bp98

23 hours ago, 2ride said:

Can someone tell me if the railroads are the best agencies to work for inside MTA? How does Metro North or LIRR compare to other ones such as NYCT, Office of Capital Construction, Bridges and Tunnels, and etc? Thanks.

What do you mean by "best"?

Sorry, I know I'm about 4 months late here, however...

On 4/17/2022 at 6:21 PM, 553 Bridgeton said:

It’s cheaper to hire someone who is already FRA qualified vs someone coming off the streets.

I can't speak for any other RR, but for the LIRR this is 110% not true.  Costs the same whether you are off the street, or an amtrak or NJT conductor for 30 years.  Everyone goes through the exact same hiring and training process regardless of your background.  The only thing prior experience would help you with is with HR and the interview.  

On 4/17/2022 at 6:21 PM, 553 Bridgeton said:

You literally only have to train them on operating equipment and then whatever difference in terminology there is within the company, vs doing everything from scratch.

Also 110% not true.  Everyone does everything from scratch.  Even an LIRR conductor who wants to become an LIRR Engineer has to go through the exact same process from scratch, even though he is a part 232 certified conductor of the same exact RR.  

This is also true for employees and non-employees wanting to become a Block Operator/Dispatcher.  Same exact training regardless of your experience.

I've been hearing through the grapevine that the RR is having issues getting people to pass the S&D exams.  They're going through thousands of people just to get 24 for a class.  Here is your friendly reminder to everyone that either is or will eventually be in the process:  

STUDY!!

It's worth it, trust me.  See u on the rails.  

They're hiring again,  for those still interested.

3 hours ago, Lex said:

I don't even know how to respond...

"No" would be the correct response, lol

On 8/13/2019 at 8:12 PM, bobtehpanda said:

I mean, those are stupid restrictions. It's not as if any of them are the point.

Now that the LIRR is (allegedly) looking at getting rid of cash-on-board, extending regular tickets is going to be a thing of the past.

With most of the tickets that I extend, passengers use a card.  However I do agree getting rid of cash transactions is stupid.

On 3/30/2019 at 9:35 PM, Mikey23 said:

Like i believe that. I have had a conversation with every single person in class so obviously your talking garbage as well. No one in class talks behind my back im sure of it. This is my last post on this forum. Class is almost over and i will be on the trains soon instead of being locked in a classroom with all of you.  Im not posting here anymore since everyone in this forum are donkeys. GOODBYE EVERYBODY! GOOD RIDDANCE 

  When you graduate its going to be "HELLO EVERYONE, I'M A DONKEY"!

Your name is on the roster, bro.  We know who you are.  You better have a thick skin when you come out, lol.  

Good luck.  

2 hours ago, Jayy said:

Hey guys, I passed my S&D on the 12th. Does anyone know when the next class will be ? 

There is an "internal" hiring freeze in effect.  The RR still has plans for 6 classes this year.  The first two classes are in hillside right now.  Not sure when the next one is, maybe summer.

I heard MNRR was going to furlough some cams.  Not sure if that's true.  Here at the LI, it's an internal hiring freeze.  Still hiring A/C's and engineer trainees.

16 hours ago, Two2Go said:

As if your job will ever see a shadow

Yea lol, you're right....also, I saved a bunch of money on my motorcycle insurance by switching to geico.  

On 1/7/2019 at 8:15 AM, IronHorse said:

Hear there's a total of 6 classes for 2019!  Shadows will have shadows!!

Remember, senior guy goes home!!

Bro this guy is gonna be hangin' for like a year...

20 hours ago, k21d said:

Bp98 what class are you from?

2016

4 hours ago, Mikey23 said:

I dont know why you guys are coming at me like this but its uncalled for. This is all because ironhorse couldnt take the time out to read a few posts before he gave his two cents. Everyone else should just mind their business.  Dont worry about my career with the railroad! Im not here for any of you, i am here for myself! 

Thanks again fd87, it seems your the only standup guy in this entire forum. Thank you again for your advice. 

Some comments before you play the victim card:

This is a public forum on the internet.  If you wanted people to mind there business, you wouldn't be here asking questions.

If you are worried only about yourself, what does that mean for your conductor or engineer?  If you're my brakeman and I need help with doors, passengers, etc, I expect you to help me no questions asked.  If you have that "I'm only here for myself" attitude, you're not gonna last long pal.

If someone not reading dozens of posts on an internet forum upsets you, then the RR is not for you.  What's gonna happen when passengers ask you whether your train stops at Jamaica a thousand times?  Are you going to get upset and angry because you made plenty of announcements?  

Seriously you need a thick skin and I mean really THICK to survive.  Don't act like a know it all, be humble that you've made it this far.  

6 hours ago, Mikey23 said:

Of all the things you can say on here, you decide to say this? foh

This was your true intention when you last posted. How can you want anyone to fail? And yet i am the bad person? 

