BrianRichards

Last year, a Signal Maintainer was killed along the right of way. He was using one of those wheeled-bags on the benchwall. It got snagged on a passing train, and pulled him under. Bulletin 105-13 addresses the bag situation. Its not really enforced on RTO personnel in the A Divison. Everybody carries a bagpack; a shoulder bag, or a wheeled valise. With MOW and Construction Flaggers, I think they are more strict about it. Me personally, I use a canvas toolbag. It has a shoulder strap, but that can be tucked inside the bag. While you're in Schoolcar, follow the rules to the letter. You'll have a little more flexibility once you're out on your own.

Very-sound advice! Train-control is paramount. Controlling the train is (more-than) "half the battle". You should feel that your train is under control at all times. Whether you're doing 45 mph, or creeping up to "key" an automatic. There are some "fast" stations down here! A fast station is one that allows you to enter at maximum speed. There are no grade-timers, inclines, sharp curves/obstructions that prevent you from keeping it "wrapped" (max power/"multiple") in approach to the station. I'm in the IRT. Off the top of my head: 14th St. s/b 7 Av Express; 96th St. n/b Lex Local; Pelham Parkway s/b White Plains Local, and Junction Blvd. n/b Flushing Express. These are stations you can approach in excess of 40 mph. As SubwayGuy said, you need a big brake outside the station! On tech trains, a full service; on SMEE equipment, 40-60lbs. The "big brake" rapidly reduces the momentum of your 400+ ton train as it is blasting into the station. Timing is everything. At some of these stations, if you wait to brake while in the station-- you are likely to put a door panel (or more) out of it. It's really not that scary at all. You learn how these trains respond, and you adjust accordingly. Can't stress that enough. Even within the same car class (R-62A, for example) you have great variation. Hell, even within the same consist, on different ends! Moving trains is fun. It's not that complicated, but it takes practice, repetition, concentration, attentiveness, and intuition. On that last one, intuition, a lot of this is "feel". You have to feel that train braking to an appropriate speed, and "release" brake accordingly, to get you to the "10 car marker". You don't want to release too much, too little, etc. You'll develop that intuition the more you do it. Just remember-- its always better to take more brake, than not enough. You can always "give it back" by releasing. If you take insufficient brake-- and too late into the stop-- you're basically screwed.

In an effort to provide a ray of light to those still (patiently) waiting, I offer this: According to a high-ranking RTO person, the hiring projections for 2014 are robust, to say the least. This person stated a hiring rate of 40 T/Os per month, for the duration of 2014. If that holds up, thats another 400+ positions to be filled. In addition, they plan to hire 60 C/Rs per month through June 2014. After that, another 30 C/Rs per month for the remainder of the year. Keep in mind that from the eligible list, there are many candidates who: don't respond to the offer/are no longer interested, fail the background check, fail the drug test, and/or fail medical exam. If you get that initial letter, you are in good shape, provided: you aren't a convicted murderer or rapist, you come clean about any other convictions you may have, you can pass a simple urinalysis, and you are in decent health. [With that said, its not uncommon to catch a "medical hold" anyway. The hold can usually be cleared with a letter of some sort from your own physician. Its a pain in the ass-- but it can be overcome. Make sure to do it quickly.] Other advice I can offer: Keep your appointments, and arrive to 180 Livingston early, and with all of the required documentation, filled out correctly. They are sticklers for paperwork. "Accounting for periods of unemployment" means exactly that; what did you do while you were out of work? Its not a trick question. Perhaps you lived with family members, collected unemployment, lived off savings, went to college, etc. Fill it out completely! Best of luck. We've all pretty much been where you are.

I didn't go back for extra pages. I simply photocopied a blank from the booklet and used that. Worked just fine. There is no sign of the hiring slowing down. Started a class of T/Os and C/Rs on December 16th, and another next week. It's been nearly one class a month now, for about a year. Correct. For roughly the first week, it is a mixed induction of T/Os and C/Rs from both subdivisons (A and B). Usually the first 2-3 days are held at 130 Livingston Street in downtown Brooklyn. The next 3-5 days are at The Learning Center, P.S. 248, in the Gravesend section of Brooklyn. Following this first week/week and a half, you will begin actual "schoolcar" with your class (8-10 people with same title/subdivision) and your instructors (2 Train Service Supervisors). From beginning to end, the training period for T/Os is: Approximately 7 months for Subdivision A (including a 3-month stint doing yard or station switching.) Approximately 8.5-9 months for Subdivision B. [The "B", which comprises the former BMT and IND systems, is a larger territory with more routes, and more classes of rolling stock, than the "A".] For C/Rs, the training period has been roughly 6-8 weeks.

