tprashad0719 Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5151 Posted September 23, 2015 Thanks bro,appreciate it..i hope I do well bro because I'm giving my current job my notice next week ..i hope I get the B division as well since I reside in Queens, I hope I can drive to these yards with parking available because I take care of my daughter so time is a big issue if I take the train to get to yards,postings etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Statensirt Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5152 Posted September 23, 2015 this all seems so difficult I'm really rethinking if I should even try doing this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeems1 Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5153 Posted September 23, 2015 @Staten, must take risks for rewards at times! This would be a great opportunity and just need to take advantage of it and work hrd for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tprashad0719 Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5154 Posted September 23, 2015 i swear if my current job would give me a raise i would be good smh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeems1 Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5155 Posted September 23, 2015 @tprashad, i hear you. Questio in not just immediate money but longjevity and enjoyment of your work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tprashad0719 Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5156 Posted September 23, 2015 thanks for the encouragement bro, just that fear of not making it thru and losing your current job..its a very huge risk and move to be taking knowing you will be an Xtra Xtra for a long time and wont have time to spend with your family Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeems1 Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5157 Posted September 23, 2015 Deff! Just think Risk=Reward and down the line you'll say to yourself man all that grueling work paid off. Thats what drives me and i havent even received that letter and that feeling of nervousness, excitement and hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTAhopefullMatt Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5158 Posted September 23, 2015 @Tprashad, it is very difficult and can be discouraging, but there are tremendous opportunities here. Lots of room for advancement and pensions don't exist hardly anywhere else for most of us. From people I've spoken with it seems to take 3-4 years to get the line and tour you want, and things improve a lot from there. 1st year is very difficult. Some people actually enjoy the variety of posting on different lines for a few years, because of the variety and opportunity for a lot of OT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Statensirt Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5159 Posted September 23, 2015 @tprashad we seem to be on the same boat with the exception that you have a start date. I'm still far from that I think.. Right now I went for the drug test on 9/10/15 then yesterday I had to bring in proof that I paid a ticket and letter showing I graduated high school. I cant see getting a call or letter and actually starting soon. Another obstacle I have is probably being put on a medical hold. This is my dream job and should be an easy choice for me but I have a family and baby coming soon. @mikeems1 thanks for the encouragement im just afraid of the unknown with this signal test. I tend to forget things when it comes to an exam. but we will see where this takes me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tprashad0719 Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5160 Posted September 23, 2015 how is school car going for you Matt? whats the ups and downs so far for you how is the traveling? @tprashad we seem to be on the same boat with the exception that you have a start date. I'm still far from that I think.. Right now I went for the drug test on 9/10/15 then yesterday I had to bring in proof that I paid a ticket and letter showing I graduated high school. I cant see getting a call or letter and actually starting soon. Another obstacle I have is probably being put on a medical hold. This is my dream job and should be an easy choice for me but I have a family and baby coming soon. @mikeems1 thanks for the encouragement im just afraid of the unknown with this signal test. I tend to forget things when it comes to an exam. but we will see where this takes me. trust me i hear you bro, you should be cleared soon with a start date..my problem is i have a job right now ,,but the pay isnt that great but i do actually have a life and time to spend with my family..i know if i start schoolcar etc..i can kiss that all goodbye eeven when i start to work as a to..MTA runs your life from there..but this is something i really have to think about..guess i am just thinking ahead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Statensirt Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5161 Posted September 23, 2015 @trapshad I also have a job right now and with the MTA I will actually lose a few bucks. I'm currently in healthcare been in this field for about 18 years so its a big decision for me but I'm going to wait as long as I can. I wonder if I fall into next year and ask dcas to reinstate my name how long will it take for them to call me again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tprashad0719 Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5162 Posted September 23, 2015 (edited) same here, i work currently as northshore-lij but i am no where of the starting rate of a T/O ..me and my wife works and my daughter is in daycare..it will be so tough with school car schedule to drop my daughter and pick her up..my head hurts just thinking of this Edited September 23, 2015 by tprashad0719 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Statensirt Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5163 Posted September 23, 2015 @trapshad I'm just afraid of this signals test I keep hearing about. if I had an idea of what was on it and that im capable of learning this I would be ok leaving because its time. but imagine if I were to fail this test and get kicked out. i'm afraid of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeems1 Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5164 Posted September 23, 2015 I feel everyone that is in a good/great job currently or currently making more than T/O would make. Same boat here. But we can do it and be happy long term! