Late Clear

Food for thought though... WES yard might be big and complicated, but I always thought it was the easiest yard. You can loop and bury trains all within the yard. Same with COR. E180 & Unionport are probably the most complicated in the IRT. Lots of moves across the mainline.

Yeah I know, but they see tons of stuff and the majority of it is irrelevant too, so how can you expect them to retain everything when they're taught to walk around on pins and needles the entire time. I still think that YX should eliminated and more time should be dedicated to hands on posting in the yards and on the road on every tour. Let's say they post AMs in the yard and now they're YX with a switching job out of a terminal on the PMs and expected to layup trains, it's completely different.

I actually kind of like this. They rush their training and hold them accountable for everything.

Highly highly highly doubt it. You're human, we forget and you're not trying to hide a criminal charge or something mischievous. I wouldn't loose sleep over it.

You're correct about discipline but who's job is it to grieve and argue discipline. The union, it sells out the membership. It can be argued that the union favors a certain race over another and I certainly believe there is prejudice there. The membership collectively needs to demand change.

You're right about the sedentary lifestyle. I also have managed to stay healthy and it took a tremendous amount of discipline and lifestyle changes. I always tell new folks to bring their own lunch, keep it healthy, and avoid buying food at terminals if you can. It's really easy to meal plan and you don't have to make it complicated. You'll save money and maintain your health, it's a no brainer. As far as gyms and physical activity are concerned, you can find a blink fitness pretty much on any line in both divisions, I highly recommend a membership. It's not easy though, especially if you're not driving and you're XL or XX to carry all that gear with you and your gym clothes. As far as racism is concerned, I believe this department and agency get treated worse because of the lack of negotiated rights and job protections by the labor union. It's really up to membership to demand that. We all pay union dues.

Personally speaking, I wouldn't. If you have other options I strongly suggest to go and pursue them. The job takes a major toll on your health and family life. It will consume you especially your first 5-10 years. Morale is nonexistent, from supervision down to your coworkers. The labor union will not help you, not because they don't want to, but the powers that be have essentially disabled them from doing so. It's too far gone. Sure there are good people on the job, but you'll notice they're few and far between. The major handicap in this institution is not the work itself, but the management. The organization is severely flawed and within a few weeks on you'll realize why they have such a high turn over and struggle to motivate people to come to work, which for some odd reason, they do not get graded on, otherwise they would have all lost their jobs years ago. Also remember to factor in the current climate of this city, as a RTO or surface employee, you often become overwhelmed with dealing with people and situations that have totally nothing to do with your job description. Throw in random reporting locations, erratic schedule changes, complete violations of seniority without additional compensation, and complete lack of support from the union and your coworkers. You will quickly become complacent and disgruntled. Not too many candidates are cut out to tolerate this sort of work environment, and quite frankly, why should they. Employees are leaving this department and agency in droves. On the flip side, the job does pay well (although not enough in my opinion), pension is still decent compared to other titles and city agencies (not as good as the uniformed forces obviously but better than administrative employees) with decent benefits. The decision is ultimately yours.

It doesn't because of the way it's implemented. The incompetent CAS has a field day assigning people with no rhyme or reason just to fill vacant jobs day to day and it's not really the learning experience it was designed to be. Some students will never see the yard, filling switching jobs while others will spend the entire time in a yard working with a disgruntled senior person who doesn't want to be bothered setting a poor example or under a careless yardmaster assigning them work that they shouldn't be doing. If anyone learns anything through YX it's purely by coincidence.

It's not in case you have to go out on disability. Step in your shower the wrong way and if you slip throw your back out then what. Short term disability is a joke in NY.

People have been trying to figure out the method to their madness for years. One thing is for sure, whatever they're doing, doesn't work.

This is how it's going to be until they change something. This is bold but I think the local and the TA need to come together and revise the work program and pick process contractually. Something has to give. They have employees, their issue is employee availability. Post pandemic they're working the people they have to the ground and the rest are retiring. They can't motivate anyone to actually come to work, especially on weekends. If you look at their XX rosters it just keeps growing in both divisions and titles.

No. Go get the right one. Go to the post office.

It's my opinion they will no longer fill this title and eliminate it through attrition. I always suggest it's good to be optimistic but important to be realistic. Take other exams, keep your current job, make long term plans, and don't put all your eggs in one basket. Technology is eliminating this title through OMNY.

Especially important for new train operators. Stop chasing yellows.

Exactly.

Learning line ups isn't as hard as they make it out to be. You have to think outside the box. Focus on learning the track layouts. Whenever I passed a switch I would think about why it was there. You have to be patient. You guys have track schematics, etc. You can memorize all the proper line ups and it still won't help you when there is problem on the road and you get rerouted or during GOs. School car doesn't really prepare you for these scenarios it takes a little initiative and some experience. When you're posting, especially with a experienced T/O, ask that person, what are common ways this line gets rerouted when things go wrong, where do they turn trains, etc?

To all you hopefuls and choosing divisions, if given the option, your choice should be based solely off location and commuting.

Let's see what they learn from this order moving forward. Both divisions will be desperate for more equipment within the next 5 year window. SMEE trains in both divisions are closing in on 40 years old. Hopefully the next delivery will be that of a more durable product.

Exactly.

The purpose of station time is to bring you into the station or close to your leader train. It will only be in effect if you are following a train. Grade time is used to enforce speed in area such as a curve or grade. Once you encounter a "T" you are entering a grade time area. These signals are supposed to clear within 25 feet of your train if you are entering the grade time/station time area at the posted speed. From your experience you will realize the majority of these signals are flawed and with time you will learn how to navigate these areas. As a new train operator you will be extra extra. I do not suggest you challenge these signals and follow your school car instructions on how to handle these areas.

The signals are faulty don't challenge them. One shot timers specifically are counter intuitive of optimal operation.

It's a adjustment process. Takes awhile. Like I said, it's what you make it. Give it time, you'll find stability. Everyone is different.

Ask them to switch your tour, see how that works out for you... doesn't hurt to ask. You'll reason eventually that this line of work is bad for your health unless you're proactive. Long days of monotonous work, trains that are most likely giving you motion sickness you just don't realize it yet, lack of hydration due to limited bathroom availability, poor work-life balance that will impact your family and socially isolate you from the world, all while being surrounded by disgruntled coworkers and leadership that have no business in this line of work. It's what you make it.

Let's say you have 00:00 report. Eat a hearty lunch. Get home around 9-10 AM. Have a light breakfast, such as maybe yogurt and fruit and go to sleep. Wake up 6 PM. Work Out. Have a snack, nuts or something light. Get ready to go to work and repeat. My advice is that if you are on PMs or midnights, plan on waking up 5-6 hours before your report going to work and getting 7-8 hours of sleep after you come home. I know being XX or XL the report times aren't always stable and this can be difficult but I guarantee you can stick to this regimen at least 3 times a week. It is my opinion that PMs as a XX C/R or T/O is the most difficult tour to work because it is the longest.

The midnight tour is what you make it. Some people love it. It depends on your outside life. If you have the luxury, plan on getting 8 hours of consistent sleep each night. Blackout curtains and some sort of ambient noise (perhaps a fan, for example) drain out distractions. Pay attention to your diet. Heavy meals will make it difficult for you to sleep and will be detriment to your overall health long term.