hockeyplayer9

Yup! Sent you a message...

Unless there is an error from inside, you have to make up any OTO, AVA, Sick days, etc. On a personal note, I had two weeks for maternity leave (paid) and got extended two weeks to make it up. Not complaining though. It was very nice to get those 2 weeks off for the birth of our child.

Cool, enjoy! Hit me up if you have any questions.

Ok, it's official. Going to Staten Island as an OA to TA cross over. Been almost 2 years at Ulmer Park in Brooklyn. Had a good experience.

@drop11412, thanks for bringing that up. I was at Zerega today for a Vision Zero class and asked. They said it's a holiday but not for Zerega Training Center. @Ctrain24, Thanks a lot! Well, I guess I will find out for sure. If it's the 29th, that's cool. As long as it's sometime during the week. See ya there!

Ok, I did medical & final processing today. I'm in for the December 26th class. Just trying to figure out when I pick my depot. I'm switching from OA to TA so I don't have to do the 7-10 day training again (or probation). I thought maybe Monday but hearing it may be a day or two later according to someone else who was in the same situation not too long ago.

Did the drug test today (2nd time, 1st one expired). Over the phone, I was told I would do medical & final processing on Thursday if I did the drug test today, but when I asked in person today, they said if the results come in on Wednesday and didn't sound so definite. Forgot to ask if not and they come in on Thursday, do I come in Friday for medical & final processing. I hope so. I really want to get in the December 26th class.

FYI, I know I am more or less next up to receive an email to come down for my medical. I called today and was told the December 12th class is full and the next class is due for December 26th. The class after that one has yet to be determined. Separately, just want to share some info with anyone who will be starting. Something that I was not told for the first few months until another fellow employee told me (and I just told someone who didn't know for almost 2 years!): When you do Overtime, you have an option to write in the time box OTO. I forget what it stands for, think it's Other Time something. IF you have over 8 hours of vehicle time and do overtime and write in OTO, instead of getting paid, that time can get built up so you can take a day off in the future. I prefer to build up time to take off and in the beginning when I first started, since I was on the extra list, I did quite a bit of overtime. However, I never was told about OTO by the union etc. It's probably in our contract etc. but the reality is, who has the time to read it all. Anyway, just a little something I want to pass along. I'd hate to have others find out late, particularly those who prefer to build up time off as opposed to the pay. Oh, and yes, it's time and a half so if you finish an hour late, that would equate to an hour and a half time built up.

Thanks a lot!

Anyone who has been contacted for the medical (following your first trip to Livingston Street), please let us know if it was by phone or email. When I went down the first time Nov. 9th, they said I will receive an email. When I originally went through this process almost 2 years ago (for OA), it was a phone call I received, so I asked them to confirm about receiving an email and they said yes. Also, can you state what the email is exactly (unless it was from an email with their name). That way we can add that address to our contacts in our emails and less chance it may go to spam etc. Thanks in advance! As a reminder I'm in the mid 1800s.

Thanks bro!

Okay, just got my letter today for 4600. I'm in the 1800s. Can't wait to transfer (OA to TA) to Staten Island where I live. Had a good time in Brooklyn though (Ulmer Park), but definitely looking forward to the transfer. Only thing that needs to be done again is medical. Going down November 9th.

So based on one of the websites that have the results with names and scores, that's up to everyone who scored a 96.667 I'm 18** so I guess I should be getting a letter any day now. I'm already on the job as OA but switching to TA so I can transfer here to Staten Island. Can't wait! Good luck everyone.

Wishing you the best DueceDrives! You'll be fine for sure

Congrats my friend!!!

Absolutely! I did quite a bit of express my first few months. I'm telling you, there's an accident waiting to happen constantly. Between the taxis (with Uber now etc. they are everywhere!), pedestrians, and bicyclists, you need to be aware every single second. You're driving a 40,000 lb vehicle and they simply don't care. I think the bicyclists are the worst. They dart out right in front of your bus without a care in the world. The taxis you can see fairly easy, the pedestrians are slow moving, but the bicyclists are smaller than a taxi and faster than a pedestrian, so for me personally, they are the biggest hazard for us. That being said, as pointed out in the beginning of my posts, they're all a potential accident. For those that make it and start line training, don't let your fellow operator (during line training) push you into driving more aggressively than you're comfortable with. That will come slowly with time. You do need to be aggressive to make your way around better, but better to wait until you're more skilled and seasoned. Hope I'm making sense for everyone.

