The Batcave

1 hour ago, Schecter said:

It's true it's a bulletin and its told to us in school car but we still get paid less than train operators go figure

Yea, that's what they tell you in schoolcar but trust if anything happens going down the road or if they call out your train for any reason they will be looking for the TO to answer not the CR. When I was posting one of my trainers told me a story of how a newbie conductor answered when RCC called out their interval he said "I thought the CR was in charge of the train??" they responded "when we call we're calling to speak to the TO. Period." This was over the radio and everyone heard it he was so embarrassed. So unless someone calls specifically for me I don't answer or allow myself to think I'm in charge of no train esp once I give over indication to the TO.

On 8/1/2019 at 3:30 PM, kellgh said:

Conductor in charge of the train. 

 

Pay attention. I passed probation. So did 100 other people.

Haha that's laughable 

On 7/28/2019 at 9:06 PM, Riku said:

Larkin and montilla lol 

Larkins is the mannn 

12 minutes ago, The Batcave said:

Yea, it's a myth until you get to schoolcar and they pit the CRs against the TOs and want them to pull the cord/call in every little thing they do. Then you get on thr road and gain a bad rep and no one wants to work w you.

Also, they will tell you in schoolcar that you're not being paid to open/close doors bcuz anyone can do that- you're being paid to 1) ensure the safety of the passengers & 2) know what to do/how to react when shit hits the fan. 

But TOs & CRs can/do have very productive partnerships afterall it is y'all's job to get that train from one end to the other safely. But many times in schoolcar they have insinuated the "throw them under the train" approach in order to save your job esp if you're on probation. It's sad actually.

On 7/15/2019 at 2:51 PM, nipaaaa said:

nah it was an earnest question. My story has nothing to do with my it. I know some of the conductor duties but not all, maybe there are some things that aren't as obvious like door operation that I wanted to learn about. And trust me, there is no operator vs conductor, that's just a myth to fuel the narrative.

Yea, it's a myth until you get to schoolcar and they pit the CRs against the TOs and want them to pull the cord/call in every little thing they do. Then you get on thr road and gain a bad rep and no one wants to work w you.

On 5/29/2019 at 2:00 PM, Riku said:

Great stuff, thank you. Do you know the top pay for conductor by any chance and when do u reach top pay?

Top pay, under the current contract, is $31.63 increasing incrementally over a 6yr period. Used to be 4 then went up 5. The pension benefits are also not as good in the most current tier. Either the union is losing their touch at negotiations or Cuomo is just coming down hard af on TA.

51 minutes ago, McFlyGuy said:

Does anyone know how many classes they are up to from 6601?

Well there's 2 classes coming up. There was the recent April class who (& ouch) all chose to be in the A division, started posting then got called back into schoolcar for retraining for the B division. Rough.

Then there was my class- February. There was the December class before that. So that's 3 that I know of not including the upcoming ovbs

First off, I wanna say congratz & good luck to everyone whose been called for final processing... very exciting I know!

Next, I see some of you discussing the benefits of starting off as a CR then moving up to TO vs going straight for TO. Some have already pointed out a few of the pros/cons but I also wanted to throw in something else that should be considered- seniority. It is everything in transit. Seniority for CRs go up at a much more rapid pace than TOs bcuz people are always getting promoted, retiring or w/e. Whereas TOs generally stay TOs and for longer periods of time. In most cases, by the time you get called for TO you will have already gained seniority as a CR and are able to pick your own jobs/tours/RDOs. Some people like stability others like being XX, which is what you'll be if you give up being a conductor to go to TO. Back in schoolcar, back on probation & back on the bottom of the list. It'll be like starting your career all over again. Which is really the case for any title you move up to in TA but TO I think is one of the riskiest. So you will hear *a lot* "move up as quickly as possible." This a lot of times is why some people end up being a conductor 25-30 yrs. But some people are chasing the money and TOs do make more. So there's a lot to consider but you'll know what's right for you when the time comes and if it doesn't work out for w/e reason, you feel it's not right for you or you just don't like it- you can always go back to your old position.

On 5/2/2019 at 11:23 AM, Nyctransitorhotels said:

Thanks for all the info. I hope you find some peace and some good outta your day. 

 

I work 8-330pm. I'm 3 in Seniority outta 13. I have Thursday Friday off. After 35 hrs is overtime. I get free food, which is pretty good. I could've had weekends off but my gf isn't off weekends so and more ot on Thursdays and Fridays from what I've seen lately. Going to almost $32 in July and almost $38 in December 2020. 

 

Just that pension attracts me. And some benefits. I get 8 sick days I can take em whenever I want. Me and a few co-workers are united at work and we'll we don't let shit slide. They missed calling me the other day for an overtime shift. I checked the call log, I claimed and am getting 7 hrs overtime for free. I get 3 personal days and 2 weeks vacation. I think transit also has a few more days than those. 

 

My Cousin not close immediate cousin but cousin nonetheless. Has told me I'd be a fool to not take the transit job. But hes a supervisory Electrician. I feel they have more pull and less of the bs. He gets paid very well and doesn't seem to hate his job. 

