Why are the TI topics so boring lately?

NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
Speaking of trains...

When I first started taking the metro rail, I went to Irvine Station and asked an employee there about buying a weekly train pass for the following week.  He replied "just go to the machine and buy it".  In retro-spec I should have realized that was an Amtrack employee and not Metro rail, but what do I know, they all look alike to me.  Lo and behold, the ticket machine does not allow buying weekly pass with future date and I ended up buying a pass that was valid until the following Thursday.

So I looked up the train schedule and waited at Station 2's side, but the train was somehow routed to Station 1.  It would've been nice if they used the display board more effectively instead of casually scrolling info at high speed and never repeating it.  By the time I got the announcement, I had to rush across the bridge to the other side.  The conductor saw me run down and looked for the train # with confused look, did not bother to make a final broadcast and just stepped inside, closed the door and left.

OK, so I miss the train but can take the next one to Fullerton and transfer.  Got on the next train and the broadcast system was broadcasting static.  I asked the conductor (who never checked tickets) if this stop was Fullerton, he said yes and I stepped off the train.  Looked around and thought "hey this ain't Fullerton".  Turned around and the train left.  It was the Orange Station.  LoL.

On the plus side, the Ruby's Diner at the station has a nice bar/restaurant attached on the other side that served steak dinners.

I have yet to have the conductor ask to see my train ticket.  >_>  I think the only time when they ask/check is if you ride their shuttles.

 
momopi said:
I have yet to have the conductor ask to see my train ticket.  >_>  I think the only time when they ask/check is if you ride their shuttles.
Orange County isn't urban enough.

When we use public transportation in East Coast cities, you usually see those transit police spot-checking... that's usually when the "undesirables" hop off.
 
momopi said:
Speaking of trains...

When I first started taking the metro rail, I went to Irvine Station and asked an employee there about buying a weekly train pass for the following week.  He replied "just go to the machine and buy it".  In retro-spec I should have realized that was an Amtrack employee and not Metro rail, but what do I know, they all look alike to me.  Lo and behold, the ticket machine does not allow buying weekly pass with future date and I ended up buying a pass that was valid until the following Thursday.

So I looked up the train schedule and waited at Station 2's side, but the train was somehow routed to Station 1.  It would've been nice if they used the display board more effectively instead of casually scrolling info at high speed and never repeating it.  By the time I got the announcement, I had to rush across the bridge to the other side.  The conductor saw me run down and looked for the train # with confused look, did not bother to make a final broadcast and just stepped inside, closed the door and left.

OK, so I miss the train but can take the next one to Fullerton and transfer.  Got on the next train and the broadcast system was broadcasting static.  I asked the conductor (who never checked tickets) if this stop was Fullerton, he said yes and I stepped off the train.  Looked around and thought "hey this ain't Fullerton".  Turned around and the train left.  It was the Orange Station.  LoL.

On the plus side, the Ruby's Diner at the station has a nice bar/restaurant attached on the other side that served steak dinners.

I have yet to have the conductor ask to see my train ticket.  >_>  I think the only time when they ask/check is if you ride their shuttles.

I use Metrolink 5 days/week between Irvine and LA.  The conductor or police check tickets about 25% of the time (about 1 one-way trip every 2 days).  The Irvine Station message boards are fairly useless.  You're better off subscribing to the OCMetrolink twitter account and checking status on there; they will tell you when a train has switched platforms or if there is a delay longer than 10 minutes. 
 
Don't think I've ever got checked either, only time I saw them was when my friend was eating his burger, then he got a ticket for violating their no food policy.  Even then, they didn't check our tickets. 
 
I take metro rail from Norwalk/Santa Fe station to Irvine.  I have seen conductors walk by but they never ask or check tickets.

When I took Amtrak to/from San Diego, their conductors would check my ticket and put a post-it above my seat to remind them which station I'm supposed to get off.  Much better service.  Amtrak also has (overpriced) food/drinks.

Fullerton Station has Old Spaghetti Factory and numerous other restaurants nearby.  Orange station has Ruby's and bar/restaurant with expanded menu.  Irvine station has...  crappy Chinese food.  Anaheim Canyon Station has restaurants and starbucks within short walking distance.  Norwalk/Santa Fe station doesn't even have a restroom and charges $15/month for parking.

 
momopi said:
I take metro rail from Norwalk/Santa Fe station to Irvine.  I have seen conductors walk by but they never ask or check tickets.

