ErikNYC

48 minutes ago, RTOMan said:

 

Low and unfounded and you believe them?? 

Take it from someone with 16 years down here that is Not the case....

Ill say its about 50/50  and 50 percent is Not a low number...

I don't believe anything between MTA and media outlets. Take it all as a grain of salt, and carry on. Train operators are doing a fine job down here.

24 minutes ago, MTAHopeful813 said:

http://abc7ny.com/traffic/union-faults-mta-for-inadequate-training-of-new-workers/3144433/

 

for those that saw the news article last night about T/O's, what are your thoughts on this affecting our list? change of training methods? more strict in terms of schoolcar failing?

This article won't change anything and is nothing new. The MTA has already made a statement stating the incidents with probationary TO's are low and unfounded. It's fake news, carry on...

1 minute ago, Jchambers2120 said:

Just to clear things up the OPA isn't a provisional  job offer it's just an assessment. You must pass that to move onto the drug test and eventually medical exam. I took my OPA for 6601 back in October of last year and haven't heard anything since.

To the person who said the T/O list may be published this summer I'd take that rumor with a huge grain of salt. They haven't even published C/R exam 6601 yet and that was given a year prior to this T/O exam. 

Thank you for clearing it up.

Like any job you never know what the company is going to do next. I took the test in 2008/2009 and they started calling in 2013. I finally got called in 2015, I scored 90%. You just gotta take the test and wait it out. Take all tests available, and live life like you never taken these tests. I had a career before transit and didn't see this job coming.

5 hours ago, Moody said:

 I heard that a list will be published for this TO exam probably in june or july.  Is it possible to get called for before a list is even published ? ALSO, if a list is published does that include promotional employees ?

If the test is OC, then they call by score regardless if you an employee or not.

3 minutes ago, njbk said:

This does not seem to be the case with conductor exam 6601, where they are calling people in for OPA prior to official list establishment. 

That would be a provisional job offer, which transit has been doing with other titles. Train Operator is much longer schooling and process so they might not go that route. I never seen it don with this title, but like anything you never know.

To all those worried about not getting called for having a score in the eighties, you still have a great chance of being called. I was told the same back in 2009 and I scored a 90, I am now I'm a train operator. They will go through the list faster than you think, people will be dropping like flies.

Keep taking different tests, and live life as tho you never taken any tests.

What range would one need to be in to qualify as "high scoring"?

Don't worry too much about that, try and get as high as you can. 100%-85% would be great.

Good evening everyone.

I am scheduled to take the T/O Exam #7604 on May 20th. 

I have been diligent with studying that passport book and riding the trains and just doing my best in reading and rereading the subway map.

Preparing the best I could, but I am still nervous;  I am 47 years old...does age play a factor in the hiring process? ( assuming I passed the test and went on to the interviewing process).

Age does not play a factor... I know people in their 50's and 60's as newly hired train operators. Doing well down here!

My assumption would be....he got the call

You are absolutely correct, I WAS called. Long hard road, but I made it through it all. Well worth it, for most. You guys are next, and when you get in im here to help. I Just took a promotional dispatcher exam last weekend and studying for the next upcoming train service supervisor exam. Promotion al opportunity is available.

One thing you will learn is to ignore the negativity, if u haven't yet. I sign in to work, do my job, mingle with positive people, and sign out smiling... Good luck to all.

They test your urine for sugar (diabetes) and protein (kidney problems) by using test strips that they dip in urine sample.

Bingo!

hello, I have a question. Did you have to go and have a test done for your sugar and/ or protiens or any type of blood work during your physical?

No blood work. Just urine for the drug test, I can't recall if the urine gets tested for anything other than drugs.

Here's my story that I won't forget...

I was operating N/B on the 5 (PM rush hour), after leaving 138 station someone announced a 12-1 (clear the air) over the radio. No problem, I already knew what 12-1 meant so I carry on, minutes later RCC is telling a platform conductor to stay off the radio there's a 12-1 going on. I get to 149 3rd Ave punch for my express line up, which I kind of knew I would probably not receive, because of the 12-1 incident going-on north of 135 on the 2/3 line (I always listen to my radio when in operation). We close down and proceed...

I leave the portal of 149, and notice the home signal is for a local line up, I accept it and immediately tell my conductor over the intercom that I accepted the local line up (before I had time to finish my statement, "it's up to you if you want to pick up people locally due to the 12-1 directly behind us on the 2 line, or go express according to rule"), he immediately switches over to the PA,  "Attention passengers, we are going local.." blah blah. The conductor comes back on the IC telling me "I just can't do that, I'm suppose to stop the train and ask for the express line up, we are an express". The conductor is kind of scared/furious, and stated to me prior that he been a conductor for almost three years. I told the conductor, "You do not know what you are talking about, read your rule book, plus a 12-1 was announced over the radio, you can go express on the local track". He replies, "I never heard of that, I'm going to ask the dispatcher when we get to the terminal", I reply again, "read your rule book". So I start making local stops from Jackson Ave on. The next 2 train stated about twenty minutes behind, and there was a 12-1 directly behind us. 

The following 5 train behind us, of course stops and ask for the express line up over the radio, and gets screamed at by RCC. My conductor immediately comes on the IC and states "did you hear that..." 

We get to the terminal, leave the train, and immediately he says sorry, and that he never heard of going express on the local track. I state I'll show him the rule in the rule book, and you can ask the dispatcher as well. The conductor stated "It's a good thing I told him prior, cause he would have pulled the cord."

The lesson here is know the rules, and communicate. Although I was going to operate according to the rules, him not knowing the rules, pulling cords or whatever, would have messed up my day, and led to unnecessary paper work, had I bypassed stations on the local track. There are countless people out here who do not know the rules. Don't be a victim...

