Until very recently, I lived and worked in the Washington, DC area. In my 12 years and seven apartments there (I swear I’m not as flaky as I sound) I always found myself residing along the Metro system’s red line. So when I heard about the horrible crash that took place on Monday – which involved a red line train – it truly hit home for me.
You know you’re a regular on any subway system when you strategically board the specific train car you know will leave you positioned closest to your destination’s station exit. For the last few years in DC, that was the front car for me.
Not once did I board the Metro during these years without thinking about the possible dangers of riding in the front car (or the back car for that matter). I don’t even know how or when it ever entered my head – I’m not paranoid, I’m not a germ-a-phobe, I’m not even big on wearing a seat belt when I’m in the backseat of a New York City cab. I never had a close call on the Metro, nor do I know anyone personally who has ever been in a train accident of any kind. But the fear somewhere somehow snuck into my brain.
So, most days on the Metro I opted for the second car. Or the third if I was running early that morning. Once in a while, though – if I was in a hurry or wearing uncomfortable shoes – I’d take a seat in the front car. Choosing convenience over safety, I sat there feeling just a little bit like a sitting duck. But also feeling just a little bit silly for feeling that way.
Thankfully, what happened on Monday is rare – whatever the cause. I read that Metro employees and riders are reporting more crowding in the center cars since the accident. I’m sure I would have been doing the same thing…but also feeling a tad silly for it. After all (and I’m no statistician), if such an accident is rare, what are the odds of two such accidents the same week? It might even be the safest time of all to ride Metro, what with officials and employees probably taking an understandably hyper-cautious approach to everyone’s daily commute.
I can’t help but think, though…nervous riders have a choice about what car to ride. Rail operators do not. I wonder this week, as they take their respective positions at the fronts of trains and behind proverbial wheels, if they think about Jeanice McMillan, the 42-year-old Metro operator killed on Monday. Eight passengers died as well but the focus is on McMillan, who reportedly adored her job. Was it her fault? A computer malfunction? A combination thereof? Whatever the case, no one – operators and passengers alike – wants to be next. And yet everyone must be thinking it as they board the trains this week.
