Welcome to Chicago, watch out for the express trains.
I was on train #610 this morning, bright and early to take the express downtown for my interview. Right as we passed Edison Park, this (below) happened, courtesy of my train and some bad judgement on behalf of the lady. I saw her arm, about a quarter mile down the tracks, but not the rest of her, if that's any indication. We sat on the tracks for 2 hours. Read on.
chicagotribune.com >> Local news
Metra train kills woman
By Tonya Maxwell
Tribune staff reporter
Published June 30, 2005, 9:38 AM CDT
All inbound Metra service on the Union Pacific Northwest line was stopped for about 90 minutes during the morning rush hour after a train struck and killed a woman near the Edison Park station on Chicago's Northwest Side, authorities said.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, police said. Her identity was not immediately available.
Train No. 610, an express train due to arrive at 7:19 a.m. at Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago, struck the woman shortly after 7 a.m., according to Metra spokeswoman Audrey Renteria.
A woman was attempting to cross the tracks at the south end of the Edison Park station, 6700 N. Olmsted Ave., at the Oliphant Avenue crossing. The crossing's warning lights were flashing, and its gates were lowered, Renteria said.
"Apparently she disregarded the gates, light and train horn," the Metra spokeswoman said. "The engineer did attempt to warn the woman of the approaching train, but she wasn't able to clear the crossing."
The woman appeared to be in her 60s, Renteria said.
That train and a dozen following trains were stopped as emergency crews responded to the incident, snarling the commute for passengers in the northwest suburbs. Outbound trains were allowed to operate slowly past the accident site.
Inbound trains started running again about 8:30 a.m., Renteria said, with trains moving slowly past the accident scene and commuters advised to expect delays of up to 90 minutes getting downtown.
Normal service was expected to resume after the morning rush hour, Renteria said.
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Ok, so I had an interview at 9am today. BUT, I was on a train until 8:54. Which is cute, since my *hopefully* new employer is just north of the loop, about 11 blocks away. I can't do that in heels and a suit. So, I hailed my first cab, got yelled at by a cop AND a cabbie (apparently I did it wrong..:))and 6 dollars later, I was at my final destination.
My interviews went very well. I had already met with three different people earlier this week (senior vp of investments, director of insurance, and hr), and this was my second round. I met with the account exec and his account specialist and team specialist. We had a really good meeting, and I know I'm perfect for this job, and the company. The people are just fantastic.
Then I met with the managing director of the division, and we had another great interview. She said that she wants to fill this position immediately, and asked me what I wanted to be paid. She's going to talk to the HR lady who is on vacation right now, and call me on Tuesday, presumably with an answer. So, I think I've got this job. I hope!!!!
I floated back to the train station, had a sandwich, and came home. Very mindful to watch the tracks.
Nick is in Manhattan and soon to be Atlanta with his dad for work, and his mom and sister went back into the city to see a play and go to the Taste of Chicago. I'm tired so I've been floating in the pool and doing thank you notes for my interviews. I'll make dinner soon. I'm kinda glad to have some alone time.
chicagotribune.com >> Local news
Metra train kills woman
By Tonya Maxwell
Tribune staff reporter
Published June 30, 2005, 9:38 AM CDT
All inbound Metra service on the Union Pacific Northwest line was stopped for about 90 minutes during the morning rush hour after a train struck and killed a woman near the Edison Park station on Chicago's Northwest Side, authorities said.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, police said. Her identity was not immediately available.
Train No. 610, an express train due to arrive at 7:19 a.m. at Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago, struck the woman shortly after 7 a.m., according to Metra spokeswoman Audrey Renteria.
A woman was attempting to cross the tracks at the south end of the Edison Park station, 6700 N. Olmsted Ave., at the Oliphant Avenue crossing. The crossing's warning lights were flashing, and its gates were lowered, Renteria said.
"Apparently she disregarded the gates, light and train horn," the Metra spokeswoman said. "The engineer did attempt to warn the woman of the approaching train, but she wasn't able to clear the crossing."
The woman appeared to be in her 60s, Renteria said.
That train and a dozen following trains were stopped as emergency crews responded to the incident, snarling the commute for passengers in the northwest suburbs. Outbound trains were allowed to operate slowly past the accident site.
Inbound trains started running again about 8:30 a.m., Renteria said, with trains moving slowly past the accident scene and commuters advised to expect delays of up to 90 minutes getting downtown.
Normal service was expected to resume after the morning rush hour, Renteria said.
---------------------------------------------------
Ok, so I had an interview at 9am today. BUT, I was on a train until 8:54. Which is cute, since my *hopefully* new employer is just north of the loop, about 11 blocks away. I can't do that in heels and a suit. So, I hailed my first cab, got yelled at by a cop AND a cabbie (apparently I did it wrong..:))and 6 dollars later, I was at my final destination.
My interviews went very well. I had already met with three different people earlier this week (senior vp of investments, director of insurance, and hr), and this was my second round. I met with the account exec and his account specialist and team specialist. We had a really good meeting, and I know I'm perfect for this job, and the company. The people are just fantastic.
Then I met with the managing director of the division, and we had another great interview. She said that she wants to fill this position immediately, and asked me what I wanted to be paid. She's going to talk to the HR lady who is on vacation right now, and call me on Tuesday, presumably with an answer. So, I think I've got this job. I hope!!!!
I floated back to the train station, had a sandwich, and came home. Very mindful to watch the tracks.
Nick is in Manhattan and soon to be Atlanta with his dad for work, and his mom and sister went back into the city to see a play and go to the Taste of Chicago. I'm tired so I've been floating in the pool and doing thank you notes for my interviews. I'll make dinner soon. I'm kinda glad to have some alone time.