BigMike85

4 hours ago, goliver28 said:

No. Conductors are NOT permitted to sit down anymore. There was an incident where the conductor fell asleep when they were at a station. I think it was after that incident they came with that rule. If a conductor DOES pull out the seat and sit down, they’re doing so at their own risk. 

Support your statement. 

15 hours ago, tsanchez2828 said:

assault??!! Lmao what did they do you?

Strangle you with the tape measure. That’s at least what happened to me. 

On 4/8/2023 at 9:12 PM, 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.

The name of the game is “Get Out from Under the Grips of the Crew Office ASAP”

Expect to be called on board at Stillwell and you live in Inwood to only pick up a job at Bedford Park. When the bid comes out as Johnny (or Jane) No Time it’s your best bet if you can’t pick a job. Even when I pick a job I might roll the dice on a bid if I see something better. People pick in and bid out of jobs. Look out for “Temp Vacancies” as you can pick one off the bid, get awarded the job, celebrate that you’re no longer at the Crew Office’s mercy, work one day and the person resumes. If you’re okay just have a regular job; even if it’s for a week.  It’s still better than being under the thumb of the Crew Office.  Understand the Crew Office their job is to fill jobs. Not to care too much about preferences. It’s not totally right, nor should be a rite of passage, but it sucks, but does allow you to learn the ins and outs of the road. Gives you a better idea of where you want to pick when it’s time. 
 

As far as your second question about seniority I moved up about 500 spots in six months, but there were a lot of retirees, promotions (I’m sure demotions too) and resignations that led to me moving up. It really boils down to what the current temperature is in regards to other promotional tests calling while you’re on the job and who is in front of you. 
 

On 4/11/2023 at 4:43 PM, Comrade96 said:

Hence why getting a backpack duffle hybrid like the kaka or baosha bag is recommended esp for probies

The Kaka was a good bag for the amount of things they want us to carry in school car and during probation. 

On 3/13/2023 at 11:36 AM, TurtleTA said:

Good Morning Community 😁

I’m looking for some feedback, all is appreciated.  Thank you in advance.
 

I’m in a situation where I got called both for TA Bus Operator and Conductor. Living in Staten Island TA Bus Operator would land me home where conductor would run me to boroughs but not a big deal, wake up early, use your free pass and get to work.

With that, anybody in here have any feedback on both jobs? Pros/Cons maybe?

I might be late to the game,  it is go for who is paying you more money. I’d also think it’s more risky driving a bus in NYC than standing on a train open and closing doors. 

1 minute ago, Comrade96 said:

Dont worry about passing  the OPA, 10 times out of 10 unless youve NEVER spoken english in your life, you passed it 

100% this!  Also to add if you have common sense you can pass the second part where the person shows you pictures and asks you "what would you do?" or "what is happening here?"  Don't sweat the OPA it's a formality and NOT TO BE RUDE - some of the people that work down here their English isn't really too good and they have the job.

12 minutes ago, Mohamed said:

Hello what's your list number if you don't me asking. Mines in the 77## range and I recently got confirmation that I passed the OPA back in September. Just trying to guage where they at for pre employment. Thanks again 

Patience young Jedi - patience. Your time will come.  

17 minutes ago, alexx said:

Just making sure but I see half and half answers so I'm confused. Do they do sleep apnea testing for everyone or do they only further test if you are overweight from body mass:neck mass/etc.? Can I get a test done myself to be ready and fasten the process if I do get called? Don't want to bother with a test if they don't care for it like the drug test that I had prepared which was completely useless.

Good luck everyone  and have a good day

Alexx - to be more clear the NYCT does not test for sleep apnea.  The doctor takes a tape measure and pretty much strangles you in the pursuit of finding out the circumference of your neck.  If the number falls out of the acceptable range they stop your process and tell you to get a sleep study on your own time and dime.  If you have sleep apnea then your doctor will prescribe you a CPAP machine and I believe after 30 days of continued use provide the results to the MTA which shows your sleep apnea is under treatment and then you'll jump back into the process.

