Stephen

If you need further information google is your friend, I have to get some sleep, I'm working a double tonight from 10pm - 2pm. EDIT: New York: New York State Consolidated Laws Article 25 Section 380-j – Prohibited Information: Prohibited information. No consumer reporting agency shall report or maintain in the file on a consumer, information: relative to an arrest or a criminal charge unless there has been a criminal conviction for such offense, or unless such charges are still pending. Except as authorized under paragraph two of this subdivision, no consumer reporting agency may make any consumer report containing any of the following items of information. records of conviction of crime which, from date of disposition, release, or parole, antedate the report by more than seven years. What that means is technically they can't look into your background past the 7 year mark, but they do. Try and hide a past beyond 7 years, and you will still screw yourself, especially with Transit. The 7 year law more or less protects you from being discriminated against a conviction you were upfront about. I'm sure there are also circumstances, if you were convicted of a incredibly violent offense such as murder, or rape, you will get DQ'd regardless of the time of conviction. Also Transit uses the OCA and Federal background checks, they don't search your history on spokeo, intellius, or peekyou. Which is why I said it's best to be upfront because they will find out anyway. But if you want to take your chances and lie, don't say you weren't warned.

The law you are talking about is the fair chance act. It only prevents Transit from asking you about your conviction history during the first phase pre-employment, but it doesn't mean you can hide your past. Before the law went into effect, you would have to hand in your dispositions to the HR person handling your paperwork. They would then send it upstairs for approval, if you were approved, they would send you for the drug test. If you were placed on review you would not be sent to take the drug test. How it works now is once you get past medical you have to hand your dispositions in. As far as arrests, the only time you have to report those is if you are applying for a law enforcement position. Source ? Policy ? I know people first hand who applied, and were DQ'd for either a lengthy constant criminal history, and or their felony convictions were recent. Usually in NYS it's 7+ years from the date of a Felony conviction in where they can't use it against you. My conviction is over 15 years old. The 7+ year law is suppose to be followed, but it's used at the employers discretion, and if they want to discriminate against your past, they can, and will get away with it. Transit is very nice in the regard. Now you can have no Felonies, and 24 misdemeanor convictions, lets say 2 convictions per year for the last 12 years, even though misdemeanors is petty shit, I can wholeheartedly guarantee you that you will be seen the door handing in 24 dispositions to HR. Also to add, the only time you have the leeway to not disclose a conviction is if it was sealed under 160.50 or 160.55 in regards to NYS Criminal Procedure Law. That goes for misdemeanors or felonies. Also violations don't appear in criminal history searches, unless you were convicted of a violation on the same date or event in where you were convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor. Here's a link in regards to what I mentioned in paragraph 3 http://www.nycourts.gov/APPS/chrs/onlinedirectaccess.shtml Some law information in regards to people who did prison time, and need certain certificates to help them in the hiring process. http://www2.nycbar.org/pdf/report/Labor_reentry_pamphlet_employees09.pdf http://www.doe.org/documents/A_Guide_for_New_York_State_Employers.pdf Again if you have a Felony conviction, 7+ years from the time of conviction is a better safe zone in regards to getting hired.

Do you know what you're talking about ? Do you know that Transit hires people with criminal history as long as you don't lie, or have any open cases ? How do I know this ? Because I am a Transit employee with a criminal history. There are Train Operators, Conductors, Trackworkers, Cleaners etc that work for Transit, and have criminal histories. The only way a criminal record will DQ you is if you are constantly catching cases, as in once a month, once a year, or every other year. Hence having a pattern of never learning your lesson.

I see they are processing for 2 classes 8/8 and 9/19, which would make these the 4th and 5th classes for the 2016 calendar year. I think the highest seniority number currently is in the mid to upper 1800's, and there is a federal guideline that states transit is suppose to employ 2000 trackworkers. So that's a good thing for those who are still waiting. 150+ openings, 25-30 per class, then factor in upcoming retirements, promotions to other titles, etc etc, and hopefully the list keeps moving at the current pace. 5 classes this year is 100 positions filled. That's allot for track. Good luck everyone ! To be honest with you, and I've read these posts before, if you failed your probation as a bus operator, got the 1 in 3 DQ for the conductor, there is a 98% chance you'll see that same letter for this exam. Transit already gave you a shot, and for whatever reason you failed probation. Out of curiosity what caused your original probation failure ? Usually when people are fired, or forced to resign, the chances of coming back into another title in Transit is slim to none.

