Two2Go

Classes always start on a Wednesday because the pay week for your paycheck runs from Wednesday through Tuesday. Every single one of us started with the railroad on a Wednesday.

It's more than enough time, provided that you use your time wisely. Part of the reason why they only give you 5 weeks is because they are testing your time management skills. Spend more time studying and less time on the internet and you'll be fine.

That's why I used Quizlet...the "Learn" function on Quizlet has you type out the definition over and over again, and it doesn't mark you right unless you get it 100% correct. It starts out by letting you see part of the card, or a hint if you need it, but it gets harder as you go. Flash cards are good for initially learning it, but I like typing it out to make sure I nail it 100%.

I did the signal names only for the first week. I had all of the signal names down 100% by the 9th day or so. I then moved onto the signal Indications and the Definitions. I did about 3 indications a day (some are obviously easier than others) and I tried to do 5 definitions a day. While doing the indications and definitions, I would still review the signal names to make sure I didn't forget any. I originally wanted to have everything down 100% by the 4th week, so my final week could just be review. I fell behind with some of the definitions, so I had to rush through them at the end. I wound up having 3 days for review, and I wound up getting a 100 on the test. Obviously, everyone studies and retains information differently. For me, I needed to do about 3-4 hours per day, every day, for those 5 weeks. The signal names are the most important since you have to get 100% correct. The test is literally just 25 random signal aspects (the pictures of signals) with a blank space next to each one for the Name and another blank space for the Indication. You have to write them out word for word verbatim to get them right. Then they give you 25 random definitions, just the term, you have to write out the definition word for word verbatim in the blank space provided. You can get 80% right on the signal INDICATIONS and 80% on the DEFINITIONS, but the SIGNAL NAMES must be 100% correct, which is why I focused on those first. I found the study tool on the CD to be useless. I signed up for a year's subscription to Quizlet and made my own private flash card sets on there, in addition to real paper flash cards. The only thing you need the CD for is the Quiz that you MUST e-mail back within 2 weeks (unless they don't do that anymore?).

Yes, that's the format. 25 definitions, and 25 signals. So, something like: BLOCK ____________________________ (picture of signal) NAME: ____________________________ INDICATION: ____________________________ You must get all of the signal names right. You must get at least 80% of the signal indications and the definitions right.

Working here, you hear lots of methods people use, and you pick and choose what works for you. Some people have tricks that make no sense to me, others have stuff that I like and I use. Whatever works for you...just pass the test!

Permanent Speed Restriction Sign is a diamond shape, not a square. Permanent = forever, hence "diamonds are forever". Permanent Speed Restriction Sign is also the only one of the speed signs that actually has an Indication, so it's probably the only one you would see on a S&D test. The only advice I can really give is to put everything on flashcards and have someone you trust quiz you over and over again. Go through the entire pile until you can get every single one correct every single time. You can't miss a signal name, so make you get those down 100% before you spend a lot of effort learning the indications and definitions.

They are the same, but don't memorize it that way. They could always change it if they wanted to. The phrase "diamonds are forever" might help you with memorizing these...

An instructor from the training department will start off by explaining the duties and responsibilities of an assistant conductor, and will briefly talk about things like how job assignments work, how vacation time works, sick days, etc. He or she will answer any questions anyone has. Then they will start showing you the signals and definitions. They will give out a huge packet of all the material, and they will go over each signal and each definition you are responsible for (everything in the packet). Usually they go around the room having people read each signal indication and definition out of the packet. They will give you pointers on some ways you can go about memorizing everything. They will probably say the phrase "word for word verbatim" at least 30 times. They will explain the format of the test you will be taking exactly 5 weeks later (and they will give you the date for that test, incase you aren't sure.) The class lasts about 6 hours. They aren't really there to "teach" you the S&D's, just to help you get familiarized with them and to answer any questions.

It usually takes longer than that to hear back. The last class to be hired started at the end of February, and no new classes have been filled since then (as of now). To give you an idea of the timeframe, the February class was filled with people that had started the process in November or December. Most of them had applied last summer. For me, it was 8 months between the day I applied and the day I was e-mailed to start the process. It's also worth noting that you won't get a rejection e-mail if they decide not to contact you. Do you have the customer service and cash handling experience they are looking for?

There's no average timeframe, it's different for everyone based on where HR is in the process of filling classes. The last class started at the end of February, no new classes have started yet. They almost never start classes in the summer, so you may not hear anything until during the summer for a class starting in September. Just keep studying your signals and definitions so you don't forget them.

Minus 2

My only issue with the CD was that I found some minor errors with some of the definitions; maybe they've corrected them on the newer versions they give out. I used Quizlet the most, I like the "Learn" feature on Quizlet that keeps track of which ones you get right and which ones you need more practice on. At the end of the day, whatever works for you is the best method, as long as you pass!

