moussaberte

1 hour ago, tprashad0719 said:

I called HR and they told me they cancelled the signal maintainer class till further notice, good and bad for me, I really wanted to start asap but the good thing is that I can spend the holidays with the family

as for flagging, If I can remember..flagging the the most critical thing you can do especially for those working on the tracks, the purpose of flagging is to warn uncoming trains that there are workers on the track, in the past or maybe today they been so much accidents and deaths due to incorrect flagging, so you have to set your work area by placing lamps ahead of the track to let the train operator know to slow down ahead due to workers on the track, as a flagger you can set up TRIPS so incase the train is not stopping it will put the train in emergency etc, you will tell the train as a flagger when to proceed when safe to do so etc

So is this hard or do they teach you in the class till you get it 

12 hours ago, jake3178 said:

role play of a flagger on a simulated track, we're learning bunch of scripts and one of these scripts will be on the test. you fail and you're out. maybe its easy for some, but its a big deal for me.

How was out what did they make y'all do and can you tell me some flagging movements and  what they mean

Is it flagging as in stop go go slow?

17 minutes ago, jake3178 said:

role play of a flagger on a simulated track, we're learning bunch of scripts and one of these scripts will be on the test. you fail and you're out. maybe its easy for some, but its a big deal for me.

Wow  now I'm nervous i can't find anything online talking about the test or anything 

Damn another test what happens if you don't pass? What is it going to be on? Is It going to he difficult?

Can anyone tell me what happens when you go for the medical can you be sent back and declined at this stage?

Also what' the pay because got dome reason on the notice of examinationit says 21 or 22 but on the paper that I got to go take the drug test it said 20 not complaining just asking 

33 minutes ago, Wingz said:

Hey moussaberte.... Did you ever receive that email...... Bc I'm still waiting patiently... For any type of notification

Yea I got the email on Monday to go on Thursday and I don' think you should worry tbh because it took like 2 and a half weeks for me to be called and I read somewhere that some guy got called close to 90 days so no worry man although I'm nervou because on my 21 page booklet I made some mistakes.

Also when I go to final processing do I go over my 21 page booklet with them? And do they have other ones in case you made a mistake?

After the medical there is an orientation before your start date how long is the orientation what do they talk about? And how long after the medical does the orantaion start? 

58 minutes ago, Farjo33 said:

I would never say something is possible.  What I will say is I think it's highly unlikely.  Even if for some crazy reason they didn't get to your number, no I don't think they let you go from what I hear down there.  I don't think the MTA gonna put the time and effort into hiring somebody they feel is qualified and then spend the money to train that person just to send them packing for no reason at all.  Would almost be counter productive to why they are doing all this in the first place.  The Union and one of the instructors both said there have been "provisionals" that stayed provisional for 20 years down here.

So I would never say it's not possible because I am in no position to do so.  I would say it's not probable.  I am in that position myself and I no longer have the fear and the worry that I had before.  That's the best answer I could give you.  I think at this point it's all on me if I want to stay employed by the MTA.  Im good with that.

Alright thanks man you really answered my question I apprecate that.

47 minutes ago, Farjo33 said:

So here is an update after 1 week of signals helper school.

 

Temp/Provisional.  Only until they generate the list for 7609.  Education Experience test was your civil service test.  Once they make the list you will be hired permanent off that list.  They are hiring a LOT of people.

 

So all good there.

 

Instructors are very nice people.  Make you feel at ease.  Very good atmosphere.  So glad I jumped in.   

So let' say I'm already working and the list comes out and people start getting hired from that list is there a possibility that I might lose my job if I'm not high on that list?

6 hours ago, jake3178 said:

Congrats, when do you come in for pre-employment? Our class is in its 3rd day, it's one month long, they said next class will follow us, I guess you'll make that class. So far we got boots, PPE gear, some material. Didn't really learn anything just yet.. due to all the paperwork / union speeches / general info. But it's a good atmosphere, glad I'm here.

Good to hear that everything' good and I go in for pre mployment on Thursday and I have a start date of December 6 can' wait and jack keep us updated man.

8 hours ago, Wingz said:

Congrats and thanks for the heads up ...... I am going to keep on the look out 

Yea I was as worried as you but I guess all we really have to do is wait as long as you pass the drug test I don' think you'l have a worry 

7 hours ago, Wingz said:

Was it a phone call, email, message , mail...... Bc I didn't hear anything and I went in on November 1.... So hopefully soon

Yea I went October 31 so hopefully soon and it was a call from a gut he said that a class was coming up and asked would I be inteested in being in that class I said yes and he said great that I'll be go my in for final processing Thursday November 16 and for me to keep a look out for a email coming Monday.

