KDGallagher

Any of y'all heard of "Red Hook on the Road"? Supposed to be a free CDL training class

13 minutes ago, SevenEleven said:

ATU is without a contract right now, so we are under the provisions of the prior contract. Once a contract is signed off on, it will match the TWU hourly rate.

There are 7 TA depots represented by ATU. The 4 in Staten Island and the 3 in Queens. (Casey Stengel, Jamaica and Queens Village) You can be forced to work in either SI or TA Queens from jump due to operator availability. (With the option to return to TWU land - The Bronx, Manhattan and Brooklyn)

Do you expect a contract in the near future? Assuming a new contract is in play, will backpay be awarded? 

And I thought TA was simply Brooklyn and Queens,  OA and Bus Company operated out of the other boroughs. 

And unrelated, but from "easiest" to "hardest, can you rank the different boroughs as far as driving difficulty? I would assume Manhattan being the hardest simply due to traffic / congestion

1 hour ago, SevenEleven said:

Talk to your union stewards when you get out of line training. They will work to accommodate you. Any days that you take off unpaid, will have to be made up on the back end of your probation.

It is $23.84/hr if you are working out of an ATU depot (Staten Island and TA Queens) & $26.20/hr out of a TWU depot.

Any reason for the difference? Will those of us on this list (9604) get placed in both depots? 

End of the year with all else being equal, that's a $5k difference and that's huge. 

Do ATU eventually catch up or is top pay slightly different as well?

Everyone I've asked have said it's best to just let the MTA train you for free (while still being paid by the MTA). But when it comes to the pre trip inspection, how come it's a bad idea to start studying beforehand? 

Everyone says to focus on the driving aspect, but wouldn't it make sense to learn the Pre Trip as soon as you can? 

I'm currently off the list and will keep my name off the list for another month or so. I am confident in passing the driving but not so confident in the pre trip, I feel it would be in my best interest to master this earlier than later, no?

Anyone know how "sensitive" the drug test is? 

Not a heavy smoker but did smoke for a week about two months ago and would rather keep my name off the list for a sec in order to avoid failing the test. 

Usually piss tests only go back 4-6 weeks but who knows if the MTA is using a more sensitive test. Anyone who has taken and passed this part of the process have any insight?

I'm list #7X but been off the list because I've just now reached having my license for three years. Glad to see this list moving so fast. 

Thanks you guys for all the help w my questions. One last question for now, from what I understand you need to do 25 years of service for the full pension. Is there an age requirement? My dad worked sanitation and there was no age requirement as long as you did your 20 years. 

I'm not young but I'm young enough to finish my 25 years before I turn 50. Is it possible to retire before 50 and receive pension as soon as I retire? 

Bonus: Do most of you operators see yourself retiring in the seat? Or plan to become Dispatchers / train operators / further up the TA ladder?

On 6/26/2021 at 1:53 PM, SevenEleven said:

The whole year of probation is a challenge itself but as lornaevo said, do the job the way you're supposed to and you don't have to worry about much. It's hard to get yourself fired really unless you're that much of a f up. The operator who let her bus roll down the block a couple years back still has her job. (And that was a major accident)

So yeah, keep your nose clean and they won't have a reason to come looking for you. If you need help, seek it from the union.

On 6/26/2021 at 1:53 PM, SevenEleven said:

The whole year of probation is a challenge itself but as lornaevo said, do the job the way you're supposed to and you don't have to worry about much. It's hard to get yourself fired really unless you're that much of a f up. The operator who let her bus roll down the block a couple years back still has her job. (And that was a major accident)

So yeah, keep your nose clean and they won't have a reason to come looking for you. If you need help, seek it from the union.

Thanks for the replies. For someone that is looking to certify in 7 days and just make it as likely as possible to pass the 10 day training, would you recommend getting CDL beforehand? 

No prior bus or big vehicle experience and just trying to ensure the wait for this isn't for nothing. 

I'm very early on the 9604 list (7X) but not eligible for 2 more months due to license being too young. Wondering if CDL is best use of my time while waiting. 

Thanks for the help guys

Do most students qualify on day 7? 

After getting hired and being placed on probation, how likely is it to not make it past probation? Is it easy to get laid off or must you really screw up BADLY? 

Do most students qualify on day 7? 

After getting hired and being placed on probation, how likely is it to not make it past probation? Is it easy to get laid off or must you really screw up BADLY? 

My list number for exam 9604 is 7*

Realized I wasn't eligible to proceed due to my license not being two years old yet (turns 2 years old middle of July). 

My question is, when I decide to put myself back on the list in September, am I automatically bumped to the top or what? List number is in the 70s but lets say they're in the 1000s, what happens to me? 

Also, does anyone know if the drug test is hair or urine? Another city agency was urine but I'm sure the DOT is doing hair. Anyone knows for sure? 

After reading this thread I searched "MTA" in my email and saw I received the canvass email you guys got ... its 10/9 today and the deadline to reply was 10/8 ....

it said failure to reply meant getting taken off the list

Am I screwed? I don't even have my CDL permit yet, I have an appointment to get it next week...