Saturday, November 13, 2010

MTA: Texting underway

From NY1:

City transit officials are investigating the case of a worker who was caught on cell phone video texting while driving the train.

The straphanger who shot the video says it happened at about 8:45 a.m. today on a 7 train that was headed from Woodside, Queens to Grand Central Station.

In the video, the motorman is seen using his mobile device and not keeping his eyes on the above-ground tracks. He then looks behind at the rider with the camera and then stops operating the mobile device.

A city transit spokesman said in a statement, "MTA New York City Transit has an absolute, zero-tolerance policy against texting, cell phone use or handling any type of mobile device while in a crew cab. The incident is under investigation and once identified, the train operator will be removed from service pending the disciplinary process."

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am not defending the T/O, but the guy who took the video sounds like a real jerk, why is he afraid to identify himself? coward, man up you british prick! man up!

Anonymous said...

Why is he a prick? He was saving lives, you must work for transit or be the operator of the train! Kudos to the person who sent in the video!

Anonymous said...

While this is undesirable, it is not anywhere near as dangerous as texting while operating an auto, bus or a real train such as LIRR or NJ transit where there are no inherent safety features.

The Ny subway system has an ancient, but very effective system that treats lengths of track as "blocks" and train entering a block that still registers a train is already in it will trow up a trip lever that applies brakes to the offending train. that as they say is that. The operator has to wait until the brake pressure rebuilds and the trip lever folds down.

Years ago it was not uncommon for the old "mickeys" to keep a flask in their overalls and "bless the cab" when their rental of the booze expired.

Tony said...

Seen it before.

Anonymous said...

Anon No. 1: By saying what you're saying, you are defending the T/O. Transit is going to bust this guy's ass and deservedly so.

I don't care if the person who took this video ever identifies himself. He did something that may result in lives being saved and should be recognized for that instead of having someone like you tossing some ridiculous insults his way. Guys like the T/O are embarrassments to everyone who works for Transit.

Anonymous said...

They are targeting this man because he is black. Nothing more, nothing less. YAWN

Anonymous said...

Hey Anon #1, if you're such a man, then why don't you identify yourself with your comment...coward. Secondly, to the person who said this is about the t/o being black, a yawn right back at you. Get over yourself. How do you know the guy who took the video isn't black himself? Bottom line, don't text in any moving vehicle, especially when you are responsible to the lives of so many others.

Barbara Jordan said...

They are going after Charlie Rangel next week as well.

And after that, Maxine Waters.

Next thing you know they will indict Michael Jacksons mother.

Anonymous said...

It didn't take long for the race card to be thrown in. that seems to be an excuse when you fk up.

Anonymous said...

I don't hear the T/O claiming that, just some idiot here.


It seems like there's a few people here who will say something incredibly stupid and/or inflammatory just to see what kind of a response he or she can get from everyone. Nice going, Anon No. 6. Which is it with you? You're probably not black, either.

Anonymous said...

It is not behavior to be praised but come on like the guy who filmed this never texted or used a phone while driving? In a real world these things happen, people have lives outside of their jobs, kids and emergencies to attend to.

But now everyone is going to take their anger about poor MTA service and fare hikes out on the low level employees and try to get them in trouble for everything and not say anything about the big crooks on top.

Anonymous said...

The train operator is responsible for hundreds of lives. There is no excuse. There is no defense.

And anyone who is texting while driving a car ought to have their asses busted as well. No excuse when your actions can result in someone's death.

Anonymous said...

He's screwed,and rightfully so.

Anonymous said...

Anon. 3, this not merely "undesirable", it is deadly dangerous. And a Number 7 train derailment will have as many dead and injured as a "real train".

Zero tolerance for train operators who text. There is no "...but..." about it, Anon. 3. These trains do not control their own speed speed, and do not detect something or someone in front of it.

The principal "safety feature" is that TWU Local 100 member being paid salary and benefits in excess of $100,000. He can afford to text on his own time.

Anonymous said...

You think he was sexting? Ewww....

Anonymous said...

The story says he was not keeping his eye on the tracks but the video actually shows him looking up from time to time.

Anonymous said...

Yeah. That's a great line of defense. I hope he uses it at his hearing.

Anonymous said...

The train operator is responsible for perhaps thousands of lives on his and others affected by his actions or inaction. Thus the reporting individual is bringing to our attention unsafe practices by this operator. The TA should penalize the operator and retrain him.

Anonymous said...

I thought after 9/11 they made it illegal to videotape on the transit system. What happened?

Queens Crapper said...

They never made it illegal to take photos in the transit system.

Anonymous said...

The only thing that is forbidden is shooting off the camera flash near the train crew.

Anonymous said...

He be texting and shit?