beneka

If your rdo are m/t, you can request Friday, Saturday and Sunday off...or Wednesday, Thursday and Friday off, thus giving you 5 days off. I've done it 3 or 4 times since being down here without issue.

 

Btw, I didn't realize how late I was in this response...lol. I'm sure you know by now

So, for example, if my days off are Monday/Tuesday, I can only request Sunday and Wednesday off and NOT Wednesday/Thursday or Saturday/Sunday? Essentially, I can only have 4 days off at most with regards to my days off. That said, I can request 3 days off in a row that's not pertaining to my days off (ie in the same example, I would be able to request Thurs, Fri, Sat off?)

 

Another question. I've found that the day after my requested day off, IVR doesn't have a job listed for me. I'd have to call the crew office to get my job. This has happened to me 3 times. Is that normal? Or is it related to requesting the 2nd day off in a row after my rdo's (thus attempting to get 4 days off in a row)?

 

If your rdo are m/t, you can request Friday, Saturday and Sunday off...or Wednesday, Thursday and Friday off, thus giving you 5 days off. I've done it 3 or 4 times since being down here without issue.

Our first pick was today. Actually had some good choices!

Just to piggy back on what has already been said, follow schoolcar rules and you'll be good. Every trainer i had while yard and road posting had their own methods in doing things, but what I liked was that they allowed me to do my work per schoolcar, as thats what we got tested on. I was told the same thing they told you "if you do it schoolcar methods you'll be here all day and wont make time"-Not true!!! I make a year on road tomorrow and operating per schoolcar hasn't hurt me.

 

I do agree with SubwayGuy as well that some of the bad habits/non schoolcar operation is good to know(shuttle button!!) Its good to know alternate ways, but still operating by schoolcar rules will keep most trouble away from you!

 

Dont stress some of those trainers. You'll get some of them while road posting as well! Some of the people down here can care less about you getting better, they just want the OT. For the most part tho, there's more good than bad. Always ask questions! Get into that habit of repeating back what they tell you just to be sure

Congrats on passing the signal exam/practical! A lot of people take the test for granted and dont study as much as they should....or they let their nerves get the best of 'em. Sucks when someone fails out, but wish them the best.

 

Everything else will fall into place, just as with the first yd practical and signal test. Just stick to the rules and what you've been learning!

Yup....and try to always be in coast a couple seconds before you actually need to brake. Brakes apply almost immediately from coast and there is a slight delay when going from power directly to a brake.

 

Everyone has given you some great advice here, but its important that you develop your own methods. You will as you continue to operate more often, but its always good to have some guidelines as a reference

Just want to thank everyone on here again for the tips. I passed my 1st practical and went on my own pace. Talked out loud and next thing you know I was done. The worst part was actually waiting to go.. that by far was the worst. lol. Now its the midterm next week, the signal test/practical the following week and the final yard practical the week after that. Jesus this is a lot in a short period of time !!

 

On a side note, I only been down the road 3 times. I am trying to find my groove in terms of stopping by the station car stop sign, I either brake too soon or brake too late. I know you have to get a feel for it but if anyone can share how they learned to brake properly in a timely fashion would be great. I was on the R46 the other day and I noticed I brake too early then have to put it back to coast and/or switching (4 seconds or so) to move to the correct station car stop sign. So the next stop I braked too late and the stop sign was slightly pass my cab window.

 

1) I been observing going to work the T/O on the train that I am riding it seems to me most of the time they come into the station still taking power and I feel the brake by the time about 1/3 of the train is already into the station.

 

2) I am going down the road on a 160 next week so how do you guys like the braking on the 160's compared to the 46's or 68's ?

 

Thanks guys.

Congrats on the practical!! As you did with this, take your time on the others and focus...everything will fall into place!

 

As far as braking, I didn't develop a really good, smooth brake until a month or two AFTER schoolcar! I was always able to stop the train, but as with you I would have to go back to coast or take a point to get to the 10/S marker. I make a year on road next month and I'm still not perfect with my stops, but 90% of the time they are smooth. I can't give you any B div specific advice since I'm in the A, but here's what TSS Lee told me that really helped: Entering the station if you're at 35mph, you're good. 35mph isn't the end all, but that's a good speed to enter. By the conductor board, if you're at 25mph and holding a good brake, you should be good. Finally at the 8 car marker if you're at 13mph, whatever brake you're holding should take you to the 10 car marker.