A yellow signal in transit has a different meaning than it does on the street. Driving your car, it means "hurry up before it turns red" hehehe. Down here, it generally means "proceed with caution, prepared to stop at the next signal". You should start taking brake-- not speeding up-- upon seeing a yellow. It's likely that the following signal is at danger (red aspect, with stop arm in tripping position.) A stop arm is a device located along the running rails that is designed, upon contact, to trigger the trains emergency brakes. It's a safety feature built into most (but not all!) signals. Automatic signals govern train movement through "signal blocks"; sections of track, to prevent trains from colliding. Home signals are interlocking signals associated with switches that protect the switch, and provide information about the route ahead. It is critical, especially in yards, to "read the iron". Reading iron means to identify the position of the switchpoint. Simply put, a "facing point" switch has the switch point facing you. A "trailing point" is the opposite. Trailing point switches are particularly hazardous because they can be open, or closed. A closed switch means stop and stay-- that route is not for you! You will damage the switch, and possibly derail the train if you run through it. On the facing point, the switch is either "normal" or "reversed". Normal meaning it's lining you up to remain tangent (straight) whereas reversed has you lined up to physically diverge to the left or the right. The worst you can do on an improperly set facing point switch, is to take the wrong route. Reading iron is a critical fundamental skill for a train operator and you will be tested on it, eventually. They'll show you slides, diagrams, and take you into the yards to demonstrate it. It may seem tricky for a bit, but it's not. As for your first week, they're mostly gonna bombard you with basic HR and orientation stuff. Little to no operations training. You'll fill out benefits packets, watch videos, listen to department heads, etc. You should get your employee pass on Day 1, and be fit for uniforms on Day 2. Day 2 you should also be choosing subdivision (A or B) and pay location. You should be thinking about where you wanna work! FYI: The A div. training is shorter because there's fewer types of equipment in the A, and overall it's a smaller territory with fewer lines. I think it's easier as a rookie to break in A division. But if you live in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, you may want B. The A is mostly Bronx-Manhattan, with a few lines that extend into Brooklyn, plus the 7 train that goes from Flushing to Times Square. Also note that you may *not* be able to choose, and the pick section may assign you a subdivision based on their needs. Best of luck, and take it easy! It gets better. Just one day at a time.

There were times in schoolcar in which it was stressful. Looking back, it really wasn't. You're basically trying to absorb all of this new and critical information in order to learn your new job-- but also to keep your new job. That's the thing. You think that when you raise your right hand at 180 Livingston and get your booklets, that you're in. You're not. In the A Div. at least, you gotta get through 2.5 months of initial instruction/yard posting which includes quizzes, a midterm, two yard practicals, and a signal exam. If you fail the signal exam, you're out. If you fail to demonstrate train control and cannot make a simple cut/add, you're out. This is not to say that the instructors don't work with you. For the most part, they are very knowledgeable and helpful. If you are struggling, and you show that you are dedicated, earnest, and otherwise reliable, they will help you get through. Your attitude, work ethic, and conduct will go a long way towards keeping you in this title. Following that initial 2.5 months, they stick you on a "switching" job for 3 months. Switching is moving trains (without passengers) around storage yards, in/out of maintenance shops, and relaying trains from one track to another. The idea is get you familiar with train movements in the various facilities and terminals. Once you get to this point, the job is yours to keep. Yes, there is still a final exam and a road practical before you are released to the road. But by that point, with 6-7 months under your belt, it should not be difficult at all. [Note: It is unknown whether future hires will be assigned the 3 months of switching duties. At one time, the T/O induction program consisted of 79 days of instruction-- without the 3 months-- then you're on the road.] Supervision will utilize scare tactics and make ominous warnings throughout schoolcar. It's not nearly as bad as they make it out to be. What they want, is for the new hires ("off the street") to take this seriously. It's not a very difficult job. But it requires attention, alertness, common sense, and personal responsibility. Peoples lives will be in your hands. In that regard, its no joke. That seems intimidating at first. But by the time you are in that seat by yourself with a crushloaded train, you will be (more or less) ready for it. (In the A Div, it currently takes about 7 months to become fully road-qualified.) In summary; take this seriously, but do not overwhelm yourself. I'd estimate that at least 95% of new T/O hires make it through schoolcar. Most of us are not rocket scientists! Take it day by day. I still do. Be attentive, follow instructions, be on-time, and be polite. You'll do fine. Don't worry about signals in your first week (at 130 Livingston). They won't make sense to you. Once you are placed in a class (usually 10 students) with instructors (Train Service Supervisors), your TSSs will review signals with you regularly, if not daily. By the time that signal exam arrives, you'll know it. [The exam is very straightfoward. No curveballs there. They aren't trying to trick or fool you. It's basic stuff: standard home signals, low-home signals, automatic signals, grade-time, some flagging-- don't worry, it'll all make sense very soon!] Best of luck and remember, ask questions! Ask your TSSs. You will be tested on what they have shown you. Not on what I say, or what an old motorman says, or what the crew room says. Stick to the "schoolcar way" (at least for now!) and you'll be golden. Congratulations!

