Track Worker 3600 Hiring Process

[scoop11211]

2 days of orientation done tomorrow we start the training classes.  Mta is doing a mass hirring about 500 track worker. So for those that waiting hang in tight ya shoulld be getting a call soon or emailed 

[scoop11211]

I have a question in regards to flagging for the track worker that already are on the job.  While youre doing flagging  training if you fail, thats it you get terminated.

[moussaberte]

I also have a question hows flaging school? What tests are g8ving and how are the five days on the field like?

[G13]

3 hours ago, ebenz1 said:

today was only second day at the yard. we got an intro to power tools and a tour of the yard. we also got an intro to crane operating. were supposed to be doing OJT for 3 weeks. 

You guys are being power tool trained? 

[ebenz1]

Just now, G13 said:

You guys are being power tool trained? 

yeah. nut runners, slotters, chainsaws, rail drill, etc

[G13]

1 minute ago, ebenz1 said:

yeah. nut runners, slotters, chainsaws, rail drill, etc

You’re from the nov 7th class, correct?

[Aahhhwoooooo]

Our TWU local 100 seems to have a great sense of comradery. They answer any question you throw at them so thats a good thing. See the rest of you tomorrow for 1st day of training!

[ebenz1]

38 minutes ago, G13 said:

You’re from the nov 7th class, correct?

nov.6th, yeah

[blackribb]

7 hours ago, ebenz1 said:

nov.6th, yeah

I’m in Nov.6 class lol what’s your seniority number in class 

[dp142]

10 hours ago, Xkramz said:

So during orientation they didn't explain ehat promotional tree track workers have...other than  MS II( maintenance supervisor ) , what else could I get into within TW? 

From Track worker you could go into RTO and be a train operator.

Personally I'm no fan of RTO. It is a very, very strict department with little leeway compared to Track (Maintenance Of Way, MOW).

You can also go to 3rd Rail aka Power Distribution (Gray helmets) where I am. You won't work as hard in Track but senority moves very, very, slow increasing your odds of being nights longer.

Also in my department they're a fewer specialist jobs. Just a chauffeur, welders, and asbestos gangs which go to school and become asbestos certified handlers by the state.

For the younger guys track is a good dept if your a hustler on the outside. Me and some other guys who started when we were in our early twenties quickly picked a specialist job when we could operating a bobcat, payloader, Hi-Lo machine, etc. Some stayed nights working second jobs (with the TA's permission of course) or days working a second front at night with that training.  It's something you can use on the outside.

Some guys even got their CDLs and stayed nights and drove school buses in the daytime.

Also supervision moves higher quicker in track Department.

In my opinion track has a lot more benefits if you don't mind working.

 

[+Young+]

2 hours ago, dp142 said:

From Track worker you could go into RTO and be a train operator.

Personally I'm no fan of RTO. It is a very, very strict department with little leeway compared to Track (Maintenance Of Way, MOW).

You can also go to 3rd Rail aka Power Distribution (Gray helmets) where I am. You won't work as hard in Track...

Also in my department they're a fewer specialist jobs. Just a chauffeur, welders, and asbestos gangs...

Some guys even got their CDLs and stayed nights and drove school buses in the daytime.

How about the Fleet division? Is that a part of Track or is that you have to "pick" or "bid" into something after your probationary year?

The reason why I'm asking is because I have a Class A CDL with all of the endorsements and no restrictions (except for the fact that I can't drive a Class A Passenger Vehicle, since all buses fall under a Class B to begin with).

[Stephen]

Fleet is part of Track dept, being able to pick it out of school is unlikely. Bidding into it you might get lucky. I have an A license too, but someone with an A permit with more seniority can still pick you out, or win the bid.

[Xkramz]

Man oh man I don't think i could get used to these boots supplied to  me lmaooo

[ebenz1]

47 minutes ago, Xkramz said:

Man oh man I don't think i could get used to these boots supplied to  me lmaooo

the 6 inch boots break in faster than the 8 inch.

