Exclusive: Delay/Arrests on L.A.’s MTA Blue Line

UPDATED 8:30pm

Let’s start over from the beginning, shall we?

I boarded the Blue Line at about 7:50am. When I got on the train I noticed a longer-than-usual delay after the doors closed.

We proceed to the next stop at Del Amo. The train stopped and the doors opened–and they stayed open. About five minutes passed when the operator made some announcement over the PA. It was rather mumbly so I couldn’t tell what she said.

Another five minutes pass. During that time the doors opened and closed a few times. Finally, after all that, the operator makes yet another announcement. This time, we’re all told to exit the train:

While waiting, I glanced down into the parking lot–the Del Amo station is elevated–and saw an Los Angeles County Sheriff patrol car flying around the corner. There were already about four patrol cars waiting.

Within minutes, I noticed one male being arrested. I took a picture but it came out blurry so sorry, no proof. A group of sheriffs began to search the crowd and the train. They were asking questions but I really couldn’t hear since I wasn’t that close. Shortly afterwards, I noticed another man being arrested:

Okay folks, let’s be completely honest here. Would you commit a crime or even cause trouble wearing a shirt that can be seen from space? My God, man! And take notice of the guy in the background wearing a surgical mask. No, there was no threat of anthrax that I know of. And no, he’s not the former keyboardist for Prince. I see him almost every day and this is the first time he’s worn such garb.

More time passed and the sheriffs talk to the operator:

And that’s where things get interesting. During this delay, a woman began to complain about how long it was taking to resolve the issue. She was walking up and down the station, carrying on about how the MTA charges too much and what crappy service they give, how she’s going to be late for work, etc. We all looked on knowing that she wasn’t anything special–we were all going to be late. In fact, I was 30 minutes late today.

But she was persistent. She carried on about her boss and “what an asshole” he was. Then she had the audacity to tell the sheriffs how to do their jobs, began to look in the train while they were still searching it, etc. The crowd began chuckle at everything she did. In her quest to get to work on time, she became our entertainment during our delay.

Was she done? Of course she wasn’t, silly. She was beyond pissed by now so she grabbed her cell phone and while the sheriffs were still trying to get detail from the operator, she (on the right in photo below) shoves the phone in the face of one deputy and tells him to talk to her boss and explain why she will be late for work:

Shortly afterwards, they cleared the train for boarding. The operator then made an announcement that went something like:

“I do apologize for the delay in service.” She explained a bit further. This is where she emphasized her point.

“I do know that SOME of you HAVE to GET to WORK but as a precaution we needed to do what the sheriffs asked. You know, there ARE people getting blown up in other parts of the world so we can’t take any chances. Once again, I apologize for the delay. Our next stop is Compton Station.”

The crowd was laughing and cheering. Turns out nobody cares if you’re a loud, obnoxious asshole.

I later learned from a fellow co-worker and train commuter that apparently, and this may all be purple monkey dishwasher, some lady left her baby on the train. From what I understand she had a toddler that ran out the door and she went to chase him, leaving the baby behind. I honestly don’t know what I would have done either but c’mon…buy a stroller or something. Or simply have less kids. Duh.

So all in all it was a fun day. But I think I’ll drive tomorrow.