# What will New Yorkers do about the transit strike? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 9, 2002, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538 "2002-12-09T16:35:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Banger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@Banger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banger)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538/21 "2002-12-10T00:33:54Z")
I live in Astoria, Queens, so I can’t exactly walk to work down near City Hall. I don’t have a bike, and if I did, I wouldn’t know how to get to work anyway. One of my co-workers also lives in Queens and drives to work, so I might be able to arrange a ride from him. The other bonus with that is that as a city employee he is authorized to park in the gov’t lots. The drawback is that everyone else who is authorized to park in such lots will also be parking there. That and between the bridge and downtown, the traffic will be brutal. I have a couple weeks of leave time built up; I’m considering using some of it. What concerns me the most is that I’m being admitted to the state bar on Monday. I have no idea how I’m going to get there if there are no subways or buses. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538/22 "2002-12-10T00:41:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by D\_Odds \* > \*\* > **Biggirl** can you get to Jamaica on non-MTA buses? When I worked in midtown, my alternate was always the Q60, which is a different union. \*\* There’s no Tri-boro coach in Brooklyn. The only private bus lines that I know of in Brooklyn are the “dollar vans” and they ain’t taking me to Jamaica. All I need is for the Long Island Bus guys to go on a sick-out or sympathy strike, that’ll be the final sign. The word from above that I have to find another job. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538/23 "2002-12-10T01:33:01Z")
Man, I’ve always known I was lucky that I can telecommute and spend time with my wife and kids, but now there’s one more reason for me to be happy about it. Sorry to hear about your troubles, guys. ---
**Author:** ![vix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a88e4f/32.png) [@vix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vix)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538/24 "2002-12-10T01:45:39Z")
I live in Park Slope and work in Midtown. I’ll either be sleeping on my boss’s couch (she lives seven blocks from the office) or camping out at a vacationing co-worker’s place on the UES. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538/25 "2002-12-10T14:31:12Z")
**astorian** , I have a final exam at Columbia next week. Don’t have the slightest idea how I am going to make it. Since it ends at 10 PM, getting home will be even more problematic. As for work, honestly, I think I am not going to bother. The Liberty bus terminates so far north that I will never be able to get on at 207th street. I know my office is hiring a private bus, but I do not yet know whether I will be able to make use of it. ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538/26 "2002-12-10T14:39:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by cmkeller \* > \*\*Man, I’ve always known I was lucky that I can telecommute and spend time with my wife and kids, but now there’s one more reason for me to be happy about it. > \*\* Sure, go ahead and rub it in, why don’t you? grumble, grumble, grumble 🙂 Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538/27 "2002-12-10T14:55:19Z")
Bicycle. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538/28 "2002-12-10T15:03:36Z")
Okay, I’ve changed my mind. We WILL do the bicycle thing. 12-year-old Pianola can ride her own, and 7-year-old Banjo gets bundled up good and sits on the rack behind me, clutching onto my belt for dear life. As long as we stay away from Fourth Avenue and Atlantic Avenue and stick to the side streets, we probably won’t be killed by cretinous motorists. My, what a bunch of eco-friendly folks we all are! I KNEW there was a reason I lived here. ---
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538/29 "2002-12-10T15:14:09Z")
I’ll betcha with the 4 person HOV minimum, people outside Manhattan will have NO problem hitching a ride! ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538/30 "2002-12-10T16:04:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NYR407 \* > There is an express bus I can get not too far from home that will take me all the way downtown (1 block from work). Of course it is more expensive and may cut into my Christmas fund. Not to mention the amount of people that will use it. What express bus is that? I was under the impression most of the express buses were MTA, and thus would be on strike also. Please say I’m wrong and will have a way downtown. ---
**Author:** ![NYR407](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@NYR407](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NYR407)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538/31 "2002-12-10T16:36:15Z")
Here you go D. FYI, there is private express service for Queens, BKLYN and Da Bronx on the web site. As well as links to their direct sites. Depending where you live you may have to drive or get a ride to a bus stop. I don’t see Richmond Hill mentioned. The Lefrak City Express and Glendale Express may not stop too far from where you live though. Hey, how’s Jahn’s Ice Cream doing? Haven’t been there in ages. There aren’t many Downtown buses but a lot of routes to Midtown. In case anyone is not aware, there will be new ferry routes inplemented as well. I haven’t checked yet but I bet NY1’s web site will have a good layout of how different ways you can get into the