Train Frustration.

Every morning, Jim has the unlucky job of dropping me off at the train station. I am thankful that I do not have to walk to the station or even ride a bike. I am also thankful that I do not have to park or pay to park at the station. I am not thankful, however, for the overwhelming hassle that comes with being a Metra rider.

Don’t get me wrong – I dealt with some of this when riding the CTA in Oak Park or Chicago, but nothing compares to the riders on Metra trains and the sense of entitlement that some riders seem to think they have.

After grabbing my Starbucks this morning (I had a gift card), I began walking towards the front of the train. The train came to a halt (I should have taken my usual one) and I began to make my ascent! I reached the top tier – only to find that I was stuck choosing one of the pull down seats – not a problem, I pressed forward. A “kind” woman in front of me realized “Oops!” there were no individual seats left, so she turned around – saw that I was halfway down the aisle and huffed to the farthest seat. Clearly, her intent had been to go back down to the first tier, but I had gotten in her way! (Perhaps she should have viewed the top tier from the bottom tier, but who’s using their brain…)

I settled into my seat, opened my book and began my commute to Chicago. When I take the earlier train, I usually head straight to the top tier, grab the first seat and have no problem. However, as we near Union Station, inevitably, someone just has to get to work. My solution? Leave earlier if your tasks are that urgent. As a result, they usually got onto the train in one of the later stops and they proceed to the top tier to be secluded. They then head all the way to the end and take a seat (for which there is only one exit, on the other end, where I am strategically seated). Five full minutes before the train enters the station, these people are ready and raring to go! They jump out of their seats, plow down the aisle, and proceed to stand (practically on top of me) as they wait for the crowd to begin filing out. (Keep in mind, we still have five minutes to go!) They block my way, so that the seat that was originally chosen for strategic purposes has now become a burden. My response: once the train has ceased movement, I jump up and push my way through! It’s survival of the fittest, I tell you! All of this happens only on my way to work. I then walk one mile towards my job to “cool off.” Perhaps, when I’m not so utterly exhausted, I’ll tell of my journeys home.