We all know commuting is hard, tiring, and stressful, especially for those of us who are lucky enough to commute on the Long Island Rail Road (AKA Satan's trains) every day. Many intern and work in the city, and know the real struggle of using the LIRR during peak hours. For others, they know that if you don’t make the drunk 2 a.m. train you better prepare yourself a very cozy spot to wait until they start running again. Here are some tips for your first day of the LIRR told by Kramer from Seinfeld.
1. 23 dollars for a round trip? Your unpaid internship should cover that.
2. Good luck finding a seat during rush hour, a ticket does not equal a seat.
3. Always avoid the middle seat, the middle seat is the worst!
4. If the train is scheduled for 7:30 a.m., don't expect it until at least 7:35 a.m. The LIRR is almost always late.
5. Expect a stampede as soon as the track is announced in Penn Station.
6. You will get delayed and nobody knows why "switch problems" cause so many delays.
7. The old trains are the coolest. Especially when they lose power and go dark.
8. One of the best things you can do for yourself is getting a monthly, so when asked if you have an unlimited monthly ticket you're prepared.
9. As awful as the LIRR is, you really have no other choice.
We all hate the LIRR, but at the end of the day it does get us where we need to go. It may have its flaws, but we would be lost and possibly unemployed without it. Plus, it is always fun getting to know the regular conductors.