city. [http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/get\_around/bus/expressbus.html](http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/get_around/bus/expressbus.html) ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538/32 "2002-12-10T17:38:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NYR407 \* > Here you go D. FYI, there is private express service for Queens, BKLYN and Da Bronx on the web site. As well as links to their direct sites. > > Depending where you live you may have to drive or get a ride to a bus stop. I don’t see Richmond Hill mentioned. The Lefrak City Express and Glendale Express may not stop too far from where you live though. Hey, how’s Jahn’s Ice Cream doing? Haven’t been there in ages. > > There aren’t many Downtown buses but a lot of routes to Midtown. > > In case anyone is not aware, there will be new ferry routes inplemented as well. I haven’t checked yet but I bet NY1’s web site will have a good layout of how different ways you can get into the city. > > [http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/get\_around/bus/expressbus.html](http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/get_around/bus/expressbus.html) Thank’s loads, **NYR407**. Looks like I’ll be catching a 6:40am QM11 bus ☹ if I have to go into work. That and an even longer walk than I have now. I’ve only been to Jahn’s once, during off-hours. It was pretty dead. ---
**Author:** ![krazy\_kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b2d939/32.png) [@krazy\_kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/krazy_kat)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538/33 "2002-12-11T17:49:22Z")
I live in Washington Heights and work on Wall Street - hopefully someone will devise a scheme to convert me to pure energy and transmit me to work “this is Krazy Kat, he acts as both a particle AND a wave” ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538/34 "2002-12-11T18:01:42Z")
Oh, just swim down the Hudson. Make sure to wave at the Little Red Lighthouse as you pass by. ---
**Author:** ![Suspenderzzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@Suspenderzzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suspenderzzz)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538/35 "2002-12-11T18:11:31Z")
This is going to be one major pain in the ass all the way around. :mad: Didn’t we just go through this? I feel like I live in a time warp. Three years ago, it was averted in the last second. There are high hopes all around that we will experience a repeat of this happy outcome. Back in '99, many of us simply said, “I’m going to stay home, and that’s that.” The depatment head teased us a little bit, tellling people to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and whatever crazy shit, but he had this wink in his eye. Well, that was three years ago. The economy has gone sour and all kinds of shit has changed, and this time the company is not going to be so accommodating. They expect us to show up. Some of my co-workers who live in Queens and Brooklyn have already devised complicated plans of action, cobbling together trips on the LIRR, using a cab service, and walking. Shit, it will take you all day just to get to work. What’s the point. And all night just to get back home. Cab fares will be inflated, if you are lucky enough to get a cab at all, and walking still seems like the best option in my case. I mean, there are people who _voluntarily_ walk or run 16 miles a day or more just for sport, right? RIGHT?? Oh God… Help!!! ---
**Author:** ![Hazel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Hazel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazel)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538/36 "2002-12-11T18:18:32Z")
I commute from NJ. I normally take a bus to the 42nd street terminal, then a subway to lower manhattan. My alternate, non-MTA route, if necessary, will be a ferry. Expensive, and I’ll need to take two busses to get to the ferry landing in Weehawken. ---
**Author:** ![Hazel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Hazel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazel)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538/37 "2002-12-11T18:20:51Z")
Whatever the transit workers want, I say let’s give it to 'em! ---
**Author:** ![krazy\_kat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b2d939/32.png) [@krazy\_kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/krazy_kat)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538/38 "2002-12-11T18:40:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hazel \* > \*\*Whatever the transit workers want, I say let’s give it to 'em! \*\* they want a 24% pay increase over the next three years - I wish walking out out of my job could instill such fear ---
**Author:** ![Cosmopolitan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/94ad74/32.png) [@Cosmopolitan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cosmopolitan)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538/39 "2002-12-11T18:50:56Z")
I’m much more fortunate than many of you folks… If the strike goes forth, the only thing that’ll get effed up is my social life, and even that, to a small extent. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Cosmopolitan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/94ad74/32.png) [@Cosmopolitan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cosmopolitan)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2002, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538/40 "2002-12-11T18:55:30Z")
Wait… The strike doesn’t include LIRR workers, does it? I don’t think so, but I’m not absolutely sure… If so, my social life is more effed than I thought. Oh well - either way, I’m coming out ahead. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-new-yorkers-do-about-the-transit-strike/141538.md?page=3)