Was it really worth it? (Bad parenting)

[Rapscallion]

Just as a sidebar, the term "Gypped" is a derogatory term for "Gypsy", or Roma person. I'm certain you didn't use it as that sort of term intentionally, but I wanted to at least make you aware of it's racist origins - it's no less offensive than saying you got "Jew'ed".

Psst! There's a report button for a reason

Rapscallion

[LadyAndreca]

I don't think he was trying to rant or report him, just make him aware of the origins of derogatory slang. I didn't know the origns of that one either before I started visiting this board, and once I found out I tried to stop using it.

Back on topic...being in an area that DOES have train commuter service, people trying to beat trains is unfortunately common. For some reason, it's the mentality of "if the train hits me, I'll just sue". Same reason pedestrians have no fear of cars and jaywalk without looking--they think they have THE LAW on their side, and forget they have to survive the laws of physics before they can sic lawyers on anyone.

[Rapscallion]

I don't think he was trying to rant or report him, just make him aware of the origins of derogatory slang. I didn't know the origns of that one either before I started visiting this board, and once I found out I tried to stop using it.

We prefer it if people report offensive usage of words, as a general principle

Rapscallion

[Chromatix]

Well, another thing about railways over here, is that they normally have footbridges or subways to cross the line with. As a result, walking across the line is officially strongly discouraged. The platforms being fairly tall - a legacy of early days when carriages *couldn't* be built low-floor - helps too.

In fact, in Finland many stations have fences parallel to the track and between the platforms. This makes it obvious that taking a short-cut across the line won't be as easy as it might otherwise appear. The fences double as protection for track workers, allowing them to close one line for maintenance instead of several at a time.

[Mamadrae]

I don't think he was trying to rant or report him, just make him aware of the origins of derogatory slang. I didn't know the origns of that one either before I started visiting this board, and once I found out I tried to stop using it.

Back on topic...being in an area that DOES have train commuter service, people trying to beat trains is unfortunately common. For some reason, it's the mentality of "if the train hits me, I'll just sue". Same reason pedestrians have no fear of cars and jaywalk without looking--they think they have THE LAW on their side, and forget they have to survive the laws of physics before they can sic lawyers on anyone.

Heh, that jaywalking one is a real laugh too since not all places will back the pedestrian. I got a ticket when I was young and stupid for not crossing at the light. Guy in the car got off free (plus I was lucky he was slowing for a light). Granted I wasn't going to sue the guy anyways, I sure didn't have the money for a lawyer. Either way the accident was my fault for not crossing where I was suppose to. Lucky I didn't damage the car and get sued for it!

Where I'm at we see trains all the time. There a track that chops right through the middle of town and then you have some on the back roads.

There's a track near my in-laws I have to cross to get to them. I can take 2 different roads and both have gates and lights and all that jazz.

One day I'm heading there and the normal gate I cross at is down and lights are going. I notice folks are driving around the gate here. Only once have I ever done this and it was cause the engine had an issue and was STOPPED. The conductor was actually sitting outside the train waving people through. In this case there was nothing, I could see.

I waited about 5 minutes and then decided to turn around and try the other way instead of risking that there might be a train coming I'm not seeing through the treeline. Had a number of people honking angrily at me but I didn't care. I'm not risking my neck, my son's neck, or my not quite done bun in the oven's neck so you folks don't have wait a few minutes for me to pull a u turn. If anything why didn't you morons BACK UP instead of humping my trunk to get where ever you were going.

*sigh* You would think the idea of weight and size would process to people. Big and heavy is going to crush/maim/destroy the smaller and lighter. That's not even adding in the math of speed and the like!

Btw, that "I have the law on my side" argument makes me giggle. Just the Mental picture of some idiot standing before a huge car/train/inanimate object of death that's hurling forward to kill them and them going "I have THE LAW on my side!" and holding up some book or piece of paper. That's a real good shield for ya there...

[Chromatix]

Okay, right now I have a very strange mental image.

A train with Judge Dredd's helmeted face on the front. "I AM THE LAW!"

[Ironclad Alibi]

"Having the law on your side" reminded me of this story:

A government representative stopped at a farm and told the old farmer, "I'm here to inspect your farm."

The farmer said, "Fine, but just stay out of that field over there."

The government man puffed up. "Sir, I have the authority of the United States Government behind me. Do you see this card? I can go wherever I please on your land."

The farmer shrugged and continued with his chores. Soon, he heard a loud scream from the very field he had warned the agent about. He ran over and found the government rep running full out for the fence, being chased by the farmer's meanest bull.

