Had a minute this morning at West 4th Street that made me wonder how other people make the call. Downtown A was arriving every 9–12 minutes with the platform three deep, and the countdown clock kept adding +2 minutes. The conductor on one train said 'train traffic ahead, we’ll be moving shortly,' then we sat through two cycles. Meanwhile the F pulled in twice on the other platform with room. I stayed because the A usually saves me a transfer at Jay Street, but I ended up losing about 20 minutes anyway.

I generally use a rule of thumb: if I can’t board the first train that arrives, and the clock adds time twice, I start walking to the other line. But at a bi-level station like West 4th the walk to the F/M side is short; at a station like 42nd/8th, switching from A/C/E to N/R/W means a real hike and sometimes no better service. I also factor in whether the delay sounds like a sick passenger or a signal problem—signal delays don’t clear quickly.

What’s your threshold? Do you wait for the second or third train because it might be empty right behind, or do you cut your losses and reroute through a different line? Also, are there stations where you never switch because the transfer is a trap?

Depends on the line. On the 2/5 through Brooklyn I usually don’t bounce unless I see a train on the other side already in the station. Used to wait for the 'empty right behind' but that’s only real after a gap, not a signal issue. If the clock says +4 and I got a physical line across the platform? I’m gone.

At West 4th though, the F/M side can be a madhouse too, so I’ll sometimes ride one stop the wrong way if the downtown platform is backed up and grab a Brooklyn-bound before the crowd does. One line I refuse to abandon is the L during rush: the next one may be packed but they run often enough that you’re still better off than the touristy transfer through Union Square.

For anyone new: don’t chase the G if the F is messed up at Bergen. You’ll add a three-block walk and probably watch the F leave from the platform.

Hi! New to commuting every day from Queens. I’m still learning the abbreviations. When they say 'train traffic ahead' is that usually a real thing or code for something else? Yesterday I waited at Queens Plaza and watched three E trains go by completely full; a woman next to me said just wait for the next one because it’ll be empty, but the next one was also full. I ended up on the 7 walking a bit more. What’s the best app or sign to trust? I don’t yet know the side exits. Thanks for this thread!

Beth, 'train traffic ahead' is not code, it just means the line is backed up. Sometimes it clears in a couple minutes, sometimes it’s a dead stop under the river and you wonder why you didn’t bring a snack. I wouldn’t trust anyone who says the next one will be empty—maybe fifteen minutes later and three bunched trains later, but not during the delay.

For Queens Plaza, keep an eye on the E platform before committing to the 7. If you see a train coming in with a few people but the doors not overloaded, stay. If you have to walk all the way around to the 7 and it’s also packed, at least you’re moving.

For the original question: my cutoff is two trains I cannot physically get on, or one 'we are being held by the dispatcher' that lasts a full signal cycle. I’ll walk or back-ride. The only station where I’ll wait longer is 34th/Penn on the 8th Avenue line because the transfer to the 7th Avenue lines is a nightmare with weekend track work.