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Thursday, October 27, 2011

Blurry evidence reveals bag riding/space hogging/seat blocking is a transit-wide problem even when luggage space is available


Via BlackBerry Messenger

Skin Man: Heading to Aldershot on the VIA, and I realize no one has spoken about their experiences yet on TCT.

Before I describe tonight's fun a little preamble.

VIA is akin to air travel than GO commuting. However, there are at least 50% of the travelers commuting from T.O. to Aldershot or Brantford. I only travel about twice a month this way, as it's double the cost of GO, but better seats and the speed is awesome.

Anyway, being more like air travel, we are treated to the lilting sounds of the french tongue from passengers and CSAs, lots of luggage, families, and of course (always) a ticket check.

So here's tonight's low down....tonight (Oct. 27) we have bag riders (see photo), foot riders, super-onion sub eaters and seat blockers.

I suppose I have to forgive the food eaters as we are travelling to more points west (Windsor) but every other perpetrator of anti-social behavior should be ashamed.

I chose a seat with a bag rider and seat blocker on purpose, who was pleasant about moving herself and her stuff. At least we can celebrate "Gin o'clock" on the VIA.
The only thing I focused on when reading this message was the alcohol. Hot damn.

If I were more fancy, I'd take the VIA train home from Union to Oshawa every night just for the fact that I could drink the whole train ride. Then I would stumble onto the 91 GO bus for a drunken ride home.

5 comments:

TomW said...

If you are "a person under the influence of drugs or alcohol", then any employee can refuse to let you on board (or remain on board) a bus or train.

Technically, this doesn't stop you drinking, providing it has no effect on you.

C.J. Smith said...

That kind of flies in the face of those "Arrive Alive" and other anti-drinking and driving messages.

I believe it's up to the discretion of the driver and CSA.

I'm not a falling down drunk, slurring my words kind of recreational drinker but I sure as fuck (strong language intended) am not going to get into my vehicle and drive it if I've had a couple of martinis on a VIA train home. Drinking involves planning. If you don't have a safe way to get home, then the bar is not for you.

I've taken countless late Friday night trains home on the LSE with drunken clowns who are so drunk they can't speak without lacing their sentences with "fuck" and in front of Transit Safety Officers who were checking tickets.

Not once did I witness any of these drunken clowns escorted off a train.

I think the line is drawn if the behaviour is menacing, if the employee feels their personal safety is threatened of if other passengers feel intimidated or scared. If this is the case, then absolutely toss them off and don't let them on the buses.

FRED said...

If I were more fancy, I'd take the VIA train home from Union to Oshawa every night just for the fact that I could drink the whole train ride. Then I would stumble onto the 91 GO bus for a drunken ride home.

By now, we should all be used to CJ's writing style. Surely this was written to make us laugh. We all know she's a responsible gal and would never actually get so drunk that she'd be a threat to anyone.

TomW said...

Actually, I had it in my head that GO had rule preventing you from drinking alcohol on the train. Turns out they don't - they just reserve the right to throw you off if you're inebriated.

Skin Man said...

GO may not have a rule, but the province does....can't consume alcohol in public except in licenced establishments....of which VIA is one b/c they sell it, but GO trains aren't....

I didn't tell you about the crying baby....healthy lungs that one. I'm surprised I didn't see more drinking!