Same as what Marcel said but I'll give you an example. If you were unemployed, and collecting unemployment benefits, you would put for example (From 1/15-6/16 Collected NYSDOL Unemployment Insurance benefits at $405.00 per week). They don't need exact dates. Also if you were in school, or living at home being supported by your family, you would put that as well. But they want no gaps in your history. So do not rush through the booklet. Also with actual employment history, they don't need exact dates, the month and year is sufficient enough.

Good luck everyone, so that will be the 4th class of this year, and 8th class over all since the hiring went active with this list.

You're welcome, and exactly if you still have your job be thankful for that.

Rule 4.7.1 is the 1 in 3 rule, which is weird because they only usually apply it on promotional exams, only for employees with less then stellar records. Or if you were employed by Transit in the past, and had a bad record during your employment, which led to either your termination, or resignation. Here's a few threads in regards to it: http://www.city-data.com/forum/new-york-city/1358075-1-3-rule-rejection-letter-mta.html http://www.nyctransitforums.com/forums/topic/43217-1-in-3-rule/ http://www.nyctransitforums.com/forums/topic/30875-8006-is-out-of-control-with-the-1-3-rule/ http://www.nyctransitforums.com/forums/topic/30498-rule-471/

Besides what I've mentioned, after 1 year you can take the Foreman's test, which would be a big jump in pay. If you pass and are granted the promotion. Personally I find that a little ridiculous, especially being in the construction trades for a majority of my life. 1 year experience with anything in my eyes doesn't qualify you as a Foreman. If you have a college background, you could make the right connection once you're in, and get guided into a white collar position in Transit. There is a guy in my quarters who is going to school for programming, and reads this 2000 page book of computer coding on his downtime. He hopes to get out of Track, and go into IT. Once you're in the opportunities are there.

Going from Track to RTO ( Train Operator ) would be a promotion in pay, ( Conductor ) would be a demotion by $1.39 an hr at the full rate. Also top pay now for every title takes 5 years. So if a person who is Conductor, did their probation, and decided they wanted to go to Track via promotional, would start at the starting pay rate for Track, which is higher than that of a Conductor. They would also be starting fresh on the seniority chain. Now if you started in Track, did your one year probation, then took the promotional for PD ( Power Distribution Maintainer ) 3rd Rail Ops. You would start off on a higher starting pay scale than track, but you would also progress at the same scale as everyone else to top pay. Some guys have already did their year of probation in Track, and took the PD test for the jump in pay scale, or because the heavy work isn't for them. Here is the last NOE for PDM which was this past March. http://web.mta.info/nyct/hr/pdf_exams/6714.pdf To answer your question no, you just cant jump to top pay, by title hopping. You can't be a conductor for 5 years, decide you want to go to Track, and expect to be at the top rate. Again you would be demoting yourself, because you would have been at top pay for Conductor. You'll start over in pay scale, and seniority. Now if you went to RTO ( Train Operator ) from Track, and decided it wasn't for you. You would have a one year time frame from promotion to return to Track to retain your seniority. Unless you were at top pay in Track, that would be the only way you would get your top rate. If you were in Track, did your one year probation and passed, went to RTO, and decided to come back to Track, you would be at your second pay rate level. Which would be the rate you would have received at your second year. The only way you are jumping the pay scale fast in Track, is via dual rate, then specialist. You have to be a dual rate for a year, before you could pick that same dual rate job as a full rate specialist. Not to rain on your parade everything here is based on seniority, CDL will help, but you could be a dual rate for years before you even have a shot at full rate specialist. By that time you'll already be a full rate as a Trackworker. Though you could get lucky in Maintenance, or if a bid sheet came out. But as far as full specialist rate in capital, you have a longgg wait ahead of you. The best dual rate job in capital is the wet saw, which you don't need a CDL for. There is no full rate for the wet saw either. But again all based on seniority, and sometimes luck. To give you another example Bobby. I have AWS, NYC DOB, and NYC DOT welding licenses ( with 10 years of welding experience ), 5 FDNY certificates of fitness, and they mean absolutely jack shit down here. The specialist jobs are based on seniority. Like everyone else I have to wait my turn. The CDL A or B will help you more than anything else. You'll see for yourself once you're in. But if the starting pay scale for Track makes living tight, wait for the promotional for PDM to come out and try your luck there. I think they have it once a year. There's guys even my class talking about taking the next one, mainly because they have more mouths to feed besides themselves.

