mediccjh

THE SUBWAY IS NOT A HOMELESS SHELTER, NOR IS IT A ROLLING HOTEL.

That is all. 

To the new jacks, welcome aboard.

Enjoy Schoolcar. It was a blast. I am still close with my T/O classmates, and my TSS classmates.

Ask the questions. It's better to ask instead of not knowing, doing something dumb, and then having to talk to people like me. 

Turn your brain into a sponge. Learn from the good ones so you know what to do, and learn from the bad ones so you know what NOT to do.

I have an open door policy, so feel free to pick my brain if you see me out there in the field. (I'm on the PMs, on 3 of the 4 lines that have a yellow bullet.)

And be careful out there.

On 9/27/2020 at 7:59 PM, trainfan22 said:

This guy probably made parts for trains from all three eras, Pre War cars, SMEE and NTT. Amazing.

 

There was an motor man who recently passed away sadly also had an article written about him, operated R9 in passenger service when they was still regular passenger trains in the 70s, and was operating R160s on the .

That is correct; he died on his way to work in 2017(ish). The nicest guy down here, and very humble too. The one day, he was working an RDO, and he asked me (of all people) for some pointers on the  since he knew it was my line. 

Peruse this link. I wrote it when I went through Schoolcar almost 8 years ago.

Things have changed, but it'll show a pretty good idea of what you'll be going through.

Not trying to toot my own horn here.

Folks.

I survived the Hiring Freeze of 2010.

I took the T/O Test in 2009, was number 56. Called October 2012.

It has been said, ad nauseum, on this page by those of us here.

Patience. 

On 10/17/2020 at 5:38 PM, MarkGuy said:

The former to tha max.

He's the only person on the planet I can't keep up with when I'm walking.

It was great the week we worked together. None of the students kept up with us. 

No one is admitted after 1 am.

The passengers that are already on the train at that time have to get off when the train gets to the terminal. 

On 4/8/2020 at 6:21 PM, beanz said:

I hope you guys that haven't been called are counting your blessings.

 

41 and counting dead. I just went back to work today after 2 weeks of self quarintine. My great grandma tested positive before she died and I took my grandmother to see her. Luckily I didn't get sick, but I'm anxious everyday. I'm a big guy and I have a special needs daughter and I am terrified of getting myself or her sick. 

 

This sucks. I just want to move trains and make money, not risk my life.

My condolences, @beanz.

On 4/30/2020 at 6:02 PM, Jay-Oh said:

Didn't hear about the situation, maybe it was in the A division.

The way I see it - everybody deserves a chance. Of course, if I get offered a student, I'll want to visually size them up, see how they carry themselves and ask them some questions.
Students make mistakes, I made some when I was posting, it's a part of the learning process.
I recall my schoolcar TSS mentioning a notice or memo where the trainer wouldn't be punished when a student made a mistake, he was talking about it with a TO that said he was reluctant to take students for the same reasons you stated. I gotta look that document up.
 

The way I see it, if I can do it, anyone can - and they made it this far through schoolcar already, so they have to be at least semi-capable.
Also - students are protected by schoolcar, so if they mess up - it's not a cardinal sin like for the rest of us, so there's that safety net. I know a buddy in my induction group that hit maybe 3 or 4 homeballs from YX to posting, he's still down here and on the road.

If the student messes up (hits a signal, overrun), it is not on the trainer. Trust me on this one. Schoolcar is not always a safety net; depending on the number of infractions and what they are, the probie can get terminated. 

I know people aren't perfect. Just do your job to the best of your ability, and don't lie if something happens. Managers will come down harder on you if you lie; down here, the cover-up is worse than the crime.

On 5/29/2020 at 11:23 AM, MantheDan28 said:

I’m guessing signaling is really important I found this link: https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Subway_Signals:_Home_Signals

DO NOT USE THAT SITE!

As for everyone else:

HAVE PATIENCE.

I was on the list from the 2009 test. I didn't get hired until 2012 because of the hiring freeze, and that's even with my list number being 56.

There is going to be (another) wave of mass retirements once The Plague settles down; it is starting to happen now.

Sit back and wait. It will come to you. Trust me (and @RTOMan will back me up on this one).

The R32s are retired and are NOT coming out to play. Sorry to get your hopes up (including mine, since I told my boss I was gonna take one for a joyride).