 

This is far from fool proof!! Not gonna work at all stations, but it was a good guideline for me that i still use sometimes. Also, I'm in the A so it might not be the same...but it might still be a good guideline for you.

 

You will develop your own methods. All the advice we give you is good, but use it to figure out what to do and what not to do. Your operation will improve as you go along.

 

Subwayguy is absolutely right! The only thing I will slightly disagree with is that you have to be perfect by road posting! I surely wasn't! However, you must be able to have your train under control at all times and be able to stop at or as close to the 10/S car marker

You'll be good bro! Keep confident and humble.

 

Congrats to you guys on making your probation. Lets keep this railroad moving! And as always, thanks to all the veterans that continue to help us through our journey

Hope your first practical goes well. As everyone said before, do it step by step just as you've been practicing with your class. Remember to check all BCO and if you find one cut out, radio yard dispatcher-for the practical you'll just tell the superintendent or tss how you would call it in. And you should be prepared to read the iron and give a couple of signal definitions. You'll do just fine.

 

Btw, took y'all 5 weeks to get the signal guide?! That is insane!!!! We had the guide and was going over signals everyday once we left PS 248.

 

This has been answered a few times already, but I'd suggest writing signal definitions verbatim. Can't go wrong if what you write is what's in the book. And RSEC-write the whole thing!!

Oh...and about the midterm/final exams....although you dont need a 100% and you get a second if u fail the first time, the second chance will be all written...so yeah take them all seriously!

BrianRichards, once again thanks for the post man. It helps me greatly. I just finished the 1st day of orientation and yeah it was exactly like you said. A lot of people in the room. T/Os and Special Inspectors. Man I am excited and nervous at the same time but I am glad there is a forum like this with posters like you and others. It eases my mind a bit.. Thanks again !

 

Andrew, thanks for the tip. I keep reading about the signal exam and how that is the main one that people are worried about because you have to get 100% (not to say the quizzes, midterm, final is not important). It would be crazy if one lets say gets 100% on all the quizzes, midterm and final but gets a 99% on the signal and gets canned. <<== That would be mentally detrimental.

Schoolcar can be overwhelming if you let it get overwhelming!!!! Honestly I was a little nervous going into it, especially hearing all the stories and learning of all the ways one can fail out. TSS's are there to help you. As said in an earlier response, if you show determination and they can tell you're trying, they will give you their all. Take it day by day....dont get ahead of yourself....and DON'T go in there thinking you know everything! Stay humble and just try your best to learn and follow along with all the TSS's and superintendents you will meet(there will be a lot!). Oh....ask questions if u dont understand...then ask again....and ask again after that until it is clear!!! Best of luck!!!

 

"10 ½ F S U"!!! You'll learn about that soon enough

I took the signal test in March or April. It's a breeze as long as you stay on top of them from day 1. My test was 10 questions. 5 multiple choice, 5 write ins. Learn to define the signals exactly as written. Save your interpretations for yourself. I was thinking about this today..... The stuff you worry about coming in, (signals, routes, station stops, etc) end up being the least of your worries. All that stuff becomes second nature. The real challenge turned out to be the job itself. Staying alert in a silent cab for up to 2 hrs at a time, 3 times a night wears you out. It's a mentally draining position. All that other stuff..... Cake.

As RTOman posted, they switch the tests up often..subwaydriver's post here is a testament to that. Our signal test was in january and it was more than 10 questions. And as subwaydriver posted, learn them word for word. You can intetpret it in your own way, but for test purposes you should learn them word for word

Congrats. This 1st yr really flew by fast. I just can't wait until tommorrow when I sign in and see "probationary" taken off my name lol.

Yes....this year flew by!! Congrats and happy anniversary to us 11/12/12 inductees!!!

And thank you mediccjh for starting this thread!!

That is where it should stay *Division Wide*. I feel incidents like that shouldn't be mentioned Here in the Forum..

 

Im sure you read my Post in the Crew Room yes?

 

That is why there is a place we can talk about that.

That notice was issued TA wide! We it here in the A division as well

Yeah the midnight tour is when all the ghosts, phantoms and demons start showing up. Aka rogue track gang with no flagging protection, signals that usually have line ups with no line ups at all around curves and worst of all, the more dangerous drugged up/pissed over drunk passengers. LOL

Lol!!! I'm dreading having to work midnight tour. I've heard that a lot of people have been lucky and never been scheduled for that tour and I hope I'm one of them. I find it so hard to sleep a good 8 hours in the day time and even if I do, its still hard for me to stay up and operating during the midnight hours. I'm sure I will adjust if I have to, but I'm hoping to stay am's!