Well the instructors informed us of the possibility of 3 or 4 more classes this year. I was in the March class ( second class of 2016 ). Currently they are up to 601 with the April class. So depending on a few factors, such as people who missed previous classes due to medical holds, how many pass or fail the drug test, also how many people who've turned it down initially, only to have their name restored to the list. It could either jump to your number very fast, or very slow. I would lean more towards the 3rd or 4th upcoming class with your number. My list # was in the 490's and I was in the 6th class overall. That's without medical holds, or anything detouring me. They had 4 classes in 2015, 2 spring, and 2 fall. 2016 there have been 3 classes so far. But as soon as you back on outstanding certification, the letters will follow shortly for pre-employment and the drug test.

Well if you've taken your first drug test already, and filled out the pre-employment paperwork, and handed it in ( not the CPD-B ). They are both valid for only 90 days. If Transit doesn't call you back within the 90 day time period, you have to submit the same pre-employment paperwork that came with your letter in the mail, besides having to retake the drug test. The CPD-B, that thick packet they gave you to fill out your life history, you'll submit that in once you pass your medical evaluation.

Not really sure, I haven't ran into many capital days guys, but from what I was told in school by an instructor panel jobs can be from sun up to sun down. Don't worry though unless you get lucky out of school you won't be working days for a long long time. If it was off of the books, and you didn't pay taxes it doesn't count as legitimate employment in their eyes. Now if you filed self employment taxes on your earnings for those years, that would be a different story. I'm guessing you're young, and remember with Track there is no education, or experience requirements. For some people this is their first on the books job, a few people in my class were fresh into the workforce. If you had jobs on the books list those. If you were working off of the books, list that time period as unemployed at home being supported by family members. If you were in school you could use that as well to fill the time gaps. Same goes for actual periods of total unemployment. If you were denied UE benefits, it tells me you working off of the books. MTA HR will tell you the same thing. Give you an example, I had a friend of mine who tried to get into the Carpenters Union over a year ago. He worked for a contractor by me off of the books for close to 12 years. When the time came, he got selected, made it all the way to the interview, only to get told even with a letter from his boss, all of his experience didn't count. Needless to say he didn't get in, and he's an excellent carpenter. Now if he tried to get into the Structure Maintainer Group A, which is the carpenters for Transit. Even with all of his experience he would not get in, due to the fact his experience isn't documented on the books. As far as the practical portion of the exam, he would pass it with flying colors. But undocumented experience means nada, not only in the eyes of Transit, but many other potential employers. Just remember with Track, there is no education or experience requirements, like there is in other titles. Here is the NOE for the SMB A title. http://web.mta.info/nyct/hr/archives/pdf/2612.pdf

Exactly, as I said if you weren't collecting benefits, just state you were either living at home being supported by your parents, or living off of your savings. Just don't leave any gaps in time, make sure all of your months and years add up, and are accounted for. Bottom line is don't lie, dates don't have to be 100% accurate. Do not list off the books work, it will not count. If you were unemployed ( on the books ), and working off of the books, just state that you were living off of your savings, or living at home being supported by family.

