thanks for all the great info bluebelly!
i have just one quick question, the first test that you take on the signals and defiinitions (before your accepted into the 14 week program) how many signals and definintions do they ask you to memorize in the three weeks (i have heard that it is 86 signals and 60 def). whats the passing rate on the test? (what score do you need in order to pass).
this is what i'm refering to from your post: "If you get through that you will be invited to an overview where you will recive a better idea of whats ahead and a packet of signals and definitions. You must memorize these
WORD FOR WORD You will have to spend almost all of your time studying! In three weeks you will be tested on the material if you pass you will be invited to Phase 1 of the training.
bluebelly wrote:OK let me tell you what it really is like.This is gonna be long but I want to be accurate.
Keep sending in your resume one a month or so until you recieve a post card saying that your resume has been recieved. If they are interested they will contact you and give you a day to report for appititude test. Usually at Hibernian Hall in Babylon. There you will recieve a very basic idea of what the job entails and will take a math and a reading comprehension test, if you pass you will be given a personality test. Then you will have an very basic interview and fill out a job application. One word of caution, the RR realizes that people "enhance" there resumes and accept that, however your job application must be 100% accurate believe me they will check. Asuming you get through all of that and they are interested you will be contacted and a date will be set for a panel interview. If you get through that you will be invited to an overview where you will recive a better idea of whats ahead and a packet of signals and definitions. You most memorize these WORD FOR WORD You will have to spend almost all of your time studying! In three weeks you will be tested on the material if you pass you will be invited to Phase 1 of the training. (by the way if at any point in the process you have difficulties and you are offered another postion,coach cleaner, station cleaner, whatever, take it. After a year you can move) Anyway Phase 1 is 14 weeks unpaid. You will attend are 2 three hour weekday sessions 1 8 hour class on Saturdays at the Hillside Facility. They offer the weekday classes at night so you can keep your present job. Unless they have changed it since I hired on, you are allowed 4 lates or 2 absence (2 lates will be counted as one absence) Some advice here, don't drive, take the train to class. If you are on a legal train which is a train scheduled to arrive before your class starts, and the train is delayed it will not count against you.
You will be learn and be tested on the Book of Rules (2 tests for the Book, midterm and final), Tickets, Airbrake and Passenger Train Emergency procedures You must pass all tests with an 80%.Be prepared to spend all of your free time studying. Also while you are in class the RR will be performing a background check so again make sure that your job application is correct and verifiable. You will also have a medical exam. The exam will incude drug tests, hearing and eye tests including testing for color blindness.
If you get through all of this you will began Pase 2 of the training which is about 3-4 weeks is paid, and there are no more tests. After that you will be unleashed on the world as a newly minted Ass'T Conductor.
I like the job. I have made a lot of close freinds on the RR. The hours can be rough and you will work weekends ,holidays, etc. But if you can deal with that it is great. Senority is everything so as you move up things get better. In 2 years you will be required to qualify as a Conductor. If you fail to qualify you will loose your job. Most people study for a year or more.
Well there it is in a very big nutshell.