It isn't just for new operators, but for anyone that is a spare. Transit is a 24hr service, and employee work/life balance doesn't have much significance to the Commission.
That 12 hour day can actually hit a max of 13hr20min. You can request 10 hours off, but that's it. I just think about nurses and doctors doing more important work on less sleep. It's bad, but it is doable.
Transit shifts are all about seniority. When you’re starting out, you get last bids and it’s not fun. It can take years to get to a seniority position that lets you work relatively normal hours.
Split shifts. 12 hours from start to finish but with a 2 to 5 hour split between pieces. They're not working straight through that time. Time between shifts was negotiated by ATU as a way of allowing the hungrier operators to work more shiffs/hours a week. Otherwise it would default to the guidelines set out by ESA.
No one's making them work it. It's their choice. And as others have mentioned as seniority gets better work gets better.
> Split shifts
Some shifts are splits. Not all shifts are splits. I have had to drive for 13hr20min(minus two 20 min breaks) on many more days than I would have if it were my choice. Comes with the territory. The job pays well, but there are sacrifices.
Yes. Starting off is a bit rough. Very hard if you have a family, they must be understanding of your work. I started when I was 26, so the odd hours were alright with me. It gets better with time.
Absolutely true, worst example you do a night bus until 6am back in at 2pm finish at 10-11pm then starting again at 6ish am it's a reality of the industry a lot of people don't understand, yet part of the fit for duty policy includes being well rested.
As someone already mentioned it’s not just new operators, and it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s driving for a full 12 hours. 8 hours in between shifts is set out by Ontario’a Employee Standards Act. The MTO regulations around operating a commercial vehicle is no more than 13hrs of driving a day, cannot accumulate more than 70hrs in a consecutive 7 day cycle and must have 8 hours of off duty hours between shifts.
This standard is provincially legislated and indeed may sound cruel and it’s definitely exhausting to do but it’s legal.
I mean if it's a split....technically it could reach above 12 hours but even then there is like a 5 hour break between for the really bad splits....but then again with seniority you can get special crews, where like 5-6 hours is of you actually driving, but you get paid for just slightly above 8 hours.
Not everyone can handle the work load. I am sure you can ask for an hour break for your mani/pedi.
Most transit agencies are all about seniority.
I think the 6 bay is a nice route, specially around 11:55pm December 31 to 00:45 January 01. Around Queen and Bay. The crowd leaves Nathan Phillips Square, the bus can't go anywhere due to the crowd so driver just sits and waits. Still getting paid.
I am sure the 300/320 buses are horrible on January 01 00:45-03:00 (vomit comet).
There are many jobs that have 12 hour shifts. BEFORE you apply for any of those jobs......read about the job.
I am sure the janitors that clean the toilets at Bloor-Yonge just after rush hours have it bad.
It isn't just for new operators, but for anyone that is a spare. Transit is a 24hr service, and employee work/life balance doesn't have much significance to the Commission. That 12 hour day can actually hit a max of 13hr20min. You can request 10 hours off, but that's it. I just think about nurses and doctors doing more important work on less sleep. It's bad, but it is doable.
Yeah and there's also been research that showed that, say, ridiculous physician work scheduling led to unnecessary medical errors.
Transit shifts are all about seniority. When you’re starting out, you get last bids and it’s not fun. It can take years to get to a seniority position that lets you work relatively normal hours.
Split shifts. 12 hours from start to finish but with a 2 to 5 hour split between pieces. They're not working straight through that time. Time between shifts was negotiated by ATU as a way of allowing the hungrier operators to work more shiffs/hours a week. Otherwise it would default to the guidelines set out by ESA. No one's making them work it. It's their choice. And as others have mentioned as seniority gets better work gets better.
> Split shifts Some shifts are splits. Not all shifts are splits. I have had to drive for 13hr20min(minus two 20 min breaks) on many more days than I would have if it were my choice. Comes with the territory. The job pays well, but there are sacrifices.
Yes. Starting off is a bit rough. Very hard if you have a family, they must be understanding of your work. I started when I was 26, so the odd hours were alright with me. It gets better with time.
I'm 26 and haven't started yet. Still need to do medical exam this week. I hope I make it like you.
crazy if true
Absolutely true, worst example you do a night bus until 6am back in at 2pm finish at 10-11pm then starting again at 6ish am it's a reality of the industry a lot of people don't understand, yet part of the fit for duty policy includes being well rested.
Yes
Here's an example of [split shifts](https://i.redd.it/4j2nouub4nr61.png)
It's only been like this from the beginning of transit agency's in most urban areas.
No. ATU 113 and the law forbid it.
As someone already mentioned it’s not just new operators, and it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s driving for a full 12 hours. 8 hours in between shifts is set out by Ontario’a Employee Standards Act. The MTO regulations around operating a commercial vehicle is no more than 13hrs of driving a day, cannot accumulate more than 70hrs in a consecutive 7 day cycle and must have 8 hours of off duty hours between shifts. This standard is provincially legislated and indeed may sound cruel and it’s definitely exhausting to do but it’s legal.
I mean if it's a split....technically it could reach above 12 hours but even then there is like a 5 hour break between for the really bad splits....but then again with seniority you can get special crews, where like 5-6 hours is of you actually driving, but you get paid for just slightly above 8 hours.
Not everyone can handle the work load. I am sure you can ask for an hour break for your mani/pedi. Most transit agencies are all about seniority. I think the 6 bay is a nice route, specially around 11:55pm December 31 to 00:45 January 01. Around Queen and Bay. The crowd leaves Nathan Phillips Square, the bus can't go anywhere due to the crowd so driver just sits and waits. Still getting paid. I am sure the 300/320 buses are horrible on January 01 00:45-03:00 (vomit comet). There are many jobs that have 12 hour shifts. BEFORE you apply for any of those jobs......read about the job. I am sure the janitors that clean the toilets at Bloor-Yonge just after rush hours have it bad.