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[My apologies for the redundant subject matter. This is a ridiculously long post, and rather than hijack someone's thread, I decided to start a new one. Hope you find the following of interest.]
Changing cars between trains.
Yes, indeed, it is dangerous, which is why the MTA discourages it, and has made many attempts to stop it over the years.
Yet, for true natives of NYC, it is a 'skill' you develop growing up, and becomes second nature. It is a skill which could save your life!
Imagine being late night on a subway, stuck in a car with some crazy, or someone trying to rob you, or rape you. The train is between stations in a tunnel, you want to run. The only place to run is to another car!!!
Perhaps, a similar circumstance, but not so dire. Just some suspect individuals you might not want to be/stay in the same car. Avoid the possibility of confrontation, seek the comfort of a crowded car, remove yourself from potential victimhood.
So, you better be capable of moving thru the cars---quickly.
****
I recall back in the day, when the MTA designed and installed those cars with the Engineer's both covering the entire width of the front of the cars, AND the doors were LOCKED! So, it was impossible to travel between cars. Also, because of the design of the Engineer both, you could not see thru the train cars.
(If I recall accurately, these were then new IND cars. Most are now retired, but old similarly designed cars can be found on the "R" line if I am not mistaken.)
Natives along with the Transit Authority cops (back then they were separate and independant from the NYPD) were in an uproar, hating the cars, as they created a dangerous circumstance.
The feeling of being 'locked in' was daunting for most native citizens; and the cops were at a disadvantage in observing and monitoring activity on the train, as the Engineer cars blocked the ability to see thru the cars. Imagine a cop might not even know what was going on in the next car!!
The locked doors and engineer cars prevented the cops themselves from moving thru the train. Having to wait until the train stopped at a station in order to move to the next car. If the cop needed to move to a car several cars distant, then he had to communicate this to the conductor/engineer and the train w/h to wait while the cop moved down the platform.
OH! Not only all that, but of course the conductors utilized one of the engineer cars for their purpose, as they did and do now. The problem? Just as above, the cars were locked and you couldn't see into them.
This meant that not only was the engineer locked in and cut off, BUT so was the conductor!! The conductor was locked in and fully cut off from the riders. The conductor could not observe the goings on in the car he occupied and certainly not any part of the train. The same issue the TA cops had.
The only manner in which the public or the conductor could interact was by standing on the platform thru the little window on the outside of the car.
Had a question for the conductor and you happened to NOT be near the middle of the platform where the conductor is nomally located? TOO BAD!
Need the conductor's attention for some dire emergency? TOO BAD!
Why this idioacy?
Well remember this was the bad ole days. The city was in decline, crime was out of control, the subway system was a horrific joke of abysmal service and crime. So much so, the conductors and engineers felt insecure and in danger. Some had been attacked.
Of course, the UNION steps in, and along with the MTA/TA conspire to put the needs of the Unionists above those of the paying public and the tax payers, who happen to be their EMPLOYERS!!
So **secure** boths were designed and installed which would keep the employees secure, while leaving their employers, the riding public, LESS secure!!
STUPID! Consequence of bureaucratic idioacy!!
(Can you imagine private business making such boneheaded concessions and decisions? Oh yes, I can think of a recent one. Starbucks decision to close down bathrooms for the benefit of employees consequently reducing service to customers. See how quickly Starbucks reversed that bit of numnutted decision making. Oh, let me say Netfix too! Unfortunately, boneheaded government bureacracies are a bit more glacial in correcting idioacy!)
Fortunately, this stupidity was corrected in the next generation of cars. SORTA. The engineer cars were designed back to normal, so the sight lines were restored, and if I recall the doors were unlocked.
Yet, with the subsequent generation, the first of the stainless steel IRT models, the locked doors were, again, attempted. Fortunately, after a lot of displeasure by the public. The bureaucrats finally gave up on the locked doors.
Danger or no, moving between cars is an imperative, and EVERYONE needs to know how to do it safely.
****
Anyone remember the Japanese sized seats??
Another boneheaded move by the bureacracy. For you Newbies, the MTA/TA had always designed and built the trains with either American or Canadian companies.
Some knothead decided and did contract with the Japanese (Of course, this was at a time when the Japanese were taking over the world thru business). The problem? Americans are just a wee bit larger than Japanese subway riders.
The MTA/TA failed to perceive the need to instruct this fact in the design specs, neglected to inspect the design for this aspect. They ordered and accepted the cars with seats designed for small Japanese bodies.
Fiasco!
Oh, and of course, this was part of a move to institute individual seats rather than the 'bench' seating which had worked for years. Why the switch? Because during the era of the 70s/80s there were complaints that some riders would take up more than their fare share of seating space. The reality of which caused those who insisted upon sitting to confront the so accused seat hoggers.
Of course, this being NYC, serious confrotations ensued, sometimes ending in violence. So, to forestall and address the issue, the MTA/TA had designed and installed individual seating.
As you aptly demonstrate, your brain is so small, and your life experience so narrow, what could you possibly have to add, contribute or discuss?
Have you ever posted ANYTHING of substance? Anything that would indicate brain function, or that you do not suffer from DMD?
Honestly ever since you completely d1cktucked on that broad channel thread a few months back and ran away like a little school girl after myself and a couple of other people embarrassingly called you out on your nonsense; I literally don't take a word you type seriously on this board.
I remember the infamous R-46 "Ding Dong" cars that had a worse reliability than the 40 year old equipment they replaced.
As I recall, the official approving the cars knew of the issues but was bribed with prostitutes to allow the deal to continue.
Rather normal for NYC.
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