So you hurdled down the platform to chase the departing train and made it just in time after wrestling with the closing doors. Whew! You then looked and leaned over for an empty seat but to no avail and you have no choice but to stand up or lean on the door as your next best option.

Then it gets worse arriving at the next stops as more straphangers cram themselves in in the already crowded subway car. You then find yourself grasping for the pole or handles as you are pushed out of your leaning spot and forced to stand in the middle.

Sound a bit familiar? Ahhh yes… the aggravation of morning rush hour commute. Don’t you just hate it when you can’t find a seat in the train every morning on your way to work or school? Especially if it takes you more than an hour travel to your destination?

Well, I created a helpful guide on how to get a seat in a crowded car. All it takes is a li’l patience and attentiveness. It’s just like scouting. You need to observe & figure out the seated passengers, which I’ll refer to as "prospects." These prospects will give you hints to your next probable seat.

What to look for in "prospects?"

1. Position. Once a passenger gets off from those "comfortable seats" (corner, side & window seats), the person next to them will most likely move and take their spot. If you’re close or lucky, this gives you the opportunity to take the deserted seat. So just take it and don’t be picky.
2. Movement. Forget about passengers with their eyes closed. These sleepers will not get up because they know they have a long journey ahead. Instead, watch out for those who are constantly looking out the window or the ones sitting on the edge of their seats. They’ll be getting off soon… or probably have a bad case of diarrhea.
3. Clothing. It’s a weekday (business day) and you can easily tell who’s on their way to work or not by how they are dressed. Stay away from people with business attires because they are city-bound just like you. Focus on people wearing jeans, t-shirts, sneakers and other non-office apparels. They usually exit just before the city.
4. Accesories. Be aware of passengers with heavy bags or luggages. Excluding the homeless and their black garbage bags and shopping carts, these commuters carrying accessories are probably on their way to the airports or ferries. They usually exit out to major transportaion hubs and transfer to other trains/buses.

Follow these simple tips and I guarantee you will be watching the standing passengers from your own seat. If not, I’ll give you a refund of your time wasted reading this guide.  Now what about on the way home? Well, tough luck soldier! The guide is only for a one way trip. Evening commute is completely different and your on your own on that one. Good luck finding a seat.