Friday, September 08, 2006

Onboard entertainment - Part II

Just a quick update- the same train operator sang the exact same songs today at each of the SF downtown stops. I wasn't as annoyed today, maybe because it's Friday and we're all generally in a better mood, or because I had a chance to vent about it today, or perhaps I'm used to the songs now that they just didn't affect me anymore.

She should change around her songs eventually however, if she's going to keep up with the onboard entertainment :)

Have a good weekend, everyone.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

There will be an operator schedule change, effective Monday. Maybe she'll be an another train. :)

bartmusings said...

Nah..she's not that bad. Just interesting that she sings at each station.

bartmusings said...

how often does BART make schedule changes? are there time blocks that are more coveted? would be interesting to hear a train operator's perspective.

Anonymous said...

We bid a few times a years, as a station agent, I would perfer we only bid once a year because, I like my station, but as of yet, I do not have enough time under my belt to keep a station for long.

Anonymous said...

I heard this nonsense this morning. Unprofessional. Juvenile. BART is not a childrens' playground.

Anonymous said...

There are three scheduled bid times for BART operators. (There can be additional bids). Two bids are systemwide, or general bids, and the 400-odd operators can bid anywhere. Scheduled bids always start on the second Monday. The two system bids are in February and September. In addition a yard, or division bid is held in June. Not all operators report to a yard, some report to an end point - Millbrae, Dublin or Pittsburg - and each end point is paired with the closest yard. The yard bid allows an operator to pick a different shift but still stays at the same yard (but can switch between the yard and its associated end point).

There are over 200 scheduled shifts (where the operators have specific trains), plus there is an extra board - similar to substitute teachers. Plus, there are 42 part time shifts.

Most shifts are 5-8 (8 hours, five days a week), but there are a few 4-10's. Some operators prefer 4-10's. Many shifts work M-F, while some work weekends and get a couple of weekdays off.

Different times of the day pay a small shift differential, and some shifts allow the operator to ride the train to work. Late night shifts avoid the busy commute, and the half dozen graveyard shifts are favored by some.

Most operators pick a report location that's close to home (Concord and Pittsburg close up first). Then they often pick the time of day, usually driven by their lifestyle - school kids, hobbies, spouse's work schedule.

Some shifts lend themselves to more overtime, some have mostly yard work (assembling trains in the yards, instead of driving mainline). And some like the flexibility of the extra board.

In general, after a couple year's seniority, an operator can bid either report location, shift hours, or days off. After 5, you can get two out of three (and maybe Pittsburg?). And after 7 years, you can pretty much get what you want, which is often different than what everyone else wants.

And, if you don't like it, wait 3 to 5 months, and pick something different.

bartmusings said...

thanks for the detailed info! as an outsider, it's interesting to understand how the organizatoin works.

bartmusings said...

you heard it too? i can't believe someone else FINALLY heard what i heard.

Anonymous said...

This is a shout out to the TO in the morning who announces his stations in a deep voice, verrrrrry sloowly and sort of dramatically. I catch him at 12th St. around 7:30AM. He always makes me smile.

"Embar-ca-derrrrrrrrro"

Yo, dude, I dig.

bartmusings said...

See, that's the type of humor I like...subtle yet easily appreciated. Hopefully I'll get to hear this slow, deep talker one day. I can't quite imagine what it sounds like right now.

Anonymous said...

Is this the "hi ho hi ho it's off to embarcadero"? Silly and kind of sweet. I looked up from the paper and caught a few people smiling.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I think I saw some people smiling, too. It was the kind of smile that says, "Is this person for real?" or "What kind of a person is operating this train?"