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Two2Go

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  1. Two totally separate railroads. It was just a coincidence that they both had AC orientation on the same day.
  2. They go through the material, showing you the different signal aspects and the definitions, and they will discuss some different methods for trying to memorize it all. There isn't really much they can "teach", though -- you just have to learn it all word-for-word verbatim; understanding it isn't necessary at this point.
  3. A lot of people show up dressed very casually. No one will say anything, but it's absolutely a bad idea. They WILL remember who didn't dress up enough. A suit is probably overkill, but definitely khakis and a button down dress shirt at the minimum. Sneakers are forbidden on LIRR property at all times.
  4. Did you attend an S&D overview class for any position in the last 12 months? If so, what happened when you took the test associated with that overview class? If you passed the test, your passing score should apply for this job application as well.
  5. You should definitely read through the previous thread on the LIRR AC position, it's full of good information (see link below). But, to answer your question, the open house is the first step in a lengthy process. You'll be in a large room with other applicants, potentially over 100 of you at once. A few transportation managers and/or superintendents, along with HR reps, will be present. They will briefly describe what the job is like, and they will tell some stories that may discourage some people from continuing (how awful the hours are, how little vacation time there is at first, how horrible the passengers can be, etc). They will answer whatever questions people may have, and then they will begin the tests. First test you will take is a Cognitive test, like an IQ test basically. It's multiple timed sections. When time is up on one section, you cannot go back to it again. The idea is to get as many questions right as possible without guessing; it's tough/impossible to finish all the questions, so don't try to. There's no way to study or prepare for this kind of test, all the questions are based on material that is present on the test (articles to read, flow charts to interpret, etc). Approximately half the people in the room will fail the Cognitive test. Those that pass will be given a simple math (addition, subtraction, multiplication) test and a simple vocabulary (multiple choice, pick the synonym) test. Almost no one fails these. Assuming you pass both of those tests, you will be interviewed. It's a short interview where the interviewer is really just checking off a checklist to make sure that your resume/background meet the job requirements. It's possible that the person interviewing you has no idea about the job or the hiring process, they are just there helping fill out the checklists. After that, your day is over. A few days, weeks or months later, you will (hopefully) be contacted to continue the process with a Signals and Definitions overview class, which is roughly 4-6 hours long. Five weeks after that class, you are brought back in for the Signals & Definitions exam. If you can pass that exam, you are basically guaranteed to be hired, assuming you don't completely bomb the second interview (it happens right after the S&D test), and assuming you can pass the physical exam & the background check.
  6. The people that passed in March 2019 are just getting invited now for a January class. You'll probably start before June.
  7. The HR people are going to tell you that you need steel toe boots but in reality that's not true for our department. You just need black leather shoes that lace up with metal eyelets and have a defined heel not exceeding one inch. If you prefer boots, by all means go for it. I personally find working the train in boots to be uncomfortable, so I only wear my boots if it's snowing. Otherwise I wear these, an oxford shoe by Red Wing. Expensive but very comfortable and lasts way longer than the other junk I bought when I first got hired.
  8. Those restrictions are exactly the point. It's why they don't automatically sell everyone an Atlantic Ticket. If you were buying a one-way ticket from Jamaica to Atlantic Terminal and were planning on using it tomorrow, or two weeks from now, and found out they sold you a cheaper ticket that expired on the day of purchase, you'd be beyond furious. It's better to give people a choice between the two options than force them into an option that doesn't work for them. If you're arguing to get rid of the Atlantic Ticket and just lower the price of peak and off-peak tickets to $5, then that's an entirely different conversation. If and when they get rid of cash, we will still be able to accept credit cards to pay step ups, extend tickets, etc.
  9. The Atlantic Ticket is valid only on the day of purchase; the regular one-way and round-trip tickets (peak or off-peak) are valid for 60 days. Regular tickets can also be extended to other zones (by paying the difference in price); Atlantic Tickets cannot be extended and their dollar value cannot be extended to a different ticket, nor can they be used for trips to/from Penn Station. It's sort of like how the airlines sell more expensive tickets with very flexible fare rules (fully refundable, changeable, etc) and cheaper tickets that have huge penalties for canceling or making changes.
  10. No offense man, but you're not gonna get a lot of sympathy from anyone here. We all did it, which is proof that 5 weeks is enough time if you plan it out properly. There's currently over 1400 conductors and assistant conductors on the roster, they all did it. I think the engineers only get 3 weeks to learn the same material? Be happy you have those extra two weeks.
  11. The one you make yourself. Don't trust any others...plenty of definitions and signals have changed over the years, who knows what's correct.
  12. Honestly, I wouldn't expect to get a free ride to Babylon with an e-mail about an open house. Before I was hired, any time I had to go to Hillside I bought a ticket from my home station to Jamaica, and then from Jamaica to Hillside it's free. I'm a conductor, and if someone showed me a letter about an Open House, I'd still expect a ticket out of them (except to Hillside, since you can't buy a ticket to that station). Maybe some conductors will let it slide, but some definitely won't.
  13. I highly doubt they'd make any exceptions. The whole idea is that once you go to the overview, you are "locked into" the test date 5 weeks later. They only want you having 5 weeks to study for the test. If you had more time, you'd have an easier time passing the test, but that doesn't show them that you have the ability to study and pass the qualifying exams in a couple years (which is the whole point of making you learn the S&D's in 5 weeks).
  14. This is the kind of job and environment where teamwork is really important. Being able to work well with others and communicate is essential to both your safety and your success. Based on the way you talk about your coworkers and talk to people on here, I don't think you are going to have a very long or enjoyable time on the railroad.
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