 

I thank you very much for your insight. And no one should give you shit for speaking your truth. Please try and get some help for the way you feel. Perhaps a psychiatrist or family, friends. Life is wayyyyyy too short to feel as you do. 

You make more now than a conductor at top pay lol why would you leave? Pension- you have to work like crazy to build it up, say goodbye to your girlfriend on thurs & fri

1 hour ago, Schecter said:

Stupid question but how do they determine if you have sleep apnea lol? 

They will send you for testing based on your weight, neck size, ekg results, questionnaire responses appear alarming.

Also, it's not advised you do too much OT in your first yr... people say it increases your chances of getting in trouble. Could be superstition, could not

On 4/24/2019 at 8:00 PM, Bmpo7 said:

Stop believing the hiring freeze rumors people keep spreading here.

It's not a rumor. A TSS told me today and I came here to see if there was talk about it.

7 hours ago, iag48st said:

There’s 30 people in my class. 20 A and 8 B. Good luck to all and be patient. 

30? Wow... there were 40 in my Feb. class, seems like they're slowing down a bit. My TSS said there are as of now no more scheduled classes but that it could change, all based on need.

PS- 20 & 8 = 28 not 30 lol

On 3/21/2019 at 10:38 PM, Far Rock Depot said:

Since when?  When I was in School car,  it was only Monday to Friday and any road ops happened between 10am and 3 pm. 

I'm in school car now and I've already worked 2 Saturdays, one of which was a road op @ night (we got back at 1am) and my first Sunday (posting) tomorrow.

2 hours ago, iag48st said:

Today I tried calling 180 Livingston to inquire about how to notify transit I want to work Saturdays while I’m in school car but they didn’t answer. 

Does anyone have an email or phone number of a person that can assist me?

You will be working some Saturday's in school car so probably not. It's not a Mon-Fri type of gig. Those are usually days reserved for road ops and what not.

5 hours ago, Nyctransitorhotels said:

Union kinda strong. Free meals, free comp at other places but i never take. That's base pay. If i was at 100pct I would've made $113k. 

 

I've got co-workers work two jobs two spots 35 hrs each= 70 hrs making about $125k. 

 

Just that pension is what intrigues me oh and the extra sick days. 12 compared to 8 and I get 9 paid holidays. I think transit gets more right? "A sick day is a sick day free for my union Brothers to use when they need to" - business agent. 

 

I can take a leave of absence. Another issue is I gotta get on my bosses to put up more OT. Myself and another co-worker the only ones in our department really fighting for more OT sometimes we get it sometimes we 

You get 1 sick day per month so 12 in a yr. It's frowned upon to use them thou bcuz you throw off the whole system. Also, it's the first thing they look at if you want to move up.

On 3/11/2019 at 3:03 AM, Schecter said:

How would they know if you have sleep apnea? 

They do testing during medical and if you're too big and/or get certain readings on your EKG they will send you for sleep study

4 minutes ago, Schecter said:

I also read that if your BMI is 35 or more or if your neck is above 17 it's bad. So I guess if you're below 35 and your neck is over 17 it's not a bad thing, especially because people have different body types a big neck but they're slim or fit

Again, there are many people in transit who are way over both- in my current class there are many. Even my own neck is 17/18 and I'm sure my BMI was over. The doctor just told me to lose some weight but I bet you she passed me bcuz I'd just saw the biggest man in my life get a big ol' pass and I would've raised hell if they didn't let me through. The only way so far I've seen people get put on medical holds is for sleep apnea 

On 3/9/2019 at 9:23 AM, Yks747 said:

I see people in the low 1300s have been sworn in.  That deeply disheartens me, to say the least, bc I should’ve been one of them. I’ve waited years to get hired, like everyone.

 

.....But I was screwed over, based on my last post to this forum.  I followed the rules, dressed professionally, showed up in time (super early to get a low ticket number, which did NO help)....but bc I couldn’t stay to piss in a cup, after already waiting SEVEN hours, for the THIRD bs pre employment, I was removed from the list. That is unacceptable. And I’m sure some can relate.  And those who say, ‘well if you want it bad enough, you make time’.....that really annoys me bc I’ve tried......

 

I am a CURRENT employee. For those who get hired with the MTA, see how easy it is to get a day off, or even a change of assignment, then get back to me. I’ve put in COAs twice already for this same nonsense....which is hard enough....that does not mean I can spend ALL day at 180....I have a responsibility to my current position to report on time. ....as people have posted, the nature of this job is to report ON TIME, no matter what.... Therefore, I had to leave, which does not insinuate I did ‘not want it bad enough’.  There is NO excuse to shut down the MAC indefinitely.  And for current employees, fandoms, accidents, etc, there are MACs all over the city, NOT just 180. So if 180 has candidates in, they should be considerate of their time and get them through a PE as fast as possible, ESPECIALLY if it’s a 2nd, 3rd, 4th.   I was given no professional courtesy in getting through fast.  The whole process for those of us back for 2, 3, 4 PEs should take no more than 10-15 minutes....to review the SAME application (btw, NO photocopies allowed...I learned that the hard way), and pee in a cup.....NOT 8 plus hours!

