How One Homeless Man Redistributes Passengers on a Train Without Lifting a Finger

[CenSin 3,250]

 

 

…been seeing a lot of these since the harsh coldness of winter.

[Grand Concourse 2,690]

Damn, smh. Where are the cops to remove these ppl? And as for the ACLU types, if they are for the civil rights for all, then why don't they 'adopt a bum' and let them sleep in their apartment? Why should we be stuck with them? That's revenue lost for the mta with a totally empty car.

Edited February 4, 2013 by Grand Concourse

[CenSin 3,250]

I never mention it, but simply from watching the video, one can deduce that the effect was caused by the strong stench. I liken it to surströmming as I was able to smell this man downwind 3 cars down while walking along the platform at Coney Island.

[jgood6195 216]

I never mention it, but simply from watching the video, one can deduce that the effect was caused by the strong stench. I liken it to surströmming as I was able to smell this man downwind 3 cars down while walking along the platform at Coney Island.

Well, whenever there is a packed train and one cat is empty, there is a reason behind it.

[realizm 4,456]

I never mention it, but simply from watching the video, one can deduce that the effect was caused by the strong stench. I liken it to surströmming as I was able to smell this man downwind 3 cars down while walking along the platform at Coney Island.

 

You got to be kidding me. Three cars down?

 

Admittably as much as I am sympathetic of the homeless the stench of some definitely will get to me because then I'm concerned for my health. Say tuberculosis, the infection in itself can give a foul smell, obviously that spells danger for me.

 

My lady and myself had this problem late last night actually with a poor homeless man, felt bad for the dude but the strong smell of urine and rotten flesh was horrendous. I was careful not to laugh and joke about this like some of the stupid kids in the same car because it was no laughing matter, I am sensitive to the sufferings of the fellow man, but nethertheless I escorted Keiko into the next car with me. She was spooked by it for the aforementioned reasons as we were coming home from the family gathering ( We left during the 4th Qtr of the Superbowl from my aunt's house). Our own health comes first obviously.

 

This happened on the to 205th Street. She was like "Mark, I can't believe things are like this in NY, gawd that guy smells horrible! Lets get out of here!" I'm like "Let's just get into the next car at 47th street, the guy night have TB or something". I can say about ten people followed and we all moved up one car.

 

But Censin smelling the stench through several cars? Man. Sounds like the guy might be going through some form of advanced necrosis hence the horrifically foul smell, just shitting on oneself will not produce a smell that bad. The guy was obviously approaching death. I know because I seen this as a nursing intern before venturing into IT, becoming a help desk network tech. I've seen alot of death in the ER, real talk.

Edited February 4, 2013 by realizm

[Via Garibaldi 8 8,592]

Yeah the cops need to be doing more.  I mean I don't see as many of them now but they're still a problem...

You got to be kidding me. Three cars down?

 

Admittably as much as I am sympathetic of the homeless the stench of some definitely will get to me because then I'm concerned for my health. Say tuberculosis, the infection in itself can give a foul smell, obviously that spells danger for me.

 

My lady and myself had this problem late last night actually with a poor homeless man, felt bad for the dude but the strong smell of urine and rotten flesh was horrendous. I was careful not to laugh and joke about this like some of the stupid kids in the same car because it was no laughing matter, I am sensitive to the sufferings of the fellow man, but nethertheless I escorted Keiko into the next car with me. She was spooked by it for the aforementioned reasons as we were coming home from the family gathering ( We left during the 4th Qtr of the Superbowl from my aunt's house). Our own health comes first obviously.

 

This happened on the to 205th Street. She was like "Mark, I can't believe things are like this in NY, gawd that guy smells horrible! Lets get out of here!" I'm like "Let's just get into the next car at 47th street, the guy night have TB or something". I can say about ten people followed and we all moved up one car.

