Who Moved NYCity: MTA (NYCT) and Me

By FITZROY (FITZIE-SMITTY) SMITH

It gives me great pleasure to write this book (part one of two) regarding my career with MTA (NYCT). I also outlined what to expect as a new bus operator and what actually took place over the years, especially dealing with some supervisors, but most of all, the ins and outs with passengers and, lastly, the traffic.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9781662419508

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Who Moved NYCity

MTA (NYCT) and Me

FITZROY (FITZIE-SMITTY) SMITH

Copyright © 2023 Fitzroy (Fitzie-Smitty) Smith

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2023

ISBN 978-1-6624-1949-2 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-1950-8 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

The Move

The Interview

Psychological Test

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Inspecting the Bus

Day 2 with Superintendent Texin (Instructor)

Day 3 with Superintendent Texin

Day 4

Day 5

The Eighth Day at Hudson Pier Depot

Day 2 with DMV, Day 9 at Hudson Pier Depot

Day 10

My One Year Anniversary, Completed My Probation

September 11, 2001, Attacks

Transfer to Fresh Pond Depot

Transfer Back to Flatbush Depot

December 2005

The Strike

The Election

2007

2008

Promotion to Train Operators (2008)

The Tragedy

2009

About the Author

The Move

In November of 1999, my house phone rang. I said, Hello, good morning.

The receiver said, Hello, this is Mr. Gumbs calling from NYC Transit for Fitzroy K. Smith.

I said, This is Fitzroy Smith.

He said, "Oh, hi, we've been trying to reach you for quite some time, because your name is on a waiting list for a job with New York City Transit as a bus operator. Are you still interested in becoming a bus operator with the New York City Transit Authority?

I said, Yes, sir.

He said, Very well, do you have time now on the phone, so I can set up an appointment for an interview with one of our staff?

I said, Sure.

Mr. Gumbs said, Very well. As I looked at my calendar, I would like to give you an appointment, two weeks from today, but to follow up, I would send you an appointment letter in the mail, so please bring this letter with you, along with the necessary documents that are listed in the letter.

A few minutes later, as I hung up the phone, my phone rang again. I thought it was the same person (Mr. Gumbs), so I said, Yes, sir.

The receiver said, Oh, hi, I'm Ms. James, not a man.

I said, Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were the same person that I just spoke to a few minutes ago.

She said, Okay, I understand.

I said, What have I done to have such beautiful voice calling me?

She laughed. She said, Oh, do you flirt with every woman that calls your phone?

I said, No, but your voice sounds so (excuse my expression) sexy.

She said, Well, thank you. Anyhow, let's get down to business. The reason for my call is you filled out an application with Green Lines bus company in Queens. And I would like to know if you are still interested in working for the company.

I said, Sure, ma'am.

She said, Very well, I will send you a letter, so you can come in for an interview with one of our field supervisors.

These were two very important calls. Somehow, I had less than one week to decide if I would accept either one of these two jobs. The problem is, I'm presently working two jobs, one with a school bus company named Jofaz, and the other operating an employee bus to and from JFK terminals. If I accept either NYCT or Green Lines, it means I'll have to resign from my two present jobs (Jofaz and Hudson Inc.).

Before I left my home, I looked into the mirror. I said, Wow, here I am working two jobs, trying to make ends meet, because of my child support obligation. I said, "Okay, this is my plan. I would take the NYCT job, and call back Green Line bus company to let them keep my application on file, just in case the job with NYCT doesn't work out. By doing so, I would have something to fall back on, because working for the city has its ups and downs.

I returned to my job (Jofaz) that same day. One of my coworkers (Billy) said to me, Yo, Smitty, where have you been?

I said, Bro, I went home to take a nap, but you wouldn't believe what transpired while I was home relaxing.

He said, What happened? Was it something good or bad?

I said, Something very good.

He said, Oh, come on, Smitty, tell us what happened.

I said to Billy, I received two important phone calls while I was home. One from New York City transit and one from the Green Bus Lines company.

He said, So are you leaving us to take a job with one of them?

I said, Billy, nothing is concrete. They just wanted me to come in for an interview.

