First Class Duck
@firstclassduck.bsky.social
an opinionated and jaded traveler
I was still shocked at how meh the Macys was when I visited in 2018…
January 11, 2026 at 2:33 AM
I was still shocked at how meh the Macys was when I visited in 2018…
There’s a fun “would drivers switch to IBX for the ideal IBX use case” question, especially if there’s a parking lot at the other end…
January 11, 2026 at 12:04 AM
There’s a fun “would drivers switch to IBX for the ideal IBX use case” question, especially if there’s a parking lot at the other end…
Reposted by First Class Duck
You can take my cc rewards points from my cold dead hands
January 10, 2026 at 1:38 AM
You can take my cc rewards points from my cold dead hands
Reposted by First Class Duck
Rule 35: if it exists, there are people who foam it
January 10, 2026 at 3:22 AM
Rule 35: if it exists, there are people who foam it
njtransit.my.salesforce-sites.com/FCMS__CMSLay...
Even being a cleaner at NJT requires previous experience that implies factory work. Transit agencies aren't going to pick up 18 year olds fresh off the street anymore...
Even being a cleaner at NJT requires previous experience that implies factory work. Transit agencies aren't going to pick up 18 year olds fresh off the street anymore...
CorporateDetailPageNJ TRANSIT Logo
njtransit.my.salesforce-sites.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:13 PM
njtransit.my.salesforce-sites.com/FCMS__CMSLay...
Even being a cleaner at NJT requires previous experience that implies factory work. Transit agencies aren't going to pick up 18 year olds fresh off the street anymore...
Even being a cleaner at NJT requires previous experience that implies factory work. Transit agencies aren't going to pick up 18 year olds fresh off the street anymore...
careers.mta.org/jobs/1719717...
Here's an interesting opening. It's supposedly entry level for a trainee, but they're basically requiring that you come with previous experience.
Here's an interesting opening. It's supposedly entry level for a trainee, but they're basically requiring that you come with previous experience.
Signal Trainee - Full Rate in White Plains, New York, United States
Signal Trainee - Full Rate in White Plains, New York, United States
careers.mta.org
January 10, 2026 at 12:13 PM
careers.mta.org/jobs/1719717...
Here's an interesting opening. It's supposedly entry level for a trainee, but they're basically requiring that you come with previous experience.
Here's an interesting opening. It's supposedly entry level for a trainee, but they're basically requiring that you come with previous experience.
He'd still say try it out and make a go of it, but you'll definitely have to make adjustments for a few years.
As he jokingly notes, you work OT to send your wife and kids to Disney...without you.
As he jokingly notes, you work OT to send your wife and kids to Disney...without you.
January 10, 2026 at 12:03 PM
He'd still say try it out and make a go of it, but you'll definitely have to make adjustments for a few years.
As he jokingly notes, you work OT to send your wife and kids to Disney...without you.
As he jokingly notes, you work OT to send your wife and kids to Disney...without you.
BFF had single moms in his training class who managed to make it, but they admittedly had parents who helped.
From what he told me, they warn applicants about the weird hours up front, but some drop out once they experience it, and NYCTA is somewhat less annoying about this compared to the railroad
From what he told me, they warn applicants about the weird hours up front, but some drop out once they experience it, and NYCTA is somewhat less annoying about this compared to the railroad
January 10, 2026 at 12:03 PM
BFF had single moms in his training class who managed to make it, but they admittedly had parents who helped.
From what he told me, they warn applicants about the weird hours up front, but some drop out once they experience it, and NYCTA is somewhat less annoying about this compared to the railroad
From what he told me, they warn applicants about the weird hours up front, but some drop out once they experience it, and NYCTA is somewhat less annoying about this compared to the railroad
Does Baltimore have a residency requirement?
Even with the "nice section" of some cities, some people don't want to be bothered with the residency requirement. Sometimes, you want to be as a far away from work as possible after a bad day.
Even with the "nice section" of some cities, some people don't want to be bothered with the residency requirement. Sometimes, you want to be as a far away from work as possible after a bad day.
January 10, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Does Baltimore have a residency requirement?
Even with the "nice section" of some cities, some people don't want to be bothered with the residency requirement. Sometimes, you want to be as a far away from work as possible after a bad day.
Even with the "nice section" of some cities, some people don't want to be bothered with the residency requirement. Sometimes, you want to be as a far away from work as possible after a bad day.
BFF jokingly noted that a sizable chunk of the people he met in schoolcar are people who applied for Sanitation or Transit, and they basically went with the agency that called first.
They were too scared to join NYPD.
They were too scared to join NYPD.
January 10, 2026 at 11:50 AM
BFF jokingly noted that a sizable chunk of the people he met in schoolcar are people who applied for Sanitation or Transit, and they basically went with the agency that called first.
They were too scared to join NYPD.
They were too scared to join NYPD.
From what's been hinted to me, it seems that the fastest way these days is to get a CDL, get hired to operate buses, and then apply for the railroad. Proof of clean license, some degree of responsibility, and a bonus if it's from the same agency.
January 10, 2026 at 11:48 AM
From what's been hinted to me, it seems that the fastest way these days is to get a CDL, get hired to operate buses, and then apply for the railroad. Proof of clean license, some degree of responsibility, and a bonus if it's from the same agency.
