Suffolkbull3

On 7/7/2018 at 6:12 PM, bp98 said:

Not yet.  Soon.

well im wishing u the best!! Ths S&D test is one week away.. sleeping is going to be hard for the next 7 nights. 

On 7/5/2018 at 7:38 PM, bp98 said:

Does not matter.  What matters is if your background check is complete, medical gives you a clean bill of health.  Once they have 24 people ready to go then they will put a class together, assuming they have enough instructors.  

Hey BP, i was reading through this entire thread and noticed that you went through this porcess back in 2016... I was wondering if you have taken the big conductor test yet? 

15 hours ago, bp98 said:

Does not matter.  What matters is if your background check is complete, medical gives you a clean bill of health.  Once they have 24 people ready to go then they will put a class together, assuming they have enough instructors.  

oh ok, thanks for the info bp

On 7/3/2018 at 1:09 PM, JHP87 said:

From my understanding, 24.  

Thanks bro... Just wondering if you have heard anything yet about class placement? I would think that you will be in the 8/22/18 class for sure however i am a total newb that doesnt know ish about anything yet. Has there been any new classes that started after you passed your test? Like a June class? 

See what i dont understand is, Does the grade matter at all on the Signals & Definition test? 

I dont know, i would think that the people who score high on their sd test should be put into a class before someone who scored lower than the next person. Like why should someone who scored lets say a 90% be put into a class before someone who lets say scored a 100% if all their backrounds and medicals come back clear and they both took the test the same exact day?

So again id like to ask anyone who knows, Does your grade on the SD test matter in any way as long as you pass? 

around how many people do they put in one class ?

2 hours ago, fd87 said:

What’s up bull. Studying is going great signals and indications down 💯 and half of the Definitions. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel lol. How’s it going for you?

Thats awesome to hear!! I have all the signals and indications down as well and i have 62 out of the 73 definitions down so 11 more to learn then its all review until test day. Glad to hear your doing great!!

On 6/19/2018 at 3:45 PM, fd87 said:

What’s up bull?  Studying is going great. I got all the signals down 100% and half of the indications. It’s a lot but very doable. How’s studying going for you ?

hey fd, just wanted to check in with u to see how your making out with your studies? i hope everything is going well for u.

21 hours ago, Two2Go said:

Honestly not sure, you'd have to check the postings for each of those jobs and see what the requirements are. Even for conductor, although college isn't required, it's definitely preferred. The vast majority of conductors that I've worked with have at least an associates degree.

ok thanks again for the reply

15 hours ago, Two2Go said:

No idea when the next posting will be, only HR knows that. From previous years, most postings seem to be done in the winter and spring, so December through March or so. That being said, they haven't done a class starting in June since 2013, so you can't always go by past practices to predict the future. Best advice is to just check the website daily and see if they post it. The last time it was posted was back in February, so who knows.

Other jobs to look out for are CAMs and SAMs. CAMs (Car Appearance Maintainer) clean the trains and SAMs (Station Appearance Maintainers) clean the stations. They don't pay as much as conductor or engineer but they are good entry level positions. A lot of CAMs eventually apply for and become conductors.

Awesome Info!! Thank you!! 

On another note,  Do you know if you need anything more than a HS diploma to apply for these positions ....

Locomotive Engineer Trainee, Block Operator Trainee, Assistant Stationmaster, or Yardmaster ? 

Im asking about only those positions because when i was originally emailed inviting me to the A/C open house, at the end of the email it said if you have taken any of those entrance exams in the past year and failed, than u cant take the A/C open house exam so im figuring those positions would also not require anything higher than a HS Diploma as well. 

28 minutes ago, Two2Go said:

24 new hires joined the roster today with a start date of 6/27/2018.

This is a shot in the dark, but id figure id ask anyway... Do you (or anyone reading this) have any idea if the lirr will have another job posting for asst conductors before year end?? or is it safe to say with all the asst conductor job postings in the last two years, we will not be seeing any asst conductor job postings for the immediate future? 

The reason i ask is because i have a close friend who would absolutely love to apply for this job at the lirr or even a similiar job with similiar pay where the only qualifications that you really need are the ones similiar to that of asst conductors such as a HS Diploma and no college.

Can anyone recommend something similiar to an asst conductor just in case they dont have a job posting for A/C?

Thanks fellas in advance... i really appreciate any feedback i can get.

8 hours ago, Two2Go said:

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.

ohhh ok gotcha. 

2 hours ago, JHP87 said:

Yes, there was an exam yesterday. To anyone that passed, did Linda or anyone else happen to mention upcoming classes? 

I can tell you what they told us at the June11th S&D Overview... They told us that a class would be starting on Aug 22nd and another class starting on Sept 26th. Hope that helps? 

I would think that they would start a class on a Monday instead of a Wednesday? 

Does every new class start on a Wednesday?? If so does anyone know why they start a class in the middle of the week?

11 minutes ago, fd87 said:

What’s up bull?  Studying is going great. I got all the signals down 100% and half of the indications. It’s a lot but very doable. How’s studying going for you ?

Thats GREAT to hear man!!! I dont know if you would remember, but i was the one asking a million questions at our overview lol... 

As far as studying is concerned, im at about the same as u. i have not even looked at a single definition yet. I have literally been studying my butt off everyday and have shut off communications with the outside world and will continue to do so for the next four weeks...If u want, inbox me your cell number and we can help each other if need be. im glad to hear your studying is going great!!

15 hours ago, fd87 said:

Okay that’s what I figured. Thought I was going crazy for a second lol

Whats up FD87? How is your studying going? 