Just curious, why would you need to provide documentation regarding a case that was dismissed? I know people with arrests-- but not convictions-- that went through the T/O hiring process without issue. The NYCTA is only concerned with convictions-- not arrests, PTIs, etc. From the NYC CPD-B "Applicant Guidelines for New Hires" (page 6) regarding Question III-3: Regarding All Arrests In Your Lifetime That Did Not Result In A Conviction: "If you are not applying for a position designated as a Firefighter, Police Officer or Peace Officer (including Special Patrolman), you should write N/A to Question III-C on page 3 of the CPD(B)."

Precisely! You hit the nail square on the head.

Negative. I'm A Div. and I was there, along with a couple other A Div. classes. It was just a reiteration of things already reiterated countless times. Read your iron, recognize your signals, receive permission-- that good stuff. Mr. Lambert and his team made an appearance. Watched a few vids, received a few (duplicate) bulletins, etc. I was (shocked?) at some of the dodos who posed idiotic questions/comments yesterday, under the microscope with TA brass in the room. Keep that foolishness to yourself, or ask someone on the side. Then again, makes you think that maybe these sessions ARE neccesary for the few who "still don't get it"... Anyway, to clarify my earlier speculation about the T/O's actions in CIYD: evidently he/she DID NOT attempt to conceal the mistakes. T/O statement was read to us, and he/she was very honest about the whole thing. T/O failed to acknowledge Yellow Low-Home right next to train-- as well as trailing point switch NOT set for the train. Bypassed the jack without obtaining permission, then split the switch. YD "saw it" unfold "through the window" and advised T/O may have split switch. Advised T/O to change ends and BOOM-- derailment. T/O and YD both in some doodoo. T/O supposed to know: check your train (walk around it) and KNOW you're behind a jack. Obtain permission to proceed. Observe that switch ahead of you is set properly. If you have a run-through just STOP and call for help. Don't follow YDs lousy advice to change ends. This T/O screwed up. Will he/she keep job? I doubt it, but being forthright with the investigators helps. All I'm trying to do, is learn this job, do it well, and stay outta trouble. Learn from the mistakes of others, absorb as much knowledge as I can, and take it one day (one move) at a time. I wish the same for everybody else out there. Be safe, and be smart!

Our class was told today to report to P.S. 248 this Friday, 0800 sharp. Something to do with an "incident" at CIYD. TSS said all probationary/student T/Os are being summoned. TSS also mentioned that supervision will be working extra hours tomorrow critiquing the operation of senior motormen. It's a big to-do about safety, I imagine. No details on the "incident" except it was a possible derailment (and subsequent coverup attempt) by a student on 3 months yard-duty. NEVER ATTEMPT TO COVER IT UP! Everybody makes mistakes-- especially newbies! A mistake can and will be forgiven for an otherwise trustworthy operator. What will not be forgiven is lying. I expect a few brief speeches from big-shots (Superindentents, Schoolcar Director, maybe an ACTO), but mostly counseling from TSSs and a bunch of videos. Be a professional and try to stay awake

