BroadwayBuffer

Good luck to those taking the exam. I'd be curious to hear about what the training is like and how the job compares to tower operators at NYCT, so keep us updated. Also, PSCC, is that sort of an equivalent to the NYCT RCC or the RTC for Metro-North?

Thanks. That's exactly how it happened. Good to know for anyone else who may be getting called soon. In my case, the TVB won't allow me the option to pay it. The judge said that the officer must be present to give an account of whether or not an accident took place (failure to yield), which it didn't. I may see if an attorney can help move it along sooner than the November hearing date.

For anyone who's been down to 180 Livingston recently. Do they hold pending traffic tickets against you for Train Operator? I know it's been mentioned in some bus operator threads, but not here. I was just called for T/O and I have a hearing in November for a failure to yield to a vehicle. I plead guilty, but am told the officer must still be present, hence the hearing date.

Knowing that you're brand new, no one will be expecting miracles. You will become faster over time without compromising safety, especially when you become familiar with the characteristics of certain lines and yards. Remember you're posting with people who have picked up many bad habits and become complacent over the years. If you split a switch, derail, collide, miss a handbrake, or get to your first stop and doors won't open because you never checked them, you'll be going downtown to face severe penalties. You may also be taking a handswitchmen, tower op or c/r down with you. Do your job the way you're supposed to do it. You here someone telling you about all the stuff they don't do, tell yourself that you're going to do it anyway because it's how you were trained and put them out of your mind.

This isn't entirely clear what you're saying. The job you were assigned and fell to the board on, reports at Woodlawn 0408. You get there and see that you're in a job with a 0555 report? Sounds like the job at 0555 you picked up from the board. Always get a name when you call the crew office, but if you were assigned that job reporting at 0408 on the sheets, you're entitled to board time since that was the report time of the original job they gave you. Try calling them back.

But the went to Astoria! . . . watch your line up.

Just a guess, but if he was posting, the trainer probably suggested that it takes too much time to take a full service, punch, and then release. So instead, said to just reach over and punch with one hand while holding the MC with the other. But since it dumped, it wasted even more time.

Sure. The C/R is around 5:20 basically looking like he's investigating a door problem. Although I'm guessing some liberties were taken with this since that's not how quite how it's done today and probably not then either (not w/ doors open). Part 3 had a scene where they show schoolcar & some training towards the end.

For C/Rs, I believe the patch was worn in the same fashion that it is today, on the sleeve. At least it was in that 1970 promotional vid on the MTA YouTube channel. The C/R in Taking of Pelham 1-2-3 wore the same uniform. That logo was certainly on the hat badge which you can buy at the TM.

In TA Land, it's not necessarily like that. The critiquing is what Dave described, and unfortunately some crews give supervision a hard time while they're trying to do their jobs the same way we're trying to do ours. You should learn some good tips from the different TSSs that ride you when you come out.

Handswitching is a C/R job, but I believe in the absence of handswichperson at a place like Fresh Pond Yard, it would be your responsibility to align the switches for your move.

You can pick it way sooner than that. There are also both XL & XX C/Rs that are handswitching qualified and are assigned those jobs in addition to Road. I believe you can also do it for OT if you're qualified. The Yards w/ handswitching jobs are ENY, Fresh Pond, & 38 St has the head of the yard. Linden also has hand thrown switches, but C/Rs aren't assigned there.

My class had the same issues, Dan. I'm glad they've ironed everything out. Once you get what fits, they look pretty sharp.

I use a basic Nike backpack and I attach the escape mask to the outside w/ cable ties. The worst parts are the mask & rulebook, otherwise it wouldn't be too heavy. You can also try to keep some items on your person - on your belt or in pockets, like the radio, break handle/reverser holster, & other tools. There are a few T/Os & TSSs who don't even carry bags. Always carry what you need, but not a thing more.

My attitude in schoolcar was that whatever they have us do, I would do, even if I'm a little nervous about it, like the Third Rail Jumpers. I'm sure this applies even more to T/Os. Some of it is dangerous, but many people have been able to do it and provided you take it seriously, are careful, and do it in the manner you are instructed, you will be OK. Just don't have that "I'm not doing THAT!" reaction to anything. Don't be afraid to talk to your TSSs if you need clarification about how to do something or if you're still unsure about it. They will help you.