 

But Censin smelling the stench through several cars? Man. Sounds like the guy might be going through some form of advanced necrosis hence the horrifically foul smell, just shitting on oneself will not produce a smell that bad. The guy was obviously approaching death. I know because I seen this as a nursing intern before venturing into IT, becoming a help desk network tech. I've seen alot of death in the ER, real talk.

LOL!

[realizm 4,456]

That's what she said! =D

[realizm 4,456]

All in all, we all are equally concerned of what needs to be done about the homeless so as to improve the quality of life in NY. My viewpoint is unique as I was homeless for almost two years myself. However I got myself out of it with sheer determination with support with a higher force, and here I am now moving along in my career, have a nice pad to lamp in during this harsh winter, a beautiful woman by my side and loving life. I'm not ashamed to say this on this forum with others. I mean why?I turned calamity into sucess and major win! I may have a child one day. i will teach him wht it means to be just, openminded and STRONG.

 

However some for whatever can't handle it for a variety of reasons, battling with mental health problems, life crisises, unfortunate unforseen events, drug addiction, (like the korean friend I am aquanted with trapped in the sex trade now adicted to opiates - we are trying to help this girl, damn so young...) and the like. But I admit that some would rather blame everyone but themselvbes for their oen deliberate f**kups that they brought upon themselves to end up in such situations, such people i do find hard to symphatisize with as much as I di have a good heart and sensitive to the sufferings of others.

 

Yeah the issues on poverty for all parties involved from the outside looking in, they feel the pain, but react in different ways. But the fact remains that NYC is one of the harshest places to live in the WORLD for all, poor and elitists alike for many reasons. I'm just sharing my perspectives from having to be baptized by fire sort of speak. And I've learned from my experiences for the better, hence the POV that I am expressing here.

 

I said what I wanted to say. Ladies and gents carry on I've said my piece. Thanks for listening and speak out! We all are unique and have different takes on the life's problems we all favce in all aspects of life. 

 

Just dont tell me I am trying to paint a rainbow. It aint that cut and dry. I'm just keeping it real. This is NYC for better or worse.

 

Carry on my people.

Edited February 4, 2013 by realizm

[lilbluefoxie 820]

I always keep my distance around bums, they're unpredictable like a rabid animal, they could strike at any moment and they have no fear of humans. When on my photo trips, if a bum is sleeping in the station in the photo spot, I just get back on the train and pick another station. No photo op is worth getting hurt or worse.

[Quill Depot 1,570]

They are still humans... no matter how much you want to classify them as "animals"

[realizm 4,456]

I always keep my distance around bums, they're unpredictable like a rabid animal, they could strike at any moment and they have no fear of humans.

 

I can understand your fears. Many of the homeless are in fact very dangerous and have that tendancy to become violent. I know, such is a fact of life and I will not deny that.

 

However.......

 

In working as a nursing intern before the career change into IT, and as a volunteer (Hurricane Sandy relief teams), I can tell you firsthand that many of today's homeless are decent people who went through the fire falling into unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances. Such are not bad people in the least.

 

I've met a man from out of state, who was homeless in NYC for many years some time ago way back in 2008. He was in fact going to law school while he was homeless. Now he's made it, he is now a professor  teaching law, happly married  with kids!  That was very inspirational to me.

 

And remember the MTA collection agent who was homeless? Harry posted a thread on this and it was made clear in our discussion that he was in fact a decent man, a fighter.

 

There are in fact many real life stories I have heard from many about some of the homeless who are decent people with good hearts, determined to get out of the belly of the beast and make it successfully.

