Milano

1 hour ago, Jamie said:

@Andrebx39 I would suggest just taking it and seeing what happens. You lose nothing but 25 dollars by going. If you can afford it, go for it. You gain experience of the process and who knows maybe they get your number, don't listen to the gatekeepers and get discouraged. Worst case scenario theirs also another exam coming soon, gives you a leg up for the next one.

I agree.  I just doubt the list number was in the 890,000 range 🤣

56 minutes ago, Andrebx39 said:

@Comrade96 my list number is 89xxxx

I doubt it

19 minutes ago, Josue said:

Good Afternoon everybody,

 

Yesterday I have received my letter from the MTA to take the OPA Test. I wanted to find out how was the test who have taking this examination and how long the process will take to get into the MTA? 

Asked and answered 632 times.. Read through his thread and you'll get all the answers you seek 👌

1 minute ago, goliver28 said:

I typed it in but this thread is the only one that pops up 

https://www.nyctransitforums.com/topic/38133-the-schoolcar-experience/

11 minutes ago, solidsnakeslug03 said:

When should we expect to start getting called back for upcoming exam (open promotional)?

Open competitive? Anywhere between 1 and 7 years if the one we're posting in has any reflection on it. 

5 minutes ago, TDL said:

I noticed there's a new exam up in June. What prerequisites are usually required?

A pencil and a GED

7 minutes ago, solidsnakeslug03 said:

Whats the chances of landing B division? Is that closer to Brooklyn?

Somebody will have the numbers. So I can't answer the chances because I didn't look... But generally yes. B division is the letter trains. A division is the number trains.  The A will definitely have you up in the Bronx more often. 

4 minutes ago, Immortal11 said:

Is the first week of training a full weekm Or they giving us that Thursday and Friday thru the weekend off ? after learning what division we are in !!🤔 need like a day or two to turn in all the medical insurance stuff lol that travel to coney Island is real 😅 ps 248

You've got 90 days to worry about the medical insurance stuff.

Once you're in, you're in. They don't typically take breaks or holidays for school. And expect to see a lot of Coney Island Yard if you're B division and PS248. 🤠

12 minutes ago, goliver28 said:

So they emailed me to come on march 22nd for the medical and in that same email stated that there’s a class on April 10th. That’s about 2 1/2 weeks. So the first day was orientation from 8am - 4pm. You’re literally just sitting there listening to them introduce you to everything in regards to the job. Things you probably haven’t even heard about. The second day was also 8am - 4pm and it was about the union. You’ll have a lot of union representatives talking to you about what they represent and what you benefit from it. There’s also a part where you meet with some of your supervisors where they give you your metro card pass. They also tell you to have those boots and no backpacks. There’s also another part where you meet the vice president for the union and they explain more about your job and how they can help you in certain situations like if your supervisor is giving you problems. Now today is supposed to be climbing the train. That’s 3pm-11pm. That’s all the info I have so far.

There's a thread elsewhere on here called "the schoolcar experience". You may want to update it with your stories as you go 👌 - When you get split into classes, you should get schedules for what you'll be doing and where and when the next two months. Don't wear restrictive clothing for train climbing. Ladies may want to buy men's work pants.

4 minutes ago, Kamen Rider said:

that's assuming the union can stop fighting itself for five damn minutes... sigh... we pay you guys to fight management for us, not each other FFS...

I'm going to be honest with you... If you're coming into this still thinking this is a simple, straightforward job... You are in for the rude awaking of a lifetime.

 

When your partner commits a cardinal sin and you're BIE and you're trying to get RCC on the radio and they can't hear you and you've got a dozen angry passengers at your window demanding to know why you're not moving... You will really question your decision. 

When you see a person standing on the edge of the platform with a cane in his hands like he's up to bat, ready to attack you as you pass... You Will really question your decision.

When you have to clear out a train so it can be sent back to the yard and you're left wondering if the person you're currently trying to wake up is even still alive... you will really question your decision.

When you're assigned to clear out trains at a last stop due to construction and the other conductor who is assigned with you disappears for hours, leaving you alone with all the "wonderful" people... you will really question your decision.

When people refuse to take "I don't know what other trains are doing, I only know what I was explicitly told I will be doing" as an answer... you will really question your decision.

 

That last one was only this morning. there were several rail replacement projects the cropped up unannounced and my F train was rerouted, first express on sixth, then over the A via Cranberry to Jay. I had been given explicit instructions by a TSS on the platform 57th/6th, not by the tower nor RCC.

There was no GO, no papers, no preplanned announcements. I was conductoring by the seat of my pants, and when people asked me questions about what other trains will be doing, they would not accept "I don't know" as an answer.

This is one thing you really need to understand about passengers. If I have to explain how they view us in as simple a term as possible... They think we're The Borg. They think we have a hive mind that always knows what everyone else is doing.

 

There was also at least one person who was confused when we pulled in at Fulton Street and asked if there were no A's... because he didn't consider the A was fine and we were the ones who had the problem,

C'mon. Just tell those people "Yes sir" and "they'll make station announcements soon. Wait here and listen". 😂

5 minutes ago, goliver28 said:

Yesterday, I was there for orientation and today I’m here for the union reps and supervisors. They made it very clear about the backpacks. It’s a strict NO. What some of you said about holding the bag in your hand is not permitted. Gotta have a duffel bag. I’m just letting you all know what they told us conductors. 

That means somebody screwed up and got hurt... because they didn't care a few months ago

2 hours ago, solidsnakeslug03 said:

Milano, if you didn't mind, what was access to OT like when you first get on with conductor role?

