Who do you complain to when a train stops in an intersection blocking traffic?

You honk your horn and yell profanities like a good citizen and wait for the train to move.

I fear that would only make them giggle and feel more powerful

The police!

You get out of the car and punch it two states over. Show that train who’s bitch.

I usually commiserate with Fred while I’m stuck in traffic or at a train crossing. He’s a bi-polar, hedonistic pet rock that lives in my glove compartment.

Fred sounds like a cool dude.

He totally rocks.

Dohoho~ zinger!

I see what you did there.

God. I mean, I’da thought, knowing you, that would be the first one you turn to!

For me it’s simple.
I hate it when i have to wait for a bus or electric tram (sometimes carrying just one or two person(s)) at a crossing, or for an open (some say ‘closed’) bridge for a small boat.
But i love it when i am the one sitting in the bus, keeping loads of people waiting.
So, it’s a matter of evening things out.

I’m waiting for busses and boats maybe 5 times a week.
I ride busses maybe one time every two years.

I keep a book or magazine with me at all times…even on line at the bank. Thus I consider the waiting, for no matter what, a little gift.

You remember that life is full of small annoyances, and you need to save your anger for the big things.

Then, if you have an iphone or wireless laptop, you Fluther.

@daloon , I’ve tried that. It seems I’m supposed to learn some lesson in patience or something.

Complain to the local city or county government. They can regulate not only auto traffic, but also train and boat traffic. The town I grew up in has both lift bridges and railroad crossings that affect major traffic routes. There are laws on the books that prohibit the trains and boats from tying up traffic during rush hour.

But in the mean time, I would agree with @gailcalled and keep a book or magazine with you.

Isn’t it ironic that it always happens when I’m running late?

@Judi Yeah. Patience. Or maybe how when you are late, that maybe what you are all anxious to get to is not as earth-shaking as you thought it was. Or that you can survive these things. Or that there is more that is important than what you see immediately in front of you.

Things like this are opportunities to practice those things. They come when they are most difficult to accomplish. Perspective? Compassion? I mean, what makes these guys leave the train there? Where does their anger come from? Or maybe there are good reasons for this and you just don’t know what they are.

You can complain. You can find out who might be able to do something about it. You can organize. But is it really worth it?