Well the SS earnings statement only gives you the years. A month or two being off wouldn't be detrimental. Being that there is no work experience requirements. They only need the month and the year, no exact dates. They just really want to know how you've been supporting yourself whether it's work, living at home with parents, or unemployment insurance, savings etc. But if you have unemployment history whether you were collecting or not just tell them. It won't hurt you. If I recall it's either 8 or 12 weeks of consecutive unemployment at any one given time you have to disclose on both the pre-employment and CPD-B. In my case I worked in union construction for close to 15 years before coming here. I started at 18. I worked for quite a few contractors over the years. The funny thing was I listed every company I ever worked for, and they were all union contractors. When I went in for the interview after I passed medical, the woman who I was sworn in by told me all I had to do was list the Union itself I was a member of, and the years I was employed. Mind you had I known this from the get go, I would have saved myself from doing almost 5 hours of paperwork lol. My 21 page booklet was 33 pages after it was all said and done. But in retrospect it's better to disclose everything, and she was even impressed by it. But yea, if you have a general idea of where you worked and the years you were employed, and you said yourself you were in one place for years, the SS job history probably isn't necessary in your case. It probably wouldn't have been necessary in my case as well, had I known that being a member of a construction trade union I didn't have to list the companies I've worked for, only the union, and the years I was an employed member. But like I said one paragraph above, it's better in my opinion to be honest about everything.

Well according to the instructors when I was in class, there is a possibility of 3-4 more classes after the current 4/25/2016 class. Don't quote me though, the key word is possibility. This week should be their last week of yard training. The only way to know for sure when Transit is gearing up for another class is to call DCAS 1-212 669-1357 weekly, or bi-weekly, whichever you choose. Once you are placed back on an "Outstanding Certification" that means Transit has your information, and letters for pre-employment will be getting sent out to those in the next list number range group. As I told you a few posts back, the last number appointed is 601. I would figure if there are going to be 3 more classes, you would have a shot in the second, or third class (educated guesstimate) if you're in the 750ish range. How fast they get to you depends on a few factors. Class size, how many people who pass, or fail the drug test, also how many people who missed previous classes due to medical holds, and had to have their name reinstated to the list. Just make sure between now and then all of your ducks are in a row. Make sure all of your tickets ( parking and moving ) are paid, get your dispositions if you have convictions. They don't care about criminal history as long as you don't lie about it. That or as long as you're not someone who has an open case or three every year. But if you have felonies, having your last felony conviction 7+ years ago will keep you more in the safe zone, compared to anyone who just was recently convicted. That's not just Transit that's any job in NYS. Also go to Social Security and get a printout of your job history going all of the way back to High School. Beware it does cost allot $120-$125 range. You'll need the job history for pre-employment, and your CPD-B which is the 21 page packet where you have to disclose everything. Pre-employment application they want 10 years of job history. CPD-B 21 page booklet they want job history going all of the way back to High School.

Overtime in capital is 10pm Friday - 2pm Saturday, which a double. Then if you want to do another double you could do a 10pm Saturday - 2pm Sunday. If you ever decide to do 16 hours of OT on the weekend ( double double ), my advice would be to sleep in the quarters before the next shift. Especially if you live a good distance away. But no matter what there needs to be an 8 hour gap of downtime before the next double shift.

You'll have a mini pick, and depending on what jobs are available, or they create, there is a 99.5% probability you'll be working nights in the hole. Either 10pm-6am or 11pm-7am. Day tours for the most part are for people with a good amount of seniority. But if structure isn't for you, you could pick nights forever. They're never short of night spots.

The drug test, and pre-employment application you receive with your letter for the drug test are good for 90 days. I took my first drug test in September, waited the 90 days with no response. I got a letter at the end of January for my second drug test, in which I was told I would receive an email for medical, and final processing within 90 days. I got that email in about 2 1/2 weeks after I took my second drug test. 2 drug tests is usually the max for most. But I've read elsewhere on this forum of people having to take 3 and 4 before they were sworn into their title. As far as Transit wasting money, they have too much to waste. They could drug test all 12.500 applicants 10 times each, and it wouldn't even scuff their overall principal lol. Once you're in there is a good chance you can get 2+ randoms during your year of probation. It happened to a guy in my gang who was in one of the first classes off of the list. But yes most of the people who don't make it in, it's usually because they can't leave the kush alone. Or a medical disqualification which could be myriad of things. Hearing and your eye sight ( color blindness ) would be 2 of the top I would think. Problems with those 2 things, would hurt you more than a blood pressure issue, or protein in your urine which can be corrected, and controlled with medication. Also if you do get in, make sure you wear your hearing protection, that I do know they test you yearly. A guy in my quarters was sent last night to have his checked, and he was also in one of the first classes off of the list.

