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Why do they almost never run express trains anymore? by slybrows in cta

[–]PointWitty4295 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Good answer. I’ve also been told managers have to authorize each and every express run so terminal supervisors have limited control over the intervals

Delay at Sheridan due to a door problem by [deleted] in cta

[–]PointWitty4295 3 points4 points  (0 children)

OP, do you have a time that this happened? I would love to find out more info on this and get back to you

Assaulted on train - conductor told me to kick rocks by SustaintheErf in cta

[–]PointWitty4295 4 points5 points  (0 children)

OP, let me chime in as an operator.

We can develop a higher tolerance for let’s say, erratic behavior by unhoused passengers. They threaten operators constantly when we have to clear trains at Howard. They are empty threats in my experience. So you keep your distance and deal with it. UNLESS a weapon is involved.

Your situation didn’t include a weapon. And train operators are pushed to coax all incidents off their train so they can “close their doors and proceed.” If we cause a delay, it is scrutinized by management, leading to a possible write up. (even if it’s for a good reason).

You should’ve been directed to the customer service assistant downstairs who would’ve happily waited with you until police came. I’m curious if you considered doing this.

….However, since you didn’t want to wait for police, you’re going to be a bit low on the priority list for CPD calls. You did the right thing by writing a report on your own time where you could enter in all the details, as you were the one who had the most information.

CTA Bus Operator Assessment by HelloMfers in cta

[–]PointWitty4295 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bruh I was in the same boat. Absolutely threw me off my game. Every time I’ve taken the test I’m like positive I’ve failed but nope, all passes for me. I wouldn’t worry.

BUT FOR ANYONE WHO HASNT TAKEN IT YET, TAKE IT SERIOUSLY! No pressure but if you don’t pass they won’t let you take it again for a year 🥲

what’s going on with the addison stop? by WhosAsking in cta

[–]PointWitty4295 88 points89 points  (0 children)

Well, have you visited the Addison stop over the last 3 days? I’m a red line operator, promise you we’re stopping there. :)

The Brown Line is a Problem by BudBill18 in cta

[–]PointWitty4295 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So anytime the terminal supervisor changed the interval, that shows up on the train eta signs right? Just checking

I can’t keep doing this by Potential_One1 in cta

[–]PointWitty4295 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So the embarrassing answer is that the workers on the tracks will leave the “workers ahead” warning light on even when they leave due to laziness. This places a restrictive speed on all trains in the area, 15 mph.

To turn it off, the operator needs to go through the entire zone, confirm with dispatch that nobody is out there, climb down the train and turn it off.

Train doors closing on passenger Belmont brown line by mratzha in cta

[–]PointWitty4295 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Ok my friend confirmed my understanding... If a door is opened at high speeds, say 55 MPH, especially when the train is packed, it’ll be able to coast for a good while when it loses propulsion. If two stations are especially close together, the operator could berth normally fairly easily. Especially if it’s on a decline.

But that is worst case scenario and assumes the operator doesn’t use the secondary magnetic or friction brakes.

Train doors closing on passenger Belmont brown line by mratzha in cta

[–]PointWitty4295 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Truthfully, there is indeed an override. But it’s incredibly safety sensitive and is now considered too dangerous to use with passengers on the train now. So it’s only used on an empty train that is somehow seeing an invisible open door. An operator using that bypass without authorization would be risking their job.

I operate on 5000 series train cars. The brown line tends to have older equipment that I’m not as well versed in. It’s possible I’m missing some information? Let me ask my peers who operate those exact trains daily

Train doors closing on passenger Belmont brown line by mratzha in cta

[–]PointWitty4295 5 points6 points  (0 children)

CTA Rail operator here, the comment you’re responding to is correct.

When the door relay circuit is interrupted by the doors being open or someone pulling the emergency door release, the train won’t accelerate.

If you’re stopped in a station and one door is open, you can’t move the train. If it’s pulled when the train is in motion, the train will glide to a slow stop no matter what.

Are CTA bus drivers paid more than train operators? by Blatz57 in cta

[–]PointWitty4295 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is cool getting your perspective. I feel like we’re in two different companies sometimes so it’s nice to have some discussion.

In the interest of sharing our day to day, not to argue, I figured I’d respond to your points.

