LIRR 154

Quick question for a friend. Has anybody here got a excellent score on the S&D test but bombed on the panel interview and still got called?

thank you for the info, it sounds like it could be stressful, do you know how much of it deals with looking at signals? Which stations do they place the block operators? I'm assuming jamaica, penn.

You have to know all signals and definitions like Engineers and Conductors. They have BO's in Jay , Valley ,Penn (PSCC),Atlantic Terminal, I think Harold also and probably a few others if I'm missing some. There use to be more towers all over the RR at one time.It can be stressful , from what I've been told by a few BO's I know. But some people live for that stuff and also some people like to work in a office type setting staring computers. Depends on you , but it's a good job and also a great way to have your foot in the door. Like I said before , this craft usually leads to higher crafts in the Transportation dept.

Basically your a like a air traffic controller receiving orders from a train dispatcher above you in directing trains. Your glued to desk controlling switches and signals . It's a high rewards job and also could be very stressful job at the same time. Small roster with very little OT , but a good chance at moving up to Train dispatcher or from there to Chief Train dispatcher and other manager jobs. It's a good craft but it isn't for everybody. That's what I know from it , but definitely go for it and Good Luck..

Congrats.. How was the panel interview?

How long is the test score valid for??? Is it a year too?

Yes

Just a quick question for everyone that went through the process so far, typically (minus the people that got a S&D overview date already) how long did you wait after the interview/test till you heard from the Long Island Railroad? I was in the April 6th test date and was told that I passed both parts and would have an email within 3-4 weeks, I am at 6 weeks and have not heard anything yet. Contemplating contacting the person that originally sent me the email for the open house but do not want to ruffle any feathers.

 

Your application status is good for a year , as long you don't receive no letter.

I always look for those other positions but never seem to see them posted.

When I see them , I usually give people here a heads up if I see them posted. Just keep your eyes glued to the employment website and here also.

Thanks a lot for the encouragement. I have actually been applying for all the entry jobs as well. I'm happy to clean trains, ticket clerk, whatever it is, I'm happy to do my time. I will keep trying. I'm just confused as to why I wasn't picked if I made it through phase 1 passing everything. I have a solid resume, at my job 23 years with tons of customer service and cash handling experience. I thought I was made for the conductor job. But I will keep moving forward and hope I get a foot in the door at some point.

I know the feeling. I was picked over a couple of times. The RR is weird like that.

Hey guys , I'm sorry to read that you wasn't able to continue your career path in the RR. But I like to give you a little advice. Try and get in as Sam, Cam or Oiler first. An entry job. Once your in , you get a better idea of what every craft in the RR duties are and you might find something you would like to do other than going for a job somewhat blindly because it's on the board. Also I know it's discouraging because it happened to me and other internal employees and external employees like yourself. But don't give up ,perseverance pays off. But like I said before, that entry job is the way most RR employees came up . Cleaning trains and stations . Even the top dog of our whole union did that. So keep trying and good luck.

By email or letter?

email

 

How can you screw it up? Its a signal - give the aspect & indication right? Is there more to it?

 

There's 128 signals some of them mean the same thing and have 5-6 signal positions it's confusing

If it's too confusing for you, I don't want to be harsh, but are you sure this is for you? The sigs and defs are straight forward. The book of rules are even more complicated.

How can you screw it up? Its a signal - give the aspect & indication right? Is there more to it?

 

 

On a more positive note - I contacted HR and explained the situation. They are pulling my paperwork, they think I may have received the wrong letter. Fingers crossed!!! Also - I have not heard of anyone getting an invite to the May overview yet. So maybe your buddy was wrong and they didn't go out yet? Hoping!!

They went out.

Does anyone know if there is a manual for the S&D sold on Amazon, Ebay or somewhere on the web? I'm not feeling it with Quizlet for signals, definitions ok but signals, na... I'm old fashion, I need to have the study material in my hands. I want to get a jump start just incase if I ever do get called for the S&D overview. Thanks

 

. Your better off waiting until if you get called. What they may require from you to study for the test do change from time to time. Also the time frame they give you is enough time to get it down packed.

