Track Worker 3600 Hiring Process

[Nyprospect988]

Yes it will be $1.50 when it goes up and it's kinda like raises pay goes up each year and night dif goes up until you reach $1.50 atleast that's what my class was told also everyone coming in in my class and from here out you don't reach top pay until your sixth year on the job of corse you can take a specialist job or get a promotion and make more money faster but if you stay strictly track worker gonna take six years

Is it true they cut your training time down to four weeks?

[rskbreaker]

My brother sent me a text yesterday saying he was sitting in the emergency room and told me they brought in someone who got hit by a train, and his arm and legs came in a separate bag.

 

That got me thinking. Does the MTA release injured worker data? Besides the metal dust and crap you're breathing in, I'm curious how dangerous the job really is. 

[dp142]

There are dangers with the job.

 

The only thing that makes a difference is yourself.

 

Don't let senior guys pressure you into something your not comfortable with. Things were a lot different 10-15 years ago and many haven't adapted to the new safety procedures.

 

Always work as if the third rail is alive. Never take a step without looking. Even a small one backwards. Be aware of what the guys around you are doing. They can fall into you and a cause a chain reaction. Lots of guys in one small area working.

 

Nothing on the Track is made for comfort. The walking with new plates is a pain in some areas. Trains are much more quiet now. New fiberglass insulators under the 3rd. rail don't magnetize and click like the old porcelain with metal caps did warning you of oncoming trains.

 

Test the hand rail by pulling on it before pulling yourself up on the bench wall from the Track or even going down. The iron grates on the bench wall, don't step in the middle.

There's grease and mud in many places. Never rush for a train and never think that you have lots of time in between trains to make a move to another track or down the Track without proper flagging or a look out at least.

These new train operator are being trained to call guys in when seen on the tracks without proper flagging.

 

On the structure don't step in the middle of tie. It could be rotted or burned out inside and collapse. Step near the plates which are over the girder or where there is a cross member.

 

I can go on and on but it comes down to being aware of your surroundings and fellow co-workers and where you put your hands and feet and not taking unnecessary chances.

 

I speak from experience. Lots of dumb things I did over the years, broke my wrist once and re-injured it again years later, thanks to my own stupidity and established culture at the time. Luckily none ever costed me my life.

[Bklyn718]

Hey guys if you fail the piss test, how will they let you know?

[rskbreaker]

There are dangers with the job.

 

The only thing that makes a difference is yourself.

 

Don't let senior guys pressure you into something your not comfortable with. Things were a lot different 10-15 years ago and many haven't adapted to the new safety procedures.

 

Always work as if the third rail is alive. Never take a step without looking. Even a small one backwards. Be aware of what the guys around you are doing. They can fall into you and a cause a chain reaction. Lots of guys in one small area working.

 

Nothing on the Track is made for comfort. The walking with new plates is a pain in some areas. Trains are much more quiet now. New fiberglass insulators under the 3rd. rail don't magnetize and click like the old porcelain with metal caps did warning you of oncoming trains.

 

Test the hand rail by pulling on it before pulling yourself up on the bench wall from the Track or even going down. The iron grates on the bench wall, don't step in the middle.

There's grease and mud in many places. Never rush for a train and never think that you have lots of time in between trains to make a move to another track or down the Track without proper flagging or a look out at least.

These new train operator are being trained to call guys in when seen on the tracks without proper flagging.

 

On the structure don't step in the middle of tie. It could be rotted or burned out inside and collapse. Step near the plates which are over the girder or where there is a cross member.

 

I can go on and on but it comes down to being aware of your surroundings and fellow co-workers and where you put your hands and feet and not taking unnecessary chances.

 

I speak from experience. Lots of dumb things I did over the years, broke my wrist once and re-injured it again years later, thanks to my own stupidity and established culture at the time. Luckily none ever costed me my life.

Valuable and potentially life saving information right here. Thank you for taking the time to post.