Can't wait till' you get out on the trains, cupcake.  Passengers are gonna' love you.  Coworkers too for that matter, lol.  

7 hours ago, Mikey23 said:

Well if you would have taken the time to read ALL the posts, You would have read that i did reach out to linda today and im scheduled for feb 13th class. 

i wish you wouldve read whats written before you give any advice.

Hey Linda, we got a real winner here!!

2 hours ago, TomLirrAC said:

Finally Passed Air Brake Today! All 22 of us passed!

I'm going for airbrake Next Week.  Not looking forward to it.  Lol

1 hour ago, Cdima123 said:

I was never told my score , I didn’t think they told anyone, I passed that day too and all I know was I passed lol 

He actually got a 80, but whatever...

On 9/21/2018 at 9:28 PM, misslo said:

Well congrats to all. But that cognitive test part was bullshit. I would have still said it was BS even if I had gotten through. That part is scammy, also the timing of the whole thing. Nah I am side eyeing the whole process. I have done cognitive test before and this test aint it. I almost asked Ms. Oliver or whatever her name is if she can give me my $32.00 back. 

But Good luck to who passed   cuz if the S&D is no joke I am going to pray for yall.

-2

3 hours ago, Member2016 said:

Lirr is way better then metro North if I was you I would just wait it out it would be a waste of time and effort to go to metro North then quit and go to lirr 

Are you sure about that?

5 hours ago, Cdima123 said:

Question, 

 

I have been in the process and was offered a position as Condutor Trainee for the Metro North, class starts in October, but I passed my LIRR S/D rest in July, does anyone know if I take the job for Metro North in the meantime while I’m waiting for the LIRR will it affect my chances of getting put in a A/C class ??? 

 

Any thoughts???

If you live on the island, LIRR.  If you live upstate or in Connecticut, MNR.  

15 hours ago, Two2Go said:

That's a tough question to answer, but I'll take a stab at it...

 

Officially, we pick jobs twice a year (aka "General Pick"). Once in the spring and once in the fall. The reality is that because of "trimming", your job can change a lot more often than once every 6 months. So, here's what the reality is:

At the "General Pick", everyone* picks a job, in seniority order. If there are more people than there are jobs, the people at the bottom of the roster don't get to own a job -- they become "Subject to Bid". They still work 5 days a week, covering assignments that are available, and they have days off (2 consecutive) assigned to them by the railroad.

*Remember how I said "everyone" picks a job? Well, anyone on vacation the week of the General Pick, along with anyone that is out on long-term leave (medical, FMLA, whatever) during the General Pick, doesn't have to pick a job until they get back. But, in the interest of "fairness", these people get to take any job that is now below them on the roster. This is called "trimming".

So, for example, if you are on vacation during the General Pick, the day you return from vacation, you will call up and put in a "trim" on whichever job you'd like that was picked by someone below you on the roster. That person will receive a phone call letting them know they were trimmed, and they will then have to do the same to someone below them on the roster. It goes on and on like that until the trims reach the bottom of the roster. When you are at the bottom and get trimmed with no more jobs below you available to trim, you become "Subject to Bid". 

Generally about 3 months into the "pick", the railroad will make minor adjustments to the schedule. For example, now that the summer is ending, they will stop running extra service out to the Hamptons and Montauk. Schedule changes mean that jobs are changing, and we call this a "revision". Anyone who's job is revised is automatically eligible to put in a trim, if they'd like to. So, if your job used to end at 11:01pm but now ends at 11:02pm, you can put in a trim on any job under you on the roster. If a train you work used to terminate in Farmingdale but now it terminates in Ronkonkoma, you can put in a trim on any job under you on the roster. You don't have to, but most people do. 

The number 1 guy on the roster never has to worry about being trimmed, no one is above him. Everyone else has to deal with trimming. Usually, the lower you are on the roster, the more trimming you will experience. It gets better with time, but when you're new, expect to be working all sorts of weird hours, changing schedules, etc. Trimming is absolutely the worst part of the job, but you get used to it.

Summary:  It's complicated.

On 8/27/2018 at 3:02 PM, MTAHopeful813 said:

wow, same here. just received the email today at 11:35am for the open house in Babylon.

i am actually in the waiting line for Train Operator exam 7604, i took the A/C a while back and kind of forgot about it until i saw the email today. Can someone explain what a day is like working as an A/C? pro's and cons? 

I'm on the fence if i should take the A/C since i have a good list # possibly called by early next year/mid for T/O. would anyone know if it would be a problem resigning as a probie A/C to switch to T/O?

 

Thanks.

 

Hey, it beats working for a living.  

14 hours ago, TomLirrAC said:

Whats going on everybody?

 

Question! Does anybody know if Kat is a good instructor? I wonder what her teaching style is like. Has anybody ever had her in the past? 

General Kat.  I'm glad she is doing your class.  You will be the best new a/c's out there....if you make it of course.  

4 hours ago, MTA Groupie said:

Dang guys y’all making it seem so hard 😔

It is, lol