Unsuck DC Metro: Train Up for Grabs?

Monday, June 13, 2011

Train Up for Grabs?

From an anonymous reader:

I got on the last car of the train, 6063, at about 7:25 a.m. Friday in Crystal City. I took the last seat in the back of the car, the section that's part of the operator's cab but usually left open when the operator is not in the car. What do I see but that the operator of the car left his or her Metro keys in the lock in the window!

Yep, this key chain appeared to have all the keys you'd need to get in a Metro car, unlock the operator's compartment and start up a Metro train. Real secure.

Just outside Chinatown, a man with a hand-held radio came through the car looking for the keys. He spotted them and took them from the lock, saying to me, "The operator wondered where he'd left these."

It appears the operator's name is on the key chain: Shuler, D.

No idea how long the keys had been in the back of the train before someone decided they should probably retrieve them.

What with Metro's security theater, perhaps we should start by reminding the operators to take their keys WITH them when they leave.

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MetroAccess increases shift length, union cries foul (Examiner)

Comments (30)

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+2 Vote up Vote down

anon1 · 719 weeks ago

That's just swell. God help us.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Guest · 719 weeks ago

The new Superintendent thinks signs and reminders help! Perfect example signs and reminders do NOT help! Tell the new Rail Supt., the elementary concepts of "signs" mean nothing to some!
How about putting a Supt. In Charge of Rail Training who has Operated a Train!?!!!
Did you know she was medically disqualified and moved up to supt. without any background in Rail?

-1 Vote up Vote down

Corresponding Toads · 719 weeks ago

Can't wait to read the comments from Shulder, D.'s friends and family!

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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Corresponding Toads · 719 weeks ago

... and by Shulder, I mean Shuler.

I think I combined Scully with Mulder. WEIRD.

+7 Vote up Vote down

MadAsHeck · 719 weeks ago

Toads wants to believe!

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Samuel · 719 weeks ago

Yet they want more money. I've filed a claim for an on board metro bus accident and they are giving me the run around. As in doing nothing..

+3 Vote up Vote down

No One · 719 weeks ago

They wanted a paid vacation. They will probably get one.

+1 Vote up Vote down

Patrick · 719 weeks ago

Yeah, we should start by reminding the operators to take keys WITH them when they leave like a house key or a car key. I don't understand why they are not doing good job lately. So many things need to be fix or need to improve many things. :)

+2 Vote up Vote down

Safety 1st · 719 weeks ago

Anyone else think a big Metro safety "improvement" was to put safety reminders on the backs of key toggles? Laughable.

+23 Vote up Vote down

Matt G · 719 weeks ago

As unacceptable as I believe this is...haven't we all made a bird-brained mistake once? Lock yourself out? Forget an important appointment? Lost your wallet? It's important to rely on the Good Samaritans out there in this great country of ours to reduce our embarrassment when something like that happens.

Clearly the operator realized the error shortly thereafter, which is why someone came looking for them.

My question is, why didn't "anonymous reader" contact the operator of the train they were on rather than snap pictures, write a narrative, and watch and wait to see what happened???

5 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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devaldragon 59p · 719 weeks ago

Nah. That would be the responsible thing to do...

-2 Vote up Vote down

Me3 · 719 weeks ago

And run the risk of being accused of stealing them? Nope.

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Observer · 719 weeks ago

I'm the person who took the pictures. I pushed the button to contact the operator but it didn't work. Had someone not got the keys, I planned to take them to the station manager at Chinatown. Don't be so quick to assume people are apt to do nothing.

+1 Vote up Vote down

Matt G · 719 weeks ago

Then make sure when you write the story that you state what actually happened, not just selective information that leads people to a conclusion.

-1 Vote up Vote down

IFellUpOnce · 719 weeks ago

Blaming people for your own assumptions? Grow up.

+7 Vote up Vote down

dcn8v · 719 weeks ago

Maybe get the train operator in your life one of those zip-keychains that clip to your pants for his or her birthday.

I tend to agree with the above poster... it was a bad mistake, we're all human, and I wish the writer had called the train operator to tell them about the problem so that some less scrupulous person wouldn't get their hands on the keys. I've done something similar with my work badge, and was profoundly grateful to the person who found and returned it. And yes- now I use a zip-clip to clip it to my shirt pocket!

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Observer · 719 weeks ago

I tried to call the train operator ... the button didn't work. Never could get hold of them.

+3 Vote up Vote down

Guest · 719 weeks ago

VERY Poor OPSEC Metro....have seen this before last year on orange line and did alert the driver by red button at end of car and also a platform employee. They got the keys within two stops. Metro- drill on it now.

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www.accessthedmv.com · 719 weeks ago

All this situation needed was a bad individual, in the wrong state of mind at the right time for something tragic to happen. Events like this should not be happening. Who knows HOW LONG the keys were dangling there before the picture was taken.

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VeggieTart · 719 weeks ago

Yes, everyone makes mistakes, but this is the latest in a long line of issues with Metro workers. Which makes me wonder how the train was running without those keys.

Toads: For some weird reason, I thought Heatlh Shuler might have a relative who works for Metro.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Frustr8dCommuter · 719 weeks ago

Forgetting your keys at home, well that causes some inconvenience and time. Losing your car keys, could cause some financial pain. But having the train keys in the wrong hands, I think we all know the consequences here. Albeit we all make mistakes, but not ones that can effect peoples lives.

Heath Shuler's sibling, Death should be fired, then rehired next year as a station manager.

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Richard · 719 weeks ago

Just playing devil's advocate here.
Is it possible that keys are not enough to operate the train?
I'm suggesting that once you put the key in there may be a prompt for a code that the operator would have to put in order to operate the train.
If this isn't the case, it should be.

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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Sam · 719 weeks ago

Something you know, something you have, two factor authentication, blah blah blah...

You give Metro too much credit. I wouldn't be surprised if this was also the same key for all the buses and Metro buildings.

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Metro Ryder · 719 weeks ago

If I'm remembering correctly, that kid was able to get a metro bus and drive away with it, because it just takes a push of the button to start the bus. What makes you think the trains would be any different?

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Ms. Blasé · 719 weeks ago

Carjackings have already plagued Metro. Now we have to worry about potential trainjackings?

-2 Vote up Vote down

Sam · 719 weeks ago

Come on, Unsuck. Why are you posting this? Obviously you just love the attention.

(I am so freakin' happy that Stessel made that comment. It should become the new "obviously you believe in slavery". That's starting to get old. Add Stessel's comment to the sidebar!)

3 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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