 

It still amazes me how many track workers/signal maintainers be on the road bed with no flagging! Have the gotten THAT comfortable down there. I've had a few close encounters already...people crossing tracks with no flags, or just chilling there on the roadbed as we coming around curves...crazy

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Beneka cool thanks for the answer. Thats what I thought they might do.

 

Also for guys already in.. as far as work boots. I know they take you to get a couple of pairs, in RTO can you wear any black or brown boot still?? I researched and back a couple years ago you could but they said then it might change. Just wondering what ppl were wearing if what they supply is good or better off getting something on your own since you would want to be comfortable seeing you have different seasons Winter & Summer i.e insulated boots etc. TIA

They take you to get one pair while in schoolcar. You will see plenty of people wearing their own types of boots, mainly Nike ACG boots, but while in schoolcar u gotta wear the TA approved footwear. If the ta shoes are bad for your feet, i believe you can get a note from your doc and then you'll be able to wear any OSHA approved footwear. I did hear something about is not having a contract with that same shoe company...idk how true that is

Anybody that went thru schoolcar during holidays i.e thanksgiving when it falls on thursday do they give you that Friday off?? I start schoolcar the week before thanksgiving and trying to figure out if I can plan a wekend w the family. .thanks in advance

Don't plan on having the full weekend off bro! We did get the Friday off, but in return we had to report the Sunday after!

Only 1 month you have been lucky they've been doing that to me since day 1 and all three tours for me. I was told by my motors instructor that they do this in order to always have coverage but I think they do it just to torture us lol.

 

Lmao!! I was staring to think it was just to stick it to us as well!!

They schedule you that way for coverage based on who's available at any given time of the week.

 

Example: Early AM (your Monday) reports. The one thing they always have to factor in is did you have 12 hours off between reports. Well on your Monday they don't have to worry about that at all so you are used to fill the earliest jobs possible, or you will be assigned to an early AM board report. This covers the open slots for those very early jobs and allows them to focus on getting those who have been working the week (middle of their week) assigned to other areas where they can have 12 hours between reports.

 

On the flip side, (your Friday) same thing, they don't have to worry about your reporting back to work the next day so scheduling you to the latest AM job possible. There are no concerns about you needing 12 hours allowing them to more effectively assign those who have to report back the next day.

As always, thank you for your insight. Now it makes sense and I'm not so so bothered by it!!! I had been hearing that they do it just because they can and want to carve into our personal lives...and on the other end k had been hearing its for coverage purposes. Now that you explained, it makes sense!!

Maybe this isnt the right forum for this question, but i was hoping some of the senior guys can answer this. Why does the crew office schedule us xx people the way they do?! My first 4 days are usually early early am jobs(4-6am reports) and my friday is usually a late late am job(10-11:55am report). Its been like that for the last month or two.....every week like clockwork! Are they trained to schedule us like that??? Does anyone know the reason why?

As always, lots of great info on here!

 

Study signals everyday. It seems like a lot(70+ signals to memorize) but you'll realize that its easier than you originally thought to learn them. I say try to memorize them word for word. You cant go wrong if you give the exact definition that is in the book/signal guide. I know guys who, on the test, put it in their own words and passed...but you gotta realize that you dont know which superintendent will be conducting the test and u dont knkw what mood they will be in!!

 

Hearing protection is provided. A lot of guys dont wear it, but you will find out once u get down here how imperitive it is that you should wear hearing protection!! Train horns are extremely loud....going over switches or around curves makes a really loud screeching sound...when u dump a R62 type train its really loud!!

 

Yard practicals, you will practice practice practice....and practice some more in schoolcar so you should be good

 

And with this title more than others, getting rest and staying focused is extremely important!

-Signal overruns. Learn where the signals are and familiarize yourself with the line's timers. Always know where home signals are, and don't challenge ANY signal. If you're unfamiliar with an area, learn to really respect the yellow signals. They'll keep some distance between you and the reds if you use them. If you go bombing by a yellow since you don't see a red signal yet and are thinking "I got this", you probably don't.

 

-Station overruns. Respect the fast stations. You can fly into stations but grab brake early, and don't grab it all. If you're taking more than 40-50 pounds on SMEE equipment, and are going into or very near full service on NTT equipment, you're doing it wrong. If you find you have long brakes, or the train delays when you go to apply, you want to be able to take more. If you just fly into the station and throw it into full service, you just blew your wad...because if you need more brake, there's no more to be gotten. Come in hot, but brake early and moderately, and adjust based on how the train is handling.