A Div. is 85 working-days for schoolcar training. Right smack in the middle of that is three months of yard duty. The 3 months of yard duty isn't "posting". You will be yard qualified by then, and work on your own, more or less. That 3 month yard stint is however, separate from, and in addition to-- the 85 days. It's roughly 7 months in total. B Div. training is about 1-2 months longer, largely because of the additional equipment you will have to learn. A Div. uses two types of cars, while the B has 6 classes of rolling stock. The July 29th class did in fact, contain 50 T/Os and 30 C/Rs. They were split into groups of 10; by title and division. Each group was assigned two TSSs (motor instructors.) As far as I know, C/R training is significantly shorter than T/O: about 6-8 weeks. Being "released" is when you have successfully completed schoolcar and the associated yard duty. You are now yard and road qualified. You transition from "student" to "probationary" Train Operator. (Be advised, your training period counts towards your one-year probation. For example, a newly-minted A. Div. T/O will be on his/her-own as a probie for approximately five months. One year from your induction date (first day of orientation) and assuming your probation wasn't extended-- you have "secured your title".) Hope I was able to answer some of your questions. Best of luck!

Thanks!

Glad to hear that, Calvin. I think I need to send a memo to my buddies as well. The next 4-6 months are going to mean business. Can't be staying up late and partying on school nights. Got too much at stake here. Best of luck to ya!

Starting schoolcar on Monday. I'll be 30 soon, and this is the career opportunity I've been working towards for years. I'm excited. Eager to start, but with caution. From what I've read on here, there seems to be many ways to get "jammed up". I'm not worried, but I just wanna do things right. I'll try to be consistently friendly, humble, attentive, and inquisitive. My dad made it 30 years, retired as a TSS. My uncle did 25, retired as a RCI. I'm grateful for this chance, and I intend to run with it. I'm not thinking 25-30 years ahead. I plan to take it one day at a time. But I expect to do well; to graduate, make it through probation, and give it a shot. I just find it hard to believe that getting one single question wrong on a signal exam = The End. Let's say you are golden. You do everything right. Come to work on time, you work hard, you learn quickly and proficiently. Your classmates and Motor Instructor's like and respect you. But you choose one wrong answer on one test. That's it, huh? I know it's been said many times here, it just seems a bit unreasonable. With that said, I plan to study those things as much as possible to ensure that I can identify and explain any signal-- in my sleep. From what I'm hearing, this schoolcar experience seems as intense, demanding, and critical as a police academy. Except you don't get to live and board there. In my case, you get to commute 3-4 hours round-trip, five days a week. I wish I knew somebody in the boroughs with a decent room available. ANYWHO-- I'm gonna try and avoid any negative thinking about this experience, and about TA employment in general. Labor relations, investigations, G2s, piss tests, whatever. I can only focus on myself and what I am expected (and paid) to do. I am ready to take the plunge. See ya there!

I start in the July 29 class. Are new-hires given the opportunity to select a Divison? My list # is in the 940-960 range. Because of where I live, I would pick "A" Divison. (However, I am most familiar with certain "B" lines-- the BMT Broadway, Brighton, Sea Beach, Fourth Avenue, and West End lines. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to choose B Divison - BMT only.)

Is It a big deal if I forgot to list a couple of (short-term) employers on my application? I was doing some cleaning today and found some old employee ID's. My work history goes back 15 years, and contains about 20 (give or take a few) different employers. I know I had to fill out about 8-10 additional data sheets. Anyway, each of these jobs was years ago, and I think I worked at them about a month-- tops. I didn't get fired from any of them. I know, sounds trivial. But I've read all of these dire warnings on here about omitting information and such. I completed my application in good faith, to the "best of my recollection". No worries? Thanks!

Absolutely, Ms. Shivers is the point-of-contact for anyone on the T/O list. But as Gherigfan stated, you have to stay in regular contact. There's a lot going on at 180 on a daily basis-- make your name a familiar one.

I was just appointed to the July 29th class. There may still be spots open, but I'd act fast. 180 was packed today. I heard there will be a class in either August/September (or both), but no dates are confirmed. It may not be too late for July 29!

