Ny Trucker

All im saying is that while my class is out doing road operations we are really testing the limits of these trains. So if anyone in school car is reading this make sure you use your road ops time to make the mistakes so that you can perfect your operation. Just dont make a bad enough mistake to where you have to fill out a g2.

Started PM road ops last week. My A div class took a R42 back and forth over the willy b to practice the grade timers and i must say i never seen that many signals back to back. now that i got used to working 1900-0300 im wide awake.

I heard there are only two types of trains you learn from in the Division A. Can anyone tell me if this is true and if so what type of trains are there?? P.S. I also heard most candidates don't pick the A Division because geographically Division B is more closer to there resident.

in the A div there are R142/142A and R62/62A.

Now that yard posting is over and the STRESS of passing the signal exam/practical is behind us im starting to feel like a real T/O. 2 weeks of road ops ahead. school car is flying by. All you guys in school car yard posting make sure you use the down time to get the signals perfected. yes there will be plenty down time so use it wisely

First yard practical and mid term is finally over with. next week we start yard posting and after that we take the signal exam and practical. Its moving by fast

Other than front car operation was cool today. This must be horrible for work train operators that have to stand out in the cold to do all the flagging. Gotta trust that person up front giving directions or things could get nasty real quick.

they combined Our whole induction class of T/O's that started 11/12 to do third rail jumpers and hand thrown switch today. 3rd rail jumpers was interesting but not as scary as i thought from watching the video. hand thrown switches seems like it should be an exhibit in the TA museum. i guess the ciyd is still having problems so we did it at the 207yd. We havent been on the road as much as other classes but it appears that my class is getting a bit more prep for the first practical and a lot of good take home material to help prep us for the signals test.

Do they do the background check during the same few weeks you take the drug test, or is that after the 2nd visit to Livingston?

 

The "real" background check takes place while we are in school car. Thats why you want to have your ducks in a row because you dont want them to pull you out of class and have them tell you to resign because of something you didnt disclose in that 21 page booklet.

Maybe they went back to their former titles, found out TO wasn't for them. Or they quit or got clipped..

 

Damn. I dont have a former title to go back to so im in it to win it.

Half way through. Yard practical done. Midterm exam Friday. Start posting next week. We started with 10 students. Now down to 8. Signal exam in 2 weeks. Hopefully we don't lose anymore.

 

Wow. how did you guys lose the 2 people?

Any current or former t/o's that absolutely hate(d) the job? Maybe a few pro's / con's from seasoned veterans. I took my DT, and if I get the final approval this will be my "fork in the road" when determining whether to accept or not. Just trying to get as much info as possible and this forum has been a huge help.

(bonus question) I know I saw this somewhere but I've done some searches and I can't find the answer.... What is top pay for a t/o and how long does it take to reach?

Thanks all.

 

Top pay is $32/hr

Ah Kenny Taylor Good guy!

 

Oh Btw you know the R68 is B Div equipment right?

 

I meant R62/62A. i Still get confused on which is which

I month in and i would have to say that school car has been an exciting experience. The information is coming fast and all of us seem to be picking it up nicely. Learning the wording on some signals has been tricky but im slowly getting it. I would say at this point i have about 95% of them memorized. We got to do road operations on an R68 and R142 and it was an awesome feeling being behind the controls. TSS Kenny Taylor really knows the subway system and had me operating like i was a 20 year vet. All in all we all seem to enjoy learning the in's and out's of RTO and are looking forward to this signals exam.

Good luck to all starting school car tomorrow. i started in the 11/12 class and i will say this make sure you are well rested every day and you come prepared to learn. This line of work isnt for everyone so make sure you make the best of it.

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Good Luck to you!

 

Thanks RTOMan.

Good luck to all starting school car tomorrow. i started in the 11/12 class and i will say this make sure you are well rested every day and you come prepared to learn. This line of work isnt for everyone so make sure you make the best of it.

Nobody warned us about how heavy our books and tools are. felt like i was carrying a small child on my back

Does anyone know if there's definitely a december class? If yes, when will it start? What number are they up to calling people for medical processing (2nd appointment)?

 

According to the school car staff there will definitely be a december class but i cant recall what date it starts. and they didnt say up to what list will be called for the december class

Day 3 was uneventful.

 

We learned about the Civil Service process, and discussed our compensation, payroll, and paid time off. Afternoon was uniform-fitting.

 

362.

 

I believe i was in the row behind you today. seat closest to the aisle. One of my buddies is in his 4 month of school car now in B div and he is posting on the lines. His advice was be humble and pay attention and we shouldnt have any issues getting through school car. Who wouldve thought that it takes a almost a week to fill out papers and learn some policy.

To any of the new guys who started, did u guys get to pick what divisions you wanted yet?

 

Yeah we had our pick. half to A division and half to B division

So far everything is goin smooth. I asked a TSS if he knew about how many TO where needed and he told me the list should make it into the 800's. Dont know for sure if he really had accurate info or he was just taking a guess.

Do they take blood from you during the medical exam? Thank you all for your positive feedbacks.....

 

No blood was taken when i took the medical. but they do ask that we pee in a cup. dont know what the urine was used for though

Greetings, to all that went down for the medical processing. I will like to know exactly all the tests they give. Would someone be kind enough to run down the list please. Again good luck to all. God bless and thank you.

 

hearing, eye test, blood pressure, ekg,

Other than the waiting this process for train operator wasnt as frustrating as i thought it would be. If you go in with your ducks in a row there shouldnt be any issues. I had my blood pressure taken a week before i went in just to make sure and provided a clearance letter from an orthopedist doc for my shoulder surgery. I didnt want to be put on hold for anything. Getting a print out from social security was probably the best piece of advice i got from this forum because my investigator told me that they get that same info and cross reference it with what we list on our employment history. GL to all already in and for those still waiting.

I wanna thank everyone here who contributed some good and useful info.