this post was submitted on
322 points (77% like it)
456 up votes 134 down votes
shortlink:

nyc

unsubscribe27,725 readers

~44 users here now

Welcome to the Sidebar!

  • Have a question? Ask it in r/AskNYC!

  • Please submit your memes and phone pics to r/nycpics, not here.

Visitors, Current and Future

Handy Resources

Moderatorials - Read Before Posting!

  • Flag your NSFW posts! This is important, that's why it's at the top.

  • "non-touristy" advice posts will be thrown to the lions.

  • If you're about to ask a question, please do a search, including r/AskNYC

  • No URL shorteners, including wp.me, bit.ly, goo.gl. Even site-specific ones like youtu.be and g.co will probably encounter spam filter red tape. This is because link shorteners are often used for spam.

  • Urgent spam filter requests: Message the mods and include reddit.com link. Otherwise, we'll get to it soon anyway.

  • Please submit the original article. Spamblog submissions are subject to removal and readers are encouraged to report them.

  • Please say [WANTED] or [FOR SALE] or [FREE] if you are going to use reddit like a classifieds listing. Or your post is subject to removal.

  • "The New York City Subway is the only large subway or metro system in the world to maintain service to all its stations around the clock." mta.info

  • Trolls: Take pride in your work. No abusive language or intentionally trolling one user over and over. Being a jerk is fine, but don't make other people's lives miserable on this internet website.

  • locals the disenfranchised, your musty bar is this way

Neighbors

π

a community for
to anything interesting: news article, blog entry, video, picture...
message the moderators

MODERATORS

reddit is a source for what's new and popular online. vote on links that you like or dislike and help decide what's popular, or submit your own! learn more ›

321
322

How I feel getting into an un-air conditioned subway car. (i.imgur.com)

submitted ago by fosterlywill

all 83 comments
sorted by:
best
best
top
new
hot
controversial
old

[–]Baberaham__Lincoln 14 points15 points ago

Some of the stations are even worse :( like 100* in 80* weather.

[–]Cyril_Clunge 10 points11 points ago

I hate standing on the platform because I sweat so much and it makes me look really weird and unhealthy (even though I exercise a lot so that may help explain it).

Once I was literally dripping sweat as if I'd been on a run and I got really self conscious and nervous and it just got worse.

[–]lionheartednyhc 22 points23 points ago

dude. EVERYONE feels that way.

[–]CubemonkeyNYC 3 points4 points ago

I feel your pain. After last summer, though, my attitude is "fuck it." That honestly helped a lot.

I'll take my suit jacket/tie off and drape my jacket over my arm, but if it's a platform filled with hot air from the cars' AC exhaust, everybody's in the same boat.

Try to have something to distract you from the heat, like a game on your phone or a book. If you stand there and think "It is fucking HOT" non-stop, it will make it worse.

I really don't sweat that much anymore.

[–]GorjohnzolaSauceJersey City 1 point2 points ago

I actually started just leaving my suit jacket at work and just putting it on when I arrive, made the commute a lot more bearable (I'm also an intern and only have 2 suits though)

[–]GingerbreadmancanProspect Heights 0 points1 point ago

I know your feel bro/sis (or whatever you are)

[–]D__Roosevelt Island 1 point2 points ago

It's even more fun (read: not fun) when you do this during rush hours, and end up on a packed train immediately afterwards.

[–]Eurynom0sMorningside Heights 0 points1 point ago

When I find a station with a fan, I park myself DIRECTLY under/in front of it.

[–]Santos_L_Halper 0 points1 point ago

I work outside. When it's too hot to ride my bike I take the train home. Nobody likes me on the train because my shirt is wet to the touch and I'm pouring sweat from my brow.

Fuck em.

[–]sixdust 2 points3 points ago

34th street NQR or BDFM. Easily 100 degrees

[–]Baberaham__Lincoln 1 point2 points ago

That's the exact station I was thinking of. It's not humane!

[–]t11lmgBattery Park 1 point2 points ago

Fulton St. on the G was fucking terrible today, and bedford ave on the L was like a blast of amazing cool breeze when I went to MDM today.

