mediccjh

Always wear your ear protection. You get tested every year. Yard practical, you will find out in Schoolcar. Read your notes every day. Study your signals 1/2 hr a day, every day, and you'll be fine.

That would explain why there was an in front of me coming out of 57 St on the . I had a red signal that I got permission to key-by.

Yes. You will be given a paper with the exact reasoning for the Medical Hold. Don't know.

Directions, please.

For the ones starting, welcome to the club. Not being egotistical, but I suggest you read the following thread. It has input from veterans too, since the stripes on my shirt are still wet. http://www.nyctransitforums.com/forums/topic/41378-the-schoolcar-survival-guide/

Track issues s/o Jay St. I piloted the first that got turned at Jay St. Boy, the passengers were upstanding, nice, calm people, complimenting us and all.

Probably so they don't have to go around moving boards? Then again, the R160 boards should line up with the R32 positions.

LIKE HELL YOU SAY!! You NEVER, NEVER, EVER step on the third rail protection board!!!!!!!! Depends on the cab. I'm 6'2". I actually am comfortable operating the R160 standing up. The R46, if the seat is bolted, can be a little tight.

I have no feckin' clue. They called me on Friday, and told me I was in the class on Monday. It's been boring. We took a 5-car R160 today down the road from JYD to WTC. Tomorrow we're taking over the Franklin Ave Shuttle to practice.

Hell no. Wait until you're off probation, for sure. As for me, I'm probably going to wait until I hit my 2 year mark. I start OPTO training on Monday. Crew Office just called me.

Now that I'm a month out, I would like to offer some advice from a Rookie, since many more of you who are members here are going to Schoolcar. 1. Forget EVERYTHING you know about Transit. You will be taught the Transit way. No one cares that you know the inner workings of an R32, or that you know the names of all of the stations. Study what is taught to you. Don't act like a know-it-all; you will be knocked down a few pegs. 2. Study, study, study that Signal book. You will get it your first week of Schoolcar. Read it 30 minutes a night, 5 times a week. Read it so that you can write it down VERBATIM. Your TSSs will give you quizzes up to the time of the big Signal exam, to see how you are progressing. Remember, 100% or else. 3. You know NOTHING. Ask questions. You will have A LOT of information thrown at you in a short amount of time, and it can be overwhelming. Don't be afraid to ask questions, even if it is simple, or you feel it is dumb. It's better to ask the dumb question than to look dumb when you do something wrong. 4. Read your Rulebook. Self-explanatory. When in doubt, refer to the Rulebook, especially when it comes to flagging, operations, and signals. 5. Study your notes every night. Do what you have to do to be able to retain the information. For me, it was creating a 42-page Word Document, with all of my notes. No, you can't have a copy of it. Sorry. 6. You will make mistakes. In the classroom, in the Yard posting, and out on the Road. Learn from them, and refer to rule number 3. 7. Get to know your classmates. You will live and breathe transit for a few months together, depending on the Division. Make sure you get a master list of phone numbers, and call your classmates if you're going to be late. It will save your ass. 8. Be respectful. I'm not saying be an ass-kisser, but be respectful. Say 'Hi' or 'Good morning' to people that work here, and if someone waves, wave back. Yes, some people are misanthropes; you're going to get that. If you act professional, it will probably help you. You are being watched all the time. Let your actions speak for you. 9. Practice, practice, practice. If you need more help on your skills, ask for it. The Motor Instructors will help you. 10. DON'T PANIC!! It is overwhelming at first, but you will have that 'Ah HA!' moment when you least expect it. Anyone else who is more experienced than I am, feel free to contribute. Mods, make it a Sticky if you'd like.

Excellent post, dp. One of the things I noticed is that I get weird looks when I blast every 75-120' for adjacent tracking, or when I blast when I see a lamp bank dangling, and there's no one around.

Enhanced training? We were thrown to the wolves when we got out in May. I have survived my first month solo on the road. A couple of hiccoughs, but nothing bad. The TSSs that have rode with me have been great, and none of my partners have pulled the cord. When I get motivated, I'll write my Schoolcar Survival Guide Thread.

SKANSKA is doing work on the bridge that inhibits the flow of northbound train service.

Good luck. Did you figure out the commuting issues?

I use a Targus backpack. Laptop over the shoulder bags seem to be the best.

Last day of Schoolcar today. Did the Project Straight Talk, and went to 34 St to get our EED keys. Can't believe it's over. 6 months went by fast; seems like just yesterday that we were crammed into the room at 130 Livingston. Thank you to all the Motormen who took us under their wings during our Yard and Road Postings. Thank you to all of the Conductors for being patient with our slow assess, and not pulling the cord on us. Most importantly, thank you to our Motor Instructors. You took a rag-tag group of know-nothings, and turned them into Train Operators. It was not easy, and there were some frustrating and aggravating times, but it was a blast, and the reward was definitely worth it. First assignment tomorrow: out of 168 St. To TB-29, "Good job."

I was on the job for EMS. T/O is better than PD.

Same here. Good luck, and don't pick up the bad Yard habits. Thanks. Everyone in 29 passed. Congrats.

Road final today via the Culver from CIYD to Court Square, in a R46. I PASSED MY ROAD PRACTICAL!!! Holy shit, I'm officially a Train Operator.

As stated NUMEROUS times in the forum, starting Salary for a T/O in Schoolcar is $30.0375/hr. The MTA can't go and change it due to the Union Contract.

Yeah, that was us. I was the one swapping stories with Magri. Yes, 3 schoolcars down the Brighton Line at the same time. I thought the dispatchers were gonna have a stroke.

The end is nigh..... Past 2 days have been nothing but review and busy work (for lack of a better term). Taking an R68A for a joyride tomorrow; probably Concourse to Brighton Beach via Local. We want to practice on the 68As one last time.

You is funny. It was a tough test; a lot of trickily-worded questions. No one got 100, but you-know-who got a 98. It's all good; I know him. Thanks to all. One more hurdle to climb.

88%. Road Final on Monday.