WestEndMan

Don't know, but it's a lot quicker than T/Os. Mistakes? I've noticed alot of new C/Rs are in a hurry. What i mean is, I've had a few that even before my train is stopped, they're taking indication away from me. I politely and quietly pull them aside and ask them not to do that. If they continue after the fact, sorry, but I'm getting a TSS to ride with you. Had one pull the cord on me, probie C/R, didn't know or understand that an elevated structure sways or shakes a little when another train stops. Thought our train moved with the doors open. Good thing we were close to where a TSS was located and he took care of that little problem real quick. RcC wasn't too pleased though.

Just think, 2 and half years from now and you will be doing what I did 3 weeks ago........picking a job. Here's my bit of advice, unless you are in a crew room, outside, or not in uniform, don't even think about touching your phone. I wasn't even on the clock, walking to the CRC to sign in, was only putting my phone on airplane mode, when wham, TSS saw me and started going all ape shit on me. Just don't do it. 2nd, I'm in B Division, and now that I have a pick job, I will be taking on students. I think the students need someone who still follows school car rules to teach them. Not that the senior guys aren't good at teaching, it's just that the new students have been picking up bad habits waaaaaay to much and the B division has been seeing a lot of incidents involving students and instructors. Not a good thing for 248.

You guys were at the school today? I was there taking my track safety refresher course. 2 years has gone by so quick.

Wait a minute. You have a year of school car? Wow, things have changed

When i was road posting, out of a 2 tripper, i operated a trip and a half. He/she took the last half. Sometimes they'll take over if you're running late, just to make up the time. Don't take that personal. Also give undivided attention to them. You'll learn a few things that you won't ever learn in school car. Not naming anyone, but one individual who road posted me, covered up the speedometer, and the air gauge. Really showed me how to feel the train and not rely on things that aren't always reliable or in the matter of braking, stopping a train without worrying how many pounds you are using. Great instructor.

In my opinion, no. So many variables to overrunning signals. Not paying attention is one. There are the occasional signal flashes or track circuit problems. But from what I've seen, signal overruns usually come with speed. Not slowing down when you see a yellow. Thinking a timer will clear for you, and it doesn't. My thought when seeing a yellow or a yellow with a timer is exactly what the rule book & signal guide says "Proceed with caution, be prepared to STOP at the next signal. Or with timers, APPROACH AT THE ALLOWABLE speed and the signal or next signal will clear." Basically with timers, you know not to do the posted GT or ST. Always do less. A test does not affect the way you operate. Good judgment, common sense, and safe operation will keep you from overrunning signals and for that matter, station overruns.

tprashad0719, it does move fast. As soon as you know it, you'll be taking that final & road practical. Then its the road for you. As far as traveling & walking, get used to it. This is transit. Sometimes you even have to walk fast with all that equipment. Due to signal problems, my partner and i got to the terminal late, dispatcher got on the radio and told us to change ends cause he needed us out quick. Sometimes you don't get to rest. Just think, they could do to you what they did to me, as soon as i was off probation, they sent me to get cbtc and opto qualified. Rapid transit is an understatement.

I went to home Depot and got a big carabena clip. I separate my keys with different rings though.

Unfortunately for you, you have a WAY different experience than what i went through. I never had to take 2 signal exams or go through more posting in the yard after YX. If i remember correctly, I went back to class to prepare for the road and road posting. The new classes supposedly have more in depth training than i did.

Working weekends as well as PMs has its advantages. When i started having Sun/Sat off, it showed in my check. That night diff for working weekends might not be alot, but it does help. I'm also OPTO and CBTC qualified. Yes all in just over a year of being hired. Once i cleared probation, they signed me up for it all. So working Opto and Opto on weekends makes a good difference in your paycheck.

You are given all the material you need. DO NOT GO LOOKING ON THE INTERNET for material. Unless it comes from your instructors or transit, don't trust it. A classmate of mine brought in material he got off the Internet. Completely wrong. It was old stuff that is no longer used.

In my experience in B Div, if we are at a yard, AM's start at 7am, after about 2 1/2 hrs in a classroom trailer, take a break, then hands on training. It all depends on what the schedule calls for that day. I spent alot of time in Jamaica yard. There were days, we'd show up, have a signal quiz, take a break and meet back on a train to learn the lesson of the day. Some days no classroom, just show up, and a train would be our classroom for the day. Again, it all depends on what the schedule calls for.

I agree with Matt. This is a serious job. It can be fun. But when it comes to learning the job and actually operating a train, whether it's in the yard or in passenger service, you have to really know your stuff. Mistakes have to be minimal. So many things can go wrong in the yard. Splitting switches, not doing safety stops, forgetting to set or release handbrakes. On the road, taking a wrong lineup, station overruns, signal overruns...etc. Lately there have been what's called "signal flashes" or bad track circuits. Which cause signals to malfunction and can throw a train into emergency. The main thing is you take your time, study and operate according to school car. Then everything will come with experience. It takes time.

Been with MTA for 15 months, on my own and on the road for 6 months.

You won't be out of the mercy of the crew office for at least a few years. But then again, I've talked to a few ppl who took this test, got called a year before me and they have a pick job now. Next week i get my first pick ever. Won't get much. Probably just be able to pick my days off,shift and possibly vacation time. Who knows.