Spotting the hot cars

With temperatures reaching near-record highs in the DC area this week, and no relief in sight, we've all become much more aware of metro cars without working air conditioning.  If you've found yourself on one of these cars after the doors close, it's not just hot, it's stuffy and stale.  It feels like the oxygen has been depleted and you need to hold your breath until you can take a gulp of real air as soon as the doors open again.  And you find yourself dripping sweat while just sitting there, and no matter how much you try to distract yourself or fan yourself with the newspaper, you can't stop thinking about just how HOT it is.

Photo from DC Metro People

Here's your first tip.  If you find yourself on one of those cars, switch cars at the next stop.  Most of the time it's just one car that's having issues, not the entire train.  Place yourself at an end door so that at the next stop you can hop out of that car and into an adjacent one.  You probably won't be the only one doing this.

But there are a few clues to help you spot these cars before you get in.  If a train pulls into the station and there's a car that's unusually empty, especially if the car to the front or back of it looks more crowded, it may be a problem with the air.  Also, look for people fanning themselves with newspapers or whatever they're holding.  In this heat with the air not working, it'll be at least half the people in the car fanning themselves for relief.  Finally, if you see a group rush to get off that car only to walk over to the next car, save yourself the trouble and follow them to a better car.

In heat like this in a system known for maintenance problems and broken trains, try to carry a bottle of water with you.  You never know where or when you'll get stuck, and as we saw this week on MARC, you never know how long it'll be.

Share your tips below.

Aisle Encroachment

Another recent story told to me.  A woman was riding in an aisle seat but taking the liberty of keeping her legs in the aisle.  As others were getting ready to get off, the train took one of its signature halting stops, throwing passengers around like jumping beans.  Of course that led to someone landing on aisle-encroacher's feet, which happened to be in open-toed shoes.  A loud "OH #$*@#" was heard by all.

Moral of the story?  If you get one of those aisle seats you should probably stay within the seat as much as you can.  (I know, sometimes your seatmate takes over.)  Aisle-encroachment can lead to stomped toes, knocked elbows, and tripping passengers.  And if you're standing, be ready for the hard stops metro is known for and try not to step on any toes.

You don't want to mess with me

Maybe there's a lesson in this story from a coworker, or maybe it's just another example of unhappy metro riders.  Anyway, here's a recent metro commuting story:

I was waiting on the platform waiting for the train this morning. The train stopped with the doors right in front of me. I started to move to the side to let everyone out. All of a sudden I heard a stern voice say something behind me. I took out one of my ear buds and (in a non-jerk voice) said, “I’m sorry?” It was a 40-50 year old black guy wearing a suit, sunglasses, and a porkpie hat. Who wears a porkpie hat?!

Guy: You can’t just step on my foot like that!
Me (still staying calm): I’m sorry. Just calm down.
We started boarding the train.
Guy: What did you say to me?
Me: I said sorry…
Guy: Ok…
Me: …and calm down.

Guy (getting close to me): Do you know who I am?
I can’t believe he just said that.
Me: I don’t care who you are. I’m just trying to get to work.
Guy: You don’t want to mess with me.
Me: I’m not. You need to grow up.

By this time I think he realized I wasn’t intimidated and he gave up.

Did anyone else google porkpie hat?