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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

GO agrees with me (and thousands of others, too)

We don't care that you're coming back from the airport or Quebec City or were too cheap to take a cab, but during rush hour, none of us owe you the favour or privilege of piling your fridge-sized suitcases onto seats.

GO says so.

- Signed the readers and operator of thiscrazytrain.com (if the logo doesn't make it anymore clear perhaps a smack upside the head is in order)

42 comments:

Kaylaa Claudusz #Ajax said...

You need a HUGE LIKE button for this one.

Richard said...

Amen

TomW said...

Hmm... I read this as GO saying "we know people want to take luggage on the train, but that's no reason why should provide some place to put it. Far easier just to try putting people off instead"

Consider:
1) People want to travel with luggage on the train.
2) Unless there are officials inspecting how much stuff you have when you board, people *will* travel with luggage on the train.

GO could solve this by having a place for people to put luggage. Otherwise, people will continue to pile it on their seats.

C.J. Smith said...

True. But pick a better time to do it. 7:53am? Not so great.

The trains weren't built with this in mind as it was expected people would travel using VIA. Times have changed but the trains have not.

Most suitcases won't fit in overhead carriage and GO is welcome to add another car for baggage but do you think people will actually take their luggage and leave it unattended? Doubtful. Even though they do this on airplanes, they won't do it on mass transit.

Let's face it, people are lazy and even if GO made an effot to accommodate excess baggage, people wouldn't abide.

GO buses can handle suitcases and are a viable option to those with fridge-size suitcases. The ride may take longer but that's an option.

Leana said...

This is fucked up. And you're rude!!! As long as people pay there fare, they should be allowed to bring whatever they want on the train...even a couch! Not everyone can afford a car and the GO bus takes too long to get anywhere. Some of us don't want to wait... I'd hate to see you shop at IKEA!!!!! How would you get your shit home?!!! GO Transit talks a lot of shit but doesn't even control the problem so like Tom says, until they enforce all of their rules you just assholes better put up with it. I'm going to Cancun in two weeks and I'll make sure I do take the 7:53 and stack all my suitcases right in the aisle right beside where your sitting!!!!

C.J. Smith said...

Awesome! I'll be sure to have my lighter and can of lighter fluid ready.

Bicky said...

There's no reason to use such inappropriate language... how classy! *sarcasm*

Gary said...

The minute someone starts to swear when they are attempting make a point, they lose all credibility. Remember that Leana.
It's one thing to do it for comedic emphasis but you lost me at the f-bomb.
Secondly, your fare entitles you to ONE seat. If you would like to stow your luggage, buy a fare for each suitcase.
Tom raises some good points but I believe GO buses already address the luggage issue. The trains are built for people, not cargo.

Richard said...

Leana - troll or donkey, either way take your anger and entitlement somewhere else. GO is a commuter rail system. Your couch goes on the Via train next door.

Al said...

I'm on the fence with this one.

I travel frequently and geta ride t the airport anyway but if I had to would use the train.
This argument could easily be applied to people with Children/Strollers, they can take up quite a bit of room as well and I dont think it is right to tell a mother with a child that she should take a later train since she has a big bulky stroller. She mayvery well need to be somewhere at a certain time and is entitled to travel with child and they are free so the paid fare argument is moot.
You could also argue that physically challenged people in wheel chairs should not travel in the morning since when they go on the accesible car they have to take up 2 seats when they fold up the bench style seats to accomadate the chair effectively reducing the overall capacity of the train. I know it would be silly to do that buit the argument could be made and that would not be right.

AS long as the people are not haording seats and thier stuff is in the aisleway there should be no problem travelling any time day or night, it's not like you can always plan a flight to leave in the evening, sometimes there is just one flight and it is a morning flight.

Al said...

I also disagree with loss of credibilty by using a swear word, It's another form of language, I dont see what the big deal is with people being offended by swear words. It's only offensive cause someone told you that we should not use words like that, which is Bull.

Go to europe and check a beach somewhere, your guaranteed to see someone topless on the beach which many people in the west consider rude/taboo. It's just a different culture, we are conditioned to think some things are offensive when really they should not be.