[–]cragelra 29 points30 points ago

me

[–]XavierKeepMarchingManhattan 2 points3 points ago

This is the one time I approve of that .gif being used. I don't understand why people sit in cars without AC, just go to the next one!

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point ago

Or ones that reek of piss or feces for that matter.

[–]zpoon 8 points9 points ago

Opposite happened to me today. Got on an N train that was a freaking fridge. Not complaining though.

[–]pinetar321 8 points9 points ago

first world problems.

[–]special2plumsfor1Bed-Stuy 1 point2 points ago

Hot and humid outside, hotter and more humid in the subway, and artic winter in the subway car.

[–]Eurynom0sMorningside Heights 2 points3 points ago

That's called hitting the jackpot.

[–]geneveve 1 point2 points ago

The 6 train! Even if I'm only on there a few stops, I leave as an icicle.

[–]rococobaroqueElmhurst 0 points1 point ago

The AC was out when I got on the 6 this morning. :(

[–]sourcowsUpper West Side 10 points11 points ago

You can always tell something's up when there's one car that's unusually empty. All the empty seats are a trap!

[–]jcage8 3 points4 points ago

Yep: no A/C or extremely malodorous homeless person camped out

[–]ClownFundamentals 1 point2 points ago

Whenever you see a very crowded subway that has one peculiarly empty section, that section is empty for a reason!

[–]PANDAemicChinatown 0 points1 point ago

I actually entered one of those thinking what amazing luck I must have to discover the car was not only devoid of A/C but also heated. You couldn't sit down or grab the poles since they would burn your skin, so the other unlucky subway riders and I sort of surfed the entire ride to the next station and fled the car at the very next stop. It didn't help that all of the other cars were packed and the line was suffering delays, but anything was better than that steel deathtrap.

[–]HappyAssassin 12 points13 points ago

Yes, I'd like to add to this http://i.imgur.com/ztxrM.jpg

[–]MrNoMoniker 0 points1 point ago

Haha, or maybe more like this.

[–]anachronic -2 points-1 points ago

Came here for Total Recall. Was not disappointed.

[–]seriousscrub 4 points5 points ago

Once went into a car that had no AC and smelled like a swamp. I'd imagine the two events were linked

[–]spiderface1 1 point2 points ago

The cars in front and behind of the car w/o AC aren't gonna be much better because they'll be packed from all of the people trying to escape the terrarium.

Also today I had an interview. I wore an undershirt on the subway because I knew I'd have sweat through the dress shirt and soaked it by the time I arrived. I did end up soaking the undershirt and changed clothes (including putting on my tie) on the subway a few stops before I arrived, stuffed the undershirt into the bag in which I was carrying my dress shirt and just carried it with me into the interview. In the 5 or 6 blocks I walked after getting off the subway, I still had a couple sweat stains on my dress shirt.

Jeebus.

ps. the interview went well regardless.

[–][deleted] -3 points-2 points ago

Wow I can't imagine having to wear a tie to an interview. That sucks, man. I'm sorry you have to deal with it.

[–]spiderface1 0 points1 point ago

Shrugs it's just my alter ego I can deal with it. When I take off the tie I become... A musician.

[–]marianneg 2 points3 points ago

The best trains to get on if you want a blast of cold air are the orange, blue, and yellow lines, (so the B, D, F, N, Q, R, A, C, and E trains). Of course, there's always a chance that a certain car or train's air cuts out all of a sudden, but in my experience, those lines are the most reliable when it comes to air conditioning. Also, many cars become naturally overheated during rush hour because of there being so many bodies in a closed compartment.

[–]no-dice-ma 0 points1 point ago

Also, the 2, 4, 5, 6. These lines have relatively newer cars that sometimes get frigid.

[–]n0_0bJersey City 0 points1 point ago

4,5,6 are very cold even when they are packed to the brim. Thankful for that.

[–]Eurynom0sMorningside Heights 1 point2 points ago

Given how packed the 6 gets during rush hour, it would be inhumane to not have the super-strong air conditioning on it.

