moodyman Posted March 27, 2017 Share #251 Posted March 27, 2017 (edited) My son just passed the Signals and Definitions test on March 22nd. He said about 45 people showed up to take test and only 15 made it. He had the final interview and got fitted for uniforms. All thats left is background and medical screening. Assuming everything else goes well he expects to start training next month. Its a long process..he's initial call from the RR was in January. I did a lot of studying with him..make those flashcards ASAP and make studying them your only purpose in life until the test (easier said then done I know). Edited March 27, 2017 by moodyman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianjames821 Posted March 28, 2017 Share #252 Posted March 28, 2017 Thanks Moodyman, Congrats to you and your son! You must be very proud! So the flash cards are the way to go, that seems to be the general consensus. Is there any other insight you/he might be able to offer? Did he prepare any other way? Thanks for this. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronHorse Posted March 28, 2017 Share #253 Posted March 28, 2017 After you make it past the program they ask you do you want to work your relief days if you say yes you work relief days if you say no you have to wait about 6 months for the opportunity again...its not always guaranteed but if they need you you will work and your probation starts as soon as class starts Got it, thanks for the info! The first year depends on when you graduate. If you come out during the summer, its not that bad. You'll be able to hit nice jobs and do pretty much what you want. If you come out in the winter, then you will "hang" probably 3 of the 5 days per week and wish that you were back at your old job. Not fun. Also there are a bunch of probationary conductors that are in their first year and have owned the same job since December. It does happen. This depends on the job. most jobs finish where you start, but some jobs don't. There are jobs that allocate "deadhead" time at the end so that you can officially finish where you started, but you don't need to physically go all the way back (if that makes any sense). Contractually, you are paid back to the terminal where you started. BP, what do you mean by "hang" 3 of 5 days? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cappi10 Posted March 28, 2017 Share #254 Posted March 28, 2017 Got it, thanks for the info! BP, what do you mean by "hang" 3 of 5 days? after you get done with class and start working, you get to pick jobs off a list in order of preference, if you're lucky, you land some of the jobs you want, if you don't, you go in what they call "hang" which is when dispatch calls you for when they need you & you don't get the jobs on your list. make sense? My son just passed the Signals and Definitions test on March 22nd. He said about 45 people showed up to take test and only 15 made it. He had the final interview and got fitted for uniforms. All thats left is background and medical screening. Assuming everything else goes well he expects to start training next month. Its a long process..he's initial call from the RR was in January. I did a lot of studying with him..make those flashcards ASAP and make studying them your only purpose in life until the test (easier said then done I know). Congrats!! excellent accomplishment!! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronHorse Posted March 28, 2017 Share #255 Posted March 28, 2017 after you get done with class and start working, you get to pick jobs off a list in order of preference, if you're lucky, you land some of the jobs you want, if you don't, you go in what they call "hang" which is when dispatch calls you for when they need you & you don't get the jobs on your list. make sense? Congrats!! excellent accomplishment!! Ahh, makes much sense now. Thank you Cappi and congrats to you and your son Moody!! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bp98 Posted March 28, 2017 Share #256 Posted March 28, 2017 after you get done with class and start working, you get to pick jobs off a list in order of preference, if you're lucky, you land some of the jobs you want, if you don't, you go in what they call "hang" which is when dispatch calls you for when they need you & you don't get the jobs on your list. make sense? Its a little more complicated then that, but you will figure it out once you come out. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT1988 Posted March 29, 2017 Share #257 Posted March 29, 2017 Good Morning all! I hope you guys are well. I was wondering if any of you guys that have been waiting for that email receive anything as of late? I went to the S&D overview yesterday and apparently it looks like they are looking to have 6 classes this year! 2 already underway and 4 more they are looking to fill ! So hopefully there are a few more S&D overviews coming up. Just wanted to give you all that piece of information as I know that this process can be a bit intense especially when playing the waiting game . Let me get back to making these flashcards. I wish you all well throughout this process and to the vets; hopefully I can work side by side with some of you one day! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cappi10 Posted March 29, 2017 Share #258 Posted March 29, 2017 (edited) Excellent info. Thanku! Nothing yet for the April 18th group though. I imagine those will start in early April. Get to studying & good luck!! Edited March 29, 2017 by Cappi10 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldfordtruck Posted April 3, 2017 Share #259 Posted April 3, 2017 About how many definitions total need to be memorized? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronHorse Posted April 3, 2017 Share #260 Posted April 3, 2017 About how many definitions total need to be memorized? 200 long winding signals/definitions.. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fed554 Posted April 3, 2017 Share #261 Posted April 3, 2017 Just got the email for the April 18th class. Lets go!!!! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronHorse Posted April 3, 2017 Share #262 Posted April 3, 2017 Just got the email for the April 18th class. Lets go!!!! Congrats Fed!!! So jealous, nothing for me yet but I figured they would send out email today/tomorrow. Hoping mine comes in sooooon. You did the March 8th open house? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fed554 Posted April 3, 2017 Share #263 Posted April 3, 2017 No I did the February one. I forget the actual date, but heck yeah man I hope you get it. From what it seems they send out email for a few days. Good luck! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dremoney9972 Posted April 4, 2017 Share #264 Posted April 4, 2017 Hey guys got mine finally as well for 4/18 earlier today so they're coming! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronHorse Posted April 4, 2017 Share #265 Posted April 4, 2017 Hey guys got mine finally as well for 4/18 earlier today so they're coming! Good stuff, Congrats dre! