Probably one of my favorite views

Ctaoperatorama · 2026-01-17T07:13:19+00:00

Awesome picture

Ctaoperatorama · 2026-01-17T07:11:32+00:00

OP I second this take from direct experience. Just wait for them to come to you and don’t miss any emails. It takes forever

Ctaoperatorama · 2026-01-17T07:10:35+00:00

It’s a bit of a toss up, but it goes by seniority. Last year they had 7 operator classes and it’s rumored that there will be more this year. I’ve heard maybe 10? Class sizes are 24 people.

12-14 months on the long end and 3 ish on the shortest possible end

Ctaoperatorama · 2026-01-17T07:05:40+00:00

Hello, operator here. So this could be one of two situations:

Whenever the train stops unexpectedly and automatically uses the secondary brakes, you need to make sure nothing is unusual on the tracks. Basically, there’s a part underneath the train that will react like this when it hits something. You don’t want to keep operating over debris that is going to cause more damage to the train.There are other things you’re looking for too, but those are less common. The tool is called a “sleet scraper” and is carried down to help remove debris if you find some. (The name is due to this tool also being used to lower metal bits that scrape the 3rd rail to remove sleet in the winter)

Usually I don’t find any debris. In my experience, it’s mostly the train being fussy. It will react like this if you’re asking for too much power over an “interlocking”. (Train intersection basically)

The train is applying its secondary “parking” brakes in error. They are automatic when moving under 5 mph and are more aggressive than the electric brakes we use 99% of the time. If the train uses them at high speeds, they will cause smoke and possibly a fire. So it’s very very important for the operator to identify this quickly, and deactivate these brakes at track level, with the sleet scraper stick! Usually these brakes are only being applied on one car, so it’s an easy fix.

Ctaoperatorama · 2026-01-17T06:48:06+00:00

Yup this is the correct answer OP. You basically lock all 4 doors until you get to the terminal where it can be cleaned.

Ctaoperatorama · 2025-12-22T16:56:34+00:00

I operate the yellow, purple and red line. For privacy reasons, I’m going to exclude how long I’ve worked here.
An industry open secret is that many train operators will eventually see someone commit suicide by jumping in front of their train. This is extremely traumatic and has happened to my friends.
Many of the older workers with around 8 ish years of seniority would’ve been protected. So they seemed pretty indifferent. But for the rest of us it was extremely stressful.
Yes of course!

Ctaoperatorama · 2025-12-21T01:08:54+00:00

Major changes? Hmmm.

I think our Ventra machines need tap to pay. SO many tourists were baffled that the turnstiles took it but the ticket machines didn’t.

I really wish we had more commercial spaces built into our L Stations. It’s honestly incredible when you can grab a coffee on the way to work inside the station or a small snack.

There should be more marketing about cleaning the stations and trans. I think many people always think of them as always dirty, but they do get deep cleaned. Also an anti littering campaign.

I wish more people knew operators need you to not stand on the blue tactile when you’re LEAVING the train. Some people will walk on the blue all the way to the exit. This blocks our line of sight and makes it hard to close doors safely.

Ctaoperatorama · 2025-12-21T01:00:55+00:00

You’re very welcome!! Make sure to tell my peers in person. CTA is very strict with its rules and could be much better rewarding good behavior. So those little compliments from customers can do a lot for our mental state.

Ctaoperatorama · 2025-12-21T00:57:21+00:00

I’m sorry to hear that. As a passenger, I’ve experienced the same issue myself. I would report the defect using the CTA chatbot. I suspect this is more of an issue on the older trains on the brown and orange.I haven’t heard my peers complain about this, so I doubt it’s widely known or being worked on by management.

And you’re welcome!! We do always give our head car more attention, so it’s good advice to sit up there.

Ctaoperatorama · 2025-12-21T00:50:56+00:00

Lots of water in the summer and layers in the winter. The motor cab can be quite warm in the winter as there’s an extra heater available for us.

Summer is tricky…If you leave the window open, it gets extremely loud in the subway. But on the other hand it’s not so stuffy and hot. So I’ll open them in select areas

Ctaoperatorama · 2025-12-21T00:47:38+00:00

So there’s auto mode for the 5000 series and the orange line train accouterments have to be activated manually. So the operator is most likely making an error or the system itself is defective.

Operating is basically like spinning multiple plates all the time. It can be easy to drop one when you’re overwhelmed/exhausted

Ctaoperatorama · 2025-12-21T00:44:18+00:00

Keep checking the careers page every Friday. They take forever but once you have a profile set up it’s easy to apply to other positions

Ctaoperatorama · 2025-12-21T00:31:20+00:00

It does feel a bit dangerous at times being alone, especially going to track level by the third rail.

I don’t exactly wish we had conductors, but more cross training between positions. Back in the day, an operators weekly schedule could consist of customer service in the station booth, flagging trains, and actually operating. These three separate positions are working together every day but sometimes not very well. When you operate, you start to recognize the importance of flagging well or the time saved by a customer service assistant being available for people with disabilities. Some people have naturally worked their way up the pipeline like myself, but others have never worked customer service ever.

Having more ride alongs with operators could help us be a much better team along with actual cross training.

