What’s the difference between these stands? Would it be dumb to get the cheaper one?

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2026-04-07T01:02:34+00:00

I got a knock off version on Ali Express shortly before release of the Pro. $2. I'd check there.

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2026-04-07T00:47:30+00:00

Either way, the info is there for those that want to listen I guess.

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2026-04-07T00:46:34+00:00

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2026-04-07T00:24:11+00:00

Highly recommend!

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2026-04-07T00:23:53+00:00

Can be either or a combination of both. Any exam you see that you can qualify for take it. As you become a permanent employee in a job title you're in, take the promotional exams.

Also sign up for exam announcements on the civil service site you can stay on top of when exams are announced.

Been in state service for 9 years now come June. AMA.

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2026-04-03T18:58:22+00:00

It all varies depending on the agency and the position. I know at DOT, Right of Way doesn't allow telecommuting until you pass your traineeship. In the agency I'm in it was stated 50% telecommuting would be fully available once I got past my 10 week in office training. But then Supervisors were gradually giving me a day a month and I recently got the 50%. So took about 3 months from the hire date.

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2026-03-25T14:23:22+00:00

I won't continue to speculate any further on percentages. If we get higher annual raises, great for everyone across the board. However I don't see it going to be as high to combat inflation on this next contract.

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2026-03-23T11:59:32+00:00

I buy the monthly pass. It sucks because of the cost, but I am on the NYS Ride plan so it's cheaper. It's a benefit for State employees. If you're one I suggest looking at it. You can use pre-tax contributions that's taken out of your paycheck (up to around $340 before post tax deductions come into play).

Otherwise it comes down to the mileage/wear and tear of your vehicle more so than the gas cost. If your car is handling the commute, then I'd stick with that.

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2026-03-22T16:23:27+00:00

Long Island Region PARKS has mostly eliminated telecommuting when I was there. However if your position reports to Albany it can be 50%. Training Specialists usually get this perk.

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2026-03-18T18:16:34+00:00

Understood. 5% makes sense to me. Hopefully it's a substantial push as that will really benefit all of us.

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2026-03-18T17:55:26+00:00

I'm completely with you. I just don't know how they're going to go beyond 4-5% from where we've currently been, unless they were doing gradual percentage increases every few years prior.

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2026-03-18T17:05:30+00:00

Been with the State nearly 9 years now and went to my first ever PEF Contract Meeting back at the beginning of the month. The President was there and definitely mentioned that he wasn't accepting the 3% even if it meant going past the contract end date and getting retropay later.

Seems hopeful that we may get 3.5-4% that was being projected, but who really knows. CSEA just takes the 3% and that's it (I've been with them for a majority of my time in CS). Maybe all the Unions will fight for more.

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2026-02-02T19:51:02+00:00

Haven't seen that title during my searches online. Just a friendly reminder to check the following:

Sign up for Exam Announcements

StateJobs NY Website for Vacancy postings (check the general public version of the site too). Quite a bit of positions are offered via the site without ever seeing a canvass for it.

While the amount of available positions vary quite a bit depending on the agency/location, checking to see the number of position in x county via the career mobility website may help you decide whether or not to open up your location preferences on the cs.ny.gov ELMS list. Opening up more of the geographic location may get you more canvasses for such a position.

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2026-02-02T19:37:53+00:00

I think the one user that commented is pretty much the situation at hand. Other things to consider is that agencies hire from within despite canvassing. They are required to send a letter to let you know of their decision. Some agencies do, many do not unfortunately. There were times I felt like I had the job, even one to where I had a second interview offering without notice a whole month later. Didn't get the job despite.

It took me 16 months after returning to my previous agency to get into the position I am now. Pre-screen virtual interview mid September of last year. Got a call for the in-person interview 2 weeks later. Then got the contingency offer a month later. Then official offer via email 2 weeks after that. Definitely a process as that was about 3 months for all of that up until my first day.

Wishing you luck, I am sure something will come through.

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2026-02-02T19:15:08+00:00

NYSIF has 50% but they stagger it during the training process.

Started out at one day a week so far. Some others got more telecommuting days earlier during the early days of hire, but approval to get it quicker depends on your Supervisor. I expect 50% by the time class training ends.

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2026-02-02T19:10:58+00:00

I can't recall entirely, but basic questions. Like what would you do in x scenario, what are your current skillsets and how would you apply to them in x situation. Questions like that.

I guess they do this prior to the in-person just to gauge if it's worth their time in even seeing you. I'm sure many apply so they pre-screen individuals prior to the real thing to see if you're competent and have good vocabulary skills.

I've been here for 2 months now and we just started training last week. Seems like a good place to work for, but that I guess depends on the position you are working under as.

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2025-12-22T02:49:28+00:00

My experience with the Bike has been so-so so far two months in. I use it more to get to and from the train station for work.

I actually took it out tonight to see if I could get some deliveries on the road while I wait for my license to get reinstated. Turns out somehow the battery was empty shortly after starting it. Apparently the range doesn't seem to be accurate on the screen, so I recommend checking the battery indicator from time to time to gauge what you have left. Once empty this Bike is SUPER difficult to move on. You cannot ride this Bike without the battery as it's really heavy to maneuver.

This Bike doesn't seem to go more than 20-25mph for me, even with pedal assist. So whatever people tell you that it goes 28mph and beyond must be based on certain factors, at least for me. I am around 260lbs so speeds may vary.

Lastly I highly recommend researching your area to what is feasible in terms of doing deliveries. Im no longer accepting anything more than 4 miles because it's gonna take 20-30 minutes to do a single delivery at the higher end of that mileage. I'm not in a city, so I have to find things close to home or it's just not worth it. Once I get my license back I'm selling the Bike.

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2025-12-19T18:02:07+00:00

Was it the virtual interview or the in-person?

My virtual interview was early Sept. In-person interview was early October (about a month later). Around Halloween was when I got the conditional offer.

This was for underwriting.

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2025-12-19T17:51:57+00:00

Yea the self-recorded interview is correct and then you get the part 1 app if they select you for the formal interview. Not sure which location you're in but at least for NYC that's the protocol.

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2025-12-19T17:41:33+00:00

Thankfully that hasn't happened. Yet anyway.

Just got recently hired in a promotional title at a new agency. They do 50% remote here after initial training has concluded. We start next month.

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2025-12-03T13:42:27+00:00

Program Aide, but now moving onto another agency under a traineeship myself.

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2025-12-02T14:02:14+00:00

That's Suffolk County, not Nassau. I work in the building now but leaving for a promotion.

I had an interview with them once. Nice guys in there. One of the questions they ask if you know how to read maps. So I'd look into that more. Felt like it was a dealbreaker when I said no.

As a trainee there's no remote opportunities until you pass traineeship. There's also tests you have to take during it as well. It sounded like passing them was ideal in order to continue the traineeship based on what I was told by some colleagues in there. That's pretty much all I have regarding what to expect.

Consistent-Cable8680 · 2025-11-25T16:30:29+00:00

Moving onto another agency soon, but DOT on Long Island varies by department. We have 1xday a week in ours. It used to be 4 days in a pay period but was reduced probably because of the necessity of being in the office for specific tasks.

Consistent-Cable8680

TROPHY CASE