Hmm. Your list # should put you into July 29. According to 180, they're looking for 50 men to fill that class. Perhaps they have many names from the "preferred list" to call-back. I'm sure there are guys with even lower #'s that have just been cleared too. There will be a "August/September" class too. It's gonna happen for you, maybe just a month later than expected. If I wasn't put on hold in May, I'd have been part of the June 24 class. Oh well.

That's awesome man! I got through to Barbara Shivers today. Turns out, TA never told DCAS I cleared medical hold (two weeks ago.) I have an appt. next week for final processing...finally! Confirmed that July 29th class is on, and that they will be contacting eligibles shortly. Hang tight-- things are starting to move again! On a related note: My original DT was May 2nd. That should be valid for 90 days correct? I don't mind taking another one, but-- I'd like to leave 180 that day with employee pass in-hand. I'd prefer to not wait for the results of yet another DT.

Licensed Security Officer for a contract-company in NJ. Certified in First Aid, CPR, AED, use of force, handcuffing-- you name it. Ten bucks an hour. It's a three-year contract with no raises, no PTO, and meager healthcare. I am VERY eager to get started with the TA...

That's incredible. $66k base after approx. one year. I currently make $10.00 an hour. This would be life-changing!

I lol'ed at this answer. Even the TA doctor suggested that I shoulda answered "no". I didn't wanna get jammed up for omitting information that could conceivably be discovered (via DT). Benzodiazepine isn't included on the standard DOT 5-panel screen-- but it's absolutely possible to test for, if requested. So I answered honestly and all it got me was a medical hold. Oh well. This would explain the lack of urgency, if you will, on behalf of 180's HR people. As I stated earlier, I've made phone, e-mail, fax, and postal contact with TA/DCAS since clearing my hold. They've not responded. They must not be in a hurry right now. But wait! Once they have a specific class to fill, they will call hundreds of men down on the same day and have us wait around for 9 hours. (I'm suggesting that they could just call us little by little, alleviating the burden on their resources-- and on our minds!) I spoke to a girl at 180 over the phone on Monday. She was clearly trying to get me off the line quick. But I managed to extract from her a July 29th class. Who is she? A clerk who just answers the phone? No idea. I know that it was NOT Ms. Shivers. So I don't put much stock in her answer. However, some other posters here have mentioned July 29. If July 29 is legit, then I think the TA is running behind schedule here. Got a holiday this week, surely many TSS going on vacation, etc. August/September seems more plausible. TA: JUST TELL US! The pay for T/O was indicated in the first DT letter I received, WAY BACK in April. $30.03xxx per hour.

For the sake of context (and I'll admit, curiosity), what are your respective relationships to the TA? Current/former employees, candidates, etc? If you currently work for the TA, what is your title, and how much time with the agency? Dan, trainman, Syrenity, thanks for your input.

I am still waiting to be called for final processing, hopefully for the July 29 class. I should have been in the June 24 class; instead, I was put on medical hold. I cleared hold on June 18 (too late for the June class.) I was then told to have my name "restored to the eligible list" by DCAS. So that same day, I went down to Centre St. and did so. TA said I should hear something in about two weeks. Tomorrow will be two weeks since I cleared hold. I have checked my list status with DCAS for the past two weeks, and I get the same (conflicting) message. At first, the automated system (212-669-1357) says "You are on the list for this exam". When I select the option for more information, it then says "Your name has been removed from the list". WTF? I have called DCAS several times for an explanation, and I get differing responses: a) The TA hasn't requested the list for an upcoming class yet, or b) the TA hasn't informed DCAS that I've cleared my hold, or c) maybe your restoration request hasn't been processed by DCAS. This is nerve-wracking. Upon completing my restoration request at Centre St, on June 18, I faxed a letter to 180 Livingston (attn: Shivers) that included a scan of the restoration "receipt". I received no response to that fax. For the week of June 24-28, it appeared as if Ms. Shivers was on vacation. I sent her an e-mail yesterday, and left a voicemail today, inquiring about my status. In all, I have followed every step dictated to me by both the TA, and DCAS. It just seems that communication is sporadic, information is released in drips, and coordination between departments is minimal. I am very eager to get called for processing, and I don't want to be left behind! DT: 5/2/13 1st Medical: 5/16/13 Cleared hold: 6/18/13 Trying to be patient!