Will-Bx-718

There were 2 people in my testing room also who said they didn't have a DL. Oh well.

 

Can someone explain to me how reinstatement works? It seems to me from what I'm reading that if I get the call and decline I can then basically accept as long as the list I'm on is active, is that right?

Yes as long as the list is active you can continue to restore your name to it once your list number has been reached.

 

 

Station Supervisor

A lot of people will definitely be eliminated because they don't have a drivers licence. During my test when people were asked to put in their drivers licence number at least 4 people stated they didn't have one . It showed that it was a requirement by December of 2016. I guess people felt they would able to get one later ? That isn't how it works though. I'm sure that maybe about a third of people may not meet the requirements such as having a licence to begin with or having a valid or clean licence . I work for the DMV and you would be surprised how bad people's driving records are especially when so many agencies can suspend your license for things like child support or failure to pay NYS taxes or even an out of state ticket that you don't take care of .

Yep those people will be disqualified without ever receiving a test score and won’t get a refund. Some exams state you must have a drivers license by the time you’re appointed, and other require you already have it by the last date of the filling period. This is why I always tell people to read the notice of examination throughly before applying and spending your money. Because it’s up to you to determine whether you qualify for an exam or not, not them. And they clearly state there are no refunds for examination fees.

 

 

Station Supervisor

As for the one year of full time work. Does this have to be in the current job or overall work history? I have 5 years full time work with a company from 2011-2016. But since then I have had multiple jobs since getting my CDL license. Right now i have a full time position and dont expect a call for another 2 years anyway but for example if for some incredible reason they call sooner than later, am I not eligble?

The position only requires one year of full time work. From what you posted you have far more than that, so no worries.

 

 

Station Supervisor

Last list went up to around 8200...hope with a 93.3 I'll get called. Who knows how many people took this exam that scored higher than that

It's a high probability you'll get called. But in the meantime continue to take other exams that you qualify for. Just to keep your options open.

 

 

Station Supervisor

I got one question wrong unfortunately. Anyone know if it is too late to register for the protest session. Or if for some reason someone protests the question I got wrong is it possible I can benefit from that? I worked so hard for this.

You'd have to see how long the protest period is to find out if it's too late or not. But if someone protested the question you got wrong and pleaded the case of why it should be correct you'd benefit from that protested question. But only getting one answer wrong is still a great score so relax. You'll be fine.

 

 

Station Supervisor

I realize that it is based on a few different factors that have been discussed above such as how fast they establish the list and etc, etc.. But, ballpark or best guess, with my "tentative" score of an 86.6666666, if it stays the same after the protest session: First, what are my chances? And I mean real chances of a call for pre-employment, and, as asked before by others, how long roughly? A few have higher scores than I, so...just venturing a guess here would be fine. Just wondering. 2 years? 3 solid years? 4 years? Good thing I am also taking the B/O exams coming up as well

 

Also, can anyone give a synopsis or a rundown of what happens when they do call/contact you for pre-employment?

 

Thanks..

Honestly the way TA is doing these exams it's not so cut and dry when you'll get called. Honestly with your score it depends on how many people passed the exam with a higher score than you. If say 3K to 4K people scored higher than you, then that'll lower your chances of being called. Best thing to do is keep taking any and every exam you qualify for and hope for the best.

 

 

Station Supervisor

That is awesome, most city tests I've taken always use the last 4 social to break ties regardless when you've taken it.

The same will be used on this exam, as DCAS still handles and certifies the list numbers of candidates to be called in for pre-employment.

 

 

Station Supervisor

Will, you have a point but it seems like they've changed that up as well since they've began handling their own process. When the last promotion to conductor exam was officially established they extended the last O/C exam 8094 the same day until Feb '18 and pasued hiring from the O/C exam until they exhausted the promo list and then they resumed hiring from the O/C. So really it's anyone's guess at this point. I honestly wish they were more transparent in a timely manner.

 

The bottom line is like you said the people who just took this test have atleast a year and a half wait before they can expect to hear anything.

If I had to give it a guess, I'd say by January to March 2019 folks should expect to hear something from TA. This is crazy, but it's the reality of TA doing their own exams. I knew things would get worst with them running the show. When I took my exam for Station Agent in April of 2004, I was contacted and hired by January of 2006. But back then DCAS was running the show, and things ran a lot smoother.

 

 

Station Supervisor

But also for everyone whom took this exam or the Conductor's exam, the reason it takes a while before you hear anything from TA is, they also administer promotional exams for both titles as well. And they list, grade, and hire from the promotional exam before they even bother with the open and competitive exams. It'll usually take up to two years before they've went through the promotional exams. Once they've went through those lists they'll start on the O/C exams.

 

 

Station Supervisor

Hi all. Congrats to everyone who passed.

