A method and a system for controlling cycle up and cycle down operations of a printer device that includes a plurality of individual transport, where each transport defines a section of an overall path for the medium and performs a process relative to the medium as it passes therethrough. A sensor associated with each transport provides information indicative of its operation including a signal indicating whether or not a medium is present within its paper path section. A controller is operatively associated with the transports to receive such information produced by the sensor, and based thereon, to control the transports during cycle up and cycle down sequences.