 

Everybody is worried about benefits and salary, but it ain't worth shit if you're six feet under.

[BriTish]

Finally got that letter I dreaded. I quote: "You were considered and not selected for appointment in accordance with Rule 4.7.1 , of the rules and regulations of the new York city personnel director." And that's a wrap folks. Good luck to the rest of you.

[Marcel876]

Finally got that letter I dreaded. I quote: "You were considered and not selected for appointment in accordance with Rule 4.7.1 , of the rules and regulations of the new York city personnel director." And that's a wrap folks. Good luck to the rest of you.

So what is rule 4.7.1 ?  

Failed background check ?

 

Okay never mind, read up on your history you posted before .. Sorry man that sucks

Edited October 22, 2015 by Marcel876

[Dunnlick]

Is it true they cut your training time down to four weeks?

Here's the breakdown 2 day at Livingston going over insurance benifits eeo and all the boring stuff then we spent 9 days at ps 248 in Brooklyn then we were split into two groups one in Bronx one in Brooklyn started Tuesday went til today now gotta go to 38th street yard in Brooklyn tomorrow and Monday and back to ps 248 on Tuesday then back into field until November 13th then we start he 16th then they will call us back to wherever they do flagging do that for 9 days and that's it gotta make that first year

[dp142]

DAMMMMMM!

That's crazy that schedule.

 

Your not allowed on the Tracks until you complete Track safety school and become Flagging qualified. That much I know hasn't changed.

 

When I started in '92 we were sworn in at Livingston st. Reported to PS 248 whatever day they told us. Did two weeks in PS 248 getting the benefits, boots, flagging school and Track safety class done then 2 weeks in a yard for hands on then we reported to whatever gang we got at our mini pick. That was it!

 

How times change.

But hey, as long as you get paid for it!

[Stephen]

My brother sent me a text yesterday saying he was sitting in the emergency room and told me they brought in someone who got hit by a train, and his arm and legs came in a separate bag.

 

That got me thinking. Does the MTA release injured worker data? Besides the metal dust and crap you're breathing in, I'm curious how dangerous the job really is. 

 

It wouldn't surprise me one bit about accidents going unreported to the general media. I've worked in construction for close to 20 years, I've been a union roofer for 13 of those years. As far accidents, I've been on 2 job sites where there were deaths due to a fall, I've been on many were guys were maimed, burned, cut severely,  etc you get the idea. Except for the one fall which was at 7WTC in 2004, the rest of those accidents didn't make the paper or the 5 o'clock news. I myself have had many close calls, and if it wasn't for a fall arrest system I probably wouldn't be typing this right now. I consider myself a very safe person, but accidents do happen even to the most careful and conscientious workers out there.

 

I'm currently on the list just like many in this thread, and I'm well aware of the dangers I'll face. I would think getting hit by a train would be somewhat easy to avoid as long as there is proper flagging, and just a good buddy system of everyone looking out for everyone. The big culprit is electricity, you could be the most careful person in the world trip, and become a victim to a 600 volt death. I'll tell you something if somehow a person miraculously survived being electrocuted, they would most likely be a permanent resident of the Weill Cornell Burn Unit, amongst many other problems. In general, and as dp142 made some fine points, PPE, and situational awareness are your best friends.

 

You're worried about metal dust ? Wear your respirator, I've worked with some of the most caustic substances in the construction industry, materials which are used in commercial roofing and waterproofing systems. I've always wore my respirator even in an outside well ventilated environment. You might looking like a dick with it on, but you'll save yourself allot of problems later on in life. Always hook up if you're working on elevated lines, nowadays it's mandatory on 99.9% of constuction sites, do not take a chance, falling 30-60+ feet is a guaranteed death or paralysis. Frankly you can die falling 5 feet, it all depends on how you land. In any event it's just the nature of the industry, and unfortunately no matter how careful you are, noone has control of their destiny. Especially when random freak accidents can happen.

