First Class Duck
@firstclassduck.bsky.social
an opinionated and jaded traveler
Anecdote Zone: I have to admit that I was a little disappointed when I rode T1 in Paris a few years ago because it felt so slow compared to Seattle's street running section on Link.
December 5, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Anecdote Zone: I have to admit that I was a little disappointed when I rode T1 in Paris a few years ago because it felt so slow compared to Seattle's street running section on Link.
Fake news.
Supposedly, it's only for kei cars made in the US which means nothing because nobody would pay US labour costs to build them.
Supposedly, it's only for kei cars made in the US which means nothing because nobody would pay US labour costs to build them.
December 5, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Fake news.
Supposedly, it's only for kei cars made in the US which means nothing because nobody would pay US labour costs to build them.
Supposedly, it's only for kei cars made in the US which means nothing because nobody would pay US labour costs to build them.
In normie land, these ultra long pairs between big cities tend to be the sample cases that they think of, but connecting moderately sized secondary cities to large cities never seems to come to mind...
December 2, 2025 at 4:17 AM
In normie land, these ultra long pairs between big cities tend to be the sample cases that they think of, but connecting moderately sized secondary cities to large cities never seems to come to mind...
There's something to be said when everybody's dream use case is "NY-LA" and not "NY-Scranton" or even Chicago-Cleveland.
December 2, 2025 at 4:10 AM
There's something to be said when everybody's dream use case is "NY-LA" and not "NY-Scranton" or even Chicago-Cleveland.
The Boomers on Facebook, especially in roadgeek groups tend to be resentful of tolls, and want them gone even with electronic toll collection.
December 2, 2025 at 4:09 AM
The Boomers on Facebook, especially in roadgeek groups tend to be resentful of tolls, and want them gone even with electronic toll collection.
My brother has held out for the longest on switching over because of the anecdotes floating around, and he opted for a OMNY card versus tapping directly with his credit card to minimize any issues with billing.
December 1, 2025 at 9:07 PM
My brother has held out for the longest on switching over because of the anecdotes floating around, and he opted for a OMNY card versus tapping directly with his credit card to minimize any issues with billing.
From what I've seen anecdotally, most of the sentiment seems to be negative about OMNY with everybody complaining about the wonky billing issues, loss monthly passes, the missing transfers to NICE and Bee Line, or usability on PATH.
And the few nerds who complain about the promised use region wide.
And the few nerds who complain about the promised use region wide.
December 1, 2025 at 9:06 PM
From what I've seen anecdotally, most of the sentiment seems to be negative about OMNY with everybody complaining about the wonky billing issues, loss monthly passes, the missing transfers to NICE and Bee Line, or usability on PATH.
And the few nerds who complain about the promised use region wide.
And the few nerds who complain about the promised use region wide.
In my silly moments, I've said that if you want to see big transformations of suburban areas, you'll have to do "slum clearance".
Liberalizing zoning and hoping for development can only do so much. If seems that you'll need to buy out whole neighbourhoods for fully fleshed out TOD.
Liberalizing zoning and hoping for development can only do so much. If seems that you'll need to buy out whole neighbourhoods for fully fleshed out TOD.
December 1, 2025 at 10:02 AM
In my silly moments, I've said that if you want to see big transformations of suburban areas, you'll have to do "slum clearance".
Liberalizing zoning and hoping for development can only do so much. If seems that you'll need to buy out whole neighbourhoods for fully fleshed out TOD.
Liberalizing zoning and hoping for development can only do so much. If seems that you'll need to buy out whole neighbourhoods for fully fleshed out TOD.
I suspect it isn't helped that Nassau has traditionally been the suburban home of NYPD until recently, so the bad stories get spread around. And plucking white kids from quietish, clean suburban areas and dropping them in our worst areas with people at the worst moments only fuels nasty stereotypes.
November 26, 2025 at 3:47 AM
I suspect it isn't helped that Nassau has traditionally been the suburban home of NYPD until recently, so the bad stories get spread around. And plucking white kids from quietish, clean suburban areas and dropping them in our worst areas with people at the worst moments only fuels nasty stereotypes.
But it does feel that Long Island is filled with flighters who are ultra paranoid about any crime with crime "ruining things".
Is Wayne freaking out about Paterson? Is Short Hills freaking out about Newark and Irvington to the same degree? LI just seems more vocal about it.
Is Wayne freaking out about Paterson? Is Short Hills freaking out about Newark and Irvington to the same degree? LI just seems more vocal about it.
November 26, 2025 at 3:47 AM
But it does feel that Long Island is filled with flighters who are ultra paranoid about any crime with crime "ruining things".
Is Wayne freaking out about Paterson? Is Short Hills freaking out about Newark and Irvington to the same degree? LI just seems more vocal about it.
Is Wayne freaking out about Paterson? Is Short Hills freaking out about Newark and Irvington to the same degree? LI just seems more vocal about it.
