Has anyone noticed how confident tourists are on the Underground? They
disembark from a train and immediately head for the exit from the
platform indicated by an illuminated 'Way Out' sign - because that's
what they've learnt to do. However taking the official 'Way Out' often
ends up with them having to double back to get to the bottom of the
nearest stairs or escalator. This is quite amusing to watch especially
when they realise that if they had followed the regulars they could
have saved some time and energy. The north bound Bakerloo platform at
Paddington is a prime example; as is also the north bound platform of
the Circle / District lines. CJB.

On Nov 15, 1:49*am, CJB wrote:
Has anyone noticed how confident tourists are on the Underground? They
disembark from a train and immediately head for the exit from the
platform indicated by an illuminated 'Way Out' sign - because that's
what they've learnt to do. However taking the official 'Way Out' often
ends up with them having to double back to get to the bottom of the
nearest stairs or escalator. This is quite amusing to watch especially
when they realise that if they had followed the regulars they could
have saved some time and energy. The north bound Bakerloo platform at
Paddington is a prime example; as is also the north bound platform of
the Circle / District lines. CJB.

The same thing happens at Kings Cross with the exit from the Victoria
line. The signposts for the National Rail stations at Kings Cross and
St Pancras direct passengers to exit via the Northern ticket hall.
This route is much longer than the exit via the old tube ticket hall.

"CJB" wrote in message
...
Has anyone noticed how confident tourists are on the Underground? They
disembark from a train and immediately head for the exit from the
platform indicated by an illuminated 'Way Out' sign - because that's
what they've learnt to do.

No, it's because they don't know any different route.

At some stations your exit my be shorted by going "up" the down stars
leading to a passageway that leads you to an exit, but at others all it does
is lead you to a bank of "down" escalators.

If you don't know, why would you try it?

tim

On Nov 15, 12:05*pm, "tim...." wrote:
No, it's because they don't know any different route.

If you don't know, why would you try it?


.... and who says that following "the regulars" leads you to the exit,
rather than to another line for onward travel?

PhilD

--

I suspect in many cases the longer routes are intended to ease
passenger flow and if everyone took the shortcuts used by "regulars"
it would simply result in a mass scrum with crowds travelling in
opposite directions., but, never mind, it'sfun to laugh at the silly
foreigners going the wrong way in the smug satisfaction that you are
much cleverer than them, isn't it?

"malc" wrote in message
...
I suspect in many cases the longer routes are intended to ease
passenger flow and if everyone took the shortcuts used by "regulars"
it would simply result in a mass scrum with crowds travelling in
opposite directions., but, never mind, it'sfun to laugh at the silly
foreigners going the wrong way in the smug satisfaction that you are
much cleverer than them, isn't it?

CJB isn't the first to spot this and post about it, and probably won't be
the last. And as a regular contributor he'll have read any number of posts
about serious overcrowding at various tube stations. As you rightly point
out, the one way systems are in place for the benefit of everyone, and if
everyone ignored them the advantages to those 'regulars' who do so now would
immediately disappear.

Paul S

On Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:31:37 -0000, "Paul Scott"
wrote:

CJB isn't the first to spot this and post about it, and probably won't be
the last. And as a regular contributor he'll have read any number of posts
about serious overcrowding at various tube stations. As you rightly point
out, the one way systems are in place for the benefit of everyone, and if
everyone ignored them the advantages to those 'regulars' who do so now would
immediately disappear.

It's analogous to queueing barriers where large numbers of people
congregate. If demand is quiet, it's quicker to go around them and
walk directly to the front than zig-zag your way around. Try it when
it is busy and you may find your decision less than acceptable to your
fellow queuers.

I guess underground stations by their nature apply the 'Disney'
variant, where the end of the line is not visible until you get round
the last corner. Maybe that's why visitors follow the signs?

On Nov 15, 1:49*am, CJB wrote:
Has anyone noticed how confident tourists are on the Underground? They
disembark from a train and immediately head for the exit from the
platform indicated by an illuminated 'Way Out' sign - because that's
what they've learnt to do. However taking the official 'Way Out' often
ends up with them having to double back to get to the bottom of the
nearest stairs or escalator. This is quite amusing to watch especially
when they realise that if they had followed the regulars they could
have saved some time and energy. The north bound Bakerloo platform at
Paddington is a prime example; as is also the north bound platform of
the Circle / District lines. CJB.

I remember two young, big American boys who got off at Euston. They
were dressed head to foot in goretex, wore colossal backpacks and were
sick of the sight of each other.
Let's call them John and Paul.

[On the platform]
John: [Looks around] ..Uummm.
Paul: THIS way. The way OUT!

[The pair walk past two NO EXIT archways, about 20 metres along the
platform. They turn in and behold the escalator 40 metres away.]

John: [With total disgust] Oh, good call, Paul!!

I laughed so hard I nearly crashed my autogyro!

On Nov 15, 12:24*pm, malc wrote:
I suspect in many cases the longer routes are intended to ease
passenger flow and if everyone took the shortcuts used by "regulars"
it would simply result in a mass scrum with crowds travelling in
opposite directions., but, never mind, it'sfun to laugh at the silly
foreigners going the wrong way in the smug satisfaction that you are
much cleverer than them, isn't it?

Yes ...

"CJB" wrote in message
...

Has anyone noticed how confident tourists are on the Underground? They
disembark from a train and immediately head for the exit from the
platform indicated by an illuminated 'Way Out' sign - because that's
what they've learnt to do. However taking the official 'Way Out' often
ends up with them having to double back to get to the bottom of the
nearest stairs or escalator. This is quite amusing to watch especially
when they realise that if they had followed the regulars they could
have saved some time and energy. The north bound Bakerloo platform at
Paddington is a prime example; as is also the north bound platform of
the Circle / District lines. CJB.


Most likely the tourists won't care even if they knew, as they'll only go
through the station once or twice. And being on holiday, why should they
worry ? They're going to be somewhere else tomorrow.

Whereas being a regular you're going to be going through that self same station,
twice a day, five times a week, 50 weeks a years for the next 25 years of your
life. If you're lucky. Which means you can look forward to watching around
12,500 different pairs of tourists using the "wrong" entrance in the years
to come.

Some people just have all the luck!



michael adams

....