack it. And working 3pm to 1am one week and then 4am to 3pm the next week AND having to study and maintain your home life burns people out very very quickly.

What age are they mostly hiring new trainees at? I recall someone saying that one class had a mixture of applicants in mostly their 30s and 40s.

The classes that are in session now range from mid 20's - mid 30's. There have been trainees that were in their 50's. If you have what they are looking then they will take you, regardless of your age.

You would know better then me, what's the average age of a LIRR Locomotive Engineer at this point? Not everyone retires just because they can...is it possible they've built up a large group of Engineers who could pull the trigger and retire on them? You're also right on the people interviewing...alot of people are getting cut just from the 1st interview alone.

I believe it's a fairly young roster. A lot of the "senior" jobs are held by guys with a good amount of time left before they retire.

Well good luck to all of you applying. I've heard of a few people that it took YEARS to get hired on. My best advice is to look for and apply to as many positions as you feel you are qualified for. It's a good company to work for, but don't put all your hope into the engine service program.

When I went in in Jan for the interview/test, that was the reason we were given to their hiring frenzy. They've been doing an Interview session once a month since Dec.

They've been doing interview sessions so frequently because of the lack of good applicants.

 

If 50 people retired every 2 years it would only take roughly 16 years to cycle through the entire 400 + roster. Mathematically meaning the average engineer career is only 16 years. Which is isn't.

 

They said they were expecting over 50 people to retire in the next 2 years.[/quote

 

That's complete BS. I don't know who "they" are but 7 went in 2014.

I'm older than you think. I agree that automation is inevitable, but that is many many years away. LIRR is no AirTrain.

Most of the technology is already in place. Only a small portion of the RR is dark territory. I don't think it's as far off as you think.

I'm older than you think. I agree that automation is inevitable, but that is many many years away. LIRR is no AirTrain.

Most of the technology is already in place. Only a small portion of the RR is dark territory. I don't think it's as far off as you think.

How many years did you have in? Do you think PTC will take away from the craft?

I've been pounding the rail since most of you were probably in diapers. I was a legacy there, my father was an engineer, my granddad was steam qualified.

 

PTC? I feel like it's one more step closer to turning the RR into the dammed monorail at Disney. Eventually they won't need engineers for passenger service.

 

I don't know why they are hiring more engineers. There's already a surplus and east side access is taking a hell of a lot longer than expected. I'd expect the hiring to stall out soon.

Yeah got back from the overview this...lots of studying to be done but quite informative. Obvious difference for Conductors would be that we learn and get to drive the train and they can't...however they are required to learn alot of the same stuff we have to. They have to know all the signals and score a 100% too.

And Jim, engineers don't "drive" the train....you let me know if you ever see a steering wheel on one of those things....engineers OPERATE.

Most unions do wage progression at this point don't they?

No idea, don't really care about other unions. When (if) you make it anywhere near the point where the carrier hires you on, you'll learn about how the wage progression now works for the engineers.

Most unions do wage progression at this point don't they?

No idea, don't really care about other unions. When (if) u make it anywhere near the point where the carrier hires you on, you'll learn about how the wage progression now works for the engineers.

Thunderpants, are you in the training program or are you an engineer?

Retired, trolling the forum to see what what kind of talent this wage progression is attracting....thanks goodness for the forthcoming PTC....

Oh and DO NOT use the stuff you find on quizlet unless YOU put it up there. You don't know how many times I've found incorrect definitions, indications, etc, OR the RR decides to change said definitions or indications after a previous trainee posted it to quizlet and you waste your time studying incorrect materials.

Also for anyone interested in becoming an engineer, I can absolutely guarantee you that you are underestimating how much of your life you will sacrifice during training, and even after you qualify, to the craft. Make sure it's something you really want to do, and understand that you won't be home for holidays, birthdays, barbecues, weekends, etc. And if you aren't willing to make those sacrifices and put in the time to study during the training phase, you WILL fail out. I gaaarroooonteee.

I'm pretty sure this was discussed already. But what's the difference between engineer and conductor?

Really? Maybe you should apply as a CAM. Do you know what a toilet is?