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cappi10 Posted April 4, 2017 Share #266 Posted April 4, 2017 Congrats Fed & Dre! Great news. Keep your fingers crossed me IronHorse & myself. Lol Can you confirm something for me? As I'm already studying. I was just told that "flagman", "effective securing device" and "effective locking device" were all deleted from definitions and there's no need to know them. Of course I got them down already lol. But can u confirm if they're in there? Thanks! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronHorse Posted April 4, 2017 Share #267 Posted April 4, 2017 Hey guys got mine finally as well for 4/18 earlier today so they're coming![/quote0] Dre, you did February open house too? Or March? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dremoney9972 Posted April 4, 2017 Share #268 Posted April 4, 2017 Cappi, iirc, at the s&d overview I went to back in '13 they give you certain definitions and signals you need to know for the entrance exam. they didn't say if those were deleted or not, just that you didn't need to know them for the exam. Iron horse, went to february open house 2/23. did you get your invite finally IH? Good luck to you all once again! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGeorge Posted April 4, 2017 Author Share #269 Posted April 4, 2017 Congrats Fed & Dre! Great news. Keep your fingers crossed me IronHorse & myself. Lol Can you confirm something for me? As I'm already studying. I was just told that "flagman", "effective securing device" and "effective locking device" were all deleted from definitions and there's no need to know them. Of course I got them down already lol. But can u confirm if they're in there? Thanks! if you are starting AC class then you need not worry about the hand out they gave you. you will get your book of rules and whatever definitions are in that book are the ones you need to know. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cappi10 Posted April 4, 2017 Share #270 Posted April 4, 2017 10-4. Thanks George 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT1988 Posted April 5, 2017 Share #271 Posted April 5, 2017 Congrats Fed & Dre! Great news. Keep your fingers crossed me IronHorse & myself. Lol Can you confirm something for me? As I'm already studying. I was just told that "flagman", "effective securing device" and "effective locking device" were all deleted from definitions and there's no need to know them. Of course I got them down already lol. But can u confirm if they're in there? Thanks! Hey Cappi, They are still in the book that I received on the 28th. There are a total of 75 definitions in the book . Cappi, iirc, at the s&d overview I went to back in '13 they give you certain definitions and signals you need to know for the entrance exam. they didn't say if those were deleted or not, just that you didn't need to know them for the exam. Iron horse, went to february open house 2/23. did you get your invite finally IH? Good luck to you all once again! Im guessing things have changed since 2013 because we were told to learn all 75 definitions and i believe 129 signals and indications. There wasn't a particular group of definitions or signals we were given to study. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dremoney9972 Posted April 5, 2017 Share #272 Posted April 5, 2017 Hey CT, Apparently so, my buddy tells me that they have been quite dissatisfied with the caliber of personnel that have been hired in recent years, and as such they are making the process more difficult, even possibly going as far as re-instituting nepotism, although I don't know how true that is, you know how the rumour mill goes. but, given the time that they do, a month plus between S&D and the entrance exam is more than enough to learn everything you need to. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CT1988 Posted April 5, 2017 Share #273 Posted April 5, 2017 Hey CT, Apparently so, my buddy tells me that they have been quite dissatisfied with the caliber of personnel that have been hired in recent years, and as such they are making the process more difficult, even possibly going as far as re-instituting nepotism, although I don't know how true that is, you know how the rumour mill goes. but, given the time that they do, a month plus between S&D and the entrance exam is more than enough to learn everything you need to. Dre, I couldn't agree more about the timeframe; 5 weeks is more than enough time to learn all the necessary information and especially if this is something you truly want and need! Nothing will stop me from having all of this information down in the required timeframe! so happy to hear that you got the email you've been waiting on. Hopefully we all make it to the finish line fellas! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dremoney9972 Posted April 6, 2017 Share #274 Posted April 6, 2017 Dre, I couldn't agree more about the timeframe; 5 weeks is more than enough time to learn all the necessary information and especially if this is something you truly want and need! Nothing will stop me from having all of this information down in the required timeframe! so happy to hear that you got the email you've been waiting on. Hopefully we all make it to the finish line fellas! CT, yes, exactly, which is why I don't understand others on this board wanting to get ahead of themselves and procure material that hasn't been given to them directly by the railroad. it's not rocket science, just good old fashioned studying and committing to memory. I'd say a bit more involved than studying for a standardized exam but nothing that's not doable. be patient people, it will all come and you'll do fine in the allotted time frame. no need to try getting ahead of the game and possibly wasting your time by studying the incorrect stuff. yes they definitions might not change much year over year but like I said all it take is one word and the definition is wrong. Looking forward to a new class of conductors and I echo the sentiment, good luck to all! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cappi10 Posted April 6, 2017 Share #275 Posted April 6, 2017 Some people don't have the amount of free time others have to study. I'm at a job for 23 years where I work a ton. Obviously I can get it done in the 5 weeks but it would be a stressful cram job. Right now. I have all the definitions basically down. And I haven't been called back and have been able to study at my own pace. It's a matter of preference. As far as material. I have official material right out of the admins office. A month ago. And updated last week Bc they took 3 definitions out that don't have to be known. So good luck on your studying. Hope u do well. But I'll also choose to motor along at my own pace & stress less about cramming. Good luck all. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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