Metra says suspensions aren't overreacting

A day before the fate of the presidency is decided, Metra administrators may decide on the fate of three engineers whose careers are in jeopardy after an incident where an 18-year-old was supposedly allowed to drive a commuter train.

The transit agency is expected to hold a hearing Nov. 3 along with union officials to get to the bottom of allegations that two engineers let the teenage train enthusiast into restricted areas and a third permitted him to take the controls.

Metra was tipped off about the apparent misconduct Oct. 9 after the teen broadcast his experiences on MySpace. The agency suspended the three without pay, pending an investigation.

Metra spokeswoman Judy Pardonnet defended the agency's punishment of the engineers, saying that with trains traveling at speeds of up to 69 mph, there's no room for error.

"It's a lot more complicated than it looks," she said. "They have to dedicate their full attention to it and we don't want anything perceived as a distraction."

Engineers need to read and understand signals, warning lights, watch out for construction zones, slow zones, other trains, not to mention grade crossings, Pardonnet said. Trainees spend 40 weeks learning the job before they're allowed to work with an experienced engineer.

Asked if commuters can get into a train without fearing that a joyriding teenager is at the helm, Pardonnet said, "if the allegations are true, our top management has contacted the union to put them on notice that proactive measures should be taken so this never happens again."

Metra board directors Jim LaBelle and Arlene Mulder said they heard about the snafu from media accounts.

"I certainly hope it's an exception," said LaBelle, former Lake County board chairman. "Safety has been a high priority for the agency."

Mulder, Arlington Heights mayor, noted "there's at least three sides to every story, so we've got to find out what happened."