Thunderpants 1 #126 Posted April 24, 2015 Also for anyone interested in becoming an engineer, I can absolutely guarantee you that you are underestimating how much of your life you will sacrifice during training, and even after you qualify, to the craft. Make sure it's something you really want to do, and understand that you won't be home for holidays, birthdays, barbecues, weekends, etc. And if you aren't willing to make those sacrifices and put in the time to study during the training phase, you WILL fail out. I gaaarroooonteee. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thunderpants 1 #127 Posted April 24, 2015 Oh and DO NOT use the stuff you find on quizlet unless YOU put it up there. You don't know how many times I've found incorrect definitions, indications, etc, OR the RR decides to change said definitions or indications after a previous trainee posted it to quizlet and you waste your time studying incorrect materials. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miguelr28724 1 #128 Posted April 24, 2015 Understood. Didn't take it like that. Differeance between the to is the engineer operates the train. Don't think knowing this determines if your capable of being a engineer or not. Went to the overview today. And I have a lot of studying to do 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LIRR 154 169 #129 Posted April 24, 2015 Good to hear. And good luck.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SilentJim 0 #130 Posted April 24, 2015 Yeah got back from the overview this...lots of studying to be done but quite informative. Obvious difference for Conductors would be that we learn and get to drive the train and they can't...however they are required to learn alot of the same stuff we have to. They have to know all the signals and score a 100% too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LIRR 154 169 #131 Posted April 24, 2015 Also for anyone interested in becoming an engineer, I can absolutely guarantee you that you are underestimating how much of your life you will sacrifice during training, and even after you qualify, to the craft. Make sure it's something you really want to do, and understand that you won't be home for holidays, birthdays, barbecues, weekends, etc. And if you aren't willing to make those sacrifices and put in the time to study during the training phase, you WILL fail out. I gaaarroooonteee.Very true indeed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
republic 17 #132 Posted April 24, 2015 (edited) Thunderpants, are you in the training program or are you an engineer? Edited April 24, 2015 by republic Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thunderpants 1 #133 Posted April 25, 2015 Thunderpants, are you in the training program or are you an engineer? Retired, trolling the forum to see what what kind of talent this wage progression is attracting....thanks goodness for the forthcoming PTC.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SilentJim 0 #134 Posted April 25, 2015 Most unions do wage progression at this point don't they? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thunderpants 1 #135 Posted April 25, 2015 Most unions do wage progression at this point don't they? No idea, don't really care about other unions. When (if) u make it anywhere near the point where the carrier hires you on, you'll learn about how the wage progression now works for the engineers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thunderpants 1 #136 Posted April 25, 2015 (edited) Most unions do wage progression at this point don't they? No idea, don't really care about other unions. When (if) you make it anywhere near the point where the carrier hires you on, you'll learn about how the wage progression now works for the engineers. Edited April 25, 2015 by Thunderpants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
republic 17 #137 Posted April 25, 2015 Retired, trolling the forum to see what what kind of talent this wage progression is attracting....thanks goodness for the forthcoming PTC.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thunderpants 1 #138 Posted April 25, 2015 Yeah got back from the overview this...lots of studying to be done but quite informative. Obvious difference for Conductors would be that we learn and get to drive the train and they can't...however they are required to learn alot of the same stuff we have to. They have to know all the signals and score a 100% too. And Jim, engineers don't "drive" the train....you let me know if you ever see a steering wheel on one of those things....engineers OPERATE. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
republic 17 #139 Posted April 25, 2015 How many years did you have in? Do you think PTC will take away from the craft? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thunderpants 1 #140 Posted April 25, 2015 How many years did you have in? Do you think PTC will take away from the craft? I've been pounding the rail since most of you were probably in diapers. I was a legacy there, my father was an engineer, my granddad was steam qualified. PTC? I feel like it's one more step closer to turning the RR into the dammed monorail at Disney. Eventually they won't need engineers for passenger service. I don't know why they are hiring more engineers. There's already a surplus and east side access is taking a hell of a lot longer than expected. I'd expect the hiring to stall out soon. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SilentJim 0 #141 Posted April 25, 2015 They said they were expecting over 50 people to retire in the next 2 years. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
republic 17 #142 Posted April 25, 2015 I'm older than you think. I agree that automation is inevitable, but that is many many years away. LIRR is no AirTrain. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thunderpants 1 #143 Posted April 25, 2015 They said they were expecting over 50 people to retire in the next 2 years.[/quote That's complete BS. I don't know who "they" are but 7 went in 2014. I'm older than you think. I agree that automation is inevitable, but that is many many years away. LIRR is no AirTrain. Most of the technology is already in place. Only a small portion of the RR is dark territory. I don't think it's as far off as you think. I'm older than you think. I agree that automation is inevitable, but that is many many years away. LIRR is no AirTrain. Most of the technology is already in place. Only a small portion of the RR is dark territory. I don't think it's as far off as you think. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SilentJim 0 #144 Posted April 25, 2015 When I went in in Jan for the interview/test, that was the reason we were given to their hiring frenzy. They've been doing an Interview session once a month since Dec. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thunderpants 1 #145 Posted April 25, 2015 When I went in in Jan for the interview/test, that was the reason we were given to their hiring frenzy. They've been doing an Interview session once a month since Dec. They've been doing interview sessions so frequently because of the lack of good applicants. If 50 people retired every 2 years it would only take roughly 16 years to cycle through the entire 400 + roster. Mathematically meaning the average engineer career is only 16 years. Which is isn't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SilentJim 0 #146 Posted April 25, 2015 You would know better then me, what's the average age of a LIRR Locomotive Engineer at this point? Not everyone retires just because they can...is it possible they've built up a large group of Engineers who could pull the trigger and retire on them? You're also right on the people interviewing...alot of people are getting cut just from the 1st interview alone. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thunderpants 1 #147 Posted April 25, 2015 Well good luck to all of you applying. I've heard of a few people that it took YEARS to get hired on. My best advice is to look for and apply to as many positions as you feel you are qualified for. It's a good company to work for, but don't put all your hope into the engine service program. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CGeorge 16 #148 Posted April 25, 2015 good luck to everyone who gets into phase 1. i know a class will start in may. s&d is probably only 1/8 of what you need to learn. your brain will have to be like a sponge for the next 12 months. it's hard but doable as long as you put in the time. once again good luck. we'll all need it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drenyce311 84 #149 Posted April 25, 2015 Well good luck to all of you applying. I've heard of a few people that it took YEARS to get hired on. My best advice is to look for and apply to as many positions as you feel you are qualified for. It's a good company to work for, but don't put all your hope into the engine service program. Thanks for the heads up! Panel coming up soon. Not quitting my job until I know I am officially in. But in the mean time. Going to work as usual as this process is not guaranteed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drenyce311 84 #150 Posted April 25, 2015 good luck to everyone who gets into phase 1. i know a class will start in may. s&d is probably only 1/8 of what you need to learn. your brain will have to be like a sponge for the next 12 months. it's hard but doable as long as you put in the time. once again good luck. we'll all need it. thanks CGeorge. Even though the panel is 1 month away been reviewing the material Everyday not to forget. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
