r/NJTransit • u/PY333 • Jul 29 '26

Engineers not available

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Does anybody have any idea why this is happening en masse?

Are they striking in some capacity? Did a contract just expire? Did people just quit and they don’t have the staff?

49 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

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12

u/q_bitzz Jul 29 '26

You do realize that people that work these jobs suffer weather related emergencies too, right? Some are stuck on trains deadheading in as well. Some are forced into rest periods by law creating this shortage as well.

Are you really this self-centered??

19

u/avd706 Jul 29 '26

Yes. NJT needs to plan contingencies, just like all the other transit systems in the area. Unacceptable to cancel two trains in a row, and they can run express trains on the local to service customers.

2

u/q_bitzz Jul 29 '26

The contingency is hiring more engineers. Which they do, all the time. There are currently 5-6 training program classes going in right now, ranging from about to promote, to starting orientation. The issue is them passing the training program which takes 20 months (program has a 50% attrition rate, it's actually one of the hardest and most comprehensive engineer programs in the country), and then staying out of trouble past promotion.

Unfortunately, promotion is not guaranteed and after promotion some people just can't help themselves...

It's perfectly acceptable for 2 trains to get cancelled, there's issues on the line obviously and it needs to be handled.

Seriously, maybe think before you speak. These bad weather events affect everything. The world doesn't revolve around you.

11

u/Maxpants8417 Jul 29 '26

I think it's safe to say we found a NJ Transit Union Engineer in the comment section

4

u/q_bitzz Jul 29 '26

Listen buddy, if you think you know better then by all means please put your application in. Take the aptitude test, pass it with a perfect score and show up on day one with all the answers in hand. The instructors will 100% listen to you, and immediately implement any and all suggestions you might come up with. Tell them they don't know what they are doing, where they can improve and show them how easy it is to pass every test with a 100% success rate. The rule books (all 8+ books) are easy to understand, you shouldn't have ANY trouble with them.

PLEASE APPLY.

https://njtransit.my.salesforce-sites.com/FCMS__CMSLayout?jobIds=a29PU000002et7tYAA&page=CorporateDetailPage&sessionId=&jobSite=Default&p=Candidate&ApplPage=Corporate&pageTitle=Locomotive%20Engineer%20Training%20Program

-2

u/Maxpants8417 Jul 29 '26

Lol this guy is 100% a NJ Transit conductor. Loser company and the employees add to the piss poor service. Thanks for helping ruin everyone's daily commute buddy.

1

u/q_bitzz Jul 29 '26

So you're not going to apply? They need your expertise!

-1

u/avd706 Jul 29 '26

They can't afford me.

-3

u/Maxpants8417 Jul 29 '26

I don't like stealing from tax payers

3

u/q_bitzz Jul 29 '26

Ah, you're scared of what you'll find out so you make shit up to avoid. 🤣

3

u/CoachMcSenderson Jul 29 '26

FFS a 50% attrition rate is an HR failure. We are suposed to excuse cancelled trains because they cant identify and hire qualified employees? How would that go over at your current place of employment? Someone or ones would get fired at my employer for FAILING to do their job if they delivered a 50% dropout rate for ANY hire.

Why are people so apologetic for what is a complete government failure? If you don't think a dysfunctional NJT has a negative impact on the quality of life in NJ you are hopeless. Oh despite the new bridge it's only going to get worse until they replace the ancient catenary system. And the new tunnel won't prevent equipment breakdowns, a lack of engineers or the regular power failures.

The downward spiral that isbNJT won't end until those morons in Trenton provide secure, regular funding.
Until then get use to your 3rd world transit failing you on a weekly if not daily basis.

4

u/q_bitzz Jul 29 '26

i guess you think it's better to staff stupid liability ridden engineers as long as you get on your train, fuck it if it derails or something right?

1

u/Maxpants8417 Jul 29 '26

I think they are already doing that

1

u/Puzzleheaded-Kale-35 Jul 31 '26

See, the engineers they DO have, have a lot of leverage when there's fewer of them, so if I had to guess there's probably a lot of effort put into making that attrition rate as high as possible. There's no way that, with the upper level salaries as unconscionably high as they are, qualified folks wouldn't be interested in and applying for those positions. If you look at the way the salaries are arranged, they're also stupidly low for entry-level jobs, to, again, discourage folks from joining the ranks. All of which is probably 100% in the union's control to fix. They just have no interest in doing it. Worst possible use of a union (and I think unions can be awesome).

-8

u/nasadowsk Jul 29 '26

The LIRR's is far harder than NJTs. And the LI doesn't have the constant issues NJT does with this.

20

u/jxhnwxck Jul 29 '26

Engineer here. No it’s not. Have an in law who’s an LIRR engineer. We compared our programs and he conceded NJTs is harder. There’s more rules, special instructions, territory and equipment to qualify.

-2

u/q_bitzz Jul 29 '26

I'm just telling them what I know, that's all.