BrotherOne

It has now been 10 months since I passed my Phase 1 exam. There is no information to be found anywhere about the start of the next Phase 2 class. The response from LIRR HR is deafening silence. The test results expire in 60 days. What happens after that? Do I start at the beginning? Resume, Open House, Signals and Definitions?

1 hour ago, francisq94 said:

Its not looking good.  Supposed rumors of furloughs.  All areas of LIRR on a freeze. Guess they have enough engineers to hold them over?  Its weird because it takes almost 2 years to become an engineer with all the training and process so how do they expect to fill in positions when people retire, potentially leave etc when everything is cancelled? What did they last say to you when they cancelled phase 2?

All HR said was that we were "in the pool" for the next Phase 2 class. This really puts my life on hold. Do I plan my next vacation? Do I make plans to further my career at my current job? Do I go to my family reunion in October (in another state)? So many other things that I need time in order to plan properly.

Has anyone heard anything about when the current hiring freeze will end? I passed my Phase 1 exam only to hit a brick wall when Phase 2 was cancelled.

2 hours ago, Haimike said:

Have you received any information other than to be at hillside on Wednesday ?

No information on Saturday classes. We'll find out on the 29th. In the past it's been Ronkonkoma or Babylon. See you Wednesday. I'm the old dude.

On 3/18/2020 at 8:00 PM, Stevend258 said:

Don’t expect anything soon I’m in phase 2 and they cancelled our training for now 

Are you getting paid while you are not training?

Had physical test pre-Phase One. Phase One to begin April 29. was told some classes may be at home due to COVID-19 concerns.

Still waiting on a Phase One invitation email. I wonder if there is going to be a delay due to the pandemic.

1 hour ago, Iwetoddit said:

Next phase 1 is scheduled to begin around the end of April.  Those that are waiting should gear up and begin reviewing if you haven’t done so already.

Thanks for the tip. I hope this covid-19 thing doesn't postpone the process like its postponing everything else.

17 hours ago, drenyce311 said:

Damn. I thought they only send passing emails. Usually they call you to tell you that you passed. 

I never got any notification pass/fail. Only an email to come in to discuss my future in the program. 

Does anyone know when the next Phase One will start? 

Also, how much time is there between passing Phase One and starting Phase Two?

1 hour ago, Zander88 said:

As previously mentioned I have my S&D overview next month. Lucille's email says it's from 8am - 3pm at the Hillside Facility. For those who have attended before does it usually last that long? I was thinking of taking my own lunch or are there any nearby spots?

As I mentioned earlier TAKE 2 COPIES of each booklet. I was out of my class before lunch. You'll have all day to get started studying.

55 minutes ago, Zander88 said:

Congratulations. I'm just starting the process myself. I have the S&D overview coming up. Aside from studying the signals and definitions is there something you would recommend someone who is starting to be better informed of? I have a background in transportation and hauling of materials so I adhere to DOT regulations. Are there any train regulations we need to learn?

At the overview, try to grab an extra copy of both the signals and definitions. You can make your flashcards from one set and keep the other set with you in a book bag or something.

You guys are making me feel like a relic. I'm 51 and this is my only shot at this. Alberto, you can reapply in a year. Don't give up. Old or not, I still have to work into my 70's due to terrible 401k options available in my past and NO pension. Where I work now or on the railroad - makes no difference - I still have to be at the top of my game.

14 minutes ago, Alberto said:

Yea, we’ll what they don’t tell you is that even if you pass the exam, there’s a chance you still won’t get excepted into phase 1. And they’ll make you wait 3 months just to tell you that.

Still waiting for the other shoe to drop myself. I couldn't get a read on the interview. I felt great going in because I passed the S&D. I left doubting myself and beating myself up for not knowing more about train operations.

46 minutes ago, BrotherOne said:

Here is a link to the Hillside schedule:

http://web.mta.info/lirr/Timetable/SpecialTT/Nassau_MLX-W-GO505-HI.pdf

The one above is a special schedule for Saturdays.

This is the regular one until March 8:

http://web.mta.info/lirr/Timetable/Branch/HillsideBolandLIRREmployee.pdf

49 minutes ago, Zander88 said:

I received my S&D overview email today. It's scheduled for Feb 8 and the test is on March 14. Is it difficult to find parking or would it be recommended to take the train to the Hillside Facility?

Here is a link to the Hillside schedule:

http://web.mta.info/lirr/Timetable/SpecialTT/Nassau_MLX-W-GO505-HI.pdf

44 minutes ago, Zander88 said:

I received my S&D overview email today. It's scheduled for Feb 8 and the test is on March 14. Is it difficult to find parking or would it be recommended to take the train to the Hillside Facility?

TAKE THE TRAIN! Don't screw around with parking. You may not find anything close. If you're late - you're out.

46 minutes ago, Alberto said:

So I pass the S&D exam and go on my panel interview back in October, and today I see a wonderful email from Michelle Drew telling me it’s in their best needs to go with other candidates. Thank you for applying. I feel like I got slapped in the face. If I failed the exam I can live with that, but this is ridiculous. I was even just studying up until yesterday just to keep it fresh. I can ace that test right now, still.  smh. I hope anyone still waiting for phase 1 doesn’t receive that same email. It’s a terrible feeling. Good luck to everyone. 

I am so sorry Alberto. I am speechless.

Is there anyone else here that is waiting to be called for Phase One?

Well that sucks.

Has anyone been notified of January's Phase One yet?

On 12/26/2019 at 9:41 PM, drenyce311 said:

you also have weekends off in phase 2. and have an additional 11 training days you can use on the weekends at straight time to practice. 

Can you please explain what you mean by an additional 11 training days?

The other day I was waiting on a station platform and I could see a signal in the distance. It was green over red. I thought to myself, "hey, I know what that means - Clear, proceed - Easy peasy." Then it changed to yellow over red. I thought to myself, "I know what that means too - Restr...wait no..uh. Hold on a sec...APPROACH. Dammit!" Gotta hit the books. I haven't looked at them since August. Time for a review.

I still haven't heard anything on the next Phase 1 class. Starting to get a little anxious about that.

15 hours ago, Iwetoddit said:

Great timeline, I didn’t think I remembered all the dates but when you put your mind to it, it comes lol.

My open house was in April and my interview in June (S&D was in between those months lol).  Phase 1 began at the end of September and just took the exam on November 2.  Beginning Phase 2 this Wednesday December 11th.

Not sure how many classes in the coming year, mostly likely 4 but it depends on the need, but if you passed your S&D, a phase 1 invite should be near.  Good luck guys!

This hiatus between the interview and Phase 1 notification is killing me. How much notification do you get before Phase 1 begins? Congratulations on starting Phase 2 tomorrow. Good luck, Trainee.

12 minutes ago, Zander88 said:

Just to have an idea, roughly how long have you ladies and gents waited from the open house to the S&D test? 

So far in my experience:

June 3 - Open House

July 13 - S&D Overview

August 17 - S&D Exam

September 19 - Notification that I passed and interview scheduled

October 2 - Interview

December 7 - still waiting for any official word on the next step of the process...