Another school bus driver (Ron) interrupted. He said, Smitty, I think you should take the NYC Transit job. I have a cousin who works for NYC Transit as a bus driver. He says the pay is good, especially the overtime, and also the benefits are good. Don't pass up such a good opportunity.

I listened to both Billy and Ron's opinion, but I said to myself, No matter what they say, at the end of the day, the decision is mine, and I have to deal with whatever decision I make for the rest of my life. I say to both Billy and Ron, Guys, can you all keep this (conversation) between us? I'm not ready to tell Lenny (supervisor) until I'm really sure if I'm gonna leave Jofaz.

A few days later, I received both letters, one from NYC Transit Authority and one from the Green Lines bus company. NYC Transit wanted me to come in the following Monday, while the Green Bus Lines company wanted me to come in Thursday of that same week.

I said to myself, I would go to the interview with NYC Transit and if it doesn't worked out, I would go to the Green Bus company afterward.

The morning of the interview with NYC Transit, I prepared myself properly by collecting all the necessary documents that I was told to bring to the interview. Yes, I must admit I was a little bit nervous, because it wasn't too long ago that the school bus company (Jofaz) got me board-certified to work as a board of education school bus driver (union higher salary).

I decided to use public transportation because I didn't know exactly where I was going. All I knew is that I should be going into Lower Manhattan. Then I said to myself, Smitty, why don't you ask the train conductor? I did just that, and he (conductor) pointed me into the right direction.

He said, Get off at Bowling Green, and as you exit the subway station, the building is right in front of you.

I entered the building, there were two security guards sitting at the front desk, I walked straight toward one of the security guards. I said, Good morning, sir.

He said, Good morning to you, what can I do for you?

I said, I have an appointment in this building to become a bus operator with NYC Transit.

He said, Do you know which floor you need to go to?

I said, No.

He said, Let me see your letter.

I opened the envelope (brown), took out the letter, and handed it to him. He looked at the letter. He said, Oh, you are going on the ninth floor.

He handed me back the letter. I said, Thank you, sir.

He said, "You see that gentleman over there in that blue shirt? (pointed to my right side)

I said, Yes.

He said, That guy is waiting to go upstairs on the ninth floor too.

I said, Okay, let me go and introduce myself to him.

The security guard said, Okay, buddy, good luck with your interview.

I walked toward the gentleman in the blue shirt. I said, Hi, how are you doing?

He said, I'm all right.

I said, The reason why I approached you is because the security guard just informed me that you are going on the ninth floor for an interview to join the fleet of NYC Transit bus operators.

He said, Yes.

I said, If you don't mind, what time is your appointment?

He said, Nine o'clock.

I said, Wow, we both have an appointment for nine o'clock.

I said, Let me introduce myself (handshake). My name is Smith.

He said, Oh, my name is Charles.

I said, It's nice to meet you, Charles.

He said to me, Smith, are you nervous?

I said, No, it's just an interview.

He said, Well, to tell you the truth, I was a little bit nervous, but now that you put it so eloquently (it's just an interview), I feel much better.

Charles say to me, So, Smith, what type of work are you into right now?

I said, Oh, I work two jobs. During the day, I'm a school bus driver, and at night, I work at JFK Airport driving the airport employee bus.

Charles said, Oh, so you already have a commercial license.

I said, Yes. How about you, what type of work you do?

He said, Oh, I worked in a warehouse in the shipping department.

Charles looked at his watch. He said, "Oops, Smith, it's time to go to the ninth floor.

I said, Boy, look how time flies.

He said, You are right.

We both headed to the elevator, I pressed the button for the ninth floor. On our way to the ninth floor, Charles didn't utter a word because I think he was still nervous.

As we entered the ninth floor, there was a security guard sitting down by a desk. I said to Charles, We don't know who we supposed to see; let's ask that guy over there. Charles and I approached the gentleman (African American). I said, Good morning, sir.

He said, Good morning to you. What can I do for you?

I said, We both have an interview on the ninth floor, but we don't know exactly who we are here to see.

He said, Oh, I can help you all with that. Do you have the letter that was sent to you?

I said, Sure. I put my hand inside the envelope, took out the letter, and handed it to him. He opened the letter, read it, he then said, Okay, guys, wait right here. I'll be right back. He got up out of his seat (chair), walked down the