[acafourek]

I am highly skeptical of other replies to this post that make the subway seem like a summertime Shangri-La. While I think it's better than a urine- scented tardy hassle, I don't think many people who have spent a few years in NYC would describe their summer commutes as "pleasant".

Overall it's a miracle public utility that you don't appreciate as much as you should until you've left the city, but that July/August trip is a sweaty mass of humanity no matter how you crunch it.

[pavel_lishin]

It's not pleasant, but it beats the hell out of sitting in traffic for 45 minutes.

[s_kilk]

Thing is, if you're sitting in traffic for 45 minutes, couldn't you walk the same distance in less time?

[pavel_lishin]

Not really. Let's say your commute is 50 minutes, with 45 minutes of it being stuck in traffic - during which time you do move, just slowly and unpredictably. During those other 5 minutes though, you might be moving at a pretty good 60mph clip - so that's five miles. Walking that would take an hour.

And that's assuming you're in a walkable place. Many cities aren't built for it, and walking 30 minutes in 102 degree heat in Texas isn't a good option.

[danharaj]

I commuted for two years from Long Island to work in Manhattan via the LIRR and subway. It wasn't the best, but it wasn't the worst. The sheer amount of time it takes to make the trip i did was more stressful than the jostling and rummmaging on the rush hour E train. Even in the summer.