Tricknologist

7 hours ago, cmwals01 said:

I'm LIRR and had no idea about this.  How would I go about it?

Only TA employees, cops and hired security are allowed to ride the trains overnight according to a bulletin. There's no mention of any of the other MTA subsidiaries that are allowed.

Prior to that, some of the more courteous tower operators would’ve just set the switch straight after a  went into the relay. 

1 hour ago, N6 Limited said:

Are there any O/C Tower operator tests?

It’s promotional only. Conductors, Station Agents and Transit Electrical Helpers(those assigned to Signals) are eligible. 

3 hours ago, Enjineer said:

Privacy and likely security as well. You often see operators putting their jackets or even newspaper over the windows for further privacy. 

Privacy? Far from it. It’s for protection and glare from the sun. One side of your face getting baked is not fun.

16 hours ago, brakethrow said:

That can be experienced now. I must be missing something but train operators always kept it wrapped up n/b out of Utica..hitting Nostrand Ave at 40 mph +

That old limit was for entering Utica on the s/b local, not leaving n/b.

11 hours ago, Kelani said:

So i'm just wondering how anyone who's not a current employee might get the job, if they would have to be a train operator first and then try to get promoted to the asst dispatcher role
or if anyone can apply. If the latter is the case, could anyone please provide advice on how to go about that? What to study for the test, and if possible an account of the day to day operations of the job.

All supervisory positions are promotional only. They currently, and as far as I know, have never offered those titles to the public.

Assistant Train Dispatchers(ATD) promote from Conductor, Station Agent and Collecting Agent.

Train Dispatchers(TD) promote from Train Operator, Tower Operator and Assistant Train Dispatcher.

Console Train Dispatchers, the job in question, is not a civil service title. It's a resume-based position that only ATDs, TDs and Train Service Supervisors can apply for if they want to work at the Rail Control Center.

9 minutes ago, Gherigfan1 said:

I know the bulletin and the revised bulletin, I also know that T/O’s have Been denied bringing steel toe boots/shoes. It’s composite toe or nothing. Are you a T/O? And the previous company didn’t offer steel toe to us. I haven’t been here long, but I’ve been through two companies, to include the store front and not one of the Boots/shoes we were offered were Steele toe. I’ve been a T/O for only 5 years and change. 

I'm a T/O as well. The previous shoe company did offered 1 steel toe boot that we could've used; the one before that one didn't. Once upon a time it was only composite toe for RTO. Not anymore. Like I stated, I have personally bought and took a pair of steel toe shoes that met TA requirements to be approved by the Safety Unit. The same TSS that do the effiency tests are the same ones that will verify your footwear.

2 hours ago, Gherigfan1 said:

That was rescinded like three months ago! Dr’s lines are completely needed starting in Oct 2018! And if you think steel toe boots/shoes are allowed have fun with that. There is a certain spec followed here. Not sure if you work for transit or what, but by no means are steel toe allowed to be worn as a T/O. 

 

Bulletin 62-18 states the requirements for alternative footwear. Steel toes fall under the requirement. The previous footwear company offered steel toe boots for T/Os. I have purchased steel toe shoes and have had them approved by the Safety Unit. It's allowed.

8 minutes ago, apokeguy said:

So what is the required footwear for T/O on a regular day? When I was on the website the only products available to order were all safety toe shoes.  Is the safety toe shoes just needed during training/school car?

 

Safety shoes are part of your uniform/personal protective equipment. If you don't have them on when you report to work, you'll be sent home.

19 minutes ago, Gherigfan1 said:

Being a T/O, we aren’t allowed to wear steel toe boots. If you ordered them from the transit website, I have no idea how they let you. If you bought them personally, then good luck. They aren’t allowed to be worn by T/O’s

Steel toe boots are allowed, any protective toe is allowed.

10 minutes ago, Gherigfan1 said:

Transit will issue you footwear, that’s their policy. Only way to purchase your own footwear is to have a dr sign a form and give a reason for the other footwear. You will still have to abide by transits rules when it pertains to footwear and they will be signed off by transit as well. They have certain specs. You will show up to the first few days with whatever you have and before the week is over(generally), you will be getting the transit footwear. My suggestion, get the Dr’s lines as soon as you can. Only problem with that is, good luck getting to 130 Livingston when you are in school car. Best bet is to have the form and boots/shoes, with the original box and receipt on the days you have scheduled for 130 Livingston. Other then that, you really won’t have time during school car days. They close at 4pm I believe and it’ll be difficult to make it there by then and have them approved. PS, don’t go to the medical and say you need a certain boot/shoe. You will be placed on medical hold. Wait until you’ve gotten your transit pair and work it out from there. Good luck 

No Doc lines have been needed for your own pair for at least a year. All you had to do if you didn't want their pair is to buy based on what they allow, take it to the Safety Unit to be approved and get a partial reimbursement.

This isn't a paramilitary organization. There are grooming and appearance standards, but it's vague and any supervisor or manager who enforces it has not better to do.

1 hour ago, njbk said:

Weird. Mine definitely does not say that, and it’s also for TO (Yard). 

Question: will i ONLY be operating in the yard until permanent?

T/O(Yard) is only a pay rate, basically a trainee. Nothing to do with your status as an employee.

27 minutes ago, apokeguy said:

Conductor has to take the signals test as well?