Swearign has it's place and I think it emphasises here displeasure witht he topic more than "I dont like what you are saying"

It imparts a passion that can only be expressed with an F bomb.

Matt said...

@CJ - it would be epic if you actually had it. There would be a Mexican stand off, with you threatening to douse her luggage, and her not believing you. The best part? You don't even need to light it up; if she gets to the airport with luggage that is covered in lighter fluid, they won't load the luggage.

C.J. Smith said...

My daughter no longer uses a stroller/carriage/SUV but I had one I used for walking and one I used for traveling where it was compact and could fold. I was mindful of how large my Quinny was and didn't use it on the GO train.

The accessibility car is the exception and no one has any right to tell any person with a walker, mother with child, person in wheelchair not to use that car.

People who gripe about the lack of room in the accessibility car who don't have accessibility issues should not be in that car.

Large strollers are annoying but rarely block a seat.

Rolling suitcases can be put under seats. It's the bar-fridge size suitcases (three of them/for one person!) that can go on a bus.

C.J. Smith said...

@Matt

Actually, just sitting there with a blowtorch is my hands would be better. :)

D.F. said...

I dont care how much crap people bring with them as long as they dont put it on the seat they are not sitting in. Those big ass suitecases belong in the aisles, not taking up space where a person can sit.

Pookie said...

Who the hell takes the GO train to the airport? The bus is faster. I live in Peterborough. If I were to drive to Oshawa and then hop on the train, then get on TTC, then take the Lawrence bus, it would take hours. It's faster to take the bus right from Oshawa and transfer at Yorkdale. Perhaps this is why GO never bothered retrofitting their trains... I also think from the west there are aiport GO buses.

oshawa grrl said...

to pearson terminal 1:
bus 92 from Oshawa to York Mills
then take bus 34.
2 hours.
taking the train is almost 3.

Gary said...

Whatever Al. I work in customer service. Once you start swearing at me, I no longer want to help you.

Al said...

The I go to someone else higher up who doesnt have the choice of ignoring me.

Jamie said...

Swearing is not OK in Canadian public and neither are many other traditions held by other people around the world, (the mind boggles). Simply shows what a boor you are. Swearing is simply another form of rude behaviour, of which there are many. I am at the hieght of the customer service ladder and if you swear at any of our staff you no longer get any service.

Go is a commuter service period, not a general purpose public transit. Taps provide water service, expecting them to provide other liquid of your choice because you wish it so is....well, stupid.

RonNasty said...

I can't read the small print, is there a penalty for not following the baggage rule?

p.s. What's going to happen when we get rabid transit to Pearson? Are they going to be using the same GO Trains we ride everyday?

p.p.s. Swearing is only appropriate when it's funny.

p.p.p.s. If you are unable to get your hands on a blowtorch, you can always use the axe .

Al said...

If I have to reach your height of the service ladder I deserve to swear because your underlings are either to incompetent or incaple of assisting me and I wouldf have exhausted my kindness and would be at my wits end.

Swearing is perfectly acceptable in Canadian public (prude) considering I am canadian born and bred, and can deal with an f bomb here and there. It is only unacceptable because you have deemed it so.

I don't go swearing for no reason and don't use it in general conversation but swearing has a time and a place and in the context used above I think it is perfectly acceptable.

People have different opinions, expecting them to conform to your choice because you wish it so is....well, stupid. and somewhat dictatorial, (Castro)

Fred said...

Of for fuck's sake, will you fucking assholes shut the fuck up already?

Anonymous said...

Rapid transit to Pearson (Pearson Rail Link/Blue22/whatever-name-of-the-month) will use their own rail vehicles and charge a higher premium, it won't really target the commuter market GO is serving. Metrolinx already announced the order for the Sumitomo equipment that will be used, presumably outfitted with luggage racks and the works.

So, if I'm at my wits end do I deserve to/am entitled to go beating up the manager at a Tim Hortons because the employees are complete morons and keep messing up my order? I don't think so. It's a form of abuse like swearing.

It's always the uncontrollable ones that start dropping f-bombs in conversations, mostly when they get frustrated and see the conversation is turning in the other party's favor or they're not getting what they want (or think they're entitled to). Funny thing is, everyone can easily pick out when this happens, especially online.

