Stephen

Some good news, DCAS update as of 1/17/2016. Currently on an outstanding certification, so looks like the MTA is getting the ball rolling for the next class. Expect letters, or calls for those of us that will have to go down for a second drug test.

Hey lulu: Thank you very much for the kind wishes, I hope you had a nice holiday yourself. My list number is in the 485-495 range, but as far as your number range goes you will get called. Optimistically I would say within a year, but at the rate the classes are moving I would say possibly 14-18 months being the max, but they'll get to you, just a matter of when. They've already processed up to around 700 for the drug test, but like many others we will all be going for a second drug test when they start to gear up for the next class. I took my drug test on 9/28, and as of today the 90 days are up, as far as the max amount of time the result is good for. Even with the last class which started on 10/26, allot of people in that class had to take a second drug test, so it gives you an idea how slow it's going. Pretty much everything with Transit as far as processing is hurry up and wait.

Also incase you don't have the test result letter, bring your license, SS card, and birth certificate, just to prove who you are while stating your situation. Again good luck, and I hope your issue gets resolved. One more question as well. Did you call DCAS, and did it verify you were still on the list for exam 3600?

Sorry about that, I didn't catch your post until now, I know you have to wait for the mods to approve your initial posts. Well if that's the case and you never received a letter. I would go down to 180 Livingston St if I were you. Unless you are lucky enough to have someone who will help you over the phone. You won't get a letter next week but, if you explain to them that you have never received a pre-employment letter, I'm sure they'll work something out. See when you initially go down for the drug test, you have to give them the letter, and you have to write your phone number on top before you hand it in to HR. What that does is it works like an attendance sheet, along with the sheets you sign in when you arrive, and when you sign for the 21 page packet. So all they will have to do look and see you didn't hand a letter in, along with the sign in sheets. Tell them you spoke to someone who was in your list range number who took the drug test on 9/28, and that you never have received a letter for the pre-employment drug test. Now is the time to do this. I'm pretty sure my second letter will be coming sometime this winter, since there are no classes scheduled at the moment. I'm going to give you some information below to help you out. MTA HR 180 Livingston St 5th Floor Brooklyn, NY, Google Map link of the area https://www.google.ca/maps/place/180+Livingston+St,+Brooklyn,+NY+11201,+USA/@40.6898952,-73.9892032,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c25a4c46aac0ed:0x6b089809a505767c Depending on where you live, either the 2 or 3 train to Hoyt St, or the A to Hoyt Schermerhorn St. Now when you get there you'll take the elevator to the 5th floor, and you'll make a left. You'll see a woman at the desk who is very nice. Explain everything to her, and if you have your test result letter, bring it. Just to clarify that you did take the test, and to make it a little easier. Be prepared to be there for awhile. I was there for a good 7 hours for the initial processing. Try to get there early like 6:30am. It's very easy for HR to give you the run around on the phone, but not so much face to face, and for the most part they are very nice. Just be polite and correct. Remember tell them you spoke to a person who is in your list number range, who took the drug test on 9/28, and that you never recevied a pre-employment letter to take the drug test. I'm pretty sure they'll be able to figure out what went wrong. Most likely it was the mail, and it does happen. As I said do this now, you might get lucky and it might be pretty slow down there now as far as people getting processed. Good luck, post back here and let me know what's up.

I just called the number a few minutes ago same story. Last number certified is 775, that means nothing, the 775 is the amount of people who scored 100% or better on the test, you can check the list for yourself and see. http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/thechiefleader.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/c1/ec18fc94-5d2b-11e4-a2c4-001a4bcf6878/544d1f94da9f7.pdf.pdf Last number appointed was 415 Still not on an outstanding certification, so NYC11 you have nothing to worry about, this is the process with most city or state agenicies. It's called hurry up and wait. Hopefully after the new year they'll get the ball rolling for another class.

