Category: Live Blogging On the Subway

Angry Door Operator

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Wow…I think this may be the most pissed off subway door operator ever. He’s really screaming mad.

Somewhere on the train, people are holding the doors, and he’s going nuts.

“Let’s go, let’s go!”  “Get away from the doors”  “Front section, we’re waiting on YOU.” 

Have to say, I kinda like it. He’s telling it the way it is. Hey, if you can’t fit, get the hell away from the train. Period. I think from time to time, that needs to be said.

The standard, “Stand clear of the closing doors please,” is a little weak I think.

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

10 Years From Now We Will All Be Deaf

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iPods and the subway go together like peanut butter and jelly. That’s just a fact of life in today’s NYC.

Here’s a fun game, next time you are on the subway, look around. Count how many iPods you can spot. Then count how many of them you can hear from clear across the train.

That’s why it is pretty safe to say that by 2017, New York City will be the deafest city on the planet. If not, then the New Yorker ear will be the strongest ear on the planet.

Take in to account all of the daily noise that we New Yorkers don’t even notice. Did you ever have a friend from out of town visit? All the time they notice loud sounds that we never notice.

So factor in the city noise on top of the iPods cranked to the max. See what I mean?

Now, let me get back to the smooth morning tunes of Old Dirty Bastard coming from the headset of the guy next to me. 🙂

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

The Subway Reach Around

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hands.jpgAt what point does it become inappropriate for someone to reach around you to grab hold of a rail? That is this evening’s question to ponder.

What the hell am I talking about? Allow me to explain.

We’ve all been on crowded subway trains. As you know, sometimes you have to get creative in order to find a place to hold onto when the train is standing room only. Unfortunately, some peeps take it a little too far.

For example, men always have to be careful with their reach. Why? Because women have boobs, that’s why. It is tricky for a guy to reach around a woman to grab hold of the rail without accidentally looking like a pervert. The last a guy wants is to go for the rail only to get a handful of boob instead. It only get ugly from there.

Then there’s guys that will reach right in your face. All of a sudden, there’s a guy’s hand or arm just inches from your face. Uhhh awkward.

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

It is good to be back

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Back in the groove. Back to work (I’ll get over that soon), and back on the subway.

So far I feel like I’ve already won because I did not need a new MetroCard this morning. Thank goodness! The lines at the MetroCard machines were insane. Lots of people must have used up whatever they had left before the holidays, so everyone was refilling today.

My station has 6 automated machines, and each had a line at least 8 people deep.

I got my card out and went for the turnstile. It was one of those,”Ohh please work, please work,” moments. Victory! Although I will probably need a new one by the end of the week.

Not too crowded on this morning’s ride either. The train is full, but not stuffed like it normally is. I’d imagine that won’t start back up until sometime next week as many riders are probably still on vacation.

So that’s it for now, the state of the system. Great to be back.

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

Holy suitcases Batman

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There’s probably 9 people in this subway car alone with rolling suitcases at their feet. Everyone’s clearing outta the city today. Looks like these peeps are trying to get a head start this morning.

Tonights outbound commute is going to be complete hell, and SUBWAYblogger will be in the heart of it. No, not on the subway…in a car. Shoot me now.

Ugh. Anyway, SUBWAYblogger wishes everyone a Happy Holiday!

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

Ummm dogs on the subway

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Ok so the woman a few seats down from me has a Yorkie (dog) in her lap. Isn’t that illegal? I think so.

I don’t have anything against dogs…I have a few of my own. But I’m pretty sure they aren’t allowed on the train. Even if they are, they certainly aren’t allowed to be out of a crate or carrier.

Luckily, this dog seems pretty mellow. I can’t even imagine if it started barking. People would flip. Ohhh…or if someone was deathly affraid of dogs. That would be nuts on this crowded train.

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

Ohh the bells are a ringing

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The Salvation Army is out in full force. It seems like they have every subway entrance in Manhattan staked out. Or at least the ones near the best shopping.

I don’t mind throwing some change in the bucket when I walk by. I certainy do it more that I would ever give change to random bums on the street. However, I feel like a cheap bastard when I don’t throw some change in the red bucket.

For example, I gave all my change to the guy standing at the subway entrance where I got ON the train. I feel cheap when I don’t have anything for the guy at the stop where I get OFF.

“No no…really…I have all my change to the other bell ringer.” Always sounds like a cop out.

They sould give you a little sticker like the ones you get when you vote. “I donated today.” That should help with the guilt.

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

Book titles

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Here’s an interesting way to kill some time on your next subway ride. Pay attention to what people are reading around you. Pay special attention to books. It is pretty funny/interesting to see what people are reading.

For example, I kid you not, the old lady sitting next to me is reading a dirty book. I can’t catch the title, but it is one of those paperbacks with a half dressed man and woman in a passionate embrace on the cover. Ewww.

I saw a guy reading Catcher in the Rye on the subway last night. I just assumed you had to read that book to pass 8th Grade.

If you are lucky enough to be able to see a page, read it. Some people are reading some sick sh*t.

Anyway, there’s a little tip to pass the time.

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

Subway construction

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Is subway construction like highway construction where they just constantly rip stuff up and replace it just to keep busy?

Over the period of a day or two, I noticed constuction crews ripping up a line of tracks, and then replacing them with new ones. They completely demo the concrete and railroad ties. Then, they pour fresh concrete, and put back the ties. The tracks didn’t look bad in the first place.

Each track must be on some sort of a replacement plan. Maybe it is like Verizon’s “New Every Two” deal. Hey, if it’s a saftey issue, I’m all for replacing the tracks. However, something smells a bit like a labor union to me…and it isn’t the homeless guy (although they do smell similar).

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…

Is that bar really going to stop anyone

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The bar that you push past in the subway turnstile…that’s just more of a suggestion huh. If you’ve ever paid slightly more that average attention to the subway entry process (SUBWAYblogger has), then you have probably seen people hop the bar.

It really is more of a suggestion, because who is going to stop you? No one. The only way you are going to get caught is if a police officer is watching. If they see you, you can count on getting a summons. Otherwise, nada.

SUBWAYblogger is NOT suggesting that everyone start dodging fares. Not by any means. It’s merely an observation.

Why don’t they put more of the “iron maiden” style gates in? I guess those cause more issues than they are worth. People always seem to mess up, and lose a fare with those.

Anyway, if they could perfect the system, they could phase out the bar style ones. Think of all the fare money the would be saving! People would be forced to pay. Plus, those 17 year old “kids” that parents swear are 12 years old would have to start paying.

Live from the subway, back to you in studio…