The popsicle-sucking map protectors
How often do you get popsicle-sucking businessmen, a map-stealing kid, and an inattentive motorman all in one reader Tattler Tale? Thanks to Jacques for sharing this with us:
I was riding the Blue Line in from ORD Monday afternoon, in the last car, sitting in the last pair of seats facing each other. Around Montrose two businessmen in suits get on, eating popsicles, and take the seats with their backs to the conductor area that was closed off. They quickly finish them.
Shortly after we pass Logan Square, a young man entertaining some of his friends pulls the route map off the wall. He takes it back to his seat at the other end of the car and begins to examine it closely. (Why he didn't grab the map closer to him is unknown to me).
He then starts to roll it up, presumably to put it in his rucksack. One of the businessmen decides that this isn't cool, and goes to tell the guy to put it back. The guy says "I was going to put it back", and the businessman sits back down. Of course, the kid makes no such move to put it back.
We get past Damen, and the businessman presses the intercom button. The light goes green, and then nothing, no voice or anything. He presses it again after about 30 seconds. Nothing. He starts poking his head out after each stop to flag down a CTA staffperson or CPD. Nothing. I got off at Clark, and the guy had no luck finding anyone.
Glad to know that the CTA keeps up the "state of readiness" they had after the London bombings.
interesting stuff -- for several reasons.
businessmen eating popsicles. who eats popsicles anymore (although they really were breaking the 'no eating' rule, yes?) ??
however, they also broke the societal rule of 'see something? say nothing' rule, which is pretty cool.
and let me tell you -- i've wanted to take many things from the el, because i am obsessed with nearly all things transit. for instance, i really want a set of 'don't be jack' placards.
but i just didn't take them. i didn't want to get busted, and i think stealing is wrong. sigh.
Posted by: jocelyn | October 14, 2005 at 08:40 AM
The intercom only works if you talk first--the green light means it's OK to speak.
Posted by: ian | October 14, 2005 at 10:05 AM
I have a route map in my pantry. I stole it from an empty green line car at 5:37 am. I'm a bad, bad man.
Posted by: cannot be trusted | October 14, 2005 at 01:11 PM
the cta sells route maps, if anyone wants one legitimately. 47"x11", so I think they're the real deal http://transitchicago.com/store/giftx.html
Posted by: ilr | October 14, 2005 at 05:08 PM
Ian,
The operator of the train is supposed to respond when the button is pushed...they don't expect you to talk first.
Posted by: LadyDay | October 17, 2005 at 01:02 PM
The lack of a security response is in the same category as the airport security where the guy stole the jet for a joy ride. What? You mean we have security? God help us!
Posted by: Smitty | October 17, 2005 at 04:47 PM
I looked at the various merchandise for sale on transitchicago.com/store/giftx.html, and I think most of it is all right: nothing exciting, certainly, but if you really love the CTA, well, there you go.
It brought me back to mind of two things:
1. The CTA budget crisis and their need to not only fill existing holes in their budget, but costs going forward;
and
2. The London Transit Museum (www.ltmuseum.co.uk)
Now, I've noticed that suddenly, the advertising on CTA trains and buses is much more up-to-date than it has been in a long time, and on top of that, there's actually advertisements filling all the available ad spaces. I'm sure that was a direct result of them reviewing their ad revenue.
For some time, there's been the occassional poetry poster on the El/"L" (however you want to spell it), and that's a nice touch. But the CTA could go further.
The London Underground system, over its many years of operation, has built up an impressive repetoire of posters that were commissioned to promote the tube system. They sell them not only as posters but as postcards as well. Some even appear on T-shirts. You can buy them via their website or their store in Convent Garden. Several years ago, they had a "poetry in motion" event where poems - some modern, some not - appeared on the subway car posters, and they were big sellers in the Transit Museum. (personally, I bought one with a poem about an elderly cat on it; it fits perfectly over a doorframe, and I still have it).
The CTA has been working hard to promote itself and build ridership, but it hasn't built the same kind of brand identity that the Tube has. People may talk about the "L," and may even love it and celebrate it, but I think there isn't another train system anywhere in the world that matches the London Underground for brand identity and recognition - you know exactly what a red circle with a blue line across it means.
And while there are many museums in the Chicago area that carry memorabilia about the "L", there isn't a single museum in the Chicago area dedicated to transportation in Chicago - which seems quite surprising, given Chicago's contributions to modern-day transportation not only in the city but across the country and even around the globe.
I think the CTA could take a good look at the London Underground/London Transport Museum and learn a great deal about marketing themselves - and thus increasing sales of items that could help fund them.
Posted by: Meryddian | October 28, 2005 at 04:39 PM
Try http://www.irm.org. That's where I bought most of my El memorabilia. In my single days, the "art" in my living room consisted of old CTA bus and rail roll signs hanging from ceiling to floor, with a few old station signs, too.
Of course they don't focus only on Chicago, but they have quite a collection there. I highly recommend a trip out there.
Posted by: Warren | October 29, 2005 at 12:07 AM