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTAhopefullMatt Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5165 Posted September 23, 2015 @Tprashad, it's good. Very difficult physically and intellectually, much harder than I expected. Lots of travel means early days, waking up at 3-4 am. It's a military-like culture, which is a challenge for those of us used to more casual workplaces. For those of you worried about the signals exam but haven't yet started, don't panic. But start reading the first few chapters of the rule book when you're actually sworn in. Start making flash cards and memorizing at that point. The rule book is the bible for TA operations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Statensirt Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5166 Posted September 23, 2015 @mikeems1 I'm looking at the bigger picture when it comes to the MTA. it would be a 2nd pension so it is well worth the struggle at the beginning. losing weekends is definitely not forever so I can live with that for the next 3-4 years. There will always be other time. I can easily work a night shift if I have to just so I can spend days with the family and friends. I think its more about being jobless is what scares me. @mtahopefulmatt what is it that physically makes it difficult ? waking up at 3 or 4am I understand but other than that what else is there ? I wish there was a book on what they teach not so much to get ahead but to make the decision easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTAhopefullMatt Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5167 Posted September 23, 2015 What's physically taxing is climbing aboard and descending the train, walking in the yard (sort of like walking through building rubble while carrying 20 lbs of equipment and climbing over electrified rails) and carrying 40-50 lbs of equipment in my tool bag to the different job sites, up and down many flights of stairs. Nothing impossible, nothing that's not worth doing. Just physically demanding. @Tprashad, sometimes large institutional employers (like hospitals) will give you a leave of absence. Consider asking for that when you're given a job offer with Transit. 3-month leave should be enough (from Transit start date of school car). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brakeman Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5168 Posted September 23, 2015 Be carefull of the rule book, some of the signals in there are wrong! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tprashad0719 Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5169 Posted September 23, 2015 Instead of the rule book is there another source we can use in the mean time to get a head start? All the yards that you will be training in ..it's easier to drive to them or train ? Because bronx is about 3 hours with the train from me I believe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brakeman Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5170 Posted September 23, 2015 They usually let you park in the train yards, at least in the A division. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErikNYC Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5171 Posted September 23, 2015 My class started with ten, and we are down to eight. One fail the practical the other resigned due to family issues. I passed my signal test!!! It was straight forward, and everything we were taught. The hardest part is waiting for this day to arrive, and obtaining 100%. Huge relief!! Instead of the rule book is there another source we can use in the mean time to get a head start?All the yards that you will be training in ..it's easier to drive to them or train ? Because bronx is about 3 hours with the train from me I believe You can practice the radio codes and audible codes, but wait until school car starts. You want to be on the same page as you instructor and classmates. You instructor leads, and backs you up, when the test come around. It's all about what and how they taught you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTAhopefullMatt Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5172 Posted September 23, 2015 It's harder to find parking within any of the B Division yards until you're permanent, but some will let you park there. If not, you can find parking on the street within a few blocks or worst case pay at a lot. Probably no more difficult than parking near LIJ. I think 207th Street yard in upper Manhattan was the hardest for people to find street parking at (they definitely wouldn't let probationary employees park there). People have no trouble parking on the street at Coney Island. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeems1 Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5173 Posted September 23, 2015 Congrats Erik, hope to be there soon as well. Lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTAhopefullMatt Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5174 Posted September 23, 2015 Congrats, Erik! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErikNYC Posted September 23, 2015 Share #5175 Posted September 23, 2015 (edited) @trapshad I also have a job right now and with the MTA I will actually lose a few bucks. I'm currently in healthcare been in this field for about 18 years so its a big decision for me but I'm going to wait as long as I can. I wonder if I fall into next year and ask dcas to reinstate my name how long will it take for them to call me again. I too came from the health care field, I started in 1997. For me the change in lifestyle is a blessing, it's like re-inventing myself. Expect to work weekends for ten years or more, not 3-4 years. lol Edited September 23, 2015 by ErikNYC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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