 

I didn't get any wrong, scoring 100%. A few questions:

 

1. Can answers be changed during the protest period, or will they just add an additional correct answer?

 

2. Any loose idea of a timeframe for a call?

 

Thank you and congrats to everyone again!

As was previously mentioned ever since TA took over their own exams they've been extremely slow with he grading and list publication process. When DCAS was administering the exams you'd get a list number and grade within 6-8 months. If I had to give it a time frame I'd say expect at least 1 and half years before being called.

 

 

Station Supervisor

No need to fret from any of you guys. You've all passed and that's all that matters. You'll will at least get called for pre-employment at least. Even a passing score of the highest grade doesn't guarantee you'll be hired. Just a DrewMania pointed out don't put all your eggs in one basket. Apply to everything you qualify for. Even if it's not TA. At one point I had my name on seven different list for NYC exams. And even after I was hired with TA I continued to take civil service exams, just to always keep my options open.

 

 

Station Supervisor

Thanks for the info Will, no rush here... just glad I have a chance

 

 

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That's the attitude to have when taking these exams. Is to take them and put it in the back of your mind. They'll get to you when it's your time. If you keep thinking about hem calling you everyday you'll drive yourself crazy.

 

 

Station Supervisor

I wonder if 88 is a decent score, 7 wrong out of 60. My wife asked me if that's good? I told her I have no idea...

 

 

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It's a good score. Not good enough to get called very soon. But within the typical 4 year life span these lists stay open, you can expect a call from TA in 2-3 years time.

 

 

Station Supervisor

I recently interviewed for a position with metro north. This position could be define as "safety sensitive" but has nothing to do with driving trains or anything with vehicle operation. Last year I was convicted of a DWAI, please keep the negative, non helpful questions to yourself. No where on the application did it ask for a criminal backround and no where during the interview process did it say anything either. I received a call about a salary and that they were moving forward with my application for hire. It is a violation and not a misdemeanor. I guess my question is what is the likelyhood of this jamming me up in my opportunity for hire. I went through counseling, have a clean record otherwise, have great reviews from my sessions and I have a disposition letter showing it wasent a misdemeanor. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I think you should wait to hear from a current employee about this matter, rather than someone trying to be hired just like you. I don't work for MNRR, but being an MTA employee in general I can tell you it's better to disclose everything up front rather than later. Because even if they find out about it years later, they'll terminate you on the spot. So my advise would be to let them know about your issue before going any further with the hiring process.

 

 

Station Supervisor

Hey guys! So in late January I took a lab test. I know I passed that for a fact. By April I realized I was approaching 90 days so I contacted someone in human resources. I was told that I would be receiving a letter in the mail soon. This doesnt sound like good news. Has this happened to anyone else? Does this sound like I would have to take the lab test again?

Sorry to say it doesn't sound good. Either they're sending a letter for you to repeat the drug test or a letter of rejection. The second contact from TA is mostly a phone call. I've heard they're sending emails now. But that's all new to me.

 

 

Station Supervisor Level I

right what is really going on with the list

Since TA took over their own exams a few years back, they've been getting extremely slow to establish lists. When DCAS was in charge of their exams lists would be established within months of the exam. Now list take longer than a year to be established. You guys are just going to have to remain patient.

 

 

Station Supervisor Level I

@Will. Thank you so much for your detailed responses. You're awesome to all our newbies here. Much appreciated. Look forward to meet you in person in the near future

You're very welcome for the gratitude. And I'll keep my fingers crossed to see you on the road one day.

 

 

Station Supervisor Level I

@lou lou. Good luck to your final exams!

The school schedule sounded very intense.

You mentioned booth observation, what you need to do? And what difficulties you faced? How many days the school sent you for booth observation? What do you do when you need to use bathroom during your shift? How long is the lunch break? Did you have down time when you did booth observation? If you've down time, what do you do? Also, are you able to pick what booth and shift you going to work at? if you don't mind, which borough you live and what station you prefer?

Hello Stephanie I'll answers all your questions. I'm a Station Supervisor, and was a Station Agent for 9 plus years. The booth observation is just that, you observe a seasoned agent perform his or her duties. When I was in training my, training agent allowed me to perform some transactions. Booth observation is only one day. Then later in class you do two booth take overs, where you're in charge of the booth and responsible for all the property and money. You'll once again be paired with a seasoned agent whom will watch over you those two days.

 

Difficulties with the job are hard to explain since everyday and locations varies so much. Also dealing with people is unpredictable.

 

Going to the restroom is called taking a comfort. When you need to take a comfort you'll make a phone call to the field office and give the supervisor on the desk your name, pass number(employee ID number), and booth number(station location and name). But before doing this always make sure the immediate area outside your booth is safe and you secure you funds and booth door.