First off relax. If you called DCAS, the last number appointed in the last class was 415. They haven't got up to your number yet for medical. I took my drug test on 9/28, if you had any sort of problems. Lets say you failed the drug test or something else, you would've received a letter probably in October stating why you weren't considered. They've gotten to the 650-700 range for the drug test. My list number is in the 485-495 range, most of us will have to take a second drug test since the drug test results are only good for 90 days. Allot of people who made it into the last class had to take a second drug test. The last class they had started on 10/26, I think that class graduated 12/6. Now I'm going to explain a few more things to you. 1. Number for DCAS is 1-212-669-1357 2. When you call DCAS, after you enter your SS and exam number information, it should tell you everything I said in regards to the last number appointed. It should also tell you that you are on the list for this exam, but NOT ON AN OUTSTANDING CERTIFICATION. 3. Outstanding Certification means that the MTA has the list, and the ball is rolling to process the next group of people for the next class. 4. Not on an Outstanding Certification means, that the list was sent back to DCAS, because there is no class scheduled for the time being. 5. Calling 180 Livingston is useless, especially if you are looking for info for the next class. They will not tell you anything, even if they do know when the next class is going to take place. So yes they will give you the run around. 6. Expect a second letter, or a call ( probably the same letter as the first ), for a second drug test sometime this winter. Make sure your 21 page booklet is filled out, and good luck to you. 7. I'll explain another thing to you, 3 things get you DQ'd from MTA processing. Number 1 is a failed drug test. Number 2 is omitting any background history, particulary criminal. Number 3 is you were a former MTA employee who was fired or forced to resign. There is a member in this thread who was DQ'd because of his checkered history employed with MTA. I'm pretty certain they do a simple background check with the pre-employment process, before medical. Which means lying about Felonies or Misdemeanors will get you canned before medical. I personally know 3 people who work for transit, 2 are convicted Felons. Aslong as you tell the truth, and the window from your last felony conviction is over 7+ years they will not hold it against you. Misdemeanors I think it's 3-5 years. Now multiple convictions regardless of the time frame could also give you trouble. If you are uncertain of what I just told you, the MTA hired a former NYPD cop, who was a bank robber on the side. This guy did 5 years in prison, but also when he applied, his conviction was over 13 years old. Here's the article below for further clarification. This guy was convicted of Robbery 1, which is a B violent felony, and was hired. The two people I know with felonies, both have drug sale convictions, no where near as bad as a Robbery 1 conviction, and they were hired. http://nypost.com/2011/12/05/heist-cop-hired-to-drive-bklyn-bus/ 8. Welcome to the forums, there are allot of nice people in this thread, lots of good information as well. Not to come off as a dick, but next time read the thread, particulary the last 15-20 pages. It would've saved you from the panic attack you had. Anyway have a good day, the list is moving at a turtles pace, and aslong as your drug test and basic information is correct you have nothing to worry about. Just call that DCAS number I gave you every Sunday, since the list updates are weekly. Remember once it tells you that you are on an OUTSTANDING CERTIFICATION, it means the MTA has the list, and they are gearing up for the next class.

Most of us will from the looks of it now. I took my test on 9/28, either way doesn't bother me, I don't even drink so I have nothing to worry about. They can test me another 5 times on their dime. I'm pretty certain allot of people failed the drug test, just by the sheer amount of people they called in to take it. I think they got up to around 650-700 for the tests. I'm in the 485-495 range so hopefully I make the next batch for medical processing. Atleast we got the 21 page encyclopedia of our lives filled out. From looking at other employment threads, it looks like we'll get a letter for the second drug test, basically the same as the first one we got. I remember when I was down there on 9/28, they had another line for people taking a 2nd drug test, and there was a good 40+ people on that line. @riello Plenty of good information here, of course some of it won't be 100% accurate, but good luck if you're going to call 180 Livingston for any sort of inside information on when the next class is. I tried that twice and failed miserably. List is moving like molasses, and there's nothing we can do about it except be patient.

Read his post history, the situation he is or was now in he did to himself. I'm pretty sure it's only half of the story, especially when the union says they cannot help you, and hands you a resignation letter to sign. EDIT: Happy Thanksgiving everyone !