I THINK the threshold is 17", so If I was you I'd do two things.  Get on a fitness plan which will result in weight-loss and a smaller neck size plus see your own doctor to get a sleep study.  If your neck size is already 17" or more you're already ahead of the game and wont delay your process. 

10 hours ago, AP-MTA said:

Thanks for the insight, is that how it usually goes? Don't you spend 8 hours inside a train/trains per day normally? 

The best way to answer this question without revealing too much of what's behind the curtain ... we're not on the train 8 full hours.  We get breaks and a lunch. The job is good at its core - benefits are good and pay is subjective.  Work you days off or stay longer you can make cash.

45 minutes ago, nirv78 said:

Oh yes and by the way the people who work in the MTA headquarters are nasty individuals. If they dare behave the way they behave in the private sector they would be canned a long time ago. There needs to be more accountability for people’s behavior. 

They’re nasty all over. You get better treatment at a Jamaican restaurant when they ran outta oxtail and curry goat “WE NUH AV DAT!”

45 minutes ago, nirv78 said:

I would like to state that the MTA has done a terrible job of explaining the employment hiring process. You take  an exam , you get a score and then you put on a waiting list. If the MTA anticipates that you are not going to be called then they should let you know and stop making the  applicant hold out hope that they have a chance. 
 

The MTA should lay out the entire process which includes letting the applicant know that they will be required to take a medical exam including the possibility of having to go for a sleep apnea exam instead of making you show up two weeks before your MTA school is supposed to start and then tell you that you have to go for all of these physical exams. It doesn’t make any sense, the medicals should be done early in the process so that the applicant has the opportunity to correct those issues. 
 

And I’m not even mentioning the amount of red tape that you have to go through filling out millions and millions of forms which require repetitive repeating information that was already provided to them. Feels as if I’m applying for a Secret Service position more than a MTA Conductor position. I guess it’s easier to be elected to Congress (George Santos) than to freaking land and MTA job.

If you think the MTA needs to explain the process - wait til you get the job. They whole process needs to explained and no one ever does.   There’s more rats, homeless people and EDP’s running around than common sense down here. 

On 12/3/2022 at 11:11 AM, Milano said:

You find yourself on more stairs than trains, that's for sure. Lol

OOOF! Walking outta 145 from the B/D to the ground floor is like trynna escape Dante’s Inferno.  Humans weren’t that athletic in the 1920’s and certainly aren’t now. 

On 12/2/2022 at 3:45 AM, Immortal11 said:

Hey comrad thanks to you man. Your guidance bro.. down 30 pounds..  scheduled and past my sleep study with under 5 events a hour.. so when they measure my neck.. I'll just throw the letter from the doctor in there face like boom ... 💥.. very grateful for vets like comrad and others ! List# 71## 

 

Dec 6 hopefully getting division A I live in CT. ☺️ .. also to anyone living out of state do not forget your driving abstract from your current state for pre employment 

Don’t need an abstract. Conductor doesn’t require a drivers license.  Save the money and time. 

On 12/1/2022 at 10:48 PM, workisforlames said:

Good luck to everyone in school car or about to start. Study, practice your procedures and things should be a piece of cake. I'm about to start my 3rd week out on my own and so far I'm enjoying it. I did come from Corrections so anything is better than that, but this seems cool lol

AGREED!

On 12/1/2022 at 11:03 PM, Faisal said:

Does being in pre employment guarantee that there will be a job offer? I'm 70xx going in dec 5

Pre employment only guarantees you probably have nothing better to do that day. 
 

Good luck

On 11/21/2022 at 8:27 PM, nirv78 said:

I got my pre employment appointment email. Can anyone give a timeline of what will happen for me going forward?? When will I start training and eventually start working. I’ve been waiting 8 years since the exam!!! Looking forward to some useful input on this.

-Drug Test

-Medical

-Sworn in

The above 3 CAN take place in one day , but for some of us it took months.  I think they’re still pumping people out, because I swore I saw a new School Car class of Conductors on the platform this morning in Manhattan  

-Start of 12 Month Probation

-School Car

-Posting 

-Completion of School Car

-10 Months of Probation Left

18 hours ago, thegameksk said:

Can you link which backpack you use?

