So I applied for this the beginning of last year (around February of 15') and wasn't contacted until the end of december. Went to the open house and people from all walks of life were there. There were a bunch of young people and a few in their late 30's early 40's. I swear there was one guy who was well into his 50's and he was picked, but anyway...
In order to get called, you need demonstrate the following IMO:
1) Customer service experience, so if you were a greeter at wall mart for the last two years, then you're golden.
2) Cash handling experience, preferably large transactions like a teller at a bank for example.
3) Good study habits, usually through a college degree. Yes its not required, but it helps your chances.
As far as the tests are concerned at the open house, you can't study for them. Either you have "it" or you don't. If you have half a brain, you will pass, don't worry. If you pass the exams, then you will have an interview with a transportation manager. This is where they make sure that you were what they were looking for.
Example questions:
-Can you conform to DOT regulations?
-Do you have good study habits?
-Are you good with customers? Explain.
-How do you deal with pressure situations? Explain.
-Any moving violations or tickets?
After that you have to wait for an email for the ridiculously extensive background check. If you worked at some place for a week when you were 17 and only got one paycheck, but it was ON THE BOOKS, you need to report it because they will find out (and will ask for proof, aka a w-2 or a paystub). If you fail to report ANYTHING, automatic disqualification. This goes for any tickets, moving violations, arrests, etc.
So while they are investigating your background, you will get invited to the infamous S&D overview. A person from the training department will host about 40 people and explain the signals and definitions and what you should do/need to do in order to pass. Based on some posts on other websites, this has changed over the last couple of years. Some saying that they got horn and whistle signals in addition to only 50 signals and definitions. For me, i got all 75 definitions and all of the signals, no horn or whistle signals. The test is 50 questions, a random combination of signals and definitions. You need to know these WORD FOR WORD VERBATIM. Miss a word? Accidentally add a word to a definition ("the train" instead of just "train")? Accidentally pluralize a word ("trains" instead of "train")? WRONG!
You have 5 weeks from the date of the S&D overview to study. You need to get a 100% on the names of the signals, and an 80% on the signal indications and definitions. There were about 30 people who took the exam. Of those only SIX, including myself passed. After you pass, you take another panel interview with two transportation managers where they ask you situational questions. "You're the conductor on train A and notice a bunch of rowdy, drunk passengers who haven't paid their fare yet. what do you do?"
Keep in mind that most, if not all of the TM's were conductors at one point, so they wont go easy on you.
After this, you will get an additional packet of horn, whistle, and hand signals that you have to study for the academy. Essentially whatever they omitted from the S&D test, they give you to study until you get called.
Once you get called for training, you have to set up an appointment for the medical.
This is where you have to be able to lift 50 lbs, walk on uneven surfaces, and step onto a simulated train. I mention this because the initial step that you have to step up on is 3 and a half feet off the ground which might not seem high, but try it and you'll understand. You have to step up and down this thing about 10 times.
******Another thing: you'll have to sign a whole bunch of paperwork at the medical exam where they ask you "have you ever had" questions. MAKE SURE YOU ANSWER TRUTHFULLY AND DON'T LEAVE OUT A THING! If you had surgery on your ankle when you were 16 for a broken bone or tendon, TELL THEM! One of the things that you have to sign is giving them the right to terminate you employment at ANY TIME (even after probation) if they find out that you had surgery, for example, and you didn't tell them. As long as you can pass the PE exam, you will be fine.
Then after that you go to orientation and training which is what i'm up to currently. Any other questions with the hiring process, feel free to ask.