I took the drug test on 9/28 myself, I don't think anyone from our batch was called in for medical processing yet. Just keep calling DCAS weekly, because once they place us back on an " outstanding certification " it means the ball is rolling for the next class.

Not on an outstanding certification means the list went back to DCAS. I have the same status. The last number appointed into the 10/26 class was 415, I'm in the 485-495 range. When DCAS places us back on an outstanding certification it means they're getting the wheels turning for the next upcoming class. Maybe December they'll get the ball rolling for the winter class, if not we'll be going in for a second drug test sometime this winter.

Just an update for anyone who went in for the drug test 9/28 and after, according to DCAS the last number appointed was 415 as of 11/8. I'm not on an "oustanding certification", which means the list went back to DCAS for the time being. My list number is in the 485-495 range, so hopefully come December they start calling us in for medical for the winter class, or we'll be going back for a second drug test. Atleast I have the 21 page encyclopedia of my life filled out.

dp142 has been in training for the last 20+ years lol. Technically training never ends with anything, always something to learn no matter what you do.

Believe it or not Bobert 2 best exercises in general for life in the construction industry are Squats and Deadlifts ( that's if lifting is your thing ). I've been lifting for a very long time and I have deadlifts to thank for having the back I have. Both of those exercises are the best for core strength, and they literally work every muscle in the body. But perfect form is a must because both can seriously f**k you up if you don't know what you're doing. Olympic squatting ( all the way down is the way to go ). 4-500 lb pulls off the ground will get your forearms allot stronger than 50lb wrist curls will. Sadly unless you workout in an old school style gym like I do, those 2 exercises are a dying breed. Most commercial gyms don't even allow deadlifting or the use of chalk. Most people live only machines nowadays, and all machines do is nothing except limit the development of your stabilizer muscles.

I just breezed back to page 92, BigBuckzzz got a letter for the drug test and is in the 650-660 range. So they did call quite a bit of people down for phase 1 of the process. Unless allot of people either turn it down, fail the drug test, medical, or anything else, it's safe to assume allot of people will be going back for a second drug test. There were some guys who were in the 300 range who took their first drug test last spring, and just made it into the recent classes. EDIT: Either way we both got 1 foot in the door, just of matter of when they get the wheels turning for phase 2 of processing.

As far as I can tell from this forum no, outside the forum I have no idea. But it seems the people who made it into the 10/26 class were in the 410-420 range. You know my list number range I've posted it a few times already. I've called HR, they weren't giving up any information, and so far DCAS hasn't updated the last appointed list number for the 10/26 class. Maybe they'll update it as of tomorrow, but as of now no dice. We still have 57 days before the test expires, so anything can happen between now and then, especially if there's a January class. Hopefully it comes even sooner than that.

I actually got through today I used the 347-643-8198 number I found here. But she was very vague and didn't offer any information about any upcoming classes, or the last list number processed for medical. I didn't want to bust her chops either so the call ended quick.

Optimistically there could be a class in November, but I'm leaning more towards December or January. Hopefully December, because if not most of us we'll need to go for another round of drug testing. For me the 90 day expiration date is 12/28 since I went in 9/28 for the first round of the process.

Still trying to find out that out, and the last list number appointed. Still getting the 272 nonsense from DCAS, maybe they'll update it before Thanksgiving lol. But I'm still on an outstanding certification, so that could mean they're going to call the next batch in for medical soon. I'm in the 480-500 range so we'll see. I've given up calling 180 Livingston for information, I keep getting sent to the voice mailboxes, maybe someone else here will have better luck and update us.

Yea don't let it bother you, I've been around the ball breakers most of my life. Lots of those guys are true old timers in their 50's and 60's and stuck in the ways of the 1970's 80's. Those are the same types in my industry who will lite their cigarettes with acetylene torches, and wash their hands with gasoline, remove the guards from the saws etc. God protects those folks because nobody else will. I take pride in my health, I'm 34 I haven't so much as had a cold in the last 10 years, I haven't had the flu since I was in high school. Just make sure you take the mask home, take the cartridges off, and wash it out everynight. If you're doing allot of demo work in the tunnels (confined spaces), you should change the cartridges every 2-3 months. But if you're working outside they'll last allot longer. I don't know what kind of mask you got, I have a North, and Grainger always keeps a good stock of replacement cartridges. The P100 filters offer the best protection against everything.