The Kaka bag is like the “New Conductor Starter Kit.”  I’ve noticed most OG’s and people on the job for a bit don’t carry a bag remotely as large as the Kaka. 
 

I didn’t want the Kaka bag, because I didn’t want to be like everyone else, but someone in my class had one for sale and the bag I had at the time cut into my shoulders, because of the sheer weight.  The Kaka has many compartments and can hold a lot of thing, but I don’t think you’ll need it outside of schoolcar. It will come down to personal preference. 
 

The bright side is if you decide on the Kaka bag, there will be someone in your class OR a new hire who will gladly buy it off of you, because it’s a part of the “Starter Kit”. 
 

7 hours ago, Junction 21 said:

Took the OPA on Tuesday ….I went through both parts. When do l find out if I psss or was successful.

 

Maybe it changed since I did it, but you k ow you passed when you left. The OPA is pretty common sense and you’ll know if you passed or failed. 
 

In part one they play radio recordings and you answer questions based on what you hear. 
in part two they give you a bunch of pictures and ask you what you would do. 
 

When I took the OPA they then handed me a packed requesting more information from me and said they’d be in touch. 
 

I also got a letter in the mail that said I passed. 

53 minutes ago, Conductorreadyxx said:

Why a duffle bag??

They don’t want you being grabbed by the train when crossing tracks, so they prefer duffel bags. 
 

What you SHOULD do is get a duffel bag, because that’s what they want you to do. 

What you SHOULD do is get a backpack, because they give you 500lbs of supplies to carry and they don’t hire bodybuilders, so you can ONLY carry a bag by hand so many times. 

13 hours ago, tsanchez2828 said:

Oh so I should be good then,What would they say to the other people who weren't gonna be sent to the other room?

When I took mine and passed, I left because I was finished  for the day. 
 

When I went downstairs there was a woman downstairs who asked “What happens when they take you to the backroom?”  I didn’t have the heart to tell her they gave us more paperwork and told us we’d be proceeding into the next step. 
 

I told her they were inquiring about if we were vaccinated or not. I didn’t have the heart to break her the bad news. The OPA is Easy. The only real way in my opinion to fail is not pay attention, not understand English and not being able to answer questions someone asks you. 

5 hours ago, Comrade96 said:

if you werent taken to the back of that room for part 2 of the OPA, you didnt pass

THIS IS THE ANSWER HERE!  Short and sweet  

100% - Like I said people will know if they pass. 

5 minutes ago, workisforlames said:

How long does it take scheduling to make an appointment to clear a medical Hold? I emailed them a few days ago. Should I just go to 180 Livingston? Thanks in advance 

They’ll probably call you back once they’re getting ready to schedule a class. They’ll probably clear your medical hold when everyone else in  the School Car Class they wanna put you in is your to the medical, because you’ll just come in and finger print. 
 

i probably wouldn’t go to 189 Livingston. They deal with a lot there.  I’m sure they got your email. If you don’t hear back in a month, email em again. 

18 hours ago, LeonR said:

What’s the 718 number to find out OPA results?

You’ll know right then an there if you passed the OPA.  They also send you a letter in the mail. The OPA is one of those things where you KNOW if you passed or failed. 
 

if you’re unsure if you passed or fail, I’d keep an eye out for a letter in the mail. 

25 minutes ago, NanaJones said:

When u take your opa do you do fingerprints that same day? Or it was when you did medical? 

The fingerprinting is one of the dead last steps. 

11 hours ago, tsanchez2828 said:

Hey,does anyone know if they drug test? And when will they make to take one.

Not saying that you partake in recreational drugs, but if someone does this may not be the position for them.  MTA wants to take the job back before probation is up, because it’s harder to fire you after the first year. 
 

I wouldn’t even drink on the last day of my day off, because you might get a random the next day  

They do offer help to employees who need it or who pee dirty with frequent randoms, but if you’re on probation it’s ADIOS!