woj88 Posted May 28, 2017 Share #1 Posted May 28, 2017 Hey guys, I was invited for the Block Operator Trainee open house for Wednesday May 31st. Is anyone else going? Does anyone have any info regarding this position? Thanks. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LIRR 154 Posted May 28, 2017 Share #2 Posted May 28, 2017 (edited) Basically your a like a air traffic controller receiving orders from a train dispatcher above you in directing trains. Your glued to desk controlling switches and signals . It's a high rewards job and also could be very stressful job at the same time. Small roster with very little OT , but a good chance at moving up to Train dispatcher or from there to Chief Train dispatcher and other manager jobs. It's a good craft but it isn't for everybody. That's what I know from it , but definitely go for it and Good Luck.. Edited May 28, 2017 by LIRR 154 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woj88 Posted May 29, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted May 29, 2017 Basically your a like a air traffic controller receiving orders from a train dispatcher above you in directing trains. Your glued to desk controlling switches and signals . It's a high rewards job and also could be very stressful job at the same time. Small roster with very little OT , but a good chance at moving up to Train dispatcher or from there to Chief Train dispatcher and other manager jobs. It's a good craft but it isn't for everybody. That's what I know from it , but definitely go for it and Good Luck.. thank you for the info, it sounds like it could be stressful, do you know how much of it deals with looking at signals? Which stations do they place the block operators? I'm assuming jamaica, penn. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LIRR 154 Posted May 29, 2017 Share #4 Posted May 29, 2017 thank you for the info, it sounds like it could be stressful, do you know how much of it deals with looking at signals? Which stations do they place the block operators? I'm assuming jamaica, penn.You have to know all signals and definitions like Engineers and Conductors. They have BO's in Jay , Valley ,Penn (PSCC),Atlantic Terminal, I think Harold also and probably a few others if I'm missing some. There use to be more towers all over the RR at one time.It can be stressful , from what I've been told by a few BO's I know. But some people live for that stuff and also some people like to work in a office type setting staring computers. Depends on you , but it's a good job and also a great way to have your foot in the door. Like I said before , this craft usually leads to higher crafts in the Transportation dept. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Future ENY OP Posted June 1, 2017 Share #5 Posted June 1, 2017 Are there any open positions in that department? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woj88 Posted June 2, 2017 Author Share #6 Posted June 2, 2017 Are there any open positions in that department? plenty they said, sounded like they really need people 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Future ENY OP Posted June 3, 2017 Share #7 Posted June 3, 2017 plenty they said, sounded like they really need people Is the posting still up? If so, I'll take a stab on applying this weekend. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woj88 Posted June 3, 2017 Author Share #8 Posted June 3, 2017 Is the posting still up? If so, I'll take a stab on applying this weekend. don't think so, i applied for it back in Jan of this year. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noob Posted January 3, 2018 Share #9 Posted January 3, 2018 Happy new year all. I recently got invited for Signal and Definition overview (01/31/18) after passing some test on the day of the orientation. Are there anyone who is on same boat as me? I'm new to the forum. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noob Posted January 11, 2018 Share #10 Posted January 11, 2018 Anybody? :/ I guess not many people got picked for this position considering there were not even 20 people at the orientation and they only held 2 orientation on same day. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cappi10 Posted January 16, 2018 Share #11 Posted January 16, 2018 I just got invited to the open house on Jan 25 and if i make it passed that, the overview on Jan 31. I noticed they only give you 3 weeks to study for the S&D whereas the conductors & engineers get 5 weeks. why is that? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noob Posted January 16, 2018 Share #12 Posted January 16, 2018 8 minutes ago, Cappi10 said: I just got invited to the open house on Jan 25 and if i make it passed that, the overview on Jan 31. I noticed they only give you 3 weeks to study for the S&D whereas the conductors & engineers get 5 weeks. why is that? U just got invited to the orientation on Jan 25? I guess they are looking for more people. I have S & D overview on 31st. If you get invited to the overview, does that mean you passed the background/credit check? