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| Re: MTA training (Re: Called A ''Terrorist'' By A T/O) (531935) | |||
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Re: MTA training (Re: Called A ''Terrorist'' By A T/O) |
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Posted by SelkirkTMO on Wed Dec 12 03:52:28 2007, in response to Re: MTA training (Re: Called A ''Terrorist'' By A T/O), posted by Nilet on Wed Dec 12 03:32:21 2007. OR ... perhaps some "education" might be applied. As I've said, my bet is that VERY few in the MTA actually understand buffs. And quite a few over the last several decades have honked off adminiswigs to the point where there's a personal vendetta that's been passed down to the hourlies.When *I* worked there in the early 1970's, had a number of coworkers to whom I explained that I got the job because I loved the subway and wanted to do the gig ever since I was a kid. UNIVERSALLY, I was told to keep that on the "down and low" ... "buffs" are *not* appreciated here, and if anyone finds OUT that you're a buff, you'll be outta here like sheet through a goose. Well ... I cooked my own in an entirely different way, getting involved in TWU politics. I kept the "buffery" quiet as I'd been told. Spent about 15 years of my life in various civil service positions, so I know the score. If a memo or bulletin comes out, they make you SIGN it that you understand and will comply. Then the beakies come out, looking to trip you up so the agency's "discipline" score meets the numbers expected. And if they get YOU, they shoot, they score. So no matter HOW meat-headed the memo is, and how much you KNOW better, you STILL comply or it's YOUR meat for "dereliction of duty." :( There are WAYS to demonstrate that you're NOT what's in the bulletin. They've been trained in "sneaky" or "don't smell right." Simple matter of being up front, courteous, and being able to explain what you're doing and why. And yes, if it matters THAT much to you, then LET them call supervision, and keep calmly requesting "escalation" of supervision until you can get someone reasonable enough to tell those who called you in, "it's OK - you did great, thanks" and let them go on their way satisfied that they did what they were SUPPOSED to do and nobody's going to demand G-2's about it at the terminal. Yes, perhaps the wigs might need a tweaking ... but in all seriousness, my driver's license, photo and personal info is in the possession of CSX police, CP police, State and a few other entities where I've wanted to take pictures of this or that. And I have PRESS passes for others from the local sheriff. If I *see* something, I can photo it with impunity. All I need do is call ahead, give them a reference number, and I can pass the yellow tape. :) And taking pictures of trains shouldn't be much of a big deal so long as you are courteous, calm and can indicate calmly that you are NOT a threat. And if someone decides you are because they HAVE to, be courteous to the supervision, don't be afraid to escalate it to someone who actually HAS the authority to do "Simon says" to the hourlies, and all can be well ... the more they get to know "buffs" who are harmless, the better prepared they are in the future to slice the bologna properly in the field. But buffs ALSO need to know what gives them the willies, and make a decision as to whether it's worth it or not. Signals, interlockings, emergency exits, internals of wiring and such ARE potential terror targets. Pictures of trains shot from the platform are no big deal. RFW shots to the tracks, signals, switches and going beyond the edge of the platform DO fall under what they've been instructed IS "suspicious." A LARGE number of very interesting photos I've been allowed to take and keep were permitted on a basis of "If you don't put this on the internet, ENJOY!" Reasonable enough for me. :) |
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