Yes, at least when I was one. I remember it was multiple choice and no less than 80% to pass. Train Operators is written out and 100% to pass.

6 minutes ago, njbk said:

So what has to happen after the list is established before i become permanent? My list number is very high (between 1 and 25) according to the letter i got. 

Complete the "second" or "official" probationary period after they certify the list and reach your name. Complete that and you'll be a permanent employee of the NYCTA.

24 minutes ago, njbk said:

So just to  be clear: If I get the job, complete schoolcar, and am operating trains for a year before the list is established, I will be probationary for 365 days after the day the list is established?

Correct, with one caveat. All that time will not count until you become a permanent employee, not once the list is established. The second probationary period will start thereafter. 

Let's clarify this situation:

12 hours ago, njbk said:

If I’m hired before the list is established im not provisional? Not saying you’re wrong just hearing different things and kinda want to know what’s up. 

What HR told you is correct. This "temporary" position is a provisional offer. You can be hired as a provisional even if you took a civil service test. I was promoted this way. My probationary time as a provisional did not count once the list was officially established and certified. Why do they do it? My guess is because they need bodies as quickly as possible. The administrative stuff is figured out later. All RTO titles are going through this provisional stuff lately.

As for top pay, it takes 241 road days(operating a train in passenger service) to reach it. It's not a set amount of years.

Does everyone that passed the promotional test get called before the new list is established?

Promotional hires always get called before open competitive ones.

^^^Yes. Once the list is certified, you can find the information in The Chief newspaper/online. Right now all promo T/Os are being called from a provisional list.^^^

So do a any of you have an idea when they'll start calling up from the promotion to Train Operator exam?

I've spoken to HR several times and they still don't know as to when they'll start calling from the promotion. The current list should expire later this year.

Quick question. ..they are going to be hiring off the promotional list first...I heard the promotion list is made up of Bus Operators who take the Train Operator exam..is this true? Also would the 5 year work requirement still stand if taking a promotional?

 

Currently on Bus Operator 4600 hiring list. ...will be interested taking the promotional next time around if true.

B/Os take the T/O promotional exam alongside other titles that are eligible for the promotion. It's not a separate promotional exam for every eligible title. The 5 year work experience doesn't apply if you're already in one of the titles. All that matters is that you are out of your probationary period by the time of the promotion(& pass the medical, etc).

FYI: MaBSTOA & Bus Co. B/Os are not eligible to promote to the title according to past filings.

Wow, UNBELIEVABLE! Ive been waiting for months for this Train Operator exam, now I findout it requires 5 years of work experience?? I dont have 5 years or anything really close to it...does this mean I am offically out the running for this job? If so, anyway around it?

These are the requirements from the last open competitive exam:

"HOW TO QUALIFY:

Education and Experience Requirements: By the last day of the Application Period you must have:

1. A four year high school diploma or its educational equivalent, approved by a State’s

Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization; and

2. Five years of full-time, paid satisfactory work experience.

College education may be substituted for experience on the following basis: One year of acceptable experience will be credited for each 30 credits completed at an accredited college, up to a maximum of four years. However, all candidates must have at least one year of full-time satisfactory, paid work experience. Part-time paid experience will be pro-rated...

You are responsible for determining whether or not you meet the qualification requirements for this examination prior to submitting your application."

If somebody who has 10 years or more in title as a train operator or bus operator switches to conductor, would that person start out making the top pay rate for train operator or bus operator, or would that person start out making rookie pay for a conductor?

To voluntarily demote yourself to C/R from T/O:

*Must have been a C/R

*Have probationary status as a T/O. After probation is at the discretion of HR.

T/Os who were C/Rs can be demoted back for disciplinary action(mainly operational). T/Os who were never C/Rs cannot be demoted to C/R as far as I know, even if they're OPTO qualified. To cleaner maybe, but not C/R.

As far as B/Os, they cannot demote to C/R period. T/Os who were B/Os can. As far as pay for the demotion, top pay at their new title more than likely.

...There are no more promotional tests for train operator...

The union offers the Transit Certificate Program. Unless Track Workers are ineligible to participate in that program, they can go through that route and apply for the promotional.

SubwayGuy, is it true that you can save the OT from a penalty job to OTO instead?

Rumor: & might be getting all the R-46 from the & to allow Jamaica Yard to be 100% R-160.

Source: Gossip.

Sure. Track Dept is basically broken down into two divisions. Track Maintainence and Capital Construction. You pick which division you want to work in. Usually a pick lasts two to three years. Track Maintainence is usually smaller scale jobs. Days off are usually Fri/Sat or Sun/Mon. You can make some O.T. here but not as much as Capital. Capital Construction is larger scale jobs. Days off are midweek usually Mon/Tue, Tue/Wed etc...They make a lot of O.T. mainly on the weekends. Extra shifts on the weekends and extended hours during the week. Most people pick Capital to work the O.T.

Besides picking a division, can they also pick a reporting location? And how long is training? Pardon the questions, but w/ the list being extended yet again, I might jump ship to Track. More $(w/ the hard work) and promotional opportunities for T/W. As a C/R is pretty much T/O or bust now. You have to be a senior C/R to pick flagging, towers will be a thing of the past and there's talk of ATDs being phased out w/ TSS assigned to terminals taking up their duties.