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cappi10 Posted January 16, 2018 Share #13 Posted January 16, 2018 4 minutes ago, Noob said: U just got invited to the orientation on Jan 25? I guess they are looking for more people. I have S & D overview on 31st. If you get invited to the overview, does that mean you passed the background/credit check? Yes just got the email Friday so possibly trying to fill a class. I’ve been through the AC process but not the BO process. Not sure. You’ll find out everything on 1/31. I’m just not sure why they only give u 3 weeks for the S&D? It’s a lot for 3 weeks 4 minutes ago, Noob said: U just got invited to the orientation on Jan 25? I guess they are looking for more people. I have S & D overview on 31st. If you get invited to the overview, does that mean you passed the background/credit check? E 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noob Posted January 16, 2018 Share #14 Posted January 16, 2018 I think there are more people for AC than BO. There were not even 20 people at the orientation. We took the cognitive exam and after like 3 weeks later, a lady called me in the morning asking a question about my application and then sent me an invitation to S & D email later that afternoon around 3PM. So I guess you have to pass your background/credit check before you get invited to S & D? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cappi10 Posted January 16, 2018 Share #15 Posted January 16, 2018 8 minutes ago, Noob said: I think there are more people for AC than BO. There were not even 20 people at the orientation. We took the cognitive exam and after like 3 weeks later, a lady called me in the morning asking a question about my application and then sent me an invitation to S & D email later that afternoon around 3PM. So I guess you have to pass your background/credit check before you get invited to S & D? AC is a job that’s always hiring. BO is a little harder to get into. Less positions avail. That’s why it’s smaller. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noob Posted January 16, 2018 Share #16 Posted January 16, 2018 Ahh ok I see. I hope we both can make it. They sent me pre-employment packet which is a sample of S & D material last friday. I think we can do it if we put some time on them. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noob Posted January 16, 2018 Share #17 Posted January 16, 2018 @Cappi10 when u were in the process for A/C, did they invite u to S & D after or before background/credit check? I think the hiring process is very similar except the training/learning materials. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cappi10 Posted January 17, 2018 Share #18 Posted January 17, 2018 Training is supposedly a little easier for B/O. You don’t have to qualify for the entire RR. Just specific areas. From what I’m told. But i still don’t get the S&D. 3 weeks as opposed to 5 is a huge difference. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noob Posted January 17, 2018 Share #19 Posted January 17, 2018 @Cappi10 yeah i know what u mean. 2 extra weeks is a lot and I hope its because of the less materials to study... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cappi10 Posted January 18, 2018 Share #20 Posted January 18, 2018 22 hours ago, Noob said: @Cappi10 yeah i know what u mean. 2 extra weeks is a lot and I hope its because of the less materials to study... Has to be less materials. fingers crossed anyway. the full spectrum is a daunting task in 3 weeks, especially if you work full time. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hhz93 Posted January 22, 2018 Share #21 Posted January 22, 2018 Hi everyone, just found out this forum. I will be going to the Jan. 31st S&D overview. Any guess for the official S&D exam format? Like multiple choice, fill in blank, Ture or false, memorial writing or scenario handling questions? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGeorge Posted January 23, 2018 Share #22 Posted January 23, 2018 3 hours ago, hhz93 said: Hi everyone, just found out this forum. I will be going to the Jan. 31st S&D overview. Any guess for the official S&D exam format? Like multiple choice, fill in blank, Ture or false, memorial writing or scenario handling questions? the overview is the day they inform you on what you need to do/study and they will give you the materials you need. all your questions will also be answered on this day 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noob Posted January 23, 2018 Share #23 Posted January 23, 2018 @CGeorge do you know how you get invited to the S & D Overview? Do you have to pass background/credit check before getting invited or is it on going while you are going through the process? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noob Posted January 23, 2018 Share #24 Posted January 23, 2018 17 hours ago, hhz93 said: Hi everyone, just found out this forum. I will be going to the Jan. 31st S&D overview. Any guess for the official S&D exam format? Like multiple choice, fill in blank, Ture or false, memorial writing or scenario handling questions? Congrats and me too. we got same date for the overview. When did you go to the orientation btw? I went on 12/21/17 at 8:30am. I was surprised not many people were there, not even 20 people. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noob Posted February 2, 2018 Share #25 Posted February 2, 2018 anyone else taking S & D exam on 21st? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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