When I took Amtrak to/from San Diego, their conductors would check my ticket and put a post-it above my seat to remind them which station I'm supposed to get off.  Much better service.  Amtrak also has (overpriced) food/drinks.

Fullerton Station has Old Spaghetti Factory and numerous other restaurants nearby.  Orange station has Ruby's and bar/restaurant with expanded menu.  Irvine station has...  crappy Chinese food.  Anaheim Canyon Station has restaurants and starbucks within short walking distance.  Norwalk/Santa Fe station doesn't even have a restroom and charges $15/month for parking.

I've seen someone get escorted off the train (at the next stop of course) because he didn't have a valid ticket.  I've heard stories of people being fined ~$1,500 for riding without a ticket but I'm guessing that's hard to enforce. 

Irvine in general has crappy food, so no surprise that their train station isn't any better. 

How does a train station not even have a restroom?  Although....if you've ever been in the Union Station restroom, you need to hold your breathe and walk very slowly over the wet and disgusting floors.  They might as well not have a restroom at all.  The Irvine restrooms are clean but poorly designed.  The urinals stick way out of the wall and there's no barrier between each of them...so anybody can view your jewels from pretty much any angle.  Plus, there is no trash can next to the door, which has a handle that needs to be pulled to get out.  Who designs these things??
 
Finally had my tickets checked this week.  I rarely sit on the 1st level and had my ticket checked twice, first by a conductor and second by a Sheriff.  Was not aware the Sheriff checked tickets.

Usually I sit on the 2nd level, and have never seen a conductor up there.
 
Paris said:
You guys need to admit my road rage drama was one for the TI history books, that topic was filled with interesting drama  8)
Although I've not been involved in any of that lately I have noticed a nice taste in cars here at Capella - M3s, M4s, M6s, Porsche GTs, Audi A6s. We should get together and take them out to a track for some friendly neighborhood racing competition. Anyone know of any good local tracks?
Otherwise sorry, no interesting drama in my life lately - guess that's a good thing
Zubs you're up...

Unfortunately the only good local tracks are at Buttonwillow and Chuckwalla...both a 2-2.5 hour drive from Irvine.  I'm down for any kind of track event.  :D
 
aquabliss said:
I could over feed the kids pizza and ice cream then take them on a tour of Eastwood models.

I double dog dare you to do that over at Petaluma....wonder if it'd slow down sales at all.  haha
 
Something going on at Tustin Sports Park (Jamboree/Robinson just north of Irvine Blvd) with a lot of cop cars, firefighters, and even 2 helicopters.  The police closed off Robinson Dr. going west to the park.  Anyone know what's going on over there?
 
USCTrojanCPA said:
Paris said:
You guys need to admit my road rage drama was one for the TI history books, that topic was filled with interesting drama  8)
Although I've not been involved in any of that lately I have noticed a nice taste in cars here at Capella - M3s, M4s, M6s, Porsche GTs, Audi A6s. We should get together and take them out to a track for some friendly neighborhood racing competition. Anyone know of any good local tracks?
Otherwise sorry, no interesting drama in my life lately - guess that's a good thing
Zubs you're up...

Unfortunately the only good local tracks are at Buttonwillow and Chuckwalla...both a 2-2.5 hour drive from Irvine.  I'm down for any kind of track event.  :D

I'm down. I used to hit up willow springs and buttonwillow quite often in my hayday.
 
B2FiNiTY said:
USCTrojanCPA said:
Paris said:
You guys need to admit my road rage drama was one for the TI history books, that topic was filled with interesting drama  8)
Although I've not been involved in any of that lately I have noticed a nice taste in cars here at Capella - M3s, M4s, M6s, Porsche GTs, Audi A6s. We should get together and take them out to a track for some friendly neighborhood racing competition. Anyone know of any good local tracks?
Otherwise sorry, no interesting drama in my life lately - guess that's a good thing
Zubs you're up...

Unfortunately the only good local tracks are at Buttonwillow and Chuckwalla...both a 2-2.5 hour drive from Irvine.  I'm down for any kind of track event.  :D

I'm down. I used to hit up willow springs and buttonwillow quite often in my hayday.

I'm down. We should do a TI track day.  Loser buys lunch  :)
 
You guys are so buying me lunch.  :P


That's me and instructor when I first started autocross over 10 years ago. 

 

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