They have an app for that. Request whatever you want 👌

You'll get plenty when you come out depending on tour. If you're on board a lot you'll have many 12-15hr days... I.e. you sit around 5 hours before they find you an 8 hour job

55 minutes ago, Harlem said:

I have two questions. Any help will be appreciated: 

- Has anyone lived in upper Manhattan and worked in the B Division? Did they attempt to keep you close to home while you were XX? Was it difficult? I'm asking because I'd prefer to pick the B Division next week. 

- Do conductors in the B Division usually get to pick a job faster than conductors in the A Division. There are more lines in the B and thus more conductors but that may not mean seniority moves more quickly in the B than the A. Does anyone have any experience with this?

 

Thanks.

I live upstate and was placed in Coney Island and Bay Ridge often. Eventually you might get things closer to home but don't count on it.

2 minutes ago, solidsnakeslug03 said:

will conductor be the only way to be promoted to T/O? I heard the next exam may only be a promotional.

No, they have train operator certification class for cleaners and other positions. If you take that training you can take the promotional for train operator. This is offered as a collaboration between TWU and CUNY

8 minutes ago, goliver28 said:

I want to know if it’s required for me to buy one and bring it for those 3 days. It didn’t say it on the paper so that’s why I’m a little confused.

They're going to give you a shitload of documents and papers and books and things. Bring a pen. Bring a regular backpack.  Get in the habit of packing lunch if you're done fasting because you'll blow a ton of money on food in the coming months.

Our TSS didn't care what kind of bag you had, but you were required to take it off and carry it high so that none of the straps could get caught on a rail when we were in the yard.

My advice is bring something you already have at this point, and they will discuss with you what kind of bag you can have when the time comes. 

Day 2 will be a meeting with the union. Ask the question there if you want advice ahead of time. You might also spot some school car TSS there handing out your employee passes. Talk to them too if you want the most complete answers. They wear black pants with gray (almost white) shirts. 

The union meeting is a pretty safe place to ask any crazy question you want. Transit Supervisors are not allowed in there until invited. 

39 minutes ago, goliver28 said:

This whole backpack thing just has me lost lol. Do they expect us to buy a proper bag or do we not NEED to bring a bag with us? 

You'll need a bag. There's several items you need to carry every day.

1 minute ago, goliver28 said:

That’s what I figured about the backpack situation. Thank you because I have to order this quickly before next week comes. 

I did medical last week. I’m already fasting for Ramadan so i already didn’t eat and toughed it out.

I regret the kaka backpack out of  school. It's large with many large pockets. Would have been better large with medium and small pockets. 🤷‍♂️. If you get that one, keep it clean so you can sell it to the next class!

23 hours ago, goliver28 said:

Well it says light blue buttoned down shirt with a collar and dark blue pants, slacks, or khakis. It doesn’t matter where you buy it from.

Edit removed, double post 

23 hours ago, goliver28 said:

Well it says light blue buttoned down shirt with a collar and dark blue pants, slacks, or khakis. It doesn’t matter where you buy it from.

Don't use khakis. You'll never hear the end of it at school car. I know it says it. Don't do it.

And regardless of today's styling choices, don't wear slim fit or skinny anything. You're climbing trains, you don't need clothing restricting your movement.

As for no backpacks, I remember seeing that someplace also. That's not true. You need a backpack. They don't want anything with straps that can get caught in doors or rails. If you bring a backpack with straps they going to show you how to carry it properly and they're going to check that you're doing so when you're walking on the tracks. Some prefer a duffel bag.

58 minutes ago, goliver28 said:

Caterpillar Men's Steel Toe EH WP Hiker?

Yes those. Lots of guys wearing those. I've been wearing that brand since before this job for at least the last 12 years. It's good stuff. This particular model has a junk insole though. You might want to buy a Nice gel insole from Amazon or something to replace.

4 hours ago, goliver28 said:

Wow thanks so much for that info. Well I already ordered the uniform clothing and it’s coming today. That’s a good idea to order CAT boots. I can always return it if the shoes come in time. Where can I order the CAT boots?

The cat boots are one of the options transit gives you.  

Check the sleeve length, hat size and other sizes of the uniforms. After 75 days you can't send it back.   

13 minutes ago, goliver28 said:

For the safgard website to order those shows, it says to allow 24-72 hours after appointed to order the shoes. Does anyone know if weekends are included in those hours? I was appointed on Friday.

It takes longer than they say. I don't remember how long it was but don't worry about it being broken... It'll work eventually. I don't remember if it was 3 business days or two weeks... But it wasn't 72hrs.

Order the CAT Boots if you want something true to size.

On the subject, plan on possibly having to buy your own shoes if theirs don't show up in time to do the climb of the train .. And plan on buying your own uniform clothing as well because that can take 2- 6 months to show up 

2 hours ago, Jericho said:

Yes, you are waiting for a pending court date to contest the ticket. However, you can't. You have to pay it off before you reach the day of the medical. Make sure to take the payment confirmation with you the next time you show up.

I know this might sound a little unbelievable but welcome to transit @goliver28.   Jericho is giving you accurate info. 

22 minutes ago, Jetgator3 said:

Do anyone know what bag we need for the April 10th class? 

There's no specific bag required, a regular backpack will do for the beginning.

I have the kaka 40L bag but it's too big. If I had to do it again I'd get a swiss gear bag. 

28 minutes ago, Elvis Gonzalez said:

Took my 1st pre employment on 03/24 where they took drug test...how long it takes for next steps 

You'll forget when you took it by the time they call you, usually..

If you don't hear back in 80 days or so give them a call to schedule the second one.