[–]CubemonkeyNYC 0 points1 point ago

Both this summer and last (mostly last) I have definitely gotten on 456 cars with no AC. It still happens.

[–]MoonshineSchneiderBushwick 1 point2 points ago

I might regret saying this because summer isn't over but I haven't been on a train car yet this year that didn't have AC and the train I take the most often is the L. The M and J are usually pretty good too.

[–]Eurynom0sMorningside Heights 2 points3 points ago

Your next train will be a torrid swamp.

[–]special2plumsfor1Bed-Stuy 0 points1 point ago

Do people really refer to them by color? Even when I'm helping couchsurfers, I tell them the number or letter to get on...

[–]paulderev 0 points1 point ago

Depends on how inclusive you're trying to be in your meaning. If you live in Manhattan and say somewhere else on the island is your destination, you're usually fine referring to color of train and not number/letter.

[–]StrangeApparition 4 points5 points ago

Milk was a bad choice.

[–]NeckwreckerBayside 3 points4 points ago

"Oh, it's only 80 degrees outside? Never mind the stifling humidity, we don't need to run the AC."

[–]hummerbob1 1 point2 points ago

It's even worse when there is a stench. Oh god it's awful.

[–]cheeza51percent 0 points1 point ago

I don't get the people who stay in the un-air conditioned cars. Is being super hot better than being a little chilly?

[–]bloody_bonnie 2 points3 points ago

One time I got into a train car that had about 7 or 8 people in it. Immediately I was hit by a horrible stench, and wanted to get off but the doors had already closed. Looking around to find the source of the stench, I saw a very large, definitely human turd in the middle of the train car. As the train moved, the turd rolled around in the car up and down the aisle. There was a dude just sitting there reading the newspaper as the turd rolled up and hit his foot. He totally did not give a single fuck. At the very next stop I immediately got off and got on a different car. But there were several people who were perfectly content to just keep chilling in the shit car. What the hell?!?

[–]ketomine 0 points1 point ago

You can only take so much off, but you can always put more on.

[–]PhoenixSpiritMorningside Heights 0 points1 point ago

I only stay in the un-air conditioned cars if I only have a few stops to go.

[–]anachronic 0 points1 point ago

Some people just don't seem to care / notice.

I sweat PROFUSELY in the hot weather, but there always seems to be some old Asian dude sitting in the 90 degree heat long sleeves, jeans and a windbreaker like it's a crisp fall day, not giving a single fuck.

[–]jcage8 0 points1 point ago

They only have a few more stops to go, and they don't want to deal with the crowds in the neighboring cars

[–]Blastophe 0 points1 point ago

Back before AC riding between cars was the only way to get some fresh air

[–]theworldscreams 1 point2 points ago

Wait, there are still un-air conditioned cars around? Which lines are they on? Just want to know which ones to avoid...

[–]NullXorVoid 5 points6 points ago

It's usually when the A/C on a car breaks. Pretty easy to spot because nobody's in them, but of course everybody has that first time when they think "ooo look an empty car, plenty of seats for me....oh god why"

[–]CubemonkeyNYC 0 points1 point ago

They still get filled during rush hour, so there are fewer signs.

[–]rectalarea 1 point2 points ago

A couple of weeks ago I was so excited to see an empty car during morning rush hour. I assumed it was because it had no air con and I figured I could endure it. Turns out it was empty because a homeless man shit himself and fell asleep.

[–]CubemonkeyNYC 1 point2 points ago

Protip: If you see free seats or an open section on a subway car while it's pulling in, there's a homeless person there.

[–]Eurynom0sMorningside Heights 1 point2 points ago

Protip only valid from 8AM-10PM though.

[–]CubemonkeyNYC 0 points1 point ago

I can confirm that the window starts at least by 7AM.

