An MTA board member made a lot of people shake their heads in collective disbelief Monday when he proposed a ban on backpacks in subways. Charles Moerdler sits on the board of the MTA and took a subway ride recently with his granddaughter, who was wearing a bag, when it suddenly occurred to him that backpacks are annoying in a crowded train car.
Considering backpacks are how many New Yorkers carry their stuff from one place to another — and the MTA even sells its own line of backpacks — outrage was to be expected. As a result, Moerdler later backed down on the proposal, but the MTA said it will be implementing a new public awareness campaign to discourage riders from “man-spreading” or wearing their bags, a decent enough suggestion since both practices are annoying. Though, perhaps some of those marketing dollars would be better spent trying to reduce overcrowding, the real root of this issue.
Here’s some of the public reaction from Twitter:
MTA board member Chuck Moerdler is a complete fucking idiot. Run more trains. We are not the problem – You are. http://t.co/n0IMJGBZG8
— Control LTV (@ltvsquad) November 17, 2014
@MTA – backpack ban on subways is a great idea! You should also ban cold weather so people don’t clog trains with bulky coats. @errollouis — Alan Cohen (@acexperience) November 18, 2014
The MTA Board backpack ban threat prompted me to get onto @zappos and shop for a backpack. — Sarah Sweeney (@SarahSweeneyNYC) November 18, 2014
#MTA possible #backpack ban? How abt suitcases, strollers, instruments, LARGE ladies’ purses. Non-issue. Advocate kindness 2fellow riders — Adriana Douzos (@adrianadouzos) November 18, 2014
how can reporters be anti-backpack-wearers? MT @sarahgrieco: fake MTA warnings pretty accurate http://t.co/1el79LbLC5 pic.twitter.com/LQBLn7i5Js — Danielle Tcholakian (@danielleiat) March 24, 2014
@MTA Yeah, I’ll put my backpack on the subway floor when you commute by #subway every day for life like us & put yr backpack on the floor. — Linda P. (@LindaFromQueens) November 18, 2014
That’ll work. “@katehinds: .@MTA board member Charles Moerdler wants to ban backpacks in subways, due to overcrowding.” — Jim Roberts (@nycjim) November 17, 2014
Another out of touch political appointee! @patkiernan: MTA Board member – backpacks should be banned from subway http://t.co/haLlkQ2kOD” — Mike Palmieri (@mhpalmieri) November 18, 2014
Ban backpacks = zero brains @ChrisWragge @MaryCalviTV air train to jfk, laptop bags for work, coffee in AM. Did the MTA hire Gruber?
— Darrell Romero (@darrell_romero) November 18, 2014
There is no law against being inconsiderate or a jerkoff in NYC. LOL Thnx for the post Don Armando Robles http://t.co/bGdZRlzjkj — Lawrence Sharp (@LawrenceSharpNY) November 18, 2014
Fuck the mta RT @NYDailyNews: One @MTA board member would “like to ban” backpacks on trains. http://t.co/4oTKFzlHtx pic.twitter.com/L3iJ1OPvZ0
— Onedee_ (@onedee53) November 17, 2014
Someone fire this guy, ASAP. RT @NYDailyNews One @MTA board member would “like to ban” backpacks on trains. http://t.co/nPJh574zQS — … (@rouk) November 17, 2014
Moerdler may be out-of-touch, but let this also be a reminder to New Yorkers: Take your backpacks off when you’re on a crowded train.
(Photo: Wikipedia)
