Stepping Off the Train to the Front of the Line
I can hardly believe I am doing this, but I am so mad that I would love to hear people's opinions on this BART behavior. This has now happened to me three times.
While waiting for a SF train at the Walnut Creek station, in line, I have moved aside to allow others to board a very crowded train placing me at the front of the linem when someone one steps OFF the train and in FRONT of me on the platform. I think this is incredibly rude - frankly unbelievable. I have done this and always go to the BACK of the line. Admittedly, I cannot let this slide and have gotten into arguments with these individuals about their rudeness (not a good thing to do).
When confronted - because I just am at a point where I am not going to tolerate such things in my life anymore - they are all indignant, like what's the big deal, or I have been waiting for 15 minutes and the train is crowded (duh! and I haven't?), or logically, I was "before" you because I was on the train (then STAY on the train you're already standing).
If someone can remotely tell me some an actual reason that can support this rudeness, I won't get into it with anyone again - I will move myself to a different line because, frankly - I try to be a polite and accommodating to others during the commute time and this is just too much for me to let slide.
Thanks for the venting.
Sorry, it might be early, but
Sorry, it might be early, but I'm confused. You are at the station platform. The crowded train approaches. You are standing on the black tiles. The train doors open and a crowd of people get out. But not all of them leave the platform - some of them get back on because there was just no room to move to the side, so they get back on....and then what happens?
Yeah, I don't really
Yeah, I don't really understand either. Please clarify.
Here's the sequence - I am
Here's the sequence -
I am standing in line at the "black tiles" that line up to the door.
A crowded train pulls in, and I decide to allow others behind me who are in line to board, but I do not so that I am then the first in line for the next train.
Then a person who is on the train already, steps out of the crowded train and steps in front of me (or in front of the line - cutting in line really) even though I am the first one in the line waiting for the next train.
Is that clearer? Thanks - love to hear input.
"A crowded train pulls in,
"A crowded train pulls in, and I decide to allow others behind me who are in line to board, but I do not so that I am then the first in line for the next train." - FIRST MISTAKE. You have to get what's yours. You have to be selfish and get your spot on the train when it arrives. Don't wait for the next less crowded train - because there usually isn't one. Just push your way in and get a spot. NEXT.
"Then a person who is on the train already, steps out of the crowded train and steps in front of me (or in front of the line - cutting in line really) even though I am the first one in the line waiting for the next train."
Uh..I don't see anything wrong with that. He was on the train before you were, so for me he has "the right of way." He's not really cutting - waah - he was there first.
I know it's in our nature to be polite even at times when there is chaos. You can tell at a moments notice when you have to stop being polite - turn selfish - and get what's yours.
really? i usually agree with
really? i usually agree with you, but not on this one. if someone exits a train in an effort to catch the next "less crowded" train they need to go to the back of the line. if you exit the train, you are taking a risk. back of the line. that is how ALL lines work.
say you are second in line at home depot, but the person in front of you has 10,000 screws that the cashier has to scan separately. you cannot just go to the front of the next line because you were near the front of your original line... back of the line. always. no exceptions.
Ok I'll try and get some
Ok I'll try and get some video on this subject. I think we're talking about 2 different things here. I'm talking about people getting off an SRO train to let people off the train and then get right back on. I think she was talking about people who get off a train because it's crowded and then stand right in front of the line.
Is that what she is talking about? I'm still kind of confused.
correct. she is talking
correct. she is talking about people that get off a crowded train and then think it is their right to stand in front of the line on the platform to wait for the next train.
people that exit to let others on/off deserve to get their spot back on that train (usually that spot is the one that positions their ass right in the side of the face of the poor elderly/disabled person sitting next to the door).
If you are talking about
If you are talking about people who were on the train and standing near the door getting off the train to let others out, then getting back on themselves then you are a jerk. Otherwise I have no idea what you are talking about because your post made no sense.
I tried to clarify - this has
I tried to clarify - this has nothing to do with allowing people off the train and then they reboard - this is people who decide to completely leave a crowded train and therefore step to the front of the line. Allowing people to off-board to make space for people to exit is different - the polite thing to do is make space.
Trust me - I am not trying to be "a jerk" there are plenty of those to go around.
Perhaps it is a difficult scenario to explain.
Thanks.
i have never seen this
i have never seen this happen, but i understand what you are saying:
Joe gets on an SRO train at concord. by walnut creek joe decided he is tired of standing, so he exits the train to wait for a later, less crowded train.
when Joe exits the train, you were in line at the same door but decided to wait for the next train as well because the current train was SRO.
IMO, you have every right to maintain your spot at the front of the line. Joe should go to the back of the line.
however i am afraid your arguement with joe is nearly ALWAYS going to fall on deaf ears because before he even opens his mouth, joe has proven that he is not a logical person: if he was, he would have never entered the SRO train at concord in the first place, as there is a greater chance of getting a seat by waiting at concord than walnut creek (with the exception of a train originating at p-hill, in which case you and joe will both get a seat, so you are arguing a moot point.)
bottom line. all guys named joe are total douchebags. fuck joe and the train he came in on!
Thanks, you get the scenario
Thanks, you get the scenario exactly. And I do appreciate your insight into arguing with bad logic; now that makes sense to not argue with.
Have a good day.
First, I completely agree
First, I completely agree with you being upset. There are some really interesting people with strange (if not downright bad) behavior on public transit, but it's one thing to get pissed about how crappy BART is versus its' patrons; some issues are totally BART, others are the patrons/riders. While we have all encountered bad behavior by our fellow inmates (haha), we need to remember that you have to let some things "slide". You can attempt to correct people, but are you going to jeopardize your mental and physical well-being all the time. Sure, we want to let things out, get them off our chest, but there are some things better left alone-it is not always worth the hassle. Once again, you are right that they should have kept their ass on the train or went to the back of the line, but making a scene about it isn't worth it.
I find it impossible to
I find it impossible to believe that people actually get off a train because it is so crowded. Maybe, once, I have waited like 60 seconds for a train that was right behind a really crowded train. Maybe. However, now that I understand the scenario this is grade-A asshole behavior you're describing.
I agree on all points Boopie,
I agree on all points Boopie, well said. I made the mistake of arguing with some bart douche and ended up calling them a retard (well, actually, a cunt) and they freaked out and ran to the station agent to, as she said, have me arrested (?). Arguing with stupid people is too exhausting so now I just carry mace.