Trains will be running normal, with some adjustments since the junkboxes, er, 179s, are having their lemon issues (again). 

On 1/27/2020 at 4:26 PM, subwaycommuter1983 said:

What do you guys think (as a possible solution) about a permanent weekend M extension past Delancey Street perhaps to 145?

More local train service is needed along CPW during the weekends, especially between 59th Street and 86th Street, where these stations are slammed with museum visitors. Keep in mind that track work is being done very often on the 1 line causing more crowding along CPW. 

In the event that weekend track work is being done on CPW, then the M can go to 96th/2nd Avenue.

Not likely, since there is work on CPW most weekends anyway. 

On 1/29/2020 at 5:01 AM, MarkGuy said:

Today was not a great day with the r68a's kicking my ass with braking. I'm having a bit of a hard time "feeling" the train. My TSS had me locate the notch just below the snowbrake and I took advice from a classmate to not fully release brake when stopping, but I still came up long on many of my stops or short. 

 

Tried experimenting with braking later, and I overshot. Tried doing it a bit earlier, TSS said I was going too slow. I'm kinda frustrated but will keep at it.

The issue people have with R68As is not trusting the train. They take a brake, and since it's not instant, take more brake. The more brake you take, the longer it takes to kick in. Now you have too much brake, release it all, and poof, you're out.

If you have at least 15 lbs in the tank, the train will stop where you want it to. You just have to be patient and let the brake kick in. When releasing, never go beyond the snowbrake notch. This ensures you have air in the tank.

The R68As have good brakes. You just have to be a little patient and wait for them to kick in.

R62s are a little easier than the R68As. But it's only going to be mastered with practice, practice, and practice.
 

You are allowed to read and/or use electronics on authorized breaks in the crew rooms. 

If you do it in the cab, you will be taken out of service.

On 10/14/2019 at 10:22 PM, Snowblock said:

Hey guys just a friendly reminder that when you are in the YX program, you are not to operate a train with customers on board UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

You beat me to it.

On 8/19/2019 at 7:17 PM, Harlem said:

I started Schoolcar today. Thought I'd make a note of my experience and anything that may help someone waiting to be hired:

 

- Lots of people were out of uniform. Maybe they just didn't care but I'm sure they'll learn the hard way. Some were even on cell phones while in the room, or late. Today HR was in charge, the atmosphere will probably change once we get to the school.

 

Oh, they're gonna learn quickly when it hits them in the wallet when they get sent home for the day.

On 7/11/2019 at 11:17 PM, Late Clear said:

Lately as far as service is concerned, it's been good publicity, other than the assaults.  

Hopefully it'll change the image of NYCTA.  Majority of the people down here do the best they can everyday and 99% of it goes unnoticed.  No one expects a pat on the back for a job well down but the negative light needs to stop.  

One of the reasons I make sure that when my crews are doing a good job, I tell them such. 

On 5/17/2019 at 8:56 AM, Conductor2015 said:

Ok so this is how it goes . After the June class.  Comes july21 and Aug 18.

The classes should be 60 / 60 / 65.

Yes it is a fact , came straight from school car . 😀 that's 185 people which puts me in there.  I don't care which class it is . We got this . 

I am so ready to leave conductor . Want to move that train . (Which I've already done lol)

You really think that's a good idea to post in a public forum in which TA supervisors and management view???

Almost 6.5 years later, and my thread is still going strong.

Those of you in the IRT on the midnights, you'll see me.

Like @RTOMan says, don't be afraid to ask the questions. You're only as good as your last move. My job is to provide a school of instruction as needed, so feel free to pick my brain. I like sharing my knowledge. 

Good luck, and be careful out there. 

Folks, have patience.

You will be called; trust me.

That's all you need to know.

On 12/21/2017 at 12:56 AM, Gherigfan1 said:

5 years and a schoolcar instructor😂. We are still learning our job at 5 years. I said from day one that it’s a mistake taking new TSS’s from our time frame into schoolcar. Got too many cowboys on the road as new TSS’s and now they are teaching. Shame! Either way, congrats. But we still rookies and I’ll never understand how transit decides shit like this. I know who you are, word goes around like forget it. Maybe you’ll say hello one day at Main. Good luck, I’m a road dog for life! Peace....

Umm, thanks?

