The 'second train door' trick actually cut my commute by 8 minutes a day

So I started noticing this pattern on the Blue Line in Chicago. Everyone packs into the middle doors because they get off at the same stops they got on. I tried walking to the very first door of the first car each morning. Figured I'd be the first one off at my stop near Addison. First week it worked maybe 3 out of 5 days. But after a month I saved about 8 minutes total per trip versus fighting through the middle crowds. The downside is you gotta walk an extra 30 seconds down the platform. So is it really worth it or am I just fooling myself into thinking I beat the system? Anyone else try weird train car positioning tactics and actually see results?

2 comments

2 Comments

grant.felix12h ago

Wait, are you saying you actually timed this thing? Because I tried something similar on the DC Metro years ago and it was a total mess. I got it in my head that if I stood at the very back of the last car, I'd be closest to the escalator at my stop near Gallery Place. Turned out they switched which end of the platform the exit was on like half the time, so I'd sprint to the other end and still get stuck behind everyone. Your Blue Line sounds way more predictable than what I was dealing with. I guess if you're saving 8 minutes a day that adds up, like 40 minutes a week, nearly 3 hours a month. That's not nothing for just walking a little extra on the platform. Maybe I just picked the wrong city to try this on.

susan6498h agoMost Upvoted

Tbh that math is a bit off since you're forgetting weekends and holidays, it's more like 20 saved minutes a week.