[oogali]

I've waited hours in NYC.

I've waited less than an hour in New Jersey and Connecticut.

When I still lived in NYC, I resolved that if I needed a hospital but I wasn't in extremely bad shape, I would drive an hour into an adjacent state's ER rather than wait in NYC.

[nobodyandproud]

Call 911 and get an ambulance.

[kevviiinn]

That's a good way to spend $6000

[oogali]

It's about $500-1,000.

Coming in via an ambulance doesn't trigger some sort of re-prioritzation, if you're not suffering from something that is immediately life threatening.

In most NYC hospitals, you will end up in a secondary waiting area that lies just beyond the regular ER doors.

Good luck if it's a Saturday night.