[Erick76]

Hahahahah.  Facts @Xkramz  feels like I'm walking with cinderblocks on my feet. Smh. 

[ebenz1]

11 hours ago, blackribb said:

I’m in Nov.6 class lol what’s your seniority number in class 

58

[J2wresnwood]

Are the issued footwear mandatory or can you purchase your own ? 

[Xkramz]

33 minutes ago, ebenz1 said:

the 6 inch boots break in faster than the 8 inch.

Good thing I went with two 6 inch then lol my dorsum ( top of my foot around the arch  ) are swollen and red already.    All because of thst metal thing inside the tongue 

[ebenz1]

1 hour ago, J2wresnwood said:

Are the issued footwear mandatory or can you purchase your own ? 

you can get your own boots but they have to abide by mta regulation and you need to take them to get approved. 

[J2wresnwood]

Wow!!! Is there a list of approved footwear ? How often are you issued a new pair ?

[ebenz1]

3 minutes ago, J2wresnwood said:

Wow!!! Is there a list of approved footwear ? How often are you issued a new pair ?

pretty sure we are entitled to a new pair every year or 2. not too sure about that tho. idk where to find a list of approved boots, but I'd imagine any boot you buy needs to have a steel toe, and electricity resistant. etc

[dp142]

 If the boots aren't comfortable then definitely get your own.

Ballast is hard on your feet and even worse carrying tools and material.

Make sure to get out of your boots when you can also. After 25 years I've got foot problems as most guys do. Maybe it's from going to and from work in TA issued boots and maybe it's not but I'm sure it didn't help.

Hopefully this link will work. If not go to the TWU LOCAL 100 website. Along the top click on DEPARTMENTS then Maintenance Of Way (MOW) Track and scroll to the bottom and you'll see two links for boots.

As of now a memo was put out that you DO NOT need a DR'S certification.

 

http://www.twulocal100.org/sites/twulocal100.org/files/alternative_safety_boots_ohs_form_12_20_10_current.pdf

[Stephen]

Supposedly, and according to the contract in January 2018 there will be a website where there are name brand boots you can purchase that fall under the TA specs for safety shoes. I'll believe it when it happens, but with the name brand boots you only get a certain amount reimbursed. I also not certain if Leheigh is still going to be the main supplier of safety boots, since their contract with the TA expired in October.

[Stephen]

17 hours ago, Xkramz said:

Good thing I went with two 6 inch then lol my dorsum ( top of my foot around the arch  ) are swollen and red already.    All because of thst metal thing inside the tongue 

Everything in those boots the toe and metatarsal guard are of composite material. The only part of those boots that has any metal are the shoe lace eyes. The met guard will eventually break in. I'm not guaranteeing your feet still won't hurt. Personally the Leheighs don't bother me, but I've also been wearing work boots in general for close to 20 years. I kind of wish the TA boots had the external met guard, it gives you far more protection while being easier on your feet. But supposedly those came to an end, when someone got the guard caught on a bench wall ladder rung and hurt themselves.

[Xkramz]

1 hour ago, SteveNYC said:

Everything in those boots the toe and metatarsal guard are of composite material. The only part of those boots that has any metal are the shoe lace eyes. The met guard will eventually break in. I'm not guaranteeing your feet still won't hurt. Personally the Leheighs don't bother me, but I've also been wearing work boots in general for close to 20 years. I kind of wish the TA boots had the external met guard, it gives you far more protection while being easier on your feet. But supposedly those came to an end, when someone got the guard caught on a bench wall ladder rung and hurt themselves.

The only thing that's bringing me pain is the met guard hitting the top of my feet and bruising it. I tried  loose, tight, my other pair felt better which brings me to believe there's some quality issues between  every single shoe  or an isolated issue with my both pairs. 

 

With thst said  hopefully when the met guard ease up it'll bring me comfort. In the meantime I would have to deal with it cause I can't miss the training and stuff