Category: Kids

Here’s why strollers shouldn’t be on the subway

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Finally, someone makes my case for me without even knowing it.  This happens more than most people notice, but it’s exactly what is getting in the way of the rest of us.

Example:
The 6 train has been my subway for over 10 years, so it’s quite embarrassing that it took the station manager’s voice finally announcing the next train to make me realize that we were waiting for the wrong one. THU-THUD–the stroller caught on the turnstile on our way out. “God-dammnit” I grunted as I wrenched it over. “Yes, gentleman who is shooting me a look. I did just swear two inches from my child’s face. She doesn’t speak English yet, so get over it.”

However, I will give this mother credit because she was taking this little adventure in the middle of the day around 1pm.  That’s the appropriate time to be out and about with all your baby gear.  8am and 5:30pm are NOT the right times to be out.

Here’s why strollers shouldn’t be on the subway

subwayblogger1 Comment

Finally, someone makes my case for me without even knowing it.  This happens more than most people notice, but it’s exactly what is getting in the way of the rest of us.

Example:
The 6 train has been my subway for over 10 years, so it’s quite embarrassing that it took the station manager’s voice finally announcing the next train to make me realize that we were waiting for the wrong one. THU-THUD–the stroller caught on the turnstile on our way out. “God-dammnit” I grunted as I wrenched it over. “Yes, gentleman who is shooting me a look. I did just swear two inches from my child’s face. She doesn’t speak English yet, so get over it.”

However, I will give this mother credit because she was taking this little adventure in the middle of the day around 1pm.  That’s the appropriate time to be out and about with all your baby gear.  8am and 5:30pm are NOT the right times to be out.

Ahh yes, get them started young

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Yes, that’s right, that was a 2 year old you saw board the 7 train by himself.  He’s a busy man.  He’s got places to go, and other babies to see.  He doesn’t have time for his mom to get her act together.  No no, he’s going with or without her.

22 month old Stuart Tito hit the rails on his own one morning, leaving his mother standing on the platform.  Mom turned her back for a second to deal with her other kid when Stewie ran onto the 7 train alone…just as the doors closed.

Police were called and called ahead to the train dispatch.  Luckily, another passenger noticed the 3 foot tall straphanger riding alone, and got him off the train.

Now we have “Last Minute Arrival Guy Baby!”

Wonderful. 

Welcome to the conversation

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kidstroller.jpgGothamist finally joins the Subway vs Stroller debate.  They received a listener email asking about proper rider etiquette when it comes to strollers. 

Dear Gothamist,

I am wondering if you can shed some light onto the topic of strollers on the subway specifically during rush hour.

Well, SUBWAYblogger has been on this one for a while.

Baby Gap
Monday, January 29th, 2007

What the hell is up lately
Friday, November 3rd, 2006 

Emergency Exits are for Emergencies!
Monday, November 20th, 2006

Peevs
Monday, September 25th, 2006

Where did you come from?
Monday, August 21st, 2006

Parents of kid killed by train while doing graffiti on tracks plan to sue MTA

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lirrgraffiti.jpg

This does not really qualify as a subway related post, but it is close enough because this is the crap that totally enrages SUBWAYblogger. Here’s the back story.

Ari Kraft was a 13 year old graffiti punk who was widely known for his talent. Yeah, we said it…punk. Sure, he was probably a nice enough kid, and word on the street was that he was a really talented artist. However, at the end of the day, he was a graffiti punk who went around illegally tagging walls. Ok, we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and say that he might have done it on walls with permission from time to time. But like most graffiti artists, he often tagged areas that were not legal, such as along the LIRR tracks.

Ok, so Kraft and a buddy were out the other day tagging walls along the tracks and taking pictures of their work. Unfortunately, the Kraft tried to cross the tracks, and was struck by at train. He narrowly missed one train, but was then struck and killed by one he did not see coming.

SUBWAYblogger is by no means happy that the kid died. It is truely unfortunate.

However, the parents have taken it to the “are you fucking kidding me” level. They now plan to sue the MTA because they did not maintain the fences along the tracks!

Family friend and attorney Daniella Levi said the family plans to sue the MTA, the LIRR and New York City once it finishes sitting shiva for the boy.  -NY Daily News

Are you kidding me?!?!?

They are going to sue the MTA because their kid, spray can in hand, found a hole in the fence, walked on to the tracks, tagged some walls, and got killed. How is that the MTA’s fault?

Here’s a thought Mom and Dad…maybe if you taught your kid that it was wrong to break the law, he would not have been on the tracks. Or maybe if you taught him it was wrong to tag property that did not belong to him, he would not have gone in the first place. The list goes on. This is the most ridiculous thing SUBWAYblogger has ever heard of.

If the MTA loses or settles, they should take the family to civil court and sue them for trespassing and destruction of property. They should sue for the exact amount that they lose to this family.

I think we all understand that parents can be upset when their kid is killed. Duh. However, don’t place blame on anyone but yourselves. Is it wrong to say that it was the kid’s fault? Because it was. He knew he shouldn’t be there. He knew it was illegal. And if he was as bright as everyone says, then he knew it wasn’t that safe. So guess what, it was your son’s fault that he was killed. Sorry, but that’s the truth. He made a bad decision that cost him his life. Plain and simple. A BIG mistake. So why take it out on the MTA?

