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Noooo! Metrocard swipes work better than ever, I see people get stopped much less frequently now and mine almost never has a problem. Once upon a time whenever it was we started using them the swiping was almost a joke. Repeated swipes and no way to get through with obviously unhappy, grumbling commuters lining up behind each other especially at stations with very few turnstiles. I think perhaps cards simply don't make full contact with the swiper at all times even though we think we've inserted it in correctly, particularly when it's rush hour or anytime one is in a hurry. Also, even machines aren't perfect. Bottom line is, most folks don't realize how unbelievably improved the subways are now. If you didn't live here 10-15 years ago (I won't even go into the 80s & 90s, you'd have thought the subways!!) absolutely unacceptable! Can things improve? Sure always. But given this is the largest 24 hour subway in the world, I think the current situation is great. I think only politics hinders most of the rest of what's needed for improvement but that's nothing new. Otherwise the NYC we have now? Love what you have, it didn't come easy but it was worth the wait.

When it comes to subway issues and advice, I usually turn to the great wisdom of that Petula Clark tune from 50 years ago. Tune of “Don’t Sleep in the Subway” (Metrocard malfunction version) Your trouble’s not news. Swiping gives you the blues, Though it works for you most every day, pal. Don’t leave it to fate. To avoid running late, Plan ahead just in case of delay, pal. Add time for dealing with your Metrocard You’ll find that really isn’t all that hard! Don’t pick on the subways, darling It’s good nine times out of ten. Don’t pick on the subways, darling. Don’t go berserk It doesn’t help to gripe. Card won’t work? Just breathe and swipe it again (repeat chorus)

Interesting takeaway, Freddie. I was so caught up in the excitement of "will she make it back to Penn Station or not?" that I never thought about the question of the Amtrak agent's acceptance of a suitcase from a total stranger. As you wondered, it might have happened before 2001. In this day and age--I'm now thinking about the package bomber in Austin, Texas--we can't be sure of any package. But it was still a great story for a snowy SPRING night. Spring? Yes, it is spring!

Couldn't have been before 2001, since the first countdown clocks were installed in the subway in 2006. I'm guessing this was quite recently, but that's just a hunch I have. Home and back again is pretty doable if you only have to get to 66th Street though; I've made much more idiotic decisions than that—since I have a personal policy never to leave home without forgetting at least one thing, and usually more—and lived to tell the tale. Glad to hear that her panicked rush went without a hitch, though! As an unabashed subway nut and booster, it's nice to see a positive recommendation to take the subway in a story for once, rather than a fiery denunciation.

Allen: Now I'm in the mood for a coffee and a black-and-white on this snowy evening. I won't sleep anyway, wondering how much snow we're going to get. Cheers!

And cheers to you Dean—stay safe and warm.

Now coffee and a black and white sounds just about perfect.