Sorry in advanced if these questions were already answered.

 

A few more days away until my open house. What would be good attire to wear? Also If I pass the test (step1) is the next step (step2) the same day or It will be rescheduled?

By all means dress professional. I don't know if it changed ,but usually they give you a small interview if you passed the tests.

I got invited to the open house April 6th for locomotive engineer trainee! Is there anyone who has gone through it that has any tips? Any study tips to pass the entrance exam ?

Do a little research in this exact thread. There is a good amount of info in here all about the Engineer program. To answer your question there is nothing to study or no method to prepare. Just make sure you get there early and follow the directions of the test. Good luck

i would suggest to go through the information at least twice a week until you here from them. Keep studying. Its one of those "If you dont hear from us, its probably still good news!"

When I was going through the signals and definitions overview, they mentioned those who scored 100% will get called first to be the class, then the those who scored 85% or higher on the definitions portion will be placed in the next class. 100% on signals. They don't tell your score, just that you passed. Even since the Business Service took over the hiring process, its different than it was before i hear. they told us from my signals and definition overview that 9 passed out of 19. and the next class only 3 passed to complete my class for phase 1. How they select the candidates on the interview, I have no idea. my group is a mixture of different test dates. Best of luck to all.

 

Same to you bro.. Get that green pass!!

So everyone in the pool who has passed the s&d, completed the background and panel is disqualified as they pass the one year mark on their initial app? It seems that wouldnt make any sense as the LIRR would be losing the candidates that they would need to fill the classes with..

That's the reason they had so many classes back to back. It was never liked that before. They maybe hire Engineers once a twice a year. Now they had a open house every month. Some people on this forum received that infamous letter in the mail. It sucks because of the effort and time , but that's how they run things around here.

Fellas/ladies, does anyone know if our appication can expire and disqualify us while we are waiting in the pool? I had heard the application is only good for 1 year and wasnt sure if we remain in the pool once that year is up.

Good luck to you omaldj!

Yes it expires..

I got yelled at by my conductor because i told him that i started looking at the study material, lol.

lol I would still do it from time to time.

Like i said previously: 

 

"Don't expect to have a life, don't expect to sleep regularly, make sure you have a reliable source of transportation, and make sure you have a reliable phone. Do what you're told, be where you're supposed to be, and don't complain. That's it, really"

 

Also when you are in class, STUDY!!.  You don't want to be the guy who washes out during the book of rules class.  Once you get past that, everything else in comparison is much easier.

 

Once you qualify , then everything else is easy. But thats down the road.

I actually just got the call That i passed the S&D test and have an interview in 2 weeks. Sucks that I gonna end up in limbo as a member of the pool of candidates.

 

Congrats and good luck.

Took my signals and definitions on august 26th. I still havent heard if I passed or failed. Anyone at the same test as me hear anything?

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Seems like they're really backed up. I had my panel in April and I'm waiting. I've got to be honest this is a new system on how they're hiring Engineers and I don't like it. Before it was the same people you seen in the open house was going to be your classmates from Phase and beyond. Now they introduce this pool nonsense which now has people waiting and not knowing if you should continue studying or not. Like being taken hostage.

Out of the 1000. Only about 40 will be responsible in phase 2. That 40 is an entire section on its own. Too much to comprehend in phase 1. But yes. You will be responsible to know all of them. VERBATIM.

How's Phase 2 treating ya?

That pool nonsense they started irks me.

hope someone can answer this for me, on the S&D test will signals for Amtrak be labeled something like "Amtrak Signal"?

 

Nope.. You'll have to know the signal itself and the indication in part two itself. Not by whether its a Zone A or Zone C signal

Hi, 

 

I'm studying for the S&D Exam on Aug 10th, any helpful words of advise? I'm really freaking out. Everytime I think I have it down when I go to quiz myself I mess up.

 

Side Note.... I have a WHOLE new respect for the conductors... this is no joke.

 

Flash cards... Put the Signal on one side and the indication on the other. Same with the Definitions.