Is SUBWAYblogger the only one furious about cases like these?

Where did this kid come from?

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How young is too young to be riding on the subway alone? Am I the only one who is astounded by some of the kids you see on the subway alone? I mean the summer is one thing, but it is dark now by 5pm. There’s 12 year olds on riding the subway alone when it is dark outside.

Maybe SUBWAYblogger’s parents were a little over protective, but is just seems really strange.

I could perhaps understand if it were a big group of kids heading for the subway together to go to school. Then they ride together on the way home. But some of these kids are riding alone or with just one other friend. Even the ones that have a buddy with them are a little sketchy. Eventually, the friend gets off at one station. The other kid has to stay on because he/she lives 2 stops further up town. So eventually, they are both alone.

Also, some of these kids are straight up punks. Yeah, I said it. They just go ape sh*t as soon as there are no authorities around. Then the rest of us have to put up with their crap. God forbid another adult tell one of these kids to cut the crap because then psycho parents come after you for disciplining their kid.

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

Stop the crazies!

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ftrain.jpg

The crazies are back on the loose again.  Ok, so in case you haven’t heard…

A mother in Brooklyn killed her 9 year old boy because “the demons told her to.”  So she smothered her son to death.  Then, she decided that she had to run to the subway and throw her self on the tracks.

Unfortunately, the mother survived.  Yes, UN-fortunately.  Someone that crazy who also kills a kid deserves to end up on the tracks.  However, in this case, she couldn’t even do that right.  She ended up suffering a broken leg and a couple fingers got severed.  Otherwise, she’s in stable condition and will probably survive.

Anyway, the demons told her to kill her son.  That’s right, the demons.

So here’s the alleged skinny.  There was a birthday party planned for her son.  The day of the party comes, but there is no party.  Obviously, the kid is wicked bummed.  Then, out of the blue, the mom says the demons are telling her that her son needs to die.

The other boroughs have been getting a little to nutty for me lately.

Crying Babies

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Is there any more annoying sound than that of a crying baby? Not an infant baby (but I guess that could get old too). I mean a bratty toddler baby.

I suppose the only thing that makes me want to break things more than their screams is the idiot parents. These moron mothers that just sit there and don’t do anything while the kid screams! It would be one thing if the kid hit his head or something and had a legit reason to cry. But no. The kid is crying because he’s just a brat, and the mother let’s them keep screaming. These parents should be slapped.

Ohh and those parents that just let their kids go nuts on the subway should have their heads held in the door as it closes. You know those elementary school aged kids that yell and climb up on the seats. UUGGGHhhh. Again, the kid is annoying as hell, but it is the parent’ fault that they are allowed to behave that way. SUBWAYblogger’s parents would have knocked the snot out of us if we behaved like that.

So let’s all join together in an effort to do a little parenting. “It takes a village city” to scare these kids straight. So next time you see a little punk bothering the crap out of your fellow passengers, get up and do something. Whatever you decide to do, make it loud, and make it into a scene. Make sure that the parents see you do it. If they say something to you say, “Ohh I didn’t know he was your kid. He’s acting like a little shit so I figured he was on board alone.”

Together, we can make a difference.

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

If I had children like these…

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…I would push them onto the tracks. Actually, I take that back. I would throw myself on the tracks because it would be my fault that I had these little brats.

Do you ever find youself out somewhere just wanting to throttle a child into the pavement?  Like on a bus, in a restaurant, a waiting room, or in this case the subway?  If you do, just remember that it is the parents who you actually want to slap silly, not the kids.

If this child throws himself into my legs one more time, I will hold his mom’s head outside while the doors close. Here’s the game:

On this crowed train, wait for the brakes to hit, then jump up in the air to see how far down the isle you get thrown. Ohhh and you get bonus points if you hit a person in the knees on the way down (aka me).

YEAH…THAT’S THE GAME. Meanwhile, terrible mom of the year award winner says, “Hunnie, c’mon. Stop that please.”. Saying it at least 10 times.

So here’s my idea. Grown-ups, let’s all stick our legs out in the isle. Ladie with pointy shoes get more points.  Then maybe mom will stop her kid before he loses all his teeth.

WOW. This turned out to be a really angry post. Sorry bout that. But really, how much should a person have to handle?

Live from the subway, back to you in studio… 

Not in Kansas Anymore

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Whoa. This is weird. Remind me never to catch the train at Lincoln Center again. Waaaay to many artsy kids around.

Frankly, they frighten me. Especially in groups. These kids are supposed to be loaners, right? So what’s with the little goth gangs here.

I figured since school isn’t in full swing yet over here that I would be safe. Oh no my friends. There must have been some sort of orientation or special program going on. Otherwise, I have no explanation for this occurrence.

I really thought that this was some sort of joke. Dozens of those kids that wear all black, and carve shit in their skin. Ohh and lots of chrome stuff: chains, studs, nipple rings…the usual.

Walking into the middle of the pack really can make you fear for your life. I sort of froze for a moment, and I think they could smell my preppy-kid fear.

Lesson learned!