I'm guessing they mean things like favoritism, but that's just the reality of basically any job and life itself lol The runs and routes you get to pick is based on seniority, so I think any favoritism is minimized by that. I've always been a huge fan of seniority, so even as a newbie, I have no issues with seniority dictating lots of things.

You're welcome Smooth. ^ Exactly tdevon2012!

Hey Smooth, if you don't have your CDL license and fail the DMV road test even though you passed MTA's 10 day training, you're finished. You literally get fired. Crazy but true. If you pass the 10 day training in 7 days, you would get 2 chances to pass the DMV road test. If you go past 7 days, you only get one chance. Then, all you need is a DMV instructor with a bug up their azz that day and it could be lights out. So, I HIGHLY recommend getting that CDL license ahead of time. One less stress to worry about. Plus, you can take that DMV road test 2, 3, 4 times if needed.

Thanks Young! My list number for OA was in the 200s. It was only the Pych test, pass fail, then list numbers were random. It takes a couple of years on average to get called but too many factors involved to get more than idea than that. Yeah, Young & Deuce are incredibly helpful. Always have been.

Sup! I work evenings and weekends. Getting off weekends takes a few years on average, unless you get to pick Vacation Relief in which case you may get off weekends here and there. My hours are around 4pm to 1am, off Tuesdays & Wednesdays. For the new pick 9it's every few months) I work around 3pm - 12am, off Wednesdays & Thursdays. My list number is 18XX. I'm OA not TA, but took this TA 4600 exam too. I live in Staten Island but work in Brooklyn. As soon as TA reaches my umber I'm transferring. I'm happy in general where I am. It's not too long of a ride etc. but nothing like being closer to home. Plus, from what everyone tells me, you move up quicker on Staten Island which includes getting weekends off sooner. I read my post above. Living in Staten Island, working in Brooklyn, waiting for TA to call me, then I'm transferring to Staten Island. My list number is 1800s.

What's up Ctrain!! So far so good. I just finished my one year probation last week. Definitely feels good to be done with that. I had no accidents, customer complaints, or on bus "incidents" (ex: someone falls and gets hurts,etc.). Those things and attendance are what they look at in deciding to extend your probation or not. Other than my normal 19A rides, I didn't have any under cover rides that I know of. I heard you usually won't get one if you've had no accidents, complaints, etc. so perhaps it's true. Overall I like it. Time goes pretty fast, the pay and benefits are good, etc. It's definitely what you make of it. I'm older so have more patience than I used to, so I don't feel too stressed. Some guys who started the same time as me last year don't feel quite the same, so I guess it depends on you and your experiences. So, how's everything with you? You got your CDL?

I also HIGHLY recommend getting your CDL ahead of time. Why in the world would you risk not getting a Bus Operator position cause you failed the DMV road test after passing the 10-day training?? It doesn't happen too often, but it does happen. It happened to a few people in my original class of 50.

Yup, I'm coming to Staten Island as soon as this list is established and they reach my list number. I'm OA not TA right now, so nothing I can do but wait. Not a big deal, I'm content where I am and I know it shouldn't be any more than another year give or take. My main concern right now is not getting bumped out of my current Brooklyn depot with this upcoming system pick. Traveling to Brooklyn isn't that bad, but going to Manhattan or the Bronx would suck. I should be safe since I came in at the beginning of the year and there were lots of new people that came in even after I did.

@NycGamer18, It wasn't too difficult overall. It really depends on a few things. One, if you have a photographic memory (I don't). Also, how many routes are there in the depot. My depot doesn't have many (less than 10). Some depots have 20 or more. In the end, you just write down the turns (your depot should have "turn sheets") and keep it with you when you are out on your own. Mistakes can happen. It does to almost everyone. You make a wrong turn and either figure it out on your own or ask the passengers. Just give them the old "this isn't my usual route". Oh, and naother factor is how much the senior operator let's you drive through the run (as oppsed to just sitting and watching). Some don't want to be late, so will drive most of the time. Some want the overtime, so will be more than happy to let you drive most of the time. MOst importantly, just drive how you were taught and don't let them entice you into driving faster. I didn't have that experience with anyone, but heard that happens sometimes.