I don't make it up to Main St. that often, unless I'm doing a CBTC Class. I usually do the standard "good morning everyone" when I enter a crew room, unless I gotta take an emergency comfort. 

I consider myself a rookie until I put in my papers. I worked too damn hard and sacrificed too much to lose it over something dumb. 

On 12/1/2017 at 11:17 PM, moussaberte said:

How is the class how hard is the test? Can you be kicked out if you fail?

The class is 9 days.

Day 1 you will be instructed by a Schoolcar TSS (If I'm doing a double, it could be me). That's where you learn the basics.
Day 2 you report to Chambers St. Flagging and learn some more. 

Day 3-8, I don't know what you do besides post.

Day 9, you come back to Schoolcar, where once again you will be instructed by a Schoolcar TSS. We collect your paperwork, and it's a review day. When I do the class, I do CBTC Flagging on Day 9.

The Final is 100% for passing. I'm not telling you any more. Yes, you can be kicked out if you fail. I take this class seriously; your lives depend on it.

As long as you study and ask questions, you will be fine. 

Once you are a qualified Flagger, you must be refreshed every year. It is an 8 hour class at P.S. 248, either 0700-1500 or 2200-0600. I teach the midnight class. 

One thing I will stress:

ALWAYS SHOW UP WITH YOUR PROPER PPE, INCLUDING FOOTWEAR. If you don't, you get thrown out. 

ALWAYS HAVE YOUR TRACK CARD ON YOU AT ALL TIMES, INCLUDING IN CLASSES. We check for them. Per Rule you are supposed to have it on you when at work. Not in your locker. That includes in classes. If you don't, we can throw you out of class.

SHOW UP ON TIME. DON'T RETURN FROM BREAKS LATE. I assure you, if you do this in my class, YOU WILL BE THROWN OUT. And my boss will back me up 100%. 

This job is yours to lose once you're in. 

Another piece of advice:

PAY ATTENTION IN THE FLAGGING CLASSES!!!!!

If your flags are set up improperly, YOU CAN DIE.

5 years ago, I started this thread, as it was my first day at Transit.

5 years later, not only am I a TSS, I am a Schoolcar Instructor.

Happy Anniversary to the Conductors of 11/12/12, TA-18, TA-19, TB-28, and of course, TB-29.

Good Job. 

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?

It would be a demotion, so unless it was disciplinary, you cannot go downward.

I passed my 2nd signal test, start road operations Sunday

Congrats; if you are B Division, I take students.

SubwayGuy hit everything on the head. This job isn't for everyone. When people ask me how long I've been down here, they act surprised when I say only 3 years. My EMS Career prepared me for this job, with the wonky hours and being treated like crap.

It's like I told my wife when I first started down here....short-term sacrifice, long-term gain.

I spent Schoolcar, and a total of my first 2 years here, living at my in-laws' 5 days a week, only going home on weekends. That was very tough, especially with my daughter who is about tot turn 4.

Short-term sacrifice, long-term gain.

It does get better. Being XX can suck. Sitting on Board for 6+ hours, only to get called to cover a full job (remember, Contract states you are required 12 hrs off in-between jobs when XX). The first time or two you pick, you get to pick from the scraps.

It does get better. 

You will eventually be able to pick your own schedule, but not have weekends off.

I am one of those who believe that if I'm going to supervise someone, I need to know how to do their job. That's why I'm going to switch to the IRT before I go to TSS (assuming I do get promoted; assume nothing down here).

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Be a sponge. Pick brains. When I was a student, I did that, and I learned a lot from the old-timers. I also came in, kept my mouth shut, and respected those who were here before me. Also, I let my operations speak for me. As I tell the TSSs when they ride with me and we discuss things, I want them to know that if they hear me on the radio with a problem, that they can relax a little knowing I am able to handle the situation or be in control of it. Moreso, they know I don't panic on the radio or scream like an idiot. 

There are a bunch of good operators in here from all titles. Don't be afraid to ask for help. I did, and it got me where I am today.

It does get better.

Be a sponge. Ask questions if you are not sure of anything.

If you have weaknesses, let the person you are posting with know. When I first started road posting, I did a night on the , and told my Motorman I needed some tweaking on the R46. He had me operating smoothly and confidently that night. 
 

If someone decides not to take you, don't take it personal. They may be tired, not up for it, or had a bad experience. 

Be humble, and don't be a know-it-all.