Subjunctive ? and "al tanto de que"

[tacuba]

“Gracias a la carta pude conseguir que cuatro compañías que operan trenes de carga todo a lo largo de México me dieran permiso para viajar en los techos. Así el maquinista estaba al tanto de que yo me encontraba a bordo.“

I'm having trouble seeing why the subjunctive is being used in the first sentence (could you also use the indicative here?) and the phrase "al tanto de que"....what does it mean in this context?

Thanks for your help.

[Rusty]

The phrase pude conseguir que is one of volition, so the subjunctive is used.

The other phrase (estaba al tanto de que) means he was aware of the arrangements.

[tacuba]

The phrase pude conseguir que is one of volition, so the subjunctive is used.

The other phrase (estaba al tanto de que) means he was aware of the arrangements.

“Señor Speedy.“ Ese nombre te queda bien.:)

Muchas gracias

[Rusty]

:) No hay de qué.