SimMan

FDB, Sorry I got to respond so late but it appears you already received sound info by the guys who responded already. You are probably testing as I write this. Day 10, being the final day tends to bring on the nerves. Any trolley brake use, curb jumping, curb strike, excessive speed for the conditions, unnecessary back up, abrupt braking etc... etc... will disqualify you. The question the instructors will ask themselves is: "Tomorrow, will I allow my family member to ride with this operator without the benefit of the instructor or trolley brake on board. One other thing: Re: stopping at a "stale" traffic light (One that's been green and the "don't walk" indicator is flashing Here is the procedure: Stopping at a light in the above stale condition can also be considered a dangerous action. When you stop at a green light, what happens behind you? Operators of vehicles begin to attempt to pass you in any way they can. Confusion erupts. This can also cause a colission. In this country green means go! As you enter the previou block or when you leave a farside stop you immediately bring your eyes to the "don't walk" indicator at the next intersection not the light! Getting the early read on WHEN the indicator began to flash (stale green) will allow you to determine if you will be able to safely proceed through a solid green at the on-coming intersection. The procedure when approaching any intersection is to "Cover the Brake" when entering the final 1/3 of the block. (National Safety Councils 1/3 Rule.) When you reach the "Point of No Return" approaching the near corner, you should already know by what I previously said about looking early at the "Don't Walk" indicator wether you will be able to enter the intersection covering the brake and safely continue and exit the interection safely. Guessing is not an option. You guess wrong, apply an abrupt brake and everyone is on the floor of the bus with "on-board" injuries. Not good! Remember, as a professional you are responsible for entering, proceeding through and exiting the intersection without incident. Drive smart, take a mental snapshot of the block your entering and begin to "break things down" in your mind. This is true Forward Planning! All the best with Day 10!

Just trying to provide good advice when I can. All the best!

AF, If I may, let me just tell you that you are going to fill your head with so many well intended helpful hints that we all try to list on this site, but please just stop trying to memorize all the different formulas on how to turn, when to turn, clearances etc.. before you see it performed by your instructor. You are going to receive different opinions and the one that matters is the one coming from your instructor. He or she will determine based on your performance whether to pass or fail you. The instructors are the best in the country, and they speak the same message, however they may use different words to express their objectives. I have written what I know is all that you should be concerned with in my previous writing. Do yourself a favor and follow your manual and read the following day's task the night before. Clear your mind, be like a sponge and absorb what your instructor teaches, when your instructor shows it to you. You don't want to panic if what your instructor teaches is something other than what you were preparing for by all of the different helpful well intended tips. All the best!

I'd like to set the record straight on what will happen on the training bus providing you get through the initial investigation process: Do's: On time at your reporting location (20-30 min. before report time) Sit up close and pay attention Listen to your instructor Ask questions if you don't understand something requested of you Read your training manual every night Don’ts: Debate your instructor Think because you have a CDL you will automatically pass Be ashamed to resign if you feel the job is not for you Listen to negative remarks from other students Be in denial when your instructor documents an unsatisfactory performance You will be assigned an instructor and a report depot. You will not be placed at a depot near your home intentionally. It's chosen at random and if it ends up that way, good for you. The first couple of days on the bus you will be observed for any bad habits you may have brought to the training bus. This is the case with students who may have driven a bus or a large vehicle, school bus etc... in the past. You will also be taught the skills that must be performed satisfactory by the final evaluation done by your instructor. You will be evaluated every day on your performance either Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory on routine items such as: Air Brake Tests, Mirror Positioning and Use, Right and Left Turns, Highway Driving, Parking, Straight Line Backing, Bus Stops etc... After the first couple of days, you may be taken to Manhattan to see how you perform in the most challenging conditions. You may return the next day to Manhattan in preparation for your final evaluation from your instructor. Heavy-abrupt braking, excessive speed, rubbing or mounting a curb, unable to park, any use of the trolley brake (A brake used by the instructor) by the instructor to avoid contact between another vehicle etc... or prevent you from mounting a curb will result in an automatic failure. There will be 3 decision days, Day 7, 9 and the final opportunity on Day 10. Do not put pressure on yourself to have to qualify in 7 days. This is a mistake. The extra 2 or 3 days of training either for the Day 9 release or Day 10, might be just what you need. Those who receive an Unsatisfactory on Day 10 will resign or be terminated by Management, period! This is serious and an Instructor wants to see you are capable of operating in passenger service without the instructor being there with you any longer. Should you qualify and get through the training bus, you will be assigned according to seniority a Bus Depot where you will begin to learn the routes with an operator from that depot. Midway through the 4 weeks learning the routes, those who must take a NYSDMV Road Test will do so at this time. Failures to this DMV Road Test could result in your termination. When you successfully qualify from the training bus, you are absolutely ready for your Road Test with DMV. In closing, you will be the best at what you do, the best! The training department is a proud place and only the best move forward! Hope this helps. All the best!