IronHorse

after you get done with class and start working, you get to pick jobs off a list in order of preference, if you're lucky, you land some of the jobs you want, if you don't, you go in what they call "hang" which is when dispatch calls you for when they need you & you don't get the jobs on your list. make sense?

 

 

Congrats!! excellent accomplishment!!

Ahh, makes much sense now. Thank you Cappi and congrats to you and your son Moody!!

After you make it past the program they ask you do you want to work your relief days if you say yes you work relief days if you say no you have to wait about 6 months for the opportunity again...its not always guaranteed but if they need you you will work and your probation starts as soon as class starts

Got it, thanks for the info!

The first year depends on when you graduate. If you come out during the summer, its not that bad. You'll be able to hit nice jobs and do pretty much what you want. If you come out in the winter, then you will "hang" probably 3 of the 5 days per week and wish that you were back at your old job. Not fun.

 

Also there are a bunch of probationary conductors that are in their first year and have owned the same job since December. It does happen.

 

This depends on the job. most jobs finish where you start, but some jobs don't. There are jobs that allocate "deadhead" time at the end so that you can officially finish where you started, but you don't need to physically go all the way back (if that makes any sense). Contractually, you are paid back to the terminal where you started.

BP, what do you mean by "hang" 3 of 5 days?

BrianJames- hopefully we are all good enough to get in the door. I'm just waiting on a call back for the S&D overview. But I have friends in several departments for 15-20 years each and all started as AC positions. I went through this process 17 years ago. And been applying the last 3 years non stop. Finally got called back for the Feb open house. All the best buddy.

I guess you're no spring chicken Cappi. Haha. I'm 38 and trying to retire from retail management. I come from a railroad family but didn't make a move when I was young. One question though.....i know overtime is advertised as normal. People make big extras from it, but do they ask newbies during your 1st year of work/probation? And does your 11 week of paid training count as probation period or does it start after completion of it. Thanks in advance.

Ok, thanks for this. So basically, they can call you for whatever shift they need you for, on a day to day basis? I know about the 8 hrs in between the shifts, but you will not know your schedule on a weekly basis?

Correct! Crew dispatch calls you daily 3 hours before you are supposed to report for shift wherever. Whole 1st year of probation is like a on call bitch. Lol. You have to put in work and do your time but the payout is good for the sacrifices you make.

Actually, it was 3/28

Yeah, something didn't seem quite right with that. Lol.

I was and 2 days ago.

So was I, no email yet for me. I'll keep praying. Good luck to you

Hey guys

First off, just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has posted here. Some great insight and info. Really appreciate it as well as all the advice. I was invited to the class on the 18th, I know a lot of studying is to follow. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone can give any info on what follows after...specifically, the drawing of the station that is involved. That part has me really worried. Any insights? also, if you get the job, trying to get to certain stations-what do you feel is the best way to get there? Meaning, if you have to get to green port in the morning, say coming off a night shift, would the train be the best way? I don't have a car, and I am wondering how much of a problem this will be. Thanks again for any info you can give.

Hey Brian, you just received email today? Were you at the March 8th open house?

Thanks

They do tell you what dremoney suggests. They don't want ppl having an advantage of the 5 weeks they provide you. Studying early is kind of frowned upon I think. But ppl do it. I have official info from going through the process years ago. I can tell you. A few have changed a little bit. I hope we hear something for the 4/18 overview soon. I'm dying.

Obviously they don't want you with an advantage, however you'd be a fool not to study early if you had the material. Anybody could have been through this already 3 times and have studied prior thus giving them a upper hand, despite material being updated or not. Survival of the fittest and dumb luck. I wait patiently as well.

What are you studying off of? Only if you have current definitions, direct from the lirr, otherwise you're wasting your time as they tell you that the wording may change etc so unless you have current definitions directly from the source don't bother until you get to the overview and are presented with the information.

I have official material. Its not hard to find, its hard to make sure its right one like you said. I doubt definitions, indications, signal pictures change much year to year. Maybe a slight tweek or addition.

Hey fellas,

any update on getting called for April/May overviews? still nothing here...

Nothin yet for me but the one guy who confirmed he got a invite to this months S&D did open house last month and it seemed like they only gave him 2 weeks notice.....so I think if we get called it might not be until april that we're notified. Like 2 week before rule here, maybe? I'm studying already. Information is intense as far as long definitions to memorize.

Linda definitely told our group at open house on March 8th to write down the 4 dates. S/d overview april 18th and may 23rd. And then the respective test dates exactly 5 weeks after each of those dates.

Congrats to all who got the email. I believe that it's random selection for the dates. I specifically asked for the April one so I could focus on my finals. I didnt get the March email so I'm hoping that's why.

Did you go to the February open house or march?

Thanks so much IronHorse! I'm super excited about it all. I've been waiting for a chance with this organization for many years and finally its here! I attended open house 2/23 and i've been pretty much holding my breath for this moment lol. hopefully you hear something soon. It was nice to see that email in my inbox after such a hectic day of running around preparing for the storm tomorrow.

Alright, so it took a lil bit to send your email. Good stuff. I hope they send me one as well. I've been looking forward to this too. So they had 3 open houses in a month. They're definitely trying to get a decent pool of applicants. Only the best or luckiest will survive this rat race. Haha. Good luck with the storm tomorrow!

Did anyone receive an email about the S&D overview? For the overview scheduled for March 28th? I received an email earlier this afternoon around 3 pm! This gives me so much hope! I cannot wait until the overview so I can get started on studying the necessary material

Thats great CT! Congrats. When did you attend open house? Was it March 8th? I haven't received anything yet but thats the day i went.

Hey Iron Horse,

could you please verify exactly the date information you have so I can plan accordingly contingently. Would be greatly appreciated

Definitely she said April 18th-overview, and May 23rd test.

Hey Iron Horse,

could you please verify exactly the date information you have so I can plan accordingly contingently. Would be greatly appreciated

Definitely she said April 18th-overview, and May 23rd test.

Hey IronHorse,

was that the last open house they're conducting? waiting for the call to S&D, an earlier poster said he talked to one of the proctors and she said we have to wait for all the open houses to be finished. I've been through the process before myself, you can check my earlier posts in this thread, it's all rote memorization. flash cards, have family, friends, etc. test you, quiz you, two to three hours a day is sufficient. it goes by fast and before you know it when the test comes the definitions just come to you. I got a 98 on the entrance exam on my last go round in '13 but never got the call back for training. hoping this is my shot as well.

Hey dre,

Linda Oliver said there are 2 S&D overviews coming up set in stone. 1 is april 18th with a test date of may 23rd and may 21st with test date june 20 something. I may be a day or two off but i wrote this down somewhere. She said definitely hiring for classes that start in August and Sept. Thanks for advice. This is definitely a crap shoot. Only thing you can do is make sure you get a 100. Lol.

Hey peoples, I just went to Hibernian hall march 8 in babylon for first round. Pretty interesting experience. Say like 100 heads there at least. They kicked almost half out after cognitive test. Curious for S & D studying. People that passed that here, any study advice to get the verbatim down pat. I really want this gig.