Outstanding Certification = Transit has your information, and you're in the process of being called for an upcoming class. Not On An Outstanding Certification = Transit has sent your information back to DCAS, because they are not currently drawing candidates from the list for a class. But also, even when you're back on outstanding doesn't mean you'll make it to the next available class. Right now they have certified up to 1896, and the last number appointed was 601. Once transit starts gearing up for another class, those 1896 will be on an outstanding certification. I was on an outstanding certification quite a few times before I got my letter for the drug test. But if you're in the 750's, and at the pace it's moving, I would say you'll get in the next 1-3 of the upcoming classes. Could be sooner could be later. That also depends on how many people, who were placed on medical holds that would have had them in earlier classes. Some people miss 2 classes because of medical holds. Classes are roughly 24-27 people. At least that's what it has been lately.

The majority of the days off in capital nights and days are Monday and Tuesday. If you work capital nights 10pm-6am, it would be Sunday night for Monday, then Monday night for Tuesday. Then you would go back to work Tuesday night for Wednesday. But if you work capital days, it would be Monday and Tuesday off. Depending on what location you get for nights, or gang, you could get Friday and Saturday, which would be Thursday night for Friday, and Friday night for Saturday. Then you would go back to work Saturday night for Sunday. There is one night location which has Sunday and Monday off, or Saturday night for Sunday, and Sunday night for Monday. Then you would go back in Monday night for Tuesday. ( It takes allot of seniority to pick this location ) Linden Shop which is also considered capital days in the pick book, has allot of 6am-2pm, and 7am-3pm tours with Saturday and Sunday off. But it takes a ton of seniority to get in there, even with a CDL. Bottom line if you get into capital, expect either Monday Tuesday, or Friday Saturday RDO. ( Regular Days Off )

You're welcome man, anytime.

The list was established on December 17th 2014, and is scheduled to end on December 17th 2018. That is without any extensions. The list has roughly 2 1/2 years to go. As I said you still have a 50/50 shot at the current hiring pace. If the list gets extended that ratio will fall more into the positive. Hopefully you do get in.

I actually ran into a person on the tracks from the last exam (5016) who has 2 years on. His number was in the low 2000's, but also with the last exam, there was a hiring freeze, and the list was extended. He was one of the last to make it in from that test. Anything is possible, they are up to 601 with the current class. Like with most TA exams, they will most likely extend the list for an extra year. Realistically at the current pace the list is moving, I would say 50/50. As far as other tests, I know the Train Operator is postponed. The filing was suppose to be in June, but they extended the current list that they are drawing candidates from. The only other Open competitive exam active current is Telephone Maintainer, but you need a background in the field. The rest of the exams active are promotional exams.

Track specialist top pay is $34.50, same goes for dual rate. Only difference between the two, is full rate specialists get the full rate regardless if they are performing their specialist jobs or not. Whilst dual rate, will only get specialist pay when they are called upon to perform their specific job. The only people who get paid more than specialists in Track are MS1, MS2, Superintendents etc. Taylor is in maintenance, and I'm in capital so I probably won't see him again. Or until the next pick whenever that is. Top pay for us is $31.50, but with the new future contract it'll be higher once we hit the 5 yr mark for top pay. Same goes for the specialist pay. The only way you're getting more than your top hourly rate is if you are working OT. Or if you are working nights. But the highest hourly rate in Transit is the Electronic Specialist, which is $38.44 an hr. To add to what he said, he's confusing himself, the $32 an hour he's talking about is what he's getting in regards to his top hourly rate as a Trackworker, plus night differential. Since Transit did give him is top hourly rate back when he came back. Yes the specialist top pay would be higher with night differential included.