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Rider Claims T/O let kid drive train


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This just gives me another reason to hate lawyers. If it was that same person who ratted on the operater in that cab, you would never hear a thing about this. The kid wasn't touching anything and as far as the story states the person in the cab was just telling the kid how the signals work. This is bullsh**.

 

It gets really silly. The MTA is doing whatever it can do to make its employees' lives living hell. Especially in this bad economy, they are looking for any slip-up to give someone the pink slip. Stupid things like this is what makes me want to leave New York.

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Well only one more year till you are legally an adult and can do so :P

 

I know...thank goodness. I better look for a job so I can start saving for an apartment...they ain't so cheap anymore! (I love Craigslist.)

 

This fiasco was also on the 11:00 news. Passengers were pissed as hell! And one time on a bus (a bus previously owned by Jamaica Bus), a saw a bus driver letting his son sit on his lap! The MTA would SO not let that get by at all!

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All sources of news are biased, they are going to show the most extreme reactions to a story that they can get.

 

A bit off topic on this next point, I read that Craigslist is also good for picking up a *ahem* "companion", bless those e-pimps.

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All sources of news are biased, they are going to show the most extreme reactions to a story that they can get.

 

A bit off topic on this next point, I read that Craigslist is also good for picking up a *ahem* "companion", bless those e-pimps.

 

I woudlnt try it, you are bound to get set up for arrest with all the attention CL has received :P

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I woudlnt try it, you are bound to get set up for arrest with all the attention CL has received :P

 

I will take it under advisement, soon I will be rich enough for a russian mail order bride, apparently I had a rich cousin in africa who left me all of his money and all I have to do is e-mail this dude my SSN.

 

Part of me wanted to see a picture of the kid in question flipping of the camera-phone, alas no pictures have been published of this. Off to photoshop.

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I will take it under advisement, soon I will be rich enough for a russian mail order bride, apparently I had a rich cousin in africa who left me all of his money and all I have to do is e-mail this dude my SSN.

 

Part of me wanted to see a picture of the kid in question flipping of the camera-phone, alas no pictures have been published of this. Off to photoshop.

 

HAHAHAHAHA! Good one! After reading a lot of replies, I have to say I agree with a few of you that people should have just ignored it and that people tend to overreact way too much! I was a kid once and I had a few engineers/Conductors on Metro North teach me how to operate M-1 - M-3's I would announce the stops, open/close doors and buzz twice to start. I was taught it all, and I loved it. Sure some people were not so enthusiastic about what was going on and they grumbled about it and that was that. I guess nothing can stay the same.... It's sad.;) Anyway I hope that nobody looses their job over a damn picture and one person's "questionable " words.

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I have a hypothetical question for everyone. Let's say you're operating a train on a long express run and immediately after leaving a station a child knocks on your cab door and says "mommy left me". We all know the rule, it was posted earlier. What would you do after reporting it to control center? Leave the child alone in a train car or bring the child into the relative safety of the cab ? To make things trickier let's say you were a probationary C/R or T/O and a parent to boot. On a late night or midnight trip. What action would you take? Think about it and respond. BTW I am not condoning or condemning the actions of the crew mentioned in the article. I wasn't there.

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I have a hypothetical question for everyone. Let's say you're operating a train on a long express run and immediately after leaving a station a child knocks on your cab door and says "mommy left me". We all know the rule, it was posted earlier. What would you do after reporting it to control center? Leave the child alone in a train car or bring the child into the relative safety of the cab ? To make things trickier lets say you were a probationary C/R or T/O and a parent to boot. On a late night or midnight trip. What action would you take? Think about it and respond. BTW I am not condoning or condemning the actions of the crew mentioned in the article. I wasn't there.

 

I wouldnt let the kid in, I would just tell him to sit by the door and I would leave it open until officials arrive. Who knows, he can say some weird crap like you molested him or hit him or something and then you would really be screwed.

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I have a hypothetical question for everyone. Let's say you're operating a train on a long express run and immediately after leaving a station a child knocks on your cab door and says "mommy left me". We all know the rule, it was posted earlier. What would you do after reporting it to control center? Leave the child alone in a train car or bring the child into the relative safety of the cab ? To make things trickier lets say you were a probationary C/R or T/O and a parent to boot. On a late night or midnight trip. What action would you take? Think about it and respond. BTW I am not condoning or condemning the actions of the crew mentioned in the article. I wasn't there.

