TheAverageGuy

On 8/17/2019 at 7:12 AM, Bus_Medic said:

It’s the golden handcuffs here in Toronto stopping me. I’m exactly halfway through my 30 year stint. Knock wood, I’ll be healthy enough at 53 when I come out the other side to enjoy semi retirement with my full pension....Maybe get in with a charter outfit out there or something for fun mostly. 

I’ll likely stop spinning wrenches for money though, unless I get an offer I can’t refuse.

Golden handcuffs is the right term indeed. Its a tough decision 

7 hours ago, Bus_Medic said:

Since others are mentioning as far afield as Banff and Canmore, Red Deer and lethbridge would be fair game too.

I admire that you’ve got the balls to  follow through, though it doesn’t appear to be a voluntary choice in your case. I’ve pondered leaving too, but chickened out...at least for the next decade and a half.

Knowing you chose pragmatism over your dreams is a shitty feeling.

I appreciate your input, i’ll look into those as well. My first hope would be CT so I don’t miss TTC much since its the closest match but till then I’ll settle for whatever is closest option other than CT. 

To be quite honest, I’m not sure if its a good idea to leave TTC and I’m well settled in Toronto and was born and raised here and if i should go on a limb, i can stay in Toronto but I have family and it’s a  dream of mine to live in the west close to the rockies and outdoors 

7 hours ago, 9924 said:

First and Diversified have a few shut downs coming up in the Ft Mac area as well, temporary positions but flights and accommodations are paid. You might even be able to roll into one shut down to the next. Good experience and good money. 

This might be a bit much for my family, wife and kids wouldn’t be too happy, but I appreciate the input

8 minutes ago, TechSpotlight said:

Other operators as in other companies.  Calgary Transit may not be hiring but there may be other companies such as Southland Transportation (school bus and motorcoach) and Willco Transportation (school bus) that’ll likely be hiring for the new upcoming school year.

Got it, I’ll look into these, thanks for the help

8 minutes ago, downbeat said:

Southland also operates coach-style commuter services between Calgary and several bedroom communities. It also uses those buses to operate daily summer services between Calgary and Banff/Canmore.

During major events, Red Arrow (Pacific Western, I believe?) operates public transit style shuttles between the LRT and the various facilities at Spruce Meadows. Red Arrow are best known for operating intercity coach services.

The neighbouring city of Airdrie operates its own transit system.

So does Banff/Canmore, though those locations might be far enough away from Calgary that it’s not a feasible work option. 

Thats very helpful information, appreciate the input, thanks.

1 hour ago, Blake M said:

Check out all the other operators around here. I know Southland is hiring right now for sure.

What do you mean by all “other operators” ?

isn’t southland a School Bus company?

1 hour ago, 9924 said:

You won't be able to transfer, they are two completely different companies.  You'll have to apply at the new company, go through their hiring process and if you're accepted, do their training program just like everyone else.  As for your seniority, you start from the bottom again.

Doesn't look like CT is currently hiring, but if they were, it would probably be posted here:

https://www.calgarytransit.com/careers/applying-be-operator/current-operator-opportunities

I figured the transfer would be a long shot. Thanks for the link, i’ve been checking but nothing posted for a while, was hoping if anyone know anything about when CT hires or next anticipated hiring is

Hi All

I’m currently an operator with TTC and will be relocating from Toronto to Calgary area in 6-10 months (due to family) and I’m having a hard time leaving the job I love and seniority I’ve finally built up. however I’ve found some assurance in the hopes that I may be able to replace it all at Calgary Transit

I’ve repeatedly looked online for job postings with CT but haven’t seen any posters

would anyone happen to know how often CT hires, how many on average per year and perhaps when the next anticipated batch of hiring may take place? Or perhaps if theres anyway to be transferred in as an existing operator of another transit system?

i could look at other jobs, but I really want to keep doing what I love, if i absolutely didn’t have to, I would never quit my job 

52 minutes ago, Razeeb14 said:

Guys I completed day 5. I m very scared of driving practical test. R they very strict or accommodating?

Just like everyone else has said in this forum, do exactly what they teach you, ask questions if you’re not sure and they will teach you everything you need to pass. 

18 hours ago, Romero said:

Ok, wondering if anyone can reply to me quick. So I started my application process back in August, and now I slated to start Training on Feb 4th. On my email it says "Mode of trans...Streetcar" Does this mean I am going to be only trained on streetcars? I assumed all 3.