 

Dow time varies by location and time of day. Some booths are slow all day, but mostly old timers will have these jobs. As a new agent you can almost guarantee you'll be working at busier locations most days on the AM and PM tours. But even busy locations get slow at night time or weekend and holidays.

 

Lunch is a 30 minute (paid) break. So you get 30 minutes of lunch, but they still continue to pay for you full 8 hours.

 

And as far as picking jobs and tours, that's very difficult as a new agents, as your options are very limited. Even more so since they've cut a lot of job since when I started in 2005. But two times out of the year as per your union's rights station agents pick jobs.

 

Hopefully this has answered all your questions and concerns. If you have anymore questions feel free to ask here. I try to check these boards every few days. So I'll respond as quickly as I can.

 

 

Station Supervisor Level I

You don't shadow anyone in training. The training course is supposed to be the first few days at 130 Livingston st, the. Customer service training and rules for the next week or so. That next Friday you're sent to a booth to observe a Station Agent perform their duties. That following week you begin AFC (Automated Fare Collection) training, where you'll learn how to use tie computer system and encode metro cards. The fourth week you'll be assigned two booth locations where you'll be taking over a booth and be responsible for the money and booth property. You'll have a seasoned agent to watch over you. That following Wednesday and Thursday is the course review and Friday the final exam. Now if they aren't doing four week trainings anymore, you aren't being fully trained to do the job.

 

 

Station Supervisor Level I

Hi I'm scheduled to start class on Monday, but they told my group that the class is only two weeks? Also how does the new contract affect new hires?

Class is supposed to be 4 weeks long, not two weeks. This temporary station agent position is something totally different and nothing I've ever seen before. Best of fortune for all of you that take this job.

 

 

Station Supervisor Level I

Do you happen to know if cleaners are required to operate heavy machinery? I also heard that they are sometimes required to move buses when assigned to bus depots. Do you know if any of that happens to be correct?

No, cleaners don't move buses at all. And the only machinery they're required to use are buffing machines. We have quite a few of them in TA, and they have to be qualified to use each one.

 

 

Station Supervisor Level I

Yeah a friend of mines tried for years trying to get a job with the MTA, any job, at any branch. And it was very hard for them. But eventually they got in. Sometimes it's like that for some people. I was fortunate enough to only take one exam and get called in quickly and get hired on my first attempt. But don't give up. Also look into other city agencies as well, that's also a route they took and got hired by one of them while hey waited for TA to call them.

 

 

Station Supervisor Level I

I went in for my second drug test. Two weeks go by and I get a letter in the mail that says after reviewing your qualifications you were not appointed to the cleaner position. They did not interview me, see my resume or look at my 21 page booklet. They must be basing it on the application that I filled out while I was waiting. Are there actually qualifications that they look for just to be a cleaner? It's not hard, you can learn anything you need to know on the job. I am so disgusted with the MTA. Why have me come in a second time and do the entire process again for nothing? They already had the same application with my same experience from the first time I came in. What the heck is their problem?

TA doesn't do any interview when they hire you. As far as the qualifications go, I'm a bit puzzled on that, since I believe the qualifications are just needing a high scoop diploma for cleaner. But as I've previously stated, sometimes it's like this getting hired with TA. Just keep applying for any jobs you qualify for.

 

 

Station Supervisor Level I

I went in for a pre employment drug test back on october 21st. They said I would something by email within 90 days. Its been 90 days and still i havent gotten anything. Does anyone know how i go about contacting them to see whats going on.

Call them on the phone. Especially if you haven't received anything in the mail to come back down for a second drug screening.

 

 

Station Supervisor Level I

Yeah I still have not heard anything. Every time I call I get a different answer. Apparently only person handles all of the cleaner jobs and I rarely am able to get her on the phone. When I do, she just says check your email and won't give an actual real answer. I heard that the list I am on expires on the 30th of January. Seems like I am out of luck.

Sorry to hear that. Unfortunately it's like this sometimes dealing with TA. Just keep applying for different titles. Something will come through.

 

 

Station Supervisor Level I

Seriously these exams aren't that difficult to feel the need to not feel prepared. I've taken several of them and passed with good scores without studying one day. Only real TA exams you need to study for are promo exams because they expect you to actually have knowledge of the job you're trying to promote to. For OC exams they're just trying to see if you can comprehend information relayed to you correctly.

 

 

Station Supervisor Level I

Someone I know borrowed one from the library and it was dated from the 80's i doubt any of those questions would be on the exam. The most I would bring with me that day is a calculator just in case.

Yes that's very true. Not only that those books just have a series of questions with outdated terms, with the answers in the back of the book. But they don't explain to you why they're right or wrong. So that doesn't help you in the least bit. Because they don't explain any policies or procedures. Plus they questions they ask are far harder than any questions ions they'll ever ask on the exam.

 

 

Station Supervisor Level I