CTA Tattler

I apologize, this post is not relevant to the story. However, I did want to make sure that everyone was aware of the plan tommorrow regarding the shutdown of some lanes and service around the Block 37 area in order to help officials prepare for the hassle of the eventual construction. The block 37 construction simulation will reduce Washington, Randolph and Dearborn to three lanes around Block 37. It was reported that the CTA bus stop on south bound state at Washington will be relocated to the south side of Washington, the sidewalk and entrances to the Blue Line on the east side of Dearborn between Wasthington and Randolph will be closed, and that CTA bus riders will be directed to bus stops at Madison street and Randolph. (This may be a chance to see how communication has improved within the CTA)This story was reported in the Tribune today.

Anyway, I wanted to make sure that everyone knew.

Devin Ross
Neighborhood Capital Budget Group

Speaking of riding habits, what's the best response to the take-up-two-seat types on the EL who are so brazen that they do so even during a crowded, rush hour commute? The arrival of a senior citizen or a tired young parent with infant makes no difference to them, and even a direct request is often not 'heard.' More considerate people routinely balance several bags of groceries, a briefcase, or a backpack, etc., on their laps even on light travel days, so what gives -- or more precisely, what will get the greedier types to give?

I hear you on that caesura. While the vast majority of el riders are polite and considerate, a few riders could use a lesson in civic comport. If the person looks nice enough, I'll say "Do you mind if I sit there" as politely as possible. If not, I don't bother. I think part of the problem may have to do with seating arrangement on the el. With the row configuration, some sit down and assume the two seats are theirs. I think there's a psychological component to it as well, there isn't much space between the rows of seats, so you're kind of enclosed, and then it's a bit like ah what the hell, I'll put my stuff down right next to me. I think I favor a longitudinal arrangement.

I hear you on that caesura. While the vast majority of el riders are polite and considerate, a few riders could use a lesson in civic comport. If the person looks nice enough, I'll say "Do you mind if I sit there" as politely as possible. If not, I don't bother. I think part of the problem may have to do with seating arrangement on the el. With the row configuration, some sit down and assume the two seats are theirs. I think there's a psychological component to it as well, there isn't much space between the rows of seats, so you're kind of enclosed, and then it's a bit like ah what the hell, I'll put my stuff down right next to me. I think I favor a longitudinal arrangement.

Alex,
With a longitudinal arrangement people would be sleeping across the seats, lounging across them etc etc. I think longitudinal seating would make people even more apt to take up more space than they need. Plus with that kind of arrangement EVERYONE will be subject to either the ass or crotch of the standees in their face. Down with longitudinal seating!!!

I ask politely at first. If I'm ignored, I pick their stuff and hand it to them. Lots of times the offending person will move to another seat.

Longitudinal seating is an awful idea that I am dreading. I really hope they reconsider this idea because it's going to make riding the El that much more unpleasant.

As for people occupying two seats, I've never had an individual NOT move their things when I ask them to. I do look for a free seat though before I ask someone to move their stuff, in an effort to avoid confrontations. Really, I don't think it's so horrible to put bags or other items on the seat next to you, so long as the train isn't getting crowded. Once it fills in though, there's no excuse for not moving it BEFORE folks start having to ask...

yeah, longitudinal seating blows. it's like on the bus, cramming yourself inbetween people when you really need a seat. yuck.

at least with the seats on the el, if you're sitting next to someone who's bigger than you, or god forbid, sitting with their legs all spread out (guys, CUT THAT SHIT OUT! it's not all macho and it's rude!), you can sort of edge out on the edge of the seat if necessary.

I know a girl who sits on the aisle seat because of an incident involving a man next to her whipping it out and her being unable to escape.

I'm not all that comfortable in the window seat, but I get around it by only sitting in the seats facing inwards or standing if the train's crowded enough that the seat next to me might be needed.

If everyone is standing and there's a seat open next to a two-seat-taker, I go right up to them and look at the seat, then politely ask if I can take it. Usually they move even before I ask. The only reason I haven't done this is for someone who was talking to themselves LOUDLY and/or was smelly. Then I'd rather stand.

Otherwise, I figure if the person wanted to ride in comfort and spread out, they should've taken a cab. I paid the same as they did, and I'm sittin'.

Also, longitudinal seating is fine if there's full DIVIDERS with arm rests (not just arm rests, but actual dividers). Then it's actually better because your legs don't have to squish against someone else, no matter what.

If I remember right, there were seats like this on the London Tube. Can anyone back me up, or am I wrong about that?

The one thing is that it's harder to gaze out the window. I hate it when I'm caught without something to read, and have to sit in a sideways seat.

I'm not particularly "fat", (or at least not very wide.) I'm a guy, but I don't act macho, or anything like that. I can squeeze my legs together for a short period of time, but there's no way I could ride all the way from the loop to Fullerton without great discomfort holding my legs together. And there's no way I could make it to Belmont even if I were inclined to put up with the pain. My muscles would give out, and I simply would not be able to hold my legs together another moment.

It's like being at the dentist, and trying to keep your mouth open as wide as it goes for the exam. Eventually you need to rest, and sooner or later, you just aren't going to have the strength to continue it.

When my legs are split apart while I'm sitting, it's not a sign of being macho. I'm not trying to be rude. That's just the way they're attached to my hip.

That's also why I prefer to stand on a crowded train even if my feet are killing me.

melanctha, maybe I'm just dense, but how could she be unable to escape? Couldn't she at least scream and alert others to what was going on? I was in a similar situation once--he didn't whip it out, but he started fondling my thigh. I very loudly told him to stop touching me right now, perv, and that was enough to get the attention of the people around me and to put him on notice that I wasn't going to sit there quietly and just take it.

Warren, there's sitting like a man and then there's sitting in a spread eagle position. It's the spread eagle that's annoying and pointless.

Warren -
Maybe you're built differently, but if women can sit with their legs together for extended periods of time, why can't men?