Thanks

Enjoy it buddy, streetcar guys have it super chill, most chilled of of the 4 modes except maybe wheeltrans, that and streetcar are a toss up

1 hour ago, Rmort said:

Heard great things about keen from my days at Canada Post so I will definitely keep my eyes peeled on that. Thanks for the tips everyone! 

Does anyone have an idea how far into training until we get our uniforms? And how strict are they about the dress pants? I was thinking of wearing black slacks since they stretch better, I find conventional dress pants uncomfortable as hell.

Uniforms (depending on size and availability) won’t be issued until the end or near the end of training. Most of the uniform (because of sizes) will come few weeks to months after you start working, until then you wear whatever you have received (likely you will receive a few shirts, sweater, hats and scarves in the beginning) and whatever you haven’t received you can supplement with your own, for example winter coat or pants, these take some time for some people so until you receive them you can wear your own.

Black slacks are fine, doesn’t need to be formal dress pants, basically you cant wear cargo pants or jeans. slacks or dress pants are fine, they don’t even need to be black or blue, you can wear any color. 

6 hours ago, Rmort said:

Hey guys, just an update for those following timelines, got my start date, gonna be at Russel Division for streetcars starting on the 8th of November. Any tips would be highly appreciated, and Goodluck to all those still in the queue !

Information session - May 24th, 2018

Interview - May 24th, 2018

Conditional offer - May 24th, 2018

Medical date - June 11th, 2018

Documentation date - August 31st, 2018

Training start - November 8, 2018

Congrats. Tip: do exactly what the instrctors tell you and you will pass, they don’t want you to fail and always remember saftey is priority over everything else. During your probation, follow ALL the rules and what you were taught in training regardless of what you see other operators doing, many of them have bad habits bit just ignore them and do as you were taught

4 hours ago, simpleform said:

 

Many thanks. Appreciate the feedback. 

They never really got into the nitty gritty during the info session so it's always great to get feedback from people living it.

Are the Blue line shifts harder to get as a new hire? Or I should ask, are there shifts that start around 7/8pm and end around 6/7am?

Depending on your division and what routes they have, but there are plenty of night buses, usually starting between 7-10pm and finishing between 4-6 am, shouldnt be too difficult to get as most people don’t want them, however some people do specifically sign only night buses by choice some due to preference of driving nights some due to their family schedule etc

9 minutes ago, havox said:

I have a social life... On Mondays and Tuesdays lol

I had a social life on Thursday and Fridays, helping people pack their camping gear and plan their weekend ventures just before heading off to bef Friday night for next day’s work..... until last week i found out without any prior notice my ‘social life’ was forcibly changed to Wed/Thur

3 hours ago, havox said:

More people to Eglinton? Awesomeeeeee! If you have any questions feel free to PM me. Good luck!

YIPEEE.... we’ll be in 5th selection in no time. Lol. Been lucky, haven’t done a single night bus since I started, had a few late reliefs but that seems to have passed too now

1 hour ago, Mazinger Z said:

I've noticed a few of us have had to get the sleep apnea disorder checked before the TTC will give you a documentation date.  There is a silver lining in all of this.  Your badge number/seniority is created on your medical date. I was held back for 2 months before I was cleared.  When I went in for documentation I was number 1 in seniority within my signing group, I was 200 lower than most of the people there.  Also, looking at the new operator board at my division, I have noticed that my badge is lower than at least 15 other operators, I just finished my 3 days of route familiarization and start my first real crew on Sunday.  So, all you sleep apnea guys, be patient, your time will come.  Just make sure you use that CPAP machine religiously and keep it on for at least 80% of the time during the month and your result will be fine.

What division are you at?

58 minutes ago, Eastsider said:

Am I required to have black footwear during training? And if so, is it strictly boots? 

 

Yes, black (usually dress shoes cause they will go with your professional attite) but you could wear any black polishable shoes/boots

22 minutes ago, Max3031 said:

You'll do fine. Just control those nerves and don't let them get the best of you. The trainers do a really good job of over-preparing you for it. You'll laugh at how easy it was...after. Good luck.

I’ll second that. I just had day 16 yesterday, and was surprised at how over rated it is, it’s much easier than you expect and the trainers have trained you and taken you on much more diffuclt routes during your training so if you made it this far you have no reason not to pass. Just be sure to assess each turn even thou they may appear easy to do as a standard but if it’s supposed to be an alternate take it as such to show you understand how to assess a turn.

@leylandvictory2

I haven’t had any interactions with the clerks yet (still in training, I was assigned to Eglinton however) but I found most of the guys who work there to be rather welcoming and friendly, in comparison to like queensway or malvern, those on the other hand didn’t seem too friendly of a bunch.

what route do you typically drive?