You're going to be given the full packet of signals and definitions that must be memorized 100% word-for-word verbatim. The instructor will go through each signal, and then through each definition. They will reiterate over and over again that these must all be memorized 100% word-for-word verbatim. The instructor will probably say the word "verbatim" in excess of 50 times. The instructor will also go through an in-depth overview of what being an A/C is actually like, and will answer any questions you might have about the job. The instructors were conductors themselves at one point, so they're knowledgable. They'll give you a CD with an app you can use to help you study (I don't recommend it, though -- just use flashcards, or Quizlet if you are a fast typer). The CD also has a practice test that you must complete and e-mail back to them within 2 weeks in order to be allowed to take the actual S&D exam. They will tell you the date for the S&D exam (should be exactly 5 weeks later) and then you'll be released for the day.

If you're concerned about getting terminated, then you're not going to like what I'm about to tell you. The entire 12 months you're on probation is an opportunity to be terminated. If you do anything wrong during probation, you could be terminated for it. They used to extend your probation if you got caught, but now they just fire you. If you do your job as you're taught, and study for your tests, you have nothing to worry about. I'm thinking that this job is not for you, Dreamer.

Hey guys, I am an A/C about to go through the qualifying process. There seems to be some confusion regarding tests, how many chances you get, and when you have to take them. To get hired, you need: 1. To be invited by the LIRR to an Open House. This is based solely on the information on your application & resume. 2. To pass the entrance exams given at the Open House. These exams are: Vocabulary Test, Cognitive Test, and a Math Test, and none of these can be studied for. You can either answer the questions or you can't. You are being tested on how your brain works, not what you know. You are only given one chance on these exams; if you fail any one of them, you're no longer under consideration for the job. 3. To be invited to a Signals & Definitions Overview (~6 hour class on how to memorize the S&Ds), followed exactly 5 weeks later by the S&D exam. You must study at least 3 hours a day for these 5 weeks. You must get 100% of the signal aspects correct and at least 80% of the signal indications and definitions correct to pass this exam. You get only one chance at this exam, and if you fail, you're no longer under consideration for the job. If you pass, you'll be interviewed and fitted for a uniform. 4. To pass a background check and physical exam. Once that's done, you'll be contacted with an offer letter and a start date for class. Once you are hired, you start 2.5 months of classroom and field training, which includes more tests: 1. Approximately 5 weeks after class starts, you'll take an Assistant Conductor Book of Rules Exam. While you are taking the written examination, your Timetable and Book of Rules will be inspected by a Rules Examiner to ensure you're keeping it up to date. If you pass the written exam and "book check", you will attend a group verbal exam with the rest of your classmates. Anyone that fails any portion of the A/C Book of Rules Exam will be immediately terminated from the railroad. The 5 weeks of training you get prior to the exam definitely OVER prepares you for the exam, but you absolutely must study every night after class for at least 3-4 hours in order to pass. It's a grueling 5 weeks, but it's totally doable. Very few people actually fail out of the program, but those that do almost always fail because of this particular exam. 2. The next two portions of class are Air Brake and Tickets, and these take about a month combined. Air Brake requires study time at home in order to pass the test, but not as much as you had to study for Rules. Tickets also requires studying, but not as much as for Air Brake or Rules. I'm not aware of anyone ever failing out of class because of Air Brake or Tickets, but I'm sure it's possible. Again, the training instructors do a very good job with making sure everyone knows exactly what is expected of them with regards to the exams. Put in the time and study what you're told to and you'll be fine. Once you pass all the exams, complete your On the Job Training and a week of mentoring with a Conductor, you'll graduate and start working the trains. Approximately 9 months later, you'll be off Probation and it's time to start studying for Qualifying! I'm not going to go into all the details about what the qualifying exams entail, but they are obviously a lot harder than anything you had to do in A/C training. No one knows exactly when they'll be called up to take their Qualifying exams, except it cannot be earlier than 2 years before your hire date, and it can't be later than 5 years after your hire date. The average seems to be about 2.5 years after your hire date, or about 2 years 3 months after you graduated from A/C class. You are given 7 chances per exam for qualifying. If you fail any of the qualifying exams 3 times, you still have a job, but you are "out of service", meaning you're not allowed to work. You have to turn in your hole puncher and everything else you've been given. Basically, you're sitting home studying for a month with no income. If you fail any exam 7 times, you're terminated from the railroad. I do know people who have gotten this far, yes. These exams are not easy, but if you put in the effort and study, you will pass. The average conductor studies for 12 months to pass these exams.