There’s door blocking. There’s seat hogging. There’s cell yell.
In that order, that’s how I rank breaches of rider etiquette on the CTA. Sadly, breach No. 3 will likely increase as soon as U.S. Cellular customers are able to yak in the subway.
The cell yell situation will be worse because it won’t even be an equal opportunity offense.
Imagine this scenario: You and a U.S. Cellular customer sit next to each other on the “L.” Both of you are talking to your significant others about what to pick up for dinner. As expected, the “L” plunges into the subway. Blip! Your phone dies, and you’re left talking to the air. The U.S. Cellular customer is still talking and will definitely get the Thai food he or she has been drooling for all day. No such luck for you: Frozen pizza two nights straight. It’s as unfair as a stacked shell game on the Red Line.
If some are going to talk, all should be able to talk. Hopefully, other wireless providers will get on board with the CTA. Until that happens, unlucky non-U.S. Cellular users will have to take Depeche Mode’s advice and “enjoy the silence” in the subway while it lasts.
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KKYLES@TRIBUNE.COM