 

Here's the news article below of the death at 7WTC, I also knew this person, we were doing temporary waterproofing at the site during this time period when the building was being erected. He was part of the carpenter crew building the temporary sheds in the open shafts, while we were waterproofing those sheds that were erected. To this day noone knows how he fell, noone was near him when it happened. But something as simple as not hooking up for 20 seconds can cost you your life.

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/21-floor-plunge-kills-hardhat-7-wtc-article-1.636758

Edited October 24, 2015 by SteveNYC

[Dunnlick]

It wouldn't surprise me one bit about accidents going unreported to the general media. I've worked in construction for close to 20 years, I've been a union roofer for 13 of those years. As far accidents, I've been on 2 job sites where there were deaths due to a fall, I've been on many were guys were maimed, burned, cut severely, etc you get the idea. Except for the one fall which was at 7WTC in 2004, the rest of those accidents didn't make the paper or the 5 o'clock news. I myself have had many close calls, and if it wasn't for a fall arrest system I probably wouldn't be typing this right now. I consider myself a very safe person, but accidents do happen even to the most careful and conscientious workers out there.

 

I'm currently on the list just like many in this thread, and I'm well aware of the dangers I'll face. I would think getting hit by a train would be somewhat easy to avoid as long as there is proper flagging, and just a good buddy system of everyone looking out for everyone. The big culprit is electricity, you could be the most careful person in the world trip, and become a victim to a 600 volt death. I'll tell you something if somehow a person miraculously survived being electrocuted, they would most likely be a permanent resident of the Weill Cornell Burn Unit, amongst many other problems. In general, and as dp142 made some fine points, PPE, and situational awareness are your best friends.

 

You're worried about metal dust ? Wear your respirator, I've worked with some of the most caustic substances in the construction industry, materials which are used in commercial roofing and waterproofing systems. I've always wore my respirator even in an outside well ventilated environment. You might looking like a dick with it on, but you'll save yourself allot of problems later on in life. Always hook up if you're working on elevated lines, nowadays it's mandatory on 99.9% of constuction sites, do not take a chance, falling 30-60+ feet is a guaranteed death or paralysis. Frankly you can die falling 5 feet, it all depends on how you land. In any event it's just the nature of the industry, and unfortunately no matter how careful you are, noone has control of their destiny. Especially when random freak accidents can happen.

 

Here's the news article below of the death at 7WTC, I also knew this person, we were doing temporary waterproofing at the site during this time period when the building was being erected. He was part of the carpenter crew building the temporary sheds in the open shafts, while we were waterproofing those sheds that were erected. To this day noone knows how he fell, noone was near him when it happened. But something as simple as not hooking up for 20 seconds can cost you your life.

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/21-floor-plunge-kills-hardhat-7-wtc-article-1.636758

I'm with ya on safety guys at my last job broke my stones because I always had on a mask and safety glasses and gloves and will continue on this job some people think cause your outside it won't affect them 15-20 years down the line when it's to late maybe they will wizen up but you gotta look out for number one and on this job you gotta look out for everyone to keep number one safe to

[dp142]

All very well said and true!

[Stephen]

I'm with ya on safety guys at my last job broke my stones because I always had on a mask and safety glasses and gloves and will continue on this job some people think cause your outside it won't affect them 15-20 years down the line when it's to late maybe they will wizen up but you gotta look out for number one and on this job you gotta look out for everyone to keep number one safe to

 

Yea don't let it bother you, I've been around the ball breakers most of my life. Lots of those guys are true old timers in their 50's and 60's and stuck in the ways of the 1970's 80's. Those are the same types in my industry who will lite their cigarettes with acetylene torches, and wash their hands with gasoline, remove the guards from the saws etc. God protects those folks because nobody else will. I take pride in my health, I'm 34 I haven't so much as had a cold in the last 10 years, I haven't had the flu since I was in high school. Just make sure you take the mask home, take the cartridges off, and wash it out everynight. If you're doing allot of demo work in the tunnels (confined spaces), you should change the cartridges every 2-3 months. But if you're working outside they'll last allot longer. I don't know what kind of mask you got, I have a North, and Grainger always keeps a good stock of replacement cartridges. The P100 filters offer the best protection against everything.