 

What further aggravates me.....on my second PE, there was a female MTA employee in my group to review the PE paperwork.....the male HR specialist was all nice to her, saying he’d get her through the day quick, laughing and everything...and she was NOT working that day. I WAS working later.....was I given any courtesy like that?  Nope....bc I’m a male (Isn’t that discrimination?).  So should I not be aggravated? Does anyone relate??

 

I waited years, like everyone, and I should’ve been sworn in for this next hiring,  based on my list number. And I missed out.  And the third PE was a completely wasted date (time AND money for tolls, gas and parking)....simply bc I couldn’t stay any longer for a piss test, even though I did a THIRD, UNCHANGED PE application. Total nonsense!!!!  And I was in line over an hour early, and waited SEVEN hours.

They take people coming in for the first time over those back a 2nd, 3rd, 4th time. Does that make any sense? Those of you who get hired by the MTA, you’ll see....that’s how the whole authority is run....backwards.  

 

Anyone have any advice on who to call to reactivate my name and go back in for the next class?? Is it Vargas?.

****And PLEASE be considerate to all of us are who still waiting, and those who are possibly in similar circumstances as me, and not rub in that you’ve been ‘sworn in’.  Thank you.

I keep hearing people say they've spent upwards of 7, 8 hrs and I'm like howww I've never been in there past 2:30pm and that was only my first time, every other time I've gotten out like 1ish. But I totally agree w you there's no way someone heading in there for the 2nd, 3rd or even 4th time should be waiting there all that amount of time. Its strange you say you're an employee and they didn't take that into consideration when waiting for a piss test bcuz I remember my 2nd time going and the lab girl made it a point to mention that mta employees have top priority bcuz they have priorities and places to be where as everyone else they didn't give af if they sat there all day. Also, most everytime I was there the lab technicians made it a point to mention that they were doing their best to get everyone out of there as quickly as possible. I would hate to say maybe you were just unlucky those days, maybe

On 3/9/2019 at 11:52 AM, Jay0989 said:

Sorry to hear. I hope it works out. I’m a bit nervous about BMI. I’m 5’9 and weigh 225, a BMI of 33. Any idea if that will hold me back? My neck is under 17 inches, which I hear also holds people if it’s over, so I’m glad about that. 

Don't be so nervous there are a lot of BIG people that work for transit and when I mean BIG I mean overweight af, esp according to that BMI mess. In my class alone (which they've split up into 4 groups of 10) there's a whole group w/ all big people. If they were approved I'm sure you will be as well. Just make sure you're able to climb those trains and be athletic when you need to be- people get cut or put on further holds for that. Legally they cannot reject you for being too big or too small that's straight up discrimination so they put forth these obstacles instead. Granted you will obviously need to be able to climb a train if you intend to be a conductor, esp in school car bcuz you will always be boarding the train from in the yard.

On 3/9/2019 at 5:15 PM, Janelleeac said:

There really isnt a ratio, tbh its up to you if u fail.... u have to study! 

ask questions, ask questions, ask questions..... oh.... & ask questions!! I cannot emphasize this enough. 

 

School car is fun if you have a great tss but even still they give those big books and readdddd ittt ! Take notes, even tho u think ull use them on the road but u wont. Just let go and prepare for the new journey your about to embark. 

 

Btw the final is easy so is the midterm  but again... study! 

 

 

That depends on who your TSS is... some of them really dont give af if you pass or fail. Some will go the extra mile. Some will go extra deep while others just scratch the surface and teach you what you need to know in order to pass.

17 hours ago, Jay0989 said:

Hey everyone. Anyone in the Feb 25 class know the last appointed? High 1300s and anxious over here!! Lol

I'm in the Feb 25 class... I couldn't say the highest # in there called but my list # is 107x and I was like 19/40 in my class. You pick based on seniority. But when you get split into your divisions it's a lik diff

On 2/15/2019 at 12:29 AM, Schecter said:

When did you do your first PE

The first one was in July 2018. 2nd was the final week of Nov & third was late Jan, maybe early Feb

Just to give you guys an idea of where they are on this list- I was sworn in earlier this week, class starts Feb 25. My list # was 107* 

On 1/2/2019 at 10:36 PM, BigCountry said:

IF.......for any consolation, you'll definitely be in the next class and will have one of top list #s........ this is important because you'll be able to pick your division.... A or B.

 

In the 12/31 Class....which is right around 60........you will be broken down to sub-classes of 10. Those sub-classes you will either go to A or B Division. In this class there is only 1 A Division class and 5 B Division classes. Everybody got shoved into B division once A was filled..........

Thanks for the update/info... my list # is 107x so when they rescinded the offer due to the class having filled up I said "ohh ok well I should be next up" but I deff would've liked to have started the yr off in school car. Anyway, as far as the devisions go do you have a recommendation?

3 hours ago, Sfredo said:

Hey All!

I gave a call to DCAS today and the information they gave to me is as follows:

Last appointed: 898

Last certified 3,153

I do believe that these numbers may be old especially the appointees. I feel they have appointed more by reading and following this forum.

Yea that definitely has to be old bcuz im bet.1000 & 1100 and they just called me in start but then took it back bcuz the latest class had just filled up