For New York City not to already have cell phone service in all of its subways and subway stations is a disgrace. Just the fact that the NY Times has to run an article like this in 2014 is so very, very sad...
Not me. I dread the day my peaceful commute ends. As if the hordes of subway breakdancers, panhandlers and drummers weren't enough. Now I'll have listen to some loudmouth yelling at someone on his cell phone, or regaling everyone with the details of his pathetic life. And have you forgotten that terrorists have activated bombs using cell phones? It's a sad day in NYC when people are so addicted to mindless chattering that they can't bear a few minutes of silence on their commute.
you're lucky to be spending just a "few" minutes of commuting underground. i have to spend at least an hour (on a good day, without any train traffic or delay) underground with my phone as my only way of keeping me sane. may it be downloading the news, playing online games, watching videos, or listening to pandora/spotify/itunes radio, having a wifi/cellphone reception underground will make commuting for everyone so much better. it also helps to find out the REAL reason your train is running slowly if we can access the MTA website or other news outlets underground.
I see both your points. Loud cell phone conversations would be another annoyance during my morning commute. I don't want to hear anyone's conversation, nor would I want anyone to hear mine. I ride the F train from 75th Ave to 23rd St to work in the morning, and it can take anywhere between 40 minutes to an hour and a half (due to the water main break yesterday). It would be helpful to have reception underground to let my boss know I would be running late via text. I have found a few stations have reception - 57th street being one of them. I recommend drafting your text and then hitting "send" as soon as the train stops there - it should go through. As for keeping yourself occupied - I get that, but you don't need reception to play music on iTunes. And I'd personally rather watch a movie on a big tv.
itunes radio is different from the music that you already own on itunes. itunes radio is similar to pandora/spotify where you need internet access to listen to their music stations (i rarely buy music so internet radio is a big plus for me because it's free).
i would love to catch up on my shows on hulu plus during my commute. i agree i would rather watch movies in the theater or on a bigger screen without the extra noise from the tracks/people/etc.
Do we really want cellular service underground, like, all the time? I can appreciate a few "hot spots" where there is reception. Like the previous commenter, I prep my texts in advance for these spots too if neeeded. But as for having cell phone conversations? NO NO NO....It's annoying enough to hear about other people's conversations (i.e. stupid rants, boyfriend/girlfriend drama, politically incorrect/racist, sexist comments etc.), but how about non-stop conversations in languages that you don't understand a word of, then it's just pure noise and pure torture.
Have any of ever considered reading? I have to frequently drive in and I can't tell you how frustrating that is to lose that quality reading time. Kindle's and other reading devices have made made reading on the subway so easy and you can have everything downloaded and ready to read before you get on your train. Best of all, you don't have to annoye everyone turning and folding your paper.
Not me. I dread the day my peaceful commute ends. As if the hordes of subway breakdancers, panhandlers and drummers weren't enough. Now I'll have listen to some loudmouth yelling at someone on his cell phone, or regaling everyone with the details of his pathetic life. And have you forgotten that terrorists have activated bombs using cell phones? It's a sad day in NYC when people are so addicted to mindless chattering that they can't bear a few minutes of silence on their commute.
ReplyDeleteyou're lucky to be spending just a "few" minutes of commuting underground. i have to spend at least an hour (on a good day, without any train traffic or delay) underground with my phone as my only way of keeping me sane. may it be downloading the news, playing online games, watching videos, or listening to pandora/spotify/itunes radio, having a wifi/cellphone reception underground will make commuting for everyone so much better. it also helps to find out the REAL reason your train is running slowly if we can access the MTA website or other news outlets underground.
DeleteI see both your points. Loud cell phone conversations would be another annoyance during my morning commute. I don't want to hear anyone's conversation, nor would I want anyone to hear mine. I ride the F train from 75th Ave to 23rd St to work in the morning, and it can take anywhere between 40 minutes to an hour and a half (due to the water main break yesterday). It would be helpful to have reception underground to let my boss know I would be running late via text. I have found a few stations have reception - 57th street being one of them. I recommend drafting your text and then hitting "send" as soon as the train stops there - it should go through. As for keeping yourself occupied - I get that, but you don't need reception to play music on iTunes. And I'd personally rather watch a movie on a big tv.
Deleteitunes radio is different from the music that you already own on itunes. itunes radio is similar to pandora/spotify where you need internet access to listen to their music stations (i rarely buy music so internet radio is a big plus for me because it's free).
Deletei would love to catch up on my shows on hulu plus during my commute. i agree i would rather watch movies in the theater or on a bigger screen without the extra noise from the tracks/people/etc.
It's a train- not your living room!
Deletei spend more time in the train than my living room unfortunately
DeleteYou do realize the security reasons as to why they did not want to increase cellular access underground, right?
DeleteWhat security reasons?
DeleteBoston has full access underground, by the way. Obviously it's easier to maintain as they have a smaller train system.
I was on the No. 7 once it was running above ground, surrounded by people screaming into their phones. Xie xie, but no thanks.
ReplyDeleteDo we really want cellular service underground, like, all the time? I can appreciate a few "hot spots" where there is reception. Like the previous commenter, I prep my texts in advance for these spots too if neeeded. But as for having cell phone conversations? NO NO NO....It's annoying enough to hear about other people's conversations (i.e. stupid rants, boyfriend/girlfriend drama, politically incorrect/racist, sexist comments etc.), but how about non-stop conversations in languages that you don't understand a word of, then it's just pure noise and pure torture.
ReplyDeleteHave any of ever considered reading? I have to frequently drive in and I can't tell you how frustrating that is to lose that quality reading time. Kindle's and other reading devices have made made reading on the subway so easy and you can have everything downloaded and ready to read before you get on your train. Best of all, you don't have to annoye everyone turning and folding your paper.
ReplyDelete