[–]Eurynom0sMorningside Heights -1 points0 points ago

Close enough. :p

[–]pinetar321 0 points1 point ago

the absolute worst is when you see the subway roll up and a nice open car with lots of seats. You sit, enjoy some AC and realize nobodys in that car because the homeless guy at the other end just pissed himself #glasscaseofemotion

[–]GorjohnzolaSauceJersey City 1 point2 points ago

The PATH trains/stations are usually surprisingly cooler than the Metro trains/stations

[–]paulderev 0 points1 point ago

Quiet, you

[–]bulletsandbombs -1 points0 points ago

I did this yesterday

[–]zyedyEast Village 1 point2 points ago

Mother nature is really stepping up her game today. It was a god damn miserable trip to work.

[–]DurianDurian 0 points1 point ago

Rule #2 of MTA: If there is an empty car surrounded by two full cars, DO NOT GET IN!!!! It's either no AC or bum

(Rule #1 is Let Em Off First!)

[–]oneplusoneisfour 0 points1 point ago

How about the first time you ever entered a completely empty subway car, lets say midday?

and first notice the horrendous smell, only after the doors are closed, of some homeless person?

[–]ILieLikeAPolitician 0 points1 point ago

I hate this one because the car is a bit emptier than the rest but not funky smell empty (everyone isn't avoiding that one corner). I got on one yesterday and wanted to just run out...

[–]paulderev 0 points1 point ago

I'M RON BURGUNDY?

[–]coned88 0 points1 point ago

even worse when you realize it's not just that car and the asshole conductor just has it off and it's 90F out. Yes it happens all the time for me.

[–]JorgeCS 3 points4 points ago

How would you realize that?

[–]coned88 0 points1 point ago

when you go from car to car and it never gets better. Once you hit 5 cars you can be pretty sure it's just off

[–]NSFW 2 points3 points ago

Wait, so your thought process is:

1) Hey, there's no air conditioning. Must be broken in just this car. I'm going to switch cars.
2) It's not on here either! That asshole conductor must have turned it off!

Some of the old rolling stock doesn't have AC at all, and I've never heard of it working on some cars but not others. That is a massively well-developed blame instinct you've got there though.

[–]coned88 1 point2 points ago

Wait, so your thought process is:1) Hey, there's no air conditioning. Must be broken in just this car. I'm going to switch cars. 2) It's not on here either! That asshole conductor must have turned it off!

Did you see where I said 5 cars. I usually try 5 cars working my way up to the front. And yes there have even been times it was switched back on once asked.

Some of the old rolling stock doesn't have AC at all

There are the newer 4 trains

and I've never heard of it working on some cars but not others. Things break. I experience it all the time. Maybe you just don't ride the trains or are lucky to be on a better line.

That is a massively well-developed blame instinct you've got there though.

I don't really understand. I try other cars. What more would you have me do?

[–]NSFW 1 point2 points ago

Well, that's the thing. It seems like a bizarre thought process to me, but I still have to admit that it has never occurred to me to even check other cars. I think that most people assume there's no AC for the whole train when it's not on in their car. And I definitely had never thought of asking the conductor to turn it on. Given that you've had them turn it on even once, the joke is on the rest of us.

But you should still know that's not how most people think about it.

[–]chedderslam -1 points0 points ago

Worse if you are drinking milk.

[–]HairyGrapeNuts 13 points14 points ago

Who drinks milk on the subway?

[–]chedderslam 1 point2 points ago

Jared.

[–]anachronic 0 points1 point ago

The McPoyle twins?

[–]sleetxAstoria 3 points4 points ago

Milk was a bad choice.

[–]Memphis241 -5 points-4 points ago

Thats why I take the MetroNorth.

[–]aitzimInwood 0 points1 point ago

AC still breaks down on the older cabs.

[–]Torvaldr 0 points1 point ago

yeah well that shit doesn't go everywhere now does it?

[–]Memphis241 -1 points0 points ago

I was making that statement in agreement to your post. I was just say that is the reason why I take the MetroNorth because it is more comfortable I wasn't suggesting that you should do the same because like you said it doesn't go everywhere. I apologize if you took any offense to it.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy. © 2012 reddit inc. All rights reserved.

REDDIT and the ALIEN Logo are registered trademarks of reddit inc.

π Rendered by PID 14065 on app-104 running adf6642.