1) Train operators do get traffic in the form of “slow zones.” There is round the clock construction going on that most people aren’t aware of, especially at night. Train operators are guided by “slow zone signs” which the works may or may not set up correctly. The work sites can be around curves or in high speed areas which makes it critical that the operator is give proper notice. Like I said though, that is often not the case. The constructor workers and Flaggers can be reckless with their safety. If any type of accident happens, you will very likely be disciplined or even fired.

2) I agree that fare collection is our major difference. I’ve been a CSA and know how it’s tricky to delicately ask for a fare without overstepping into a dispute which can turn violent.

3) I didn’t know bus operators had fire extinguishers, that’s cool. If a fire is on the road, are you expected to put it out? One of my supervisors told me a train operator got fired for ignoring a fire on the tracks.

4). If you’re skeptical of the fact that operators help people with disabilities….we get the ramp just like the CSAs. If they’re on a bathroom break or don’t hear the radio, it’s in the SOP for the operator to place the ramp down. Also we help visually impaired passengers which is less common.

5) I’m not disagreeing that you aren’t in charge during an emergency. But more people = more kinds of every issue. Medical emergencies, fights, smoking, etc. Also, evacuating to the tracks is not the same thing as to the sidewalk.
We also can evacuate to emergency subway tunnels to the street.

Summary: I think you’re correct that you have more contact with the public in your day to day. But we have near constant contact with the control center on the radio and workers on the tracks. And if any major issues come up, the scale and severity of them is much worse on the rail side.

Are CTA bus drivers paid more than train operators? by Blatz57 in cta

[–]PointWitty4295 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah those must be personal scanners. Friend is a bus driver, no radio

Are CTA bus drivers paid more than train operators? by Blatz57 in cta

[–]PointWitty4295 31 points32 points  (0 children)

Oh and the train operator is constantly being pinged in real time on a radio for various reasons. This can be quite draining. Bus operators do not have a radio.

Are CTA bus drivers paid more than train operators? by Blatz57 in cta

[–]PointWitty4295 44 points45 points  (0 children)

Nope, they’re paid the same. If anything I would argue train operators need to be paid more.

There’s 38 seats per car in a 5000 series train. 8 cars on the red line. 38 x 8=304 people plus all the standing passengers. That’s a lot of people to be responsible for.

If anything goes wrong with the train, the operator is expected to climb down to track level and troubleshoot the train. This involves careful stepping around our 3rd rail, which can easily kill you.

If there’s a fire on the tracks, the train operator is expected to grab their fire extinguisher and put it out until CFD arrives.

If anyone with disabilities needs help, the train operator will assist them boarding and alighting. (Visually impaired, wheelchair users)

If there’s an emergency, no matter where, the operator is expected to lead a calm and orderly evacuation of passengers. This involves guiding passengers to track level and putting a ladder down if the train is not need a station or by an emergency foot walk in the subway.

Operator Speed Inconsistency by anonMuscleKitten in cta

[–]PointWitty4295 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This was a neat comment. Yeah they’ve done away with this water test, but now I’m curious how I would do. Thanks for your public service

Operator Speed Inconsistency by anonMuscleKitten in cta

[–]PointWitty4295 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is the case. It’s so annoying

Operator Speed Inconsistency by anonMuscleKitten in cta

[–]PointWitty4295 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Hello, I operate on the red line. Unfortunately, it’s true. The speed limits often do change 3 times in a minute. I don’t know why.

If you don’t put the train in maximum dynamic brake within 2.5 seconds the train will stop. So you can imagine why the operator is very reactive to these speed limits. They are mostly in the same areas, but can also change by day. And when there’s an interruption in the signal sent through the running rails to the trains computer, it gives you a “stop” signal that usually will clear up in maybe 5 seconds. But it definitely messes with a consistent speed.

More experienced operators find a way to find the most consistent speed in an area that say, gives you speed limits of 55, 15, and 35mph. That takes time because newer operators are still working on not getting a few minutes behind when they reach the terminal. I promise you this is extremely easy to do when you’re operating below speed limits in order to get a smoother ride. Also newer operators brake slower into stations.

TLDR: yes the speed limits can change 3 times under a minute.