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.

Operated on the today (Yes, I know it hasn't been that since 1985. I grew up calling it that. Deal with it). 

 

Got stuck on the Broadway Conga Line, again, due to the that was stuck at 57 St. 

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

Now that's one I don't understand. Why didn't that individual simply take a full service which is the most logical and easy thing to do.

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.

Hey, can you please share that link.  Thanks!

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.

Would anyone happen to know if back in the 60's and 70's if the T/O's and C/R's had the "TA" logo pictured below as a patch on their uniform or did they not wear uniforms back then?

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.

You say "must be critiqued"? These days that word is mostly used in a negative sense. People are going to think you are looking to detrimentally review or analyze them regardless of the quality of their performance.

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.

Oh ok. I didn't know that was a job someone would be assigned to. I'm a T/O, is that something we would be assigned to as well?

 

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.

And it will be a nice 30 years until you have the seniority to pick a hand switching job, assuming those jobs still exist by then.

 

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.

In Upper Manhattan, you are probably better off in the A Division, the numbered lines. Reporting locations will mostly be in the Bronx. Then there is also Main St, Flushing Qns, Flatbush, Utica, New Lots in Brooklyn. The B Division, as others have mentioned on the forums, is a huge world of reporting locations far into Queens and Brooklyn. Being Extra, you'll still only be sent to those locations in your division, just so we're clear.

The is entirely R-46 right now. I don't know of it happening, but if an R-32 did show up on the , it was not intended to be there. I think supervision would avoid doing that at any cost, between sign-changing issues and other confusion it could cause.

Well i could try to still apply and reapply for C/R as open. Would i have to start over with the t/a if i do that?

I believe you would need to start over. But you said you're on the C/R list from '08, correct? So you might as well apply for checker if you have nothing else right now, then leave and go to C/R when you get called.

But isn't MaBSTOA already now called T/A which will be RBO? If so, then you can get in as a C/R since its now under the MTAs control. Thats what im hearing.

They're all under control. It doesn't matter about what it says on the side of the bus, they are still OA employees and AFAIK you cannot move into RTO from being (for example) an OA Bus Operator without resigning.

lthough it maybe citywide, why is it indicated under MaBSTOA?

 

Second, if I apply to this would it be possible to still be eligible to take a promotion to C/R or anything non-bus related? Especially since I heard you can't do that thru MaBSTOA.. While others says you can since its now under RBO.

Mabstoa doesn't necessarily mean you're involved with bus lines/depots which are part of Mabstoa ... a good portion of analysts who work in TA offices are part of OA as well, even though their work may pertain entirely to the subway. Depending on the job posting some are given the choice of TA or OA pension plan. But if you're OA, I believe you can't move into another department. So you might not be able to "promote" to C/R, but instead have to leave traffic checker and start anew as a C/R when you're called off the O/C list.

A lot of B/O's I have spoken to say they dislike the traffic checker guys. Not totally sure why, but just thought it is good to know.

Checkers don't get much respect, even those that look at the data they collect don't always trust the accuracy and sometimes go out and get it themselves, or to clarify what the checkers give them. Another part of the traffic checker job is putting up GO posters and those weekly service advisories. Like anything else, you have those who do it well and you have those that find a friend's apartment above their bus stop and guesstimate the leave loads, then submit it.