5 hours ago, bp98 said:

Instead of posting on this form, you should be studying.   Asking another person how long it took them isn't going to help you.  Instead, you should be asking yourself a simple question:  "How bad do I wan't it"?  

 

If you wan't this job bad enough you will get it.  

Oh trust me i want this job really bad!! i am absoluty possesed over it.. i have been literally studying my azzzzzz off.. i come here to this site to try and gather any other information that i possibly can.. i see the common theme from everyone who passed is study study study study thats basically it and as i said thats all i have been doing since i got the packet on monday. Thank you for the positive vibe!! Its very much appreciated!

14 hours ago, IronHorse said:

No, not wrong. Dashes are not needed

Hi Ironhorse, i wanted to ask u a question, i have read many of your posts in this entire thread and have a lot of respect for you so i would really value and appreciate your opinion....

My sd overview was this past monday, june 11th..... Where should i be in my studying as of today? Like how many signal names should i know, how many signal indications should i know, and how many definitions should i know with today being the 5th day of having the sd study packet?

I would also like to ask u, when you were studying for ur sd test, how did u study? did u learn all the signal names first then the indications 2nd and finally the definitions last? or did you study all 3 everyday ?

Thank you ironhorse, like i said i really value your opinion and any recommendations you may have for me.

I know everyone learns differently, with that being said, Can anyone tell me how long it should take the average person to learn all 72 definitions exactly word for word? 

How long did it take you to learn the 72 definitions inside and out?  

ughh im sooo afraid that 5 weeks isnt enough time to learn all of this material word for word verbatim! 

6 hours ago, fd87 said:

First three days I was just repeating everything reading it and saying it out loud. Now everything is on flash cards and mixed up in 10 different piles for each day. But I mite switch to just Signal names cause those are the ones that u can’t get wrong..

FD, How many signals and indications of those signals do u have down 100% so far? How many definitions do u know 100% so far? 

I cant get over how much information there is and that we need to know it ALL word for word verbatim!!!!! its crazyyyyy and i have literally been studying my butt off since i got home from the overview on monday!!! 

24 minutes ago, fd87 said:

Thanks guys for the great information. Did you guys mix all of the signals up to learn them or do them in order??

I would say after learning the signals in order, you wont really know them 100% until you are able to mix them up while quizzing urself or if someone else quizzes u.. So absolutely make sure u mix them all up after you are really familiar with them..

Are you currently studying both the signals and definitions? or just the signals and indications until u know them 100% before moving on to the definitions?

I ABSOLUTELY HATEEEEEEEEE the MEDIUM APPROACH signals!!!!!!! They are totally messing me up!!!! 

40 minutes ago, Two2Go said:

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?). 

Thank you thank you thank you soooo much for that information!! it is extremely usesful information to me!!! 

I was at the S&D overview on June 11th and the last thing they did was hand out the cd and the instructor told us that we did NOT have to email it back to them. Im guessing that we were the first ones to be told we no longer have to email the cd back? 

Its soo good to know that you found the cd to be useless as i have not even used it yet.

Im finding that the “Zone A” Signal names are throwing a monkey wrench into the other signal names because they kind of look very similiar to the “Zone C” signal names. its annoying the fuhhhhh outta me lol.

Thank u sooo much again for your help and if you would like to give me any other reccomendations, i will gladly use them

19 hours ago, bp98 said:

they are not going to make any sense.  just memorize them verbatim for now.

Thank u for that, i was getting nervous that the signals wouldnt stick to my brain. I really want this job really bad and i literally have been studying my azzzzz off since the overview 3 days ago and am getting extremely nervouse because it seems none of the signals are sticking to my brain other then the clear proceed signals and the stop and proceed signals.

I have not even took a peep at the definitions yet...

Does anyone recommend if i should be going  back and forth from signals to definitions? or should i just stick to the signals until i know them verbatim inside and out before i start studying the definitions? 

 Also, im not trying to get a leg up on anyone so if what im about to ask is out of line then please just disregard...

Can someone tell me the test format? Like how are the questions asked?

Lastly, the CD that they give us at the overview, how helpful is that?? i have not used it yet. Is the cd rom the same format as the test? And how helpful did u find the cd rom?

Thank you so much in advance to anyone who can help answer my questions... I really need this job in the absolute worse way. Its very rare that someone can find a job that they are extremely passionate about not to mention every lirr employee seems so nice, cool, and so down to earth.

Thanks again soooo soo much fellas!

Whats up everyone? i was wondering for those of you who have passed the sd test, how many hours a day would you say you studied for in the 5 or so weeks leading up to the test? im having some trouble understanding the signals. Its only been two days since the overview so im just hoping that the more i go over them the more sense the signals will start to make.

Lappa, Did your cousin go to the overview? and if so, do u know if he has started studying yet? 

3 hours ago, Mlad18 said:

End of June and August

oh wow, thanks for ur reply.  Is it possible for people who pass the sd test in mid july to go into the end of august class?

16 hours ago, JHP87 said:

Yes, I’m checking my email about 4 times per hour, haha. I’m looking forward to working with everyone. I haven’t met anyone with a bad attitude yet during this whole process. I’m looking forward to it all...... That’s what makes waiting so hard. 

Be sure to let us know when u get that email!! Have u heard anything about when they are starting a new class? or classes?

16 minutes ago, JHP87 said:

I passed the signals and definitions test in May and I’m now waiting for the background check and/or medical email. I know all good things come to those who wait and I’m trying to go about my business without stressing too much but that’s easier said then done. 

Im sure ur checking ur email everyday. I wish u the very best and who knows maybe one day we will bump into each other in uniform!!