Trouble on the North Side
Two teenage boys get on the train going north at Belmont, swearing loudly and making sure everyone heard them.
"Damn! That punk-ass bitch gave me a ticket for smoking on the platform."
He looked back at his friend and said:
"I knew we would have trouble the minute we got to the North Side."
Then, going through the door between cars, he said:
"Let's see if we can get the M***er F***er to give us a ticket for THAT!"
Gee, thems guys shore am rebels!
Posted by: Eric | November 30, 2004 at 10:54 PM
They should consider themselves fortunate. I was once carted off to the police station by a sleepy and grumpy police officer who I had obviously awakened by crossing from one el car to another. This was 2 summers ago as I traveled North bound between the Belmont and Addison stops. I was detained for about 90 minutes that day at the station, and 90 seconds on my court date as the judge dismissed the case without even looking up. One good thing from the whole experience was the way the people on the train rallied to my defense. They began to protest loudly as I was handcuffed and two women even wrote down the cops badge number.
Posted by: Adonis | December 01, 2004 at 09:33 AM
I guess the posted rules are just for show? Or just for some of us?
Solution: Don't smoke, and don't move between cars. Don't eat on the train, either.
If I can't do these things, neither can you. I hope the CTA enforces these rules and gets some fine money to help its budget problems.
Posted by: Scott | December 01, 2004 at 10:59 AM
Anyone know why the green line doesn't have eating posted on their list of no-nos? Its pretty disgusting.
Posted by: Jaques | December 01, 2004 at 05:57 PM
I am a casual smoker of pipes and cigars, but I will not smoke on the El platforms. I find it stupid that you can't smoke on the outdoor platforms, but the law is the law. I used to politely ask people not to smoke as it was against the law (and was always met with rude remarks and.or hand gestures). At least twice a year I've even managed to get the attention of a police officer and direct them to the smoker. Now, though, I simply pull out my laser pointer and start flashing it in their eyes. Yes, it is very childish of me, but it can be a lot of fun when they are on the other side of the platform and are not able to see who is lighting them up. Today, I had one woman repeatedly ducking behind one of the canopy support columns, and every time she peeked out to look around I would light her up. She would instantly duck back! She never did figure out it was me (let's just say I'm very good at crossing my arms and laying the laser pointer across my forearm and keep it hidden by my hand).
So, Don't Smoke on the platform, people! It is against the law!
ciao,
john.
Posted by: Mock26 | December 01, 2004 at 06:36 PM
Besides the fact there is a lot of grease on the tracks and wood on some of the platforms -- not a good combo for smoking!
Now if you are at Davis street, then just go all of the way to the end since it's a concrete platform, I'll just stay away.
Posted by: DancingDavidE | December 01, 2004 at 09:18 PM