Edited October 24, 2015 by SteveNYC

[Bobert]

Anyone else went to first day of orientation today?

[fatbob]

Congratz to all that started today.  Best of luck.

 

Anyone here been placed on a medical hold?  I'm going thru some real nonsense right now.  I went on the 14th for medical/processing.  Was placed on medical hold. (for some minor b*llsh*t) I have been cleared but now I was told to contact dcas.  Honestly  every time I call I get a different answer.  Anyone go thru this?  I feel like they gonna give me the run around.

[Nyprospect988]

Anyone else went to first day of orientation today?

I was the idiot with the sunglasses. Lasik surgery. Should be completely healed by Wednesday, fingers crossed. What'd u think about the first day?

[Bobert]

I was the idiot with the sunglasses. Lasik surgery. Should be completely healed by Wednesday, fingers crossed. What'd u think about the first day?

I thought it was informative but didn't need to be 8 hours. Those chairs hurt my back too. I'm not digging the 90 days until insurance kicks in because winter is when your most likely to get sick. What did you think of it?

[stepurgameup]

@fatbob. What exactly are they telling you? Why don't you go back to Livingston st? Did you give them the letter of clearance and to whom did you give it to?

Edited October 27, 2015 by stepurgameup

[drop11412]

Any word about a next class starting?

[Dunnlick]

I thought it was informative but didn't need to be 8 hours. Those chairs hurt my back too. I'm not digging the 90 days until insurance kicks in because winter is when your most likely to get sick. What did you think of it?

Get use to it it's the MTA (May Take Awhile) everything is drawn out and takes way longer than needed but remember your getting paid to sit there and collect all that information a lot of jobs would have you figure it out on your own and on your own time took 8 hours to get fitted for our respirators just think how long it took you to get called in for the first day took test in 2012 so thing def move slow but I think it's all worth it in the end congrats by the way

[Stephen]

Any word about a next class starting?

 

Still trying to find out that out, and the last list number appointed. Still getting the 272 nonsense from DCAS, maybe they'll update it before Thanksgiving lol. But I'm still on an outstanding certification, so that could mean they're going to call the next batch in for medical soon. I'm in the 480-500 range so we'll see. I've given up calling 180 Livingston for information, I keep getting sent to the voice mailboxes, maybe someone else here will have better luck and update us.

[drop11412]

Thanks

Still trying to find out that out, and the last list number appointed. Still getting the 272 nonsense from DCAS, maybe they'll update it before Thanksgiving lol. But I'm still on an outstanding certification, so that could mean they're going to call the next batch in for medical soon. I'm in the 480-500 range so we'll see. I've given up calling 180 Livingston for information, I keep getting sent to the voice mailboxes, maybe someone else here will have better luck and update us.

thanks..I'm in the 460-480 range..patiently waiting.

[Stephen]

Optimistically there could be a class in November, but I'm leaning more towards December or January. Hopefully December, because if not most of us we'll need to go for another round of drug testing. For me the 90 day expiration date is 12/28 since I went in 9/28 for the first round of the process.

Edited October 27, 2015 by SteveNYC

[+Young+]

I've given up calling 180 Livingston for information, I keep getting sent to the voice mailboxes...

 

I have called in the past to inquire about something, and each time I get to the voice mailbox, I simply hung up. I would keep trying every 5 to 10 minutes until I got a representative.

[Stephen]

I have called in the past to inquire about something, and each time I get to the voice mailbox, I simply hung up. I would keep trying every 5 to 10 minutes until I got a representative.

 

I actually got through today I used the 347-643-8198 number I found here. But she was very vague and didn't offer any information about any upcoming classes, or the last list number processed for medical. I didn't want to bust her chops either so the call ended quick.

Edited October 28, 2015 by SteveNYC