The only problem is that the test for Con Ed requires the root to be run uphill from what I remember many moons ago... Who knows, they may have changed the WPS so that downhill progression would be allowed... And if I remember correctly, they only used regular 5p then again they might have changed the WPS to accommodate 5p+ also...
I never applied to take that test because I had enough work as a Boilermaker all over the place but I knew that test pretty well due to the fact that when I was the Tech Rep for the largest independent Welding distributor in the NY Metro area back in the eighties, I was frequently at their welding & fabrication school where they would send the applicants to test... So I could clearly notice what type of test they were taking as well as the electrodes that were used also because I was there frequently either installing equipment like some heavy duty plasma cutters like the old PAK 45's as well as all sorts of GMAW/FCAW Lincoln Electric equipment and a few of their CV power sources as well as a few Millers to replace their older Airco units which were also made in Appleton, WI many moons ago...
And even a few manual and mechanized Sub Arc systems also... They also like to purchase quite a few radiagraphs and they loved those Bugo tracked systems to weld long verticals with them as well as horizontal & flat joints too...And did they ever buy a boat load of oxy fuel equipment from us constantly... The company I worked for did make the most of their profits from the Gas cylinders they rented from us because they were constantly losing and misplacing cylinders all over the place!
And on occasion, a few GTAW power sources like the original Pow Con very portable (for that time) inverter power sources, quite a few MK Goose-neck push-pull wire feeders for their heavy aluminum work and back then they were experimenting on a DC prototype hi power generator that was made out of a whole lot of aluminium, so they required them along with the Pow-con inverters for that project... A few Miller Synchrowaves and whole lot of various accessories for them so, I got to know my way around the plants, and the main Welding school...
During that time I frequented the Con Ed plant in Astoria Queens, NY there was a huge explosion in one of their boilers and it was a really big mess to say the least and after I left that job as a tech rep, a few years later they were still working on repairing that boiler... Actually, they for all intended purposes rebuilt that plant because the damage was so extensive from the initial explosion... And as a Boilermaker again, I got to do some repair work there, and they wanted me to come aboard and work for them as a supervisor but I declined because during those days I had itchy feet, and much preferred to travel instead of settling down to a steady job.. There were a few times when the work was scarce that I cussed at myself for not taking that job but, then the work started picking up and I didn't think about that decision anymore as long as there was steady work which as a boilermaker was dicey at times...
I can tell you right off the bat that you better not expect to be paid like journeyman mechanic because that's not going to happen or even come close to the going rate... And if I remember correctly back then they weren't a union shop but things might have changed... If you're looking for a steady job with no layoffs then it's a good place to stay at because they don't lay off their mechanics and there's always plenty of work because more than likely and this is dependent on where the work priorities are, they will probably have you working with a crew off a big utility truck traveling all over the city and mostly working on steam lines underground...
You do know that Co Edison is an Electrical Utility Corporation - right? They make a lot of electricity from a majority of very old power plants so there's always going to be maintenance work all over it's grid system... This is one company that has gone through so many changes over the years and has been bought and sold so many times that you'll have hard time keeping track of who owns the majority shares of the company if you stay there for any amount of time...
The one very positive aspect of working with Con Ed is that they will train you to test to as many certs that you can handle and their benefits package was back then one of the best around... I can't say that it's still a good plan because of all of the changes and different ownership and you know what happens with that sort of stuff going on...
If you're starting off as an apprentice it can be a good place to work for if there's union representation there which nowadays is pretty much iffy so, I would have to consider whether or not to work there if there wasn't any... In any event getting back to what you need to expect when you test there, I would practice uphill 6010 as well as downhill because Con ED does things their way, and not the way everybody else does so expect to be thrown a curve ball or two... Heck if you impress them enough, they may ask you to stay and do a super coupon on some 2-3/4" dia. CS pipe with GTAW root and then SMAW E-7018 fill and cap but, more than likely they'll ask you to come back the next day if you take some time to finish the first test...
Anywho, that's about all I can tell you about how Con Ed does operate... If you prepare yourself enough prior to the test, you should do just fine but remember to expect the unexpected with them because they have been known to change things at the last minute... Best of luck to you and don't forget keep yourself hydrated and to BREATHE!
Respectfully,
Henry