D.F. said...

what Fred said :)

Al said...

Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will ever hurt me comes to mind,

You're talking about 2 different things.

Imcompetence does not justify assault, but telling the manager he hired a bunch of F*^%&^ morons is totally acceptable if true.

Assault and slander are very different

Al said...

See, fred has the hang of this emphasis thing.

Jamie said...

Fred = Al = n00b

There is nothing dictatorial about having good manners. Furthermore your place of origin and upbringing are irrelevant. Canadian civil society, of which you clearly are not apart of, doesn't accept this type of abusive behaviour. Dropping f-bombs doesn't make it acceptable, (lame attempt at trying to channel James Dean).

Perhaps GO CSA's should start asking these donkeys to get the eff'ing luggage off the train in a quiet respectful voice. (heavy sarcasm)

Stephanie said...

I'm with Jamie. I own my own business. If a customer complaint makes it to me and they have sworn at my employees, I ask the customer to take their business elsewhere, no matter how badly we have screwed up. No one deserves to be sworn at.

Taylor said...

@RonNasty, the small print says "Please see our Passenger Tariff item no. 29 ("Baggage") at gotransit.com, or contact us for more information.
Checking the Tariff, item 29 states:

29. BAGGAGE
Facilities for checking of transported baggage are not provided at rail
or bus stations or on buses or trains. Passengers travelling on GO
Transit Service shall be limited to luggage, parcels, or objects which
they can carry and which will not cause any inconvenience to other
passengers. Folded baby strollers and folded bicycles only will be
permitted on buses when there is suffi cient space to accommodate
such articles. Skis and poles and other large baggage may also be
permitted but only when there is suffi cient space to accommodate
such articles.
Note: For the purpose of this Rule, a folded bicycle means a
collapsible bicycle which is designed to fold with a hinge and be
reduced to a size not exceeding 80 cm. x 80 cm. x 30 cm., and
carried in a proper carrying case such as canvas, leather, wood, or
other substantial material.

Note the term "inconvenience to other passengers"...

Al said...

Whatever,

My bottom line is,

swearing is not that big a deal, not equivalent to physical assault and is very useful in getting one's
point accross. How often do you look in the direction of an f bomb dropped in public, hmmm..

How about CJ starts a poll on this one

Al said...

@ steph,

Sometimes they do deserve it.

Your business will suffer in the long run.

Al said...

Especially if the complaint is valid, such as someone writing the wrong delivery date or address, assuming you ship stuff.

Al said...

One more thing,

This all started from someone using the f word, it wasnt even directed at somebody but he issue is what was sworn at, I would tend to agree swearing at someone would not be acceptable but cutting off business because someone simply swears out of frustration caused by a given situtaion is not justified.

so if you refused my business cause I swore at an employee, (you are a so and so) I could accept that, refusing my business becuase I swore, (this is effing retawded) would not be cool.

Todd said...

Al had lost me for awhile but the last comment makes sense. There is a difference between swearing at someone and just swearing in general. I have a bit more tolerance for the former. That being said if I'm interacting with someone who swears a lot (whether at me or not) I will have a lower opinion of them. If you can't express yourself without resorting to profane language then you're not someone I'm interested in spending time with. If you want to call that being prude then so be it. I'm ok with that.

p.s. back to the luggage issue, it's ok if it does get in the way. I rode the rush hour train with my mother when she was visiting TO, she had a large suitcase but we sat by the door and it wasn't in anyone's way. It all comes down to being respectful and considerate to those around you.

Todd said...

I meant "latter" not "former", my bad :(

lady in pink said...

I am also torn...I agree with not put your luggage on the seats or in the isle but there are some spots to put a suitcase if needed...I don't think you should be allowed to use seats or take up space of where a person can be sitting unless you pay two fares...and swearing is totally childish!

Leana said...

OMG. Really?!!! All this because of me. You're all assholes.

Anonymous said...

"Of for fuck's sake, will you fucking assholes shut the fuck up already?"

A prime example. Swearing is an emotional bludgeon that people use to manipulate others.

Anonymous said...

zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

C.J. Smith said...

Yep. Looks like we're done here.

Anonymous said...

I kind of want to know who pees in Leana's corn flakes every morning.