Taking luggage on MAX

Memorial Day weekend is approaching and you have a plane to catch at PDX.  Taking the red line MAX to the airport is extremely easy and slick.  But, what do you do with all of your luggage?  I’ve hit on this in the past but thought I’d bring it up again with Memorial Day weekend coming up.

TriMet doesn’t have anything official related to taking luggage on the MAX.  The only mention they have is on their MAX red line page and on the TriMet TV episode 6 where they state:

“It’s easy to roll your luggage onboard, thanks to MAX’s low floors.”

So what do you do with your luggage if you’re taking the MAX to the airport?  While definitely not guidelines, I do have some suggestions:

1. I’m not a huge fan of people taking up seats with their feet, bags, etc… but I think luggage is a whole different beast.  I would think it would be fine to place your luggage in a seat next to you. Obviously, use your discretion: if there’s someone who needs a seat, then perhaps it’s best to move your luggage and let the individual sit down.
2. My favorite spot on the MAX: the pivot-points.  When possible, I like to stand here if there isn’t a lot of room on the MAX: it’s out of the way, it’s kind of fun moving when the MAX turns, etc.  I think it would be an appropriate place to place some of your luggage.
3. I would refrain from using the space near the bike hooks: it’s too much of a high-trafficked area and, when a bicycle user tries to come on board, that could be a headache for the both of you.

I would love to hear from all of you about your thoughts on MAX and carrying luggage on board.  Have an experience to share?  Or perhaps a tip on where to possibly put your luggage?  Let us know!

Photo credit

Riding (and driving) etiquette: texting

Usually, we’re focused on TriMet Riding Etiquette here on TriMetiquette… but with the recent trolley crash and the train crash last year both happening due to the operator text messaging, I think it’s important to focus on the issue of texting while operating.

Obviously, for us riders, texting while riding poses no problems.  We can text away.

Texting if you’re operating a MAX train, street car, bus… this is a problem.  And one that, if you see your driver or operating texting, you should call them out on that immediately.

So I urge us, as Portland public transportation riders, to be on the lookout and make our bus drivers and operators aware that we don’t stand for texting while on the job.  If your bus driver wants to pull over, park it, and text – that’s fine.  Perfect, in fact.  I’m unsure if TriMet has a specific guideline or rule for employees to not text while on the job… but it’s really more of a “no duh!” kind of thing.

If you see the bus driver texting while driving, I really urge you to confront the individual about it at the next stop.  Just a simple, “Hey, can you please not text while driving?” could go a long way.  And who knows – it may prevent something bad from happening.

If you see a MAX operator texting, calling TriMet right away might be the best course of action.  I’m not sure using the emergency radio button located in the trains to ask the operator to stop texting would be acceptable… but maybe it is.

If you’re the non-confrontational type, I would suggest getting the bus number from the front of the bus (or the MAX train color + time + stop) and calling TriMet and reporting that kind of activity.  Get those details and send an email to customerservice@trimet.org or call (503)238-7433 (RIDE).

Let’s make sure one of these deadly accidents don’t happen in Portland.  It starts with us being observant enough to nip any of these problems in the bud before an accident happens.

Edit: looks like Joseph Rose wrote up a piece about this same thing over at Oregon Live; it’s definitely worth a read: http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2009/05/txting_on_transit_some_trimet.html

Sunflower seeds

Someone thought spitting sunflower seeds immediately next to his / her seat was acceptable.  I’m sorry – that’s just wrong.

TriMetiquette is at SearchFest 2009

Just wanted to let everyone know that I, Christian Bullock, will be at SearchFest 2009 on March 10th at the Portland Zoo.  If you’re going to be there as well, do say hi!

Revolt against aisle seat sitters

We’ve all seen it: the dude (or dudette) who refuses to sit near the window but instead sits in the aisle seat.  Whether it’s because they need their “personal space” or their backpack is occupying the seat (come on now), don’t let it deter you from asking the individual if you can sit there.

Here’s some TriMet Riding Etiquette – ask the “offending” individual to remove their backpack or ask if you can sit in the seat.

The thing with public transportation is that it’s not a transportation method for the shy or bashful.  It really isn’t.  If you don’t like being in packed places or sitting immediately next to people, then I would really suggest looking into establishing a carpool to pick you up or choosing to split a taxi with someone.

I’m guessing this is the main motivation for individuals who choose to sit in the aisle seat with an open window seat or place a backpack or otherwise in a nearby seat: they don’t wish for other public transportation riders to sit next to them.  Whether it’s a “personal space” issue or otherwise, I’m sorry, it’s just not cool to do it on public transportation.

Well, I’m here to say let’s not allow this to happen.  More and more people are choosing to ride public transportation each month.  This makes for fuller MAX trains and buses.  The seats that these individuals are blocking off by either placing their backpack on or not allowing the easiest access to get to sit in are for other riders.

Let’s not allow these “aisle seat sitters” to win!