 

-Wrong routes. Know your lineups. Utilize the route indicator signs found at the stations before points of no return. Question any lineup that differs from what you expect, and communicate. Sometimes you are legitimately being rerouted...sometimes you are lined up wrong. It's not a wrong lineup until you pass the homeball.

 

-Yard "snafus". Read the iron (especially trailing point switches) and get permission before you do anything. If you're not familiar with the move, ask the YD for a spot...they can do it watching you move on the board. When laying up trains, pull tight so as not to overhang. Always walk around your train when moving it, and be alert for signals you might be overhanging while you check your train (and if so be sure to check them for a clear aspect before you ask for permission to move). Make all safety stops and secure SMEE trains with handbrakes. Remember when moving out of the shop the first place you go is the car desk, not the train, and remember to communicate with the bug man AND get permission from the YD before moving out (after you've checked the train of course). Remember when moving into the shop that you cannot enter unless invited in. Always check the doors are above clearance markers.

 

-Speeding. Comply with speed restrictions. 5+ MPH over a speed restriction is grounds for a write up. 10+ MPH over a speed restriction is grounds for being taken out of service on the spot.

 

-Stupid stuff. Wear the uniform, be where you're supposed to be whether it's on the train or in the crew room, don't mouth off to supervision, don't try to pad your payroll, don't lie about things (especially with those NTT's), no drugs ever and no alcohol before work, and be humble.

Lots of good stuff in what was said here. The best thing for you Justin is to pay attention in schoolcar, pay attention to the tss's and also pay attention to people you post with. You'll learn the right things in schoolcar and you will hear a lot of crap from the "crew room attorneys", but you'll be able to weed out the good from the bad. Oh yeah...ask questions....ask again....and ask again if you're not sure. Then ask again to make sure!! Lol. Some people(rcc, dispstchers etc) might get annoyed with the questions, but let them. Best to ask and be sure than to not ask and mess up

 

As was said by someone else, learn from other peoples mistakes! You will make some mistakes....EVERYONE DOES, but learn from them! You'll learn all about signals, fast stations, where you should brake, lineups etc. when you get out there and you'll develop your own method.

As a Train Operator, what is the policy for having a second job, or moonlighting, on your days off. I'm on the list, and my # is close to being called. I know you must be well rested before reporting to work, and there is no way I would jeopardize a job with the MTA.

Dude, there's no way youre gonna have the energy to work another job. I thought about keeping my old job as a part time gig(had some killer flight benefits), but its almost impossible...mainly because of scheduling..we as extras almost never start the same time or at the same location 2 days in a row and we definitely dont finish the same time everyday!

I think it would be close to impossible to work 2 jobs when you are going to be extra extra for the first few years. You wont have a consitent work schedule or shift.

Yup....and even when you're able to pick a job its almost impossible....with a new pick every six months, you always run the risk of getting picked out of your job...especially with us being close to the bottom on the seniority list!!!

Heh enjoy it i dont think that disaster is going to happen again..

For real!! Everyday they looking for people to work OT or to come in on their rdo. Their supposedly soo short on workers....

does anyone know if we're off on weekends during road posting? we were for yard posting, so i'm thinking it might be the same

Fair warning, when u get to your road operations, you will be going in Sunday evening!

Tss Urbanski is cool. I think he is right under supt Gibbs in schoolcar. Can come off as a jerk, but he's cool as long as you're doing what you should be.

 

The signal test isn't as hard as long as you study your ass off and pay attention, but that doesn't take away the extreme attention that needs to be paid to signals. There are some superintendents that will ask you to explain a write in if its unclear, but I've heard (from the mouth of a schoolcar superintendent) that if you get a multiple choice question wrong, that's it. Remember TA is spending a lot of money on you to train you, so they're not trying to trip you up..but you have to know your signals!

 

Good luck and welcome to all that started today and in previous classes!

Go to NYCT Departments at the top and within the drop down select Department of Subways. From there click on Rapid Transit Operations at the very bottom. On the next page along the left hand side will be a blue menu column. Select either Work Programs or Schedule Cards and it's all self explanatory from that point forward.

Yup, and if you go to tens on your phone, you can download the entire work program. Its very convenient for looking jobs up on the go without having to sign into tens