Thats exactly how it goes.

After 4 months of waiting since my first visit (I did another drug test and more paperwork 2 weeks ago since they told me the drug test is no good after 3 months) I am officially in and starting Monday. My friend who took the test with me got his first letter to go in next week and his number is 83**. My number is 69**.

 

This is the most surreal feeling I've had in a minute. Hoping for A division!! LOL!

Get lots of rest this weekend. After orientation, life will change for the next year, lots of pressure hear and there... Stay focused. "It gets worst, and then it gets better". Ask lots of questions, and browse through the school car thread every now and then.

This thread will be one of my closest friends for the upcoming 365 days.

 

Thanks MedicCJH for creating this!!!

"You better!!!" like my instructor would say.

I would like to thank everyone on this forum who has helped me make it through school car, and beyond. As of a couple days ago, I am officially off of probation. It has been a tough ride, but WELL worth it.

I especially would like to thank mediccjh, for starting the school car thread. I resorted back to his thread many times, to get a better understanding of where I'm headed, as I progressed through school car. I read ever post on that thread.

I now understand why school car is so damn tough! It's to prepare you for the road... 

Thanks!!!!

PS: About to get dress.. My induction group is celebrating in Manhattan tonight.

I would like to thank everyone on this forum who has helped me make it through school car, and beyond. As of a couple days ago, I am officially off of probation. It has been a tough ride, but WELL worth it.

I especially would like to thank mediccjh, for starting this thread. I resorted back to this thread many times, to get a better understanding of where I'm headed, as I progressed through school car.

I now understand why school car is so damn tough! It's to prepare you for the road... 

Thanks!!!!

PS: About to get dress.. My induction group is celebrating in Manhattan tonight.

Hi everyone I'm new to the forum, and I just thought I'd share this info. I called the exams department on Friday and they said they are currently up to list number 6,672. Would anyone happen to know how many classes they intend to hire before the list closes? Sorry if this was already covered.

I hate to tell you, but no one here would know that answer. They have classes as they chose,  usually on a monthly to bi-monthly bases. They can have a hiring freeze at anytime etc. Just have to be patient, and wait for the letter to arrive in the mail.

Congrats LOQV!!!!!

hi, can you give some detail on car school? so its first book material at the school, and then they send you to different locations for practice? 

You're welcome. Okay - thanks. Once you were medically cleared, how soon after were you told you were accepted into school car? What were their expectations? Did you have time to announce your resignation to your former employer?

 

Thanks again. Truly appreciate it.

You two are asking questions that have been answered in this thread, and the other school car thread. These two threads will help you understand and get through school car immensely. If I were you I would read every post, now and while your in school car.

http://www.nyctransitforums.com/forums/topic/38133-the-schoolcar-experience/page-1

Hey guys I have a question about conductors. Do they have steady shifts everyday? And do they get mandatory overtime?

Nothing steady until you pick. Overtime is "optional", but you get paid for every minute u run late.

Although I passed school car, and have one final test to pass, which is probation. It's not easy, but its not hard as well. it's just another challenge, that becomes easier day after day. while learning and operating on different lines. We still make mistakes, but we try and keep it to a minimum. MTA knows we are on probation, and will make mistakes, just keep it to a minimum and don't make the "big" mistakes.

@eriknyc, did your classmate fail the practical and then got put back on the list? Was it the same list he/she originally came from? I'm hoping the rumors that list 8098 is being extended and I can get back on board quickly

Start the process and you can possibly be back in by summer. My classmate who fail the practical was back in about three to four months.

Okay so...when you mean train operators are on like a probationary period until they retire you mean like the job is that hard? I've worked long hours. I used to drive limo for 10 to 12 hrs a day. Or perhaps there's so many things that can get you terminated? I understand all that. Safety is the only option. Is there alot of train operators leaving because the job is so unstable? Missing stops maybe or an over run?

Stop listening to the masses, those people say everything negative and nothing positive. Sine you are a limo driver you understand what safety sensitive mean, and how important it is. There are plenty of TO working everyday keeping their jobs. People are not being fired all day everyday. People like you and I, or even worst, working making a living as a TO. If you are a slacker, than eventually it will all catch up to you There are plenty of conductors wishing to one day be a TO, and some who do not, at least they have a choice... Me im all about promotions and not holding yourself back in life. Don't treat the trains like a race car, and follow the rules. Like driving a limo, you must operate much differently than operating you personal vehicle. Once you past probation, you operation skills will be that much better, and you will be proud to have past probation...

Question for anyone who might have knowledge, I failed my final yard practical and the retest with a superintendent. Now I have to hand in all of my uniforms and tools. I am beyond crushed, is there any chance that I could be put back on the list for t/o 8098 or do basically have to take the next t/o exam in june. I can't believe I screwed this up after waiting for so long. Any help would be appreciated.

You can get put back on the list. My fellow class mate did it, and is now in YX, as well as another person in my induction class. Hurry up and get the ball rolling.

This is why I didn't leave my old job,the way they do things there is so wrong. .the superintendants are a**holes as well..you will now have to wait for the next exam ..Gluck man it sucks ..especially when they give you the dam uniform and all your family are proud of you now to take back everything to downtown Brooklyn back and having all your family and friends asking all sort of questions smh

Honestly the Superintendants aren't a**holes, they are your boss like any other company. However, my encounters with them has been positive. Like any boss you know not to cross certain lines. There's always a few bad apples in every bunch.

When your in schoolcar it's a whole different ball game/attitude...

Can anyone that has taken the signal's tests share an example as to how detailed they want the definitions to signals? Is it full sentence? Few words defining? How exact?

Full details and sentences. Your instructor will provide the definition, for their class, as per school car.