FWIW, the job descriptions for locomotive engineer and even conductor to a certain extent imply that they want somebody with a work history first.
And even if you had "the hook up" of years past, people seem to bomb when it comes to memorizing signals and railroad layouts.
And even if you had "the hook up" of years past, people seem to bomb when it comes to memorizing signals and railroad layouts.
January 10, 2026 at 11:45 AM
FWIW, the job descriptions for locomotive engineer and even conductor to a certain extent imply that they want somebody with a work history first.
And even if you had "the hook up" of years past, people seem to bomb when it comes to memorizing signals and railroad layouts.
And even if you had "the hook up" of years past, people seem to bomb when it comes to memorizing signals and railroad layouts.
You'd be surprised.
When the cost of being late to work is higher than the cost of the red light/speeding ticket, you'll eat the ticket.
When the cost of being late to work is higher than the cost of the red light/speeding ticket, you'll eat the ticket.
January 10, 2026 at 11:37 AM
You'd be surprised.
When the cost of being late to work is higher than the cost of the red light/speeding ticket, you'll eat the ticket.
When the cost of being late to work is higher than the cost of the red light/speeding ticket, you'll eat the ticket.
"We financed these monitors with ads. But at least we have buses?"
January 10, 2026 at 11:36 AM
"We financed these monitors with ads. But at least we have buses?"
Edit: My pet theory for years has been that the Euros use extended parental leave as the substitute for daycare for infants and young toddlers.
January 9, 2026 at 10:41 AM
Edit: My pet theory for years has been that the Euros use extended parental leave as the substitute for daycare for infants and young toddlers.
Prime Shipping to her residence for the win!
January 6, 2026 at 1:13 AM
Prime Shipping to her residence for the win!
In contrast, in the US, the old ATM banking networks are still alive in theory, but since the vast majority of debit cards now have a VISA/MC affiliation, nobody cares about them anymore.
Now when I was a kid in the early 1990s, a out of state debit card could have been a liability...
Now when I was a kid in the early 1990s, a out of state debit card could have been a liability...
January 5, 2026 at 1:42 PM
In contrast, in the US, the old ATM banking networks are still alive in theory, but since the vast majority of debit cards now have a VISA/MC affiliation, nobody cares about them anymore.
Now when I was a kid in the early 1990s, a out of state debit card could have been a liability...
Now when I was a kid in the early 1990s, a out of state debit card could have been a liability...
That's what I get for not zooming into the bus stop signage.
The Haitian church should have been a giveaway, but I assumed that Haitian churches could be anywhere now. :-)
The Haitian church should have been a giveaway, but I assumed that Haitian churches could be anywhere now. :-)
January 5, 2026 at 12:41 PM
That's what I get for not zooming into the bus stop signage.
The Haitian church should have been a giveaway, but I assumed that Haitian churches could be anywhere now. :-)
The Haitian church should have been a giveaway, but I assumed that Haitian churches could be anywhere now. :-)
For Catholics, this can be as simple as schedules or different language options, but for other Christians, it can boil down to following a specific preacher and preferring his (or her) sermons.
January 5, 2026 at 11:14 AM
For Catholics, this can be as simple as schedules or different language options, but for other Christians, it can boil down to following a specific preacher and preferring his (or her) sermons.
One of the more interesting things with a car is that you end up choosing places that you like more if you're not fond of the local option.
There was a a Catholic church within walking distance of my old home, but we drove to alternative parishes.
There was a a Catholic church within walking distance of my old home, but we drove to alternative parishes.
January 5, 2026 at 11:14 AM
One of the more interesting things with a car is that you end up choosing places that you like more if you're not fond of the local option.
There was a a Catholic church within walking distance of my old home, but we drove to alternative parishes.
There was a a Catholic church within walking distance of my old home, but we drove to alternative parishes.
I'm admittedly in a mostly white neighbourhood, so if there's an old neighbourhood, it's most likely in Queens (see Howard Beach/Ozone Park or Glendale/Middle Village) or Southern Brooklyn versus Bed Stuy.
January 5, 2026 at 11:12 AM
I'm admittedly in a mostly white neighbourhood, so if there's an old neighbourhood, it's most likely in Queens (see Howard Beach/Ozone Park or Glendale/Middle Village) or Southern Brooklyn versus Bed Stuy.
Judging by the location of that church, and Kreyol on the church next door, it's *very* likely that they don't live in my neighbourhood. SE Queens, Elmont, Valley Stream, OTOH...
January 5, 2026 at 11:08 AM
Judging by the location of that church, and Kreyol on the church next door, it's *very* likely that they don't live in my neighbourhood. SE Queens, Elmont, Valley Stream, OTOH...
The people who drive to churches tend to be the ones who have the ear of pastoral leadership…or the pastors themselves.
January 5, 2026 at 2:05 AM
The people who drive to churches tend to be the ones who have the ear of pastoral leadership…or the pastors themselves.
I use it as a secondary alarm in case my phone fails.
January 3, 2026 at 1:56 AM
I use it as a secondary alarm in case my phone fails.
For fun, I wonder what an equivalent fare from say Orleans to Kanata would cost in other metro areas. Or from downtown to Barrehaven.
January 3, 2026 at 1:52 AM
For fun, I wonder what an equivalent fare from say Orleans to Kanata would cost in other metro areas. Or from downtown to Barrehaven.