Edited February 4, 2013 by realizm

[Dan05979 1,028]

You guys have no idea how I have to deal with this shit everyday. And its getting worse and worse. I had one little asian lady get on my car one day @ 190 street. At every stop people kept running out of the car like there was a murderer in there untill the stench hit me and I thought someone died. It smelled like pis,shit, socks,ass,disgusting. I had to throw her out at 175st I made a trip to Lefferts and no one wanted to be in that car the whole way, it was funny looking at the faces of the innocent that were trapped in there for a stop waiting to run out! That was a funny day but horrible. Now I carry spray and insense and I light seats on fire just to get that smell out

[Urbanfortitude 123]

You guys have no idea how I have to deal with this shit everyday. And its getting worse and worse. I had one little asian lady get on my car one day @ 190 street. At every stop people kept running out of the car like there was a murderer in there untill the stench hit me and I thought someone died. It smelled like pis,shit, socks,ass,disgusting. I had to throw her out at 175st I made a trip to Lefferts and no one wanted to be in that car the whole way, it was funny looking at the faces of the innocent that were trapped in there for a stop waiting to run out! That was a funny day but horrible. Now I carry spray and insense and I light seats on fire just to get that smell out

 

I gotta say, this is gonna be the best part of the job for me.  You have no idea. 

[lilbluefoxie 820]

I can understand your fears. Many of the homeless are in fact very dangerous and have that tendancy to become violent. I know, such is a fact of life and I will not deny that.

 

However.......

 

In working as a nursing intern before the career change into IT, and as a volunteer (Hurricane Sandy relief teams), I can tell you firsthand that many of today's homeless are decent people who went through the fire falling into unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances. Such are not bad people in the least.

 

I've met a man from out of state, who was homeless in NYC for many years some time ago way back in 2008. He was in fact going to law school while he was homeless. Now he's made it, he is now a professor  teaching law, happly married  with kids!  That was very inspirational to me.

 

And remember the MTA collection agent who was homeless? Harry posted a thread on this and it was made clear in our discussion that he was in fact a decent man, a fighter.

 

There are in fact many real life stories I have heard from many about some of the homeless who are decent people with good hearts, determined to get out of the belly of the beast and make it successfully.

 

Im well aware that some of em are just regular people who fell on hard times, but who is willing to take the chance that that person is normal or insane/dangerous. Plus if they are sitting in the corner somewhere peaceful like in the station somewhere, its probably best just to leave them be if they arent bothering anyone.

[realizm 4,456]

Im well aware that some of em are just regular people who fell on hard times, but who is willing to take the chance that that person is normal or insane/dangerous. Plus if they are sitting in the corner somewhere peaceful like in the station somewhere, its probably best just to leave them be if they arent bothering anyone.

 

Understandable. But personally speaking if a homeless man approahes me on the train saying he is hungry if I happen to have food, I would be more than happy to give it to him.

 

I would'nt give them money however because there are scam artists that pose as homeless people when they are not, taking advantage of an unfortunate social phenomonon. I'm aware panhandling is illegal but that would not be my reasoning behind why I wiuld be relunctant to give them money. It's because I don't appreciate scam artists who pose as such. I see this all the time.

 

But otherwise as long as the person does not have apparent hygeine issues, I would not necessarily be nervous around a person who is homeless in the subway. My attitude being live and let live, and not to be judgemental. I'm making a general statement here.

 

Keiko and I did have a similar discussion last night after the fact, when we made it home, and well she nodded in approval but had fears nethertheless similar to yours which I have to respect. She brought up a good point about the dangers of sexual harrassment and rape in the transit system and I had to say that was a very legitimate point to consider. That's why I can understand and relate to what you are saying here.

Edited February 4, 2013 by realizm

[Joe C 97]

That's revenue lost for the mta with a totally empty car.

The MTA doesn't lose revenue with a totally empty car,passengers pay before getting on the platform.

[CenSin 3,250]

The MTA doesn't lose revenue with a totally empty car,passengers pay before getting on the platform.

Trains and train cars are almost never 100% full anyway. By 100% full, I mean the inability to squeeze even one more person in there if the crowd inside was compacted. What a smelly homeless does is take the same number of people that would be on the train anyway and drive them to other cars. If the transit system becomes synonymous with mobile homes for the homeless, then people will be grossed out and the MTA will lose revenue as a result of people choosing alternative transportation.