It wouldn't surprise me one bit about accidents going unreported to the general media. I've worked in construction for close to 20 years, I've been a union roofer for 13 of those years. As far accidents, I've been on 2 job sites where there were deaths due to a fall, I've been on many were guys were maimed, burned, cut severely, etc you get the idea. Except for the one fall which was at 7WTC in 2004, the rest of those accidents didn't make the paper or the 5 o'clock news. I myself have had many close calls, and if it wasn't for a fall arrest system I probably wouldn't be typing this right now. I consider myself a very safe person, but accidents do happen even to the most careful and conscientious workers out there. I'm currently on the list just like many in this thread, and I'm well aware of the dangers I'll face. I would think getting hit by a train would be somewhat easy to avoid as long as there is proper flagging, and just a good buddy system of everyone looking out for everyone. The big culprit is electricity, you could be the most careful person in the world trip, and become a victim to a 600 volt death. I'll tell you something if somehow a person miraculously survived being electrocuted, they would most likely be a permanent resident of the Weill Cornell Burn Unit, amongst many other problems. In general, and as dp142 made some fine points, PPE, and situational awareness are your best friends. You're worried about metal dust ? Wear your respirator, I've worked with some of the most caustic substances in the construction industry, materials which are used in commercial roofing and waterproofing systems. I've always wore my respirator even in an outside well ventilated environment. You might looking like a dick with it on, but you'll save yourself allot of problems later on in life. Always hook up if you're working on elevated lines, nowadays it's mandatory on 99.9% of constuction sites, do not take a chance, falling 30-60+ feet is a guaranteed death or paralysis. Frankly you can die falling 5 feet, it all depends on how you land. In any event it's just the nature of the industry, and unfortunately no matter how careful you are, noone has control of their destiny. Especially when random freak accidents can happen. Here's the news article below of the death at 7WTC, I also knew this person, we were doing temporary waterproofing at the site during this time period when the building was being erected. He was part of the carpenter crew building the temporary sheds in the open shafts, while we were waterproofing those sheds that were erected. To this day noone knows how he fell, noone was near him when it happened. But something as simple as not hooking up for 20 seconds can cost you your life. http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/21-floor-plunge-kills-hardhat-7-wtc-article-1.636758

I have a feeling once the class actually starts the number of the last appointed will update. I've been checking it myself the last few weeks, plus a few members here are in the 410 range who were recently sworn in. I would say probably 420-430ish will be the updated DCAS figure. I'm in the 480-500 list range, I'm hoping to get my call for medical for the next class whenever that will be. So far it took them close to a year to process the first 5-600 people just for the drug test. I think a few guys who were in the 300 range had to take a second drug test since the expiration date is 90 days. So anything could happen as far as the next class starting sooner or later.

Either way I'd be happy start trainning/work in the cooler months anyway, I've worked union roofing (commercial) for the last 13 years, and the worst is starting a job anywhere in the summer time, especially if you were laid off for a bit. Atleast with the fall/winter start you'll be well broken in for when the summer time heat returns. Even from looking at the conductor, and train operator class threads the average call back time is around 6-8 weeks from when the drug test was administered, and some have gotton the call sooner than that. Earliest would be next week for me, but I'm not expecting my phone to ring till atleast November.

I went in for pre-employment on 9/28. From looking at a few posts on this page they are doing medical for people in the 400-420 list number range, probably some in the 380-400 list number range that aren't on the forum. I'm in the 480-500 list number range, the earliest they would probably call me would be the end of this week, or sometime next week. That also depends on the size of the 10/26 class if there is one. But I have a feeling if there is a class in December or January, I'll be in that one god willing. Remember drug tests for track are good for 90 days, so 12/28 would be the expiration date of the first drug test.