It's weird, but from my niche as a black guy in a mostly white neighbourhood in Zone 7 Nassau, there's a weird "the city is crazy vibe", and BFF has told me that a few of white people have asked him if it's as bad as they say it is in the media.
November 26, 2025 at 3:47 AM
It's weird, but from my niche as a black guy in a mostly white neighbourhood in Zone 7 Nassau, there's a weird "the city is crazy vibe", and BFF has told me that a few of white people have asked him if it's as bad as they say it is in the media.
I keep forgetting that college sports is a thing there.
Go commuter college kids! :-P
Go commuter college kids! :-P
November 25, 2025 at 12:07 AM
I keep forgetting that college sports is a thing there.
Go commuter college kids! :-P
Go commuter college kids! :-P
FWIW, it's rather interesting to note how Austin became the "tolerable" place to blue state types who wanted to leave home, and it punches significantly above its weight in the mind space of most Americans despite the lack of professional sports teams.
November 25, 2025 at 12:03 AM
FWIW, it's rather interesting to note how Austin became the "tolerable" place to blue state types who wanted to leave home, and it punches significantly above its weight in the mind space of most Americans despite the lack of professional sports teams.
I'm amazed that Jacksonville hasn't become a "thing".
Now if Tallahassee had a protected harbour on the Gulf, I think it would have a *chance*.
Now if Tallahassee had a protected harbour on the Gulf, I think it would have a *chance*.
November 25, 2025 at 12:03 AM
I'm amazed that Jacksonville hasn't become a "thing".
Now if Tallahassee had a protected harbour on the Gulf, I think it would have a *chance*.
Now if Tallahassee had a protected harbour on the Gulf, I think it would have a *chance*.
TIL that Iowa had coal mining.
Coincidentally, I wonder if there's natural gas or oil...
Coincidentally, I wonder if there's natural gas or oil...
November 24, 2025 at 11:58 PM
TIL that Iowa had coal mining.
Coincidentally, I wonder if there's natural gas or oil...
Coincidentally, I wonder if there's natural gas or oil...
So far we have sizable domestic tourism in a state capital with no income tax and not cold winters.
November 24, 2025 at 11:57 PM
So far we have sizable domestic tourism in a state capital with no income tax and not cold winters.
It's going to lead some to argue for liberalizing immigration, while others will look at this and note this is one of the major problems with illegal immigration. As much as we think of it was "money going into SS", it becomes a bureaucratic nightmare for the people that have their identities stolen
November 24, 2025 at 11:44 PM
It's going to lead some to argue for liberalizing immigration, while others will look at this and note this is one of the major problems with illegal immigration. As much as we think of it was "money going into SS", it becomes a bureaucratic nightmare for the people that have their identities stolen
NOLA needs to solve their crime problem first.
I would have argued that the hurricane problem is an issue, but Miami exists.
I would have argued that the hurricane problem is an issue, but Miami exists.
November 24, 2025 at 11:19 PM
NOLA needs to solve their crime problem first.
I would have argued that the hurricane problem is an issue, but Miami exists.
I would have argued that the hurricane problem is an issue, but Miami exists.
FWIW, I have a friend who works in college admin, and yeah, the suburban HS kids are BTFOing some of the city kids. Some schools are solid and churn out great students with potential, and others are doing to need remedial classes...
November 24, 2025 at 10:19 PM
FWIW, I have a friend who works in college admin, and yeah, the suburban HS kids are BTFOing some of the city kids. Some schools are solid and churn out great students with potential, and others are doing to need remedial classes...
With that said, there's a reason why I've hinted that charter schools were the death knell of the old parochial school system here in NYC, and if you're not religious, you're almost better off in the suburbs versus paying Catholic school for 2+ kids, especially with SALT's return.
November 24, 2025 at 10:05 PM
With that said, there's a reason why I've hinted that charter schools were the death knell of the old parochial school system here in NYC, and if you're not religious, you're almost better off in the suburbs versus paying Catholic school for 2+ kids, especially with SALT's return.
I suspect it depends on what constitutes private school and where.
Catholic HS is basically $12K per year, elementary and middle school at $5K per year. Slight discounts are offered for those with multiple children.
Prices go up if you're willing to forgo religion and look for selectivity.
Catholic HS is basically $12K per year, elementary and middle school at $5K per year. Slight discounts are offered for those with multiple children.
Prices go up if you're willing to forgo religion and look for selectivity.
November 24, 2025 at 10:03 PM
I suspect it depends on what constitutes private school and where.
Catholic HS is basically $12K per year, elementary and middle school at $5K per year. Slight discounts are offered for those with multiple children.
Prices go up if you're willing to forgo religion and look for selectivity.
Catholic HS is basically $12K per year, elementary and middle school at $5K per year. Slight discounts are offered for those with multiple children.
Prices go up if you're willing to forgo religion and look for selectivity.