PATH tags "EpicFail?"

And MTA posts "FML?"

Well, that's so 1337

-my BFF Jill

Just posted on PATH's @PATHTweet Twitter feed:

"#EpicFail today with the WTC escalators. We’re working on them now and hope to not have a “repeat performance” this afternoon."

http://twitter.com/pathtweet/statuses/17494968691

Ha! Thanks, Russell.

we're riding on the escalator of life.

We're shopping in the human mall.

that's deep bro.

Lazy lazy, I say take the stairs. Or when an escalator is broken, it becomes stairs!

The two escalators to the left in the photo had been working, but suddenly stopped (seemingly around the same time); but for everyone to start walking, the person in front of them would have to be able to, so there was a very long delay as people started to walk. This is what caused the giant mess of people at the bottom.

The two escalators to the right in the photo were out of service (have been for what feels like a week now) and blocked by yellow construction signs when I got on the moving escalator, but as I rode up people moved the signs and started walking up them as well. Plus the stairwell on the far left side was being used - all in all, people were walking up 5 sets of stairs.

(Oh, and there were three working down escalators. Grumble grumble.)

It's not simple laziness - I think it is just an issue of gridlock of many people squishing together and waiting their turn to get to the first step. You have to wait your turn no matter what, even on a day the escalators are working. There are only 2 staircases available, compared to the 5+ escalators which are usually split so that some are moving up and some going down. The staircases are on opposite ends (one near the turnstiles, one on the far side) so even when you want to take the stairs on a typical day you have to fight a mob to get to the stairs.

Also, on days when the escalators are running, you'll see plenty of non-lazy people walking up the left side while others stand to the right.

In the photo, it looks like people are taking the stairs (and disabled escalators) up—I think because it's slower, there's people gridlock!

I've always wondered why people are so darn slow when taking the stairs. You'd think they just finished the NY Marathon, they're moving so slowly. Hey, guys, you know, there are people behind you. Even better are when three or four slowpokes yak it up as they walk slowly up or down the stairs side by side. "Native NYers" (at least the self-described ones here on Gothamist) always rag on out-of-towners for being slow-moving tourist gawkers. People who live and work in NYC aren't any faster.

If the escalators don't work, the terrorists win!

Okay, my service question is "what happens if there's a fire?"