The immediate impact of todays generally crappy weather did not seem to have much effect on the subway this morning.  You can never tell what’s going to throw the wrench in the system when it comes to the weather.  Sometimes, all it takes is enough rain, and you’re S.O.L. in terms of getting to work on time.

This morning, it was just an icy mix.  It didn’t seem like the kind of stuff that would freeze on the exposed tracks.  The stairs leading down to the subway weren’t even that slippery!!

Can we expect the same for this afternoon’s commute home?  Let’s hope so, but it isn’t looking good.

For one reason or another, there is a problem on the A line this morning.  Trains are being rerouted all over the place. 

At this point, all I know is that the A train I was hoping to get at Penn Station is supposed to not be here.  Ok fine.  So I head back down the stairs, walk all the way under, then back up to catch the C train instead.

What’s that across the way on the other platform??  Looks like an A train!!  But according to the lady yelling at me in the ceiling, there isn’t supposed to be an A train here.  Oh well, I’ll just wait for the “C.”

And wait….

and wait some more…

still waiting…

WTF?  Is that another A train?  Yes, yes it is.  There my dumb ass stands, still waiting on the C platform.

My fellow passengers are equally as pissed.

For one reason or another, there is a problem on the A line this morning.  Trains are being rerouted all over the place. 

At this point, all I know is that the A train I was hoping to get at Penn Station is supposed to not be here.  Ok fine.  So I head back down the stairs, walk all the way under, then back up to catch the C train instead.

What’s that across the way on the other platform??  Looks like an A train!!  But according to the lady yelling at me in the ceiling, there isn’t supposed to be an A train here.  Oh well, I’ll just wait for the “C.”

And wait….

and wait some more…

still waiting…

WTF?  Is that another A train?  Yes, yes it is.  There my dumb ass stands, still waiting on the C platform.

My fellow passengers are equally as pissed.

Holy smokes this is a nightmare of a ride!  Rain and flooding all over the subway system is causing massive delays.

I’m on the 1 train right now, and it is totally screwed up.  We’ve literally stopped in the tunnels for 15 minutes TWICE already.  We got to the next stop (finally), doors opened.  People got on and off.  Then we pulled out of the station like normal, but nooooooo.  Just few hundred yards away, we stopped.  And there we sat for another 15 minutes. 

The worst part was that the air system isn’t on so it is getting really stuffy.  As it is, all the windows are fogged up.  From the outside, it must look like we were all making out in here or something.  Gross!

So the South Ferry station is allegedly under water, which means that the 1 trains don’t have their normal area to turn around.  Then, in the 100’s some where, the uptown express trains are being rerouted because one of those stations is under water. 

As great as the subway system is, it’s ability to adapt in adverse conditions is its biggest flaw.  Once a station’s tracks get wet, like South Ferry, there’s very little alternate solutions.  I’m sorry, but a free transfer to a shuttle bus at street level is not a valid alternative.  There needs to be more cross over points so that trains can get around a limited area and get back on track.

I just hope this get’s cleared up by tonight!

Quickly becoming me least favorite phrase in the English language.  They should just change it to, “Because the system is ridiculously fragile,” or “Because it has been a few days since we last inconvenience you…”

As soon as you hear that phrase of the PA system, you might as well bend over and take it in the shorts.  Resisting will only make it harder.  No matter what comes after that phrase, just assume that you are not going to get where you are going on time.  Period.

It could be, “Because of an investigation in Miami, Florida, all express service will be running on the local track.”  It doesn’t matter what comes next.  There’s never a detailed reason.  Meanwhile, they will constantly tell you where the next train is in the opposite direction you are trying to go. 

Yes, please keep telling me where the next uptown train is.  Myself, and the other 1,500 riders on the downtown platform are hanging in suspense.  But keep telling us about that investigation.  Don’t tell us where the hell the next train is, no no.  Keep us guessing.  It’s more fun that way.