[realizm 4,456]

Trains and train cars are almost never 100% full anyway. By 100% full, I mean the inability to squeeze even one more person in there if the crowd inside was compacted. What a smelly homeless does is take the same number of people that would be on the train anyway and drive them to other cars. If the transit system becomes synonymous with mobile homes for the homeless, then people will be grossed out and the MTA will lose revenue as a result of people choosing alternative transportation.

 

If only you knew what I had to go through on the N/B into the Bronx during this evening's commute, by 149th St/Grand Concourse @ 5:00PM it was absolutely so packed that nobody on the platform could even get on.

 

To the cussing C/R manning R142 car 7171 to Woodlawn, if you ever see this post: I feel your pain. Damn schoolkids! Yeah it was bad even for me! lol

Edited February 4, 2013 by realizm

[Grand Concourse 2,690]

The MTA doesn't lose revenue with a totally empty car,passengers pay before getting on the platform.

ok, but if it's the rush hours, that means people standing for an extra train and arriving late. So not revenue lost to the mta, but an overall loss on productivity. Edited February 4, 2013 by Grand Concourse

[CenSin 3,250]

If only you knew what I had to go through on the N/B into the Bronx during this evening's commute, by 149th St/Grand Concourse @ 5:00PM it was absolutely so packed that nobody on the platform could even get on.

 

To the cussing C/R manning R142 car 7171 to Woodlawn, if you ever see this post: I feel your pain. Damn schoolkids! Yeah it was bad even for me! lol

I guess I don't find myself on the IRT that often, but even when I do, I always manage to fit in. There's probably different dynamics at work up in the Bronx though as 3 out of 5 lines funnel into the only subway on the east side in Manhattan.

[Grand Concourse 2,690]

There's always this homeless woman on the 2 train, she has a small shopping cart and heads for the end of the car, the 2 seater. Ive seen her about 3 times to date, one time I think she got on around church av. I pretty much avoid sitting there every time I can.

[realizm 4,456]

Hmmmm... I do remember this one guy, who always wears shoes made out of cardboard. I've seen this same dude over a period of about 2 years. Usually if I'm not mistaken he usually sets up shop along Alantic-Pacific. Haven't seen the guy lately.

[CDTA 724]

There's always this homeless woman on the 2 train, she has a small shopping cart and heads for the end of the car, the 2 seater. Ive seen her about 3 times to date, one time I think she got on around church av. I pretty much avoid sitting there every time I can.

How the hell do you bring a shopping cart into the subway, especially at Church Ave?

[realizm 4,456]

OOHHHH I hate when people do that homeless or not. Handtrucks and shopping carts, huge ass pieces of  furniture (yes seen it), flyers from the airports with like 20 suitcases with ski and surfboard equipment included like their planning a cross-country expedition, laborers with bundles and bundles of floor molding, 4 x4s and pipes they must have purchased stole from Home Depot, ppl rusty hand me down bikes they probably don't know how to ride anyway (wanna bet?), kitchen tables, empty baby strollers (WHY?) and god knows what other things thst takes up like 1/2th of the space per given car blocking my seat and invading my public space in the process.

 

Man that just makes me want to pull my hair out.

 

Church Avenue? No idea. I can tell you they love doing this on thr . It drives me up a wall. Hogging doors, holding doors just to get all tht crap in. Just wow. LOL thats NY what are we to expect?

It's understandable that some cannot afford automobiles (high insurance and gas rates, suspended liscences etc) and are reliant on public transportation but it can get pretty annoying sometimes when I'm on a crowded train as it is.

Edited February 5, 2013 by realizm

[trainfan22 1,754]

How the hell do you bring a shopping cart into the subway, especially at Church Ave?

 

Carry it down the stairs... as for getting it past the turnstyles ether ask the S/A to open the gate like they do with a stroller or just lift it over the turnstyle...