"Help! HELP!" he screamed.

The farmer yelled, "Show him your card!"

[LadyAndreca]

The law in this state DOES favor pedestrians, to the point where if a pedestrian is involved in an accident, EVEN IF IT IS THEIR FAULT, it takes a lawyer to get the other party's record cleared unless there's significant witnesses and evidence to prove the pedestrian is in the wrong. Until the pedestrian gets a lawyer, and then the other party needs a better lawyer even though they're in the right.

I've been hit by a car here, too. A car decided he could get through an intersection before any pedestrians got into the street. I was running late to catch my train, saw a line of cars stopping at a light and a 'walk' light for me, and didn't break my running stride. I got spun around but not knocked down; I ALMOST gave the driver a piece of my mind but wasn't hurt enough to make it worth being late for work. (That's an athlete's mind for you: "Am I actually hurt? No? Keep going!") I had a sore arm for a few days, but nothing serious.

[protege]

We've had a few people get hit by trains here. Where I work, the NS main line is literally in our back yard. In fact, I usually go down there during my lunch hour to watch the guys work on the tracks, and wave to the freight crews. Nearly every day, there's some idiot who can't wait...and will *walk* across the 4 tracks. Never mind that the train is right on top of him, he just *has* to get to the river to go fishing. Never mind that if he falls, even a slow-moving coal drag (2x EMD SD70s or '90s, or GE equivalent + 100+ cars) would easily knock him into the next world...

Too many people forget that a train cannot stop on a dime. No matter what you're driving, you're *always* going to lose.

[tropicsgoddess]

I think the conductor did the right thing. Nothing is worth your kid's life (hell, if he had just killed himself then he would have deserved an honorable mention for a Darwin award - but I would feel sorry for the kid).

More like Dishonorable Mention for that jackass. The conductor definitely did the right thing. Even though the poor kid was gypped because his stupid dad.

[Julesy]

This post made my heart skip a few beats.
What a nightmare.

(I have a bit of a phobia of trains to begin with, I always stand meters away from the tracks until a train has completely stopped... but this??)

[protege]

I have a bit of a phobia of trains to begin with, I always stand meters away from the tracks until a train has completely stopped... but this?

It's probably good that you do that. Seriously, there have been instances where people have been hurt. Not by the train itself, but from getting hit by a broken air hose, bit of metal strapping, etc. That's why when I choose to take train photos, I tend to stay back from the tracks. There's still plenty of room to see everything coming up the line

[Magpie]

Mythbusters showed (season 4 I believe) that you can't actually get sucked under the train as it passes, but in demonstrating that they also showed that standing right by the tracks is a very bad idea. Standing back is wise.

[greek_jester]

When you do something like this not only do you risk yourself, but think of how bad the conductor and any of the crew or anyone around would feel after witnessing such a horrible death.

I know someone who worked for London Underground for 20 years. He got pensioned off after someone threw himself under his train. Doesn't bother him too much (he's self-aware enough to know that it wasn't his fault & there was nothing he could possibly have done to stop it, & he didn't even see it anyway as the person involved went under the side of the train) but the compensation payment helped settle a few debts so life was actually easier for him. Some can take it really badly, though - one bloke ended up severely depressed & unable to work again.

Something my father said once: if your car is stuck on the crossing and the train is approaching, GET OUT. Abandon the car. TRY to alert the train driver, so he can minimise the effect on the train passengers. But allow material damage to happen.

This. Exactly. We had a couple of nasty incidences in our county last year, so there was a lot of publicity on the news etc. over what you should do if you get stuck on the tracks.

The first (& scariest) thing we were told was that if the barriers go down, you have maybe 14 seconds left. Just enough time to take off your seatbelt, throw open the door & sprint for the verge.

The second thing was that being just off of the tracks isn't enough - get over that verge & as far away from the car as possible, as you might get hit by flying bits of it.

If you survive those two, anything else is window dressing. Obviously, call the police etc, but you need to be alive & in one piece to manage it!

[DGoddessChardonnay]

Honorable mentions are for people who didn't manage to kill or otherwise remove themselves from the gene pool.

Also, if the child is under the age of 16, he'd be too young to qualify for a Darwin Award. The minimum age to be considered is 16.

Another criteria for consideration: the person's actions don't take out any innocent persons or bystanders.

That is, IIRC. Either way, the father was a self-centered moron of the first order for trying to run past a train.