 

I would use a shoe paddle to keep the cab door open or just put it over the radio that the kid is in my cab. If control said that I can't do that, I would tell them that I will stop adjacent to the next local and wait for police or a TSS. What about you Trainmaster?

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I'd stop the train just long enough to tell him to sit in the first seat outside the door, and explain that I can't let him in the cab, but I will make sure he is helped to locate his mother and NOT to move. After that I'd immediately call it in along with the name of the next stop so someone could assist. Then I'd prop the cab door open and resume normal operation to the next stop where someone will be available to assist.

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I wouldnt let the kid in, I would just tell him to sit by the door and I would leave it open until officials arrive. Who knows, he can say some weird crap like you molested him or hit him or something and then you would really be screwed.

 

Basically, once you notified the control center, I'd agree with you and operate along those lines. To me the problem area is the phrase "until help arrives". During the day you might be told to drop the child at a dispatcher's office or tower. Or maybe a TSS or NYPD will meet the train and take the child. Late night or midnights you may be stuck with the child for a while. That's why I threw that time frame in the mix. Remember passenger safety is the train crew's responsibility and an unattended child IS a passenger. Heck, the real pervs are probably watching the drama unfold while you're trying to do the right thing. If something happens to the child after you call but before help arrives you are responsible anyway.

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I'd stop the train just long enough to tell him to sit in the first seat outside the door, and explain that I can't let him in the cab, but I will make sure he is helped to locate his mother and NOT to move. After that I'd immediately call it in along with the name of the next stop so someone could assist. Then I'd prop the cab door open and resume normal operation to the next stop where someone will be available to assist.

 

I pretty much concur with you except that " next stop" assistance may turn out to be 20 minutes or so away on the overnight tour. Maybe I worded my scenario wrong but I see my point got across. The child's safety was what I was getting at so what may look like something against the rules to one rider may be something else altogether to an employee.

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I have a hypothetical question for everyone. Let's say you're operating a train on a long express run and immediately after leaving a station a child knocks on your cab door and says "mommy left me". We all know the rule, it was posted earlier. What would you do after reporting it to control center? Leave the child alone in a train car or bring the child into the relative safety of the cab ? To make things trickier let's say you were a probationary C/R or T/O and a parent to boot. On a late night or midnight trip. What action would you take? Think about it and respond. BTW I am not condoning or condemning the actions of the crew mentioned in the article. I wasn't there.

 

I'd call control, & see what control said to do. If they told me to keep it moving, I'd run the kid to my conductor, & tell him to put him in the cab, or the handicapped seat & keep the cab door open..

 

As to the original posting, TA doesn't consider childcare a reason to not come to work. Sometimes things happen, & you have no coverage, and don't want/can't use sick time, you bring the kid along.. BUT sitting the kid on a milk crate in the corner of a dark cab, and letting him behind the controls are two entirely different things.. The DNews pic shows no operation, just unauthorized in cab, and as others have stated, if she were SO worried, why'd you keep riding the train or at least stop at a token both when exitting the system & report it, not call the newspaper..

 

When I was posting, a TO warned me about some NYPD officers asking to operate..

He's advice was answer, "Sure, let me hold your gun..";)

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I hate to hear about people over reacting, but we live in a "Sue-happy" environment now. I hope nothing terrible comes about this. Honestly I can see the concern by the passenger, but just take a chill pill, people jump to conclusions way too fast these days and seem to be too nosy.

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I have a hypothetical question for everyone. Let's say you're operating a train on a long express run and immediately after leaving a station a child knocks on your cab door and says "mommy left me". We all know the rule, it was posted earlier. What would you do after reporting it to control center? Leave the child alone in a train car or bring the child into the relative safety of the cab ? To make things trickier let's say you were a probationary C/R or T/O and a parent to boot. On a late night or midnight trip. What action would you take? Think about it and respond. BTW I am not condoning or condemning the actions of the crew mentioned in the article. I wasn't there.