On 11/6/2017 at 5:39 PM, jake3178 said:

At 8am I went to 195 montague st for 1st day orientation, maybe 200 people, different titles, about 30 electrical helpers, bunch of speakers from various departments, nothing too memorable.. signed up for 401k, waiting to hear about TWU dental plan tomorrow, was also issued a pass / metrocard. Left by 4pm.

I got the call today. Any updates jake?

I went on the 31st  no call yet

Also how can we be on probation for 1 year if provisonals last 9 months?  Dosent that mean those 9 months don' apply to us mean8ng that provisonals and temps are different also is the transit electrical helper test that we took a competitive position?

1 minute ago, Dave2836 said:

Who says the MTA doesn't make exceptions?  You got invited to pre-employment, and eventually final processing.  At training and on the road everyone will tell you the same phrases "It's your job to lose", or "You fire yourself".

Follow the rules, learn the job, be ready to take every test.

If you still have doubts, then there are two options for you:

1) Take the job and see what it's all about.

2) Don't take the job and wait for the certified list to come out and come back to this thread to ask the same questions and have the same doubts again.

No I'm taking the job if I get a offer because I don' really have as much worry because I'm going for signals and that becomes a permanent position with no test and what not but I was asking for clarification considering that most people who tend to this trend have questions.

1 minute ago, Dave2836 said:

So at this moment it's like any other job.  If you can, spend some time down here, maybe a full year to see how it's like (summer and winter jobs offer different experiences).  The MTA needs bodies to fill skilled positions.  There are literally not enough people available to do all the jobs.

But he said that provisonals do not extend after 9 months so how can we stay for a year?

Okay so I took the helpers test the spa I got a letter with a list number dies that mean that the list is made even tho me taking the test and me getting the letter was only like 2 months apart?

4 minutes ago, tprashad0719 said:

from talking to people who work inside transit for 10 years plus this is what I can share,

when you go in as a person with experience and education BUT DIDNT take the test, you will have to take the test in order to become permanent , if you don't pass the test I believe you can take the test as much times as you can, BUT keep in mind for those who pass the test will have more seniority over you and basically you will be at the bottom of the barrel , MTA tells you these things so they can cover them selves so incase there is a layoff the TEMPS aka Provisional  will be layed off first.....DONT fear , just do your job and keep low from the radar , as stated people been on this job for 10 years plus and never passed the test, there still TEMP aka Provisionals

 

as for passing the test, you will get a list#. For example..i took the Signal Maintainer practical in April and got a letter before the list was even established which was in Oct. 2017, not even 1 year passed, even though I passed the practical my paper states TEMP on it because the list hasn't been established as yet and then when it does I will have to wait for them to reach my list# so on and all this will be basically 2+ years for me to become permanent and DONT forget probation is another 1 year  

36 minutes ago, Farjo33 said:

There is a passage in the book they handed out today that has me nervous a bit.  

 

"Provisional Employment never becomes permanent"

"To gain permanent status Provisional employees must take and pass the appropriate exam and be appointed from a certified list"

"Provisional Employment should not extend beyond 9 months"

 

So obviously the last part has me scared you know what.  Gotta find out what that means tomorrow when they go over that section.

 

I have no problem taking the test, problem is even if they announced a test tomorrow typically it takes YEARS before they call off a list.  

 

I'm excited about the opportunity but this provisional section kinda took the wind outta my sails a bit.  Especially when I thought the HR ladies answer put the issue to rest.  That there was just no list yet and that's why I was temp and that once the list was established that's when you would become permanent.  That doesn't seem right to me now

But aren' we temporar and not provisioal?

26 minutes ago, jake3178 said:

At 8am I went to 195 montague st for 1st day orientation, maybe 200 people, different titles, about 30 electrical helpers, bunch of speakers from various departments, nothing too memorable.. signed up for 401k, waiting to hear about TWU dental plan tomorrow, was also issued a pass / metrocard. Left by 4pm.

That's good to hear keep us posted about what happens tomorrow 

22 hours ago, jake3178 said:

I resigned from mine, but they said i can come back anytime.

Hey Jake did you go do anything today classes or anything? And the questions not only for Jake anyone who did something can feel free to answer 

Alright but after the list is made as I've been sworn in already I should be good?

1 hour ago, tprashad0719 said:

Signal helper and signal maintainer are both permanent, a buddy of mines who is currently a signal maintainer told me they put TEMP because the list wasn' established as yet and incase there is a layoff they put TEMP to cover there asses..but so far I never heard Mta laying off people

Okay so let's say I'm a signal helper and I get sworn in and everything then the list is established will I be layed off?