NYC bassists: Watch out on the subway!

robobass · #1 03-10-2009, 04:01 PM

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/...todd_ziel.html
I've been away from NY for a long time now, but I remember often buzzing the token booth clerk to open the gate for me to exit. After they installed the newer turnstiles in the '90s, it was pretty tough to get a bass through, especially if you were dragging other gear. Often I could get the operater to let me drop a token (I know they don't have tokens anymore) and then let me pass through the gate for entry as well. I had no idea it was against the rules, let alone a criminal offense. I did have one clerk yell at me once that it was only for baby strollers. That didn't make sense, so I figured she was just having a bad day. Getting arrested? It's getting to be a very unfriendly world! You guys doing the subway grind might want to check with MTA and see if you can get some clear guidelines. Maybe check with 802 as well. They might be able to negotiate some kind of clarification on the policy that would allow bassists a little slack.
I wonder if they would let you keep your bass with you in lockup

zeytoun · #2 03-10-2009, 04:37 PM

NYC subway stations post-9/11 are about as much fun as airport security...

salcott · #3 03-10-2009, 05:35 PM

I just emailed a query to the MTA website and will post when and if I get a response. It seems to be dependent on the individual clerk. All the clerks at my home stop see me coming, and by the time I swipe my card, they have the gate open for me. Same when I get off the train as well. There's another (at a different stop), though, who sees me every Monday and refuses to open the gate, forcing me to use the bar and set off the alarm. He then yells at me for setting it off. Schmuck.

Kevin Hsieh · #4 03-10-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salcott

I just emailed a query to the MTA website and will post when and if I get a response. It seems to be dependent on the individual clerk. All the clerks at my home stop see me coming, and by the time I swipe my card, they have the gate open for me. Same when I get off the train as well. There's another (at a different stop), though, who sees me every Monday and refuses to open the gate, forcing me to use the bar and set off the alarm. He then yells at me for setting it off. Schmuck.

Same here, I normally wave at the clerk in charge of the stop. They see the monster and they understand there's no way in hell i'm lifting it to get over the turnstiles. Getting out of the station, on the other hand, can be a problem at times. For example, the Canal Street A Train Walker Street exit (closest exit to David Gage's) is usually unmanned, so I have to trigger the alarm. I try to do it when there aren't that many people around.

I was at 50th street and a policeman was there and he motioned for me to go through the service exit, so I guess it's ok? The guy mentioned in the article triggered the alarm to get past lines, which is a different story than when one has a huge package that is not easy to maneuver through the gates.

zeytoun · #5 03-10-2009, 05:50 PM

I suspect that the issue is that they use your metrocard to track when you enter and exit, and don't take kindly to someone bypassing their information gathering mechanism by using the other exit. You should be able to just swipe at a turnstile, and then use the service gate. (at least those are the instructions for bicyclists)

Kevin Hsieh · #6 03-10-2009, 06:07 PM

there's no swipe system for exiting the metro system. they only track when you enter.

robobass · #7 03-10-2009, 06:12 PM

Ah! They've changed things since I left. In my day the door could only be opened by the clerk. No attendant = no open. Exiting at unmanned spots like by Gage was only possible through those highly fortified exit turnstiles, which I imagine are still there. I never got stuck in one (going through with the bass) but I waited for the day. I guess they saw a safety issue there and added this "bar" you describe. Still, it used to be normal practice for the clerk to open the gate to relieve a crowd waiting to exit. No more?

zeytoun · #8 03-10-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Hsieh

there's no swipe system for exiting the metro system. they only track when you enter.

Duh. (been away a while).

salcott · #9 03-10-2009, 07:40 PM

There has never been a swipe-to-exit in NYC.

zeytoun · #10 03-10-2009, 07:54 PM

I realize that.

I misread the MTA page, and wondered whether they switched to a swipe exit when they phased out the tokens shortly before I moved away (in '03), and couldn't remember whether or not we swiped to exit. (Hence, the "it's been a while")

dchan · #11 03-10-2009, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zeytoun

I realize that.

I misread the MTA page, and wondered whether they switched to a swipe exit when they phased out the tokens shortly before I moved away (in '03), and couldn't remember whether or not we swiped to exit. (Hence, the "it's been a while")

Remember: transit authorities usually only use "swipe-to-exit" in subway systems that have distance or zone-based fares rather than fixed fares for the whole system.

Phil Rowan · #12 03-10-2009, 09:28 PM

I always make sure to make eye contact w/ the token agent, and I've never had a problem. There are times when eye contact with the agent is tough, so I check to see if the door is open, and if so, I just swipe and go through (perhaps risky, but if asked to prove I paid, upon 2nd swipe the screen would read "just used", so I always figure I'm cool). Sometimes I'm in in hurry and just lift the beast over the turnstile. I've taken my bass through the E-exit w/ cops standing right there, anywhere from 2 to 7 in a crew, and never had any problems there either.

salcott · #13 03-16-2009, 12:43 PM

I wrote to the MTA about the service gate issue. The rules say that you should stand in line if there is one, notify the clerk that you wish to use the gate, swipe your card and go in. They are required to open the gate. They are also required to open the gate so you can exit. The writer of the MTA response suggested writing down all pertinent info regarding hassles with gate access, including time, booth number, clerk ID number, etc. They seemed pretty serious about dealing with this issue.