I know probably close to 15-20 people training for Eglinton, maybe more that I don’t know of. Any idea what kind of work will be available to us to start? I know you mentioned late relief/night bus, would that apply to us new guys at Eglinton as well?

Just gonna ask the question......

April 30th interviews, anyone heard back yet?

lol

2 hours ago, justasomeone said:

Hey guys.. got a few questions. I've been reading this whole thread and on other sites, and from what I have seen people did their interviews on a different date from the information session. However, the invitation I got in my email says, "Upon satisfactory result of your assessment, you will be invited to a one-time opportunity where we will hold a face-to-face interview on the same day." Does this mean I will be doing the interview on the same day? Or am I interpreting this the wrong way? Can someone tell me, approximately, how many days after the orientation do you have to complete your medical test? 

Thanks all. 

I heard of this while at hillcrest today, it’s true that some of the people invited for information sessions are being interviewed on the spot (if successful in the tests). This eliminates a lot of the waiting and fast tracks the hiring process in order to hire few hundred extra operators to meet demands. I heard they need close to 1000 new operators this year, rather than the 600 or so they initially planned on hiring 

2 hours ago, Busguy87 said:

Does anyone think it will be a challenge to learn to drive the bus without any commercial vehicle driving experience, or do they prepare you enough to easily pass the road test?

They do a good job in training and teaching you, you don’t necessarily need previous commercial vehicle driving experience in order to succeed. Per the management, they have a 80% pass rate compared to MTO which has a 70% rate, they are investing a lot of time and money in training you and want you to pass

2 hours ago, havox said:

Hey guys I have training tomorrow. Does anyone know how much the parking is for the lot next to Hillcrest? Just wanna know so I have exact change in hand. Thanks in advance! 

$8 for the parking

1 hour ago, R2-DETOUR said:

Does anyone know how the random drug tests are conducted? Do they randomly meet you at the start of your shift or pull you off your bus? I figure it would be a swab test but maybe it’s urine or blood. I don’t care either way but needles stress me out lol.

I don’t believe its needles. I’m pretty sure its urine test but I could be wrong.

Completely random, computer generates badge numbers and whomever’s badge is selected is tested (you can be tested several times, or not tested for a long time). If you’re involved in a collision you’re sent for testing, if a supervisor or wicket clerk suspects drug/alcohol impairment you can be sent then too. 

In terms of when, it’s also random, you may be told to do so before you take your bus out for your shift, or called sometime during your shift telling you to pull over and have a relief driver takerover while your tested etc. Best to avoid any sort of impairment prior to work and if you’re unfit for duty then report it rather than being caught including perscription medications too so if you’re tested and come back for a controlled substance (ei. prescription painkillers) atleast it’s reported before hand

I have a BZ License already, does anyone happen to know if I still have to do the MTO Written test portion as part of the training? Or just the road test portion?

i only ask because MTO recently introduced anyone writing a C or B Written Test on rules of the road are required to answer D (truck related) questions too, if I recall correctly that was a little difficult since the trainging (and my experience) is/has been strictly busses only

23 minutes ago, Ajf said:

Hey buddy, I had my interview on April 26. Got condition offer on May 3. They might still be trying to get hold of your references. Did you see if your references got a call?

Hey buddy, I had my interview on April 26. Got condition offer on May 3. They might still be trying to get hold of your references. Did you see if your references got a call?

Does anyone know how many months from the conditional offer and completing all the steps to actually start training? 

Right now they seem to be moving much faster since union put a hold on OT. From the date of your medical (if all goes well) until documentation is somewhere between 5-8 weeks, and training start date usually 3-5 weeks later. (Some people whi didn’t require to give 2 weeks notice were called in much sooner, as early as 2 days after documentation. 

I know some guys who are still waiting much past those timelines, so nothing is certain

4 hours ago, ghost said:

First four days and one more day, your final written. The remainig chunk of your days are generally at your division or at other divisions depending on availability. You will also have to go to other divisions to get hybrid/diesel and nova training (depending on what your fleet is at your division)

Great, thanks for the info

13 hours ago, leylandvictory2 said:

don't worry about the schedule especially on 34 and maybe 54.  I say the routes are medium level in terms of difficulties.  

use extra caution when leaving Kennedy station heading east bound.  The concrete barriers are unforgiving.  

Thanks for the pointers, will be sure to be mindful

would you happen to know how many days training at hillcrest and division?