Things my new commute has taught me #1: not all seats are equal

In the article, the image is cropped so you can't see "Position 1". Here's the full image: <a href="http://meish.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/tubecarriage4.png" rel="nofollow">http://meish.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/tubecarriage4.pn...</a>

This made me laugh. It is also true on public transport in China. The older people have really figured out this hierarchy and it is funny to watch them eyeing improved seating positions as a stop approaches. Then, the doors open, seats vacate and there is a rush of senior citizens trying to improve their position however marginally. Quite funny to watch once you realize what is going on (also a good way for the inexperienced to quickly find out which seats are best).

Brings to mind the airline version: <a href="http://www.seatguru.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.seatguru.com/</a>

I used to this same commute myself for 2 years, fortunately London Transport are upgrading to open plan carriages and fewer seats, see the video at the bottom of the page: <a href="http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/10127.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/10127.asp...</a><p>Maybe the writer should start planning for the new layouts?

The best bit is that people tend to also optimize for maximum distance apart as well as a good position

I commuted on the subway in NYC for a few months last summer, but I never noticed a hierarchy beyond "sitting &#62; standing" -- probably just because I wasn't paying enough attention and wasn't there long enough. I'm going to watch for this when I go back.

Having ridden the Tube for years, this article is <i>spot on</i>. This is exactly the way that I think when trying to grab a seat.

An application of this we can all relate to:<p>"Not all stalls (bathroom) are created equal"

This guy is autistic.