 

Well I've had this happen to me twice. I specifically asked the CC what they wanted me to do. One time, the child was allowed to ride with me in the cab to Essex St where the Dispatcher took the child. The second time, CC told me to secure the train and escort the child to the token booth where the child was allowed to wait inside. The latter happened during rush hour.

 

If I couldn't get through on the radio then the train wouldn't budge while I search for a phone. You want Control's attention? Don't move a train for 10+ minutes.

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the t/o put herself in that position so i have no sympathy whatsoever with whatever penalty is imposed. it is a safety sensitive position. so many things could have went wrong, whether the child operated the train or not, but luckily didn't... aside from getting caught. it is stated clearly in the rule book. if you think that fulfilling a child's curiosity is more important than risking your job security and possibly the safety of your riders, you are definitely in the wrong field and should apply for a job with the board of ed after you get booted or leave because you got demoted to station cleaner. i have no sympathy for stupidity. that child simply should not have been in the cab.

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That no one allowed in the cab rule is now being strictly enforced. Sad part is employees letting their children, grandchildren, etc....,ride in the cabs is nothing new. Kids want to see what their parents do, especially in a job like we have. There is take your child to work day. Guess that goes out the window here at MTA. Riders do overreact and tell tall tales, even with something simple as waiting to long, for a train that is on schedule........

 

Safety wise, those signals and blocks are too far apart for a crash on the Lex. Some spots there are exceptions, but for the most part, you will be stopped well before a crash, or taking a switch too quick. Lots of timers now, before getting to a switch with customers. 10mph and most are less on the approach signals. This ain't D.C. with CPU's controlling the train. That's the fact people need to realize. NYC subway is different, cause we carry the most in the USA......

 

As for that T/O, nothing but rumors as usual around here of what will happen, and I do know her too. She is a nice person, with time on the job. Sad part about that is, MTA is good for trying their best to get rid of those with time on the job, before they get their pensions a few years later. They give the "Thanks for 20 years of service, but we want to make sure it was in vain, and you don't get your pension"........

 

Letting ones well mannered, child, grandchild, niece, or nephew in the cab, shouldn't be a crime. As long as that child knows how to behave, they should be allowed to ride sometimes (not all the time), to see what their parents do. Lots of kids love trains, and if their parents move them, why shouldn't they be allowed to see what they do, and what their job is like. Again as long as the child knows how to behave though. Bad a$$ kids can stay home, or go play on the tracks............

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i actually know and have worked with the train operator that was involved. and i can also say she is going to have a hard time at labor relations because she was arrested in uniform about 2 years ago for shoplifting at target. i think the lawyer just wanted his 15 mins. the child was the conductors son. and i know a lot of conductors that bring their children to work because they have no other choice. its either bring them or lose money.

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i actually know and have worked with the train operator that was involved. and i can also say she is going to have a hard time at labor relations because she was arrested in uniform about 2 years ago for shoplifting at target. i think the lawyer just wanted his 15 mins. the child was the conductors son. and i know a lot of conductors that bring their children to work because they have no other choice. its either bring them or lose money.

 

you forgot the most logical choice, bring them and have them sit OUTSIDE of your cab. most employers don't allow an employee to bring their child to work simply because they don't have/can't afford a baby sitter. it's silly to think the MTA should be any different.

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I'd call control, & see what control said to do. If they told me to keep it moving, I'd run the kid to my conductor, & tell him to put him in the cab, or the handicapped seat & keep the cab door open..

 

As to the original posting, TA doesn't consider childcare a reason to not come to work. Sometimes things happen, & you have no coverage, and don't want/can't use sick time, you bring the kid along.. BUT sitting the kid on a milk crate in the corner of a dark cab, and letting him behind the controls are two entirely different things.. The DNews pic shows no operation, just unauthorized in cab, and as others have stated, if she were SO worried, why'd you keep riding the train or at least stop at a token both when exitting the system & report it, not call the newspaper..

 

When I was posting, a TO warned me about some NYPD officers asking to operate..

He's advice was answer, "Sure, let me hold your gun..";)

 

When my mother was a transit cop,she told me her T/O friend let her drive the train on the Franklin AV shuttle at one stop .when she slow down the train went BIE,because she put in too much pressure when she slow down.

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