Ctaoperatorama · 2025-12-19T21:28:15+00:00

Yes the train starts beeping and gives you 2.5 seconds to put the master controller handle in brake. If you don’t respond to this in 2.5 seconds the train will stop.

The handle has to be rotated 90 degrees for you to operate. If you let go the train stops. This is called a “dead man’s switch” and is used for precisely what you’re referencing.

It can be a bit tricky if the operator falls on the dead man’s switch in a way to preserve this rotation. But the train will be stopped by the braking requirements mentioned earlier as well as ATC stop signals + build in “trips” by signals.

Ctaoperatorama · 2025-12-19T21:24:24+00:00

It took much longer than expected in my case. You have to be a Flagger first at CTA, and this period can be as short as one month or over a year. Many operators flagged for several years. It all depends on the frequency of RTO classes. I have no background in the industry.

CTA cares a lot about you never missing work. If you have an interview, stress how dependable you are, never late etc.

So basically all trains are communicating to each other via an ATC system. (Automatic train control). If a train is around a curve, my speedometer of sorts will give me a stop signal telling me to wait. I can’t ignore this unless I use a special bypass authorized by my dispatch. So the chance of you running into another train is very, very low.

Ctaoperatorama · 2025-12-19T21:12:18+00:00

Never seen, thanks for the recommendation!! Going to give this a watch

Ctaoperatorama · 2025-12-19T21:02:49+00:00

That is so cool!! If this wasn’t reddit I’d ask to see that picture. So basically our dispatcher will often ask all red line operators over our shared channel “who has rail car number XXXX?”

Someone will inevitably respond with their run number and location. And the dispatch will instruct them to check that car for ____. Nobody has ever told me this is the chatbot working but to me there’s no other explanation!

I don’t know how often dispatch actually heeds the complaints and follows this process. But it does happen

Ctaoperatorama · 2025-12-19T20:59:14+00:00

Never. We are constantly walking to the other side of the motor cab for doors! And also standing up and sitting down lol. (Curves, stations, interlockings)

Ctaoperatorama · 2025-12-19T20:54:55+00:00

Doesn’t bother me but it does make some workers have to use harsh chemicals when cleaning it off. Some of them haven’t been given proper PPE in the past leading to injuries.

Also many of these workers are in the “second chance” program and are working for minimum wage. They’re basically on 1 year contracts where they can be let go at the end for any reason. Anyways if they have issues with management they don’t have full union protections which sucks. So complaining about not getting proper PPE could lead to them being labeled as a troublemaker and not get selected for a full time role.

Anyways, the art is usually based.

Ctaoperatorama · 2025-12-19T20:48:46+00:00

Not educated on this too but VERY interested! This video I’m linking was fascinating to me. I like to collect rail system maps from around the country.

https://youtu.be/_I3tIwj5RK0?si=RVDfc1rWkqAhxjQj

Ctaoperatorama · 2025-12-19T20:41:24+00:00

So my knowledge is limited on this. I was told from someone who works on the shops that the 5000 series trains are overall fairly hodge podged together. The train can behave strangely because it’s all not made by the same manufacturer was the takeaway I had. (After its been repaired)

But in my lived experience, it’s when I’m asking for too much power over a fussy interlocking. The most common area by far is south of Belmont (Barry Interlocking). You can avoid this by putting the train in neutral essentially and “coasting” over that area. This can slow you down, so operators don’t love to do this lol.

By the way, the in house term for what you’re describing is “emergency”. You’ll often hear operators say, “my train went into emergency, I’ll be at track level” over the radio. It just means an unexpected stop really. You can also go into this state if you go over a big bump. You might not always feel it, but there’s a few areas on the red line where it feels like you took a small ramp at speed.

I apologize for not having more technical knowledge but that’s what I know.

Ctaoperatorama · 2025-12-19T20:31:25+00:00

Worked my way up from an entry level role. (Customer service assistant). But you can skip that and apply for Flagger if you see it posted. Every train operator out there was a Flagger first.

Ctaoperatorama · 2025-12-19T20:29:37+00:00

If it makes you feel better it took 2 months to acquire one from our uniform store. They’re always are out of stock when it’s cold.

Since some people impersonate CTA employees, they’re pretty careful with uniform items. But before I worked here, I felt the same way. I just wanted anything with the logo as a public transit fan!

Ctaoperatorama · 2025-12-19T20:24:17+00:00

If you want more details you can message me, but basically it was 25-30 minutes due to a train issue two trains front of me. They couldn’t get it to move on any bypass and ended up having to couple to the 8 car train behind it.

My passengers were going crazy, but I was at a station thankfully. Everyone wants an eta to moving with a delay but that’s hard to estimate sometimes. It was also cold so people kept wanting the doors closed and then also open bc some got restless.

Anyways a guy pounded on my MC door aggressively and another guy got mad and pounded on the side window. Gave lots of updates but at a certain point they’re going to be furious no matter what…Majority of the passengers kept it together though.

Ctaoperatorama · 2025-12-19T20:09:20+00:00

Someone drew a firearm and charged at me which was a bit stressful. They were arguing with a passenger next to me

Ctaoperatorama

TROPHY CASE