I stated your post was irresponsible; not you personally. When I became a motorman 21 years ago, I was instructed to perform a deadman application test at the terminal as part of the standing brake test. I was also instructed to perform a running brake test at 15 mph to see how good the dynamic brake is. Recently, a supervisor suggested to me that running brake tests should be conducted prior to 15 mph just to see if we even have brakes, which makes more sense. These issues are not addressed in the current rulebook. It is called school car instruction.
In conclusion, it seems you, and on separate occasions, LIRR employees think TA employees have easy jobs since they don't work on a "real railroad". Judging by from what I heard from a fellow employee who's dating a LIRR conductor, LIRR crews spend very minimal time on the train (I don't count deadheading and equipment moves). Sounds easy to me. The time spent on the train by TA employees (we call it cab time) pales in comparison to what LIRR crews spend. Could there be some feeling of superiority by "real railroad" employees toward the TA?
One more thing: ask your uncle about P-wire. The TA had it some time ago on the R44 and R46 car classes. I believe the "real railroads" have them. Ask him about the diesel locomotives the TA has. If he's qualified on diesels, ask him to explain the differences between the automatic and independent brake valves. Maybe he can explain things like equalizing, main reservoir, brake pipe and brake cylinder air to you. I'm sure the "real railroads" have them as well.
In conclusion, it seems you, and on separate occasions, LIRR employees think TA employees have easy jobs since they don't work on a "real railroad". Judging by from what I heard from a fellow employee who's dating a LIRR conductor, LIRR crews spend very minimal time on the train (I don't count deadheading and equipment moves). Sounds easy to me. The time spent on the train by TA employees (we call it cab time) pales in comparison to what LIRR crews spend. Could there be some feeling of superiority by "real railroad" employees toward the TA?
One more thing: ask your uncle about P-wire. The TA had it some time ago on the R44 and R46 car classes. I believe the "real railroads" have them. Ask him about the diesel locomotives the TA has. If he's qualified on diesels, ask him to explain the differences between the automatic and independent brake valves. Maybe he can explain things like equalizing, main reservoir, brake pipe and brake cylinder air to you. I'm sure the "real railroads" have them as well.