during this excercise all forms of public transportation are shut down. That means that everyone who owns a car is trying to travel and YOU have to make it out. For free I will throw in 18 degree weather, with ice conditions and mild winds. Also certain areas are off limit to you if your POV has less than 4 people in it. Extra bonus include but is not limited to: pissed city residents, clueless union reps and their mindless followers.

Now... Yeah about was written in sarcastic and annoyed tone. But this is roughly what would happen if a dirty bomb would be detonated inside the train station. All tunnels sealed to prevent cross contamination. Travel restrictions, check point would be added to further limit your movement. How do you make it out of the city today?

First thing first.
-Go to your car and see how much gas do you have.
-Now think if you have any outstanding repairs that you were postponning? Remember murphys law... that little oil change you been neglecting trying to milk it for another 1000 miles will grind your motor to the halt.
-Now you jsut found out that transit strike is on and you have to leave the house NOW. Is your BOB ready? Do not give me that oh I need to put few things in the bag... Are you ready to walk out that door in 5 min?
-Do you have travel plans? Do you know where you going? DO you know how to get around your house?
-Are you ready to be stuck in your car for more than few hours?

All of the above is something to think about...


PS
I don't have a luxury to walk off the job when I'm unhappy with my salary. When I slack around people die. Indirectly this strike causes people to die too: workers who serve people can't get to work, homeless are kicked off the train into the cold and traffic build up prevents emergency services from getting places on time. Way to go transit workers. Good way to screw up everyone day and pre Christmas season.

Good luck!

At least with the strke you had some fore warning.

<img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Sorry! I do feel your pain but I've choosen to live at the other end of the island. I have a lot of friends that are dealing with this issue now.

So as far as emergency evac - buy a boat!

Adam

Hey Matt... how many Union folk came from all over the country to VOLunteer with the recovery/clean-up after 9/11??? Seven from my local alone, from out here in Illinios, and that's just the laborers. I know sometimes B.A.s can be a pain, they need to be pitbulls to get anything for their members, but, they're our pitbulls <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Troy

Got my kayak <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Inflatable Kayaks

Just a quick search on Google, first link I saw. Just an idea.

I was looking at the inflatables and folding ones due to storage problems with 2 yaks I own but either they are too fragile or way too expensive. I will stick with my own boats for now. Plus last time I fell into the water around the harbor I had to throw away my vest since I couldnt get the stink off it.


Damn man I looked at some of my pictures from the summer and I'm missing river already.

Matt- I already have mountain bikes with cargo trailers for alternate transportation needs but I was considering a scooter (as in moped). What is your thoughts on the viability of a Vespa or Kymco to get out of, or into, the city during dire times?

ummmm

most similar bug out scenarios I read about assume a single healthy man (person) bugging out on his/her own. How about kids, pregannt wife, elderly mother ..etc. ???

And BTW, I see more titles about PETS than about disabled or elderly parents. Will you abandon them ??

When we have pre3gannt wives , or a survivalist IS pregant , I think the "safety factor" has to be doubled. That means you bug out in half the time , or your plan has to include double # of the alternatives routes ..etc.

Well scooters can be used since they can go in between cars and cut traffic but in 18 degree weather it would be hard... Same goes for bikes...

"And BTW, I see more titles about PETS than about disabled or elderly parents. Will you abandon them ?? "

Mine are included in my plans. Maybe nobody mentions parents, spouses, children, etc. because it's considered a given that they will be cared for. Pets on the other hand might be considered more expendable, at least for some. I agree with you that the more options you have, the better.

Regards, Vince

Unions are an anacrhonism. A hundred years ago they were necessary for establishing worker rights. Now that the government has promulgated all sorts of labor regulations, the unions have no beneficial purpose. In this day and age in these United States, a worker will get paid what their labor is worth to the market. If it is not a living wage, then let the laws of supply and demand correct the situation. Artificially increasing the value of the work leads to inflation, outsourcing, and the general decline of the GNP. That is not an argument, that is a fact.

I find it interesting that, in fomenting an unlawful labor strike, the union is now incurring a $1 million per day fine against it's membership. How effective is that?

There's a simple conclusion that is much more effective. If drivers can't earn enough to pay the bills, then find other work. If the transit agencies can't find enough people to do the job, they will either have to raise the offered pay level to attract more workers, or cut back on services, which is also a natural economic reaction that will result in transit workers getting higher pay. That, or maybe they will find workers who can manage to do the work for less.

I respectfully disagree with your position on unions. As a necessary evil they prevent (to some extent) extreme abuse of employees that was rampant in the U.S. until unions came along. All this (like so many other things) is recorded in history in great detail. Governments do not prevent this type of abuse. Witness pre-union America, China Today... Mexico... Does GNP or labor supply and demand protect them?
I don't belong to a union today but when young I witnessed both union and non union shop conditions. Even non-union shops in the U.S. benefit because the union is waiting outside the door.

"Those who would ignore history are doomed to repeat it".

"Blood Dries Quickly" Charles DeGaulle