Never Again

Editor’s note: The horrific burning attack of innocent CTA passenger Bethany Magee the other night by habitual violent felon Lawrence Reed—allowed by judges to roam free after he had already bashed another woman unconscious– prompted many Chicagoans to swear off riding the CTA.

And so, my friend Steve the Pilot, a military veteran and commercial airline pilot who loved Chicago, wrote this for you and for others.

JK

Never Again

By Steve the Pilot

Nov. 26, 2025

It was around four ago now when I swore to myself that I’d stop riding the CTA.

Here’s my story:

I started riding the CTA rails as a young boy growing up on the north side of Chicago.  I was entranced by the whole operation and at the age of eleven, yes eleven, I would leave the house telling my mom I was going out.

For 25 cents during those days, I would jump on the “L” and incredibly be entertained all day going out as far as Jefferson Park, up the “Kosher Cannonball” to Skokie or even down the Lake-Dan Ryan to the south and west sides.

While I was aware some of the areas I was going into were less than safe, my wanderlust overrode that worry.  Plus, back in those days there was a conductor and I always rode the front car because that’s where the engineer was, who may at times leave their door open so you could watch them and more importantly you could always see out the front.  My Uncle Chris who worked for the CTA knew how much I was enthralled with the trains and one day he gave me one of the old route rolls that they had on the sides of the train telling you what line it was and if it was an “A” or “B” train, I was ecstatic.

I remember one time seeing a big fire going on with tons of smoke, which was up on north Clybourn.  I took the train up to the North and Clybourn station and walked to the scene.  That area Cabrini O Green was not necessarily a safe neighborhood at the time.  There was a huge pile of tires on fire with big flames but unfortunately it was also putting out a lot of soot as well and a lot of it landing on my yellowish t-shirt.  That took a little fancy talking when I got home and my mom asked me how it got all dirty.

Fast forward many years and I’m now a pilot going or coming from work at Midway or O’Hare and I still loved riding the rails back and forth from the airports.  While I didn’t take it late at night, I had no issue taking it before 10pm.  On days off I would even take my sons when they were young on the rails for their entertainment and to get out of the house.  I’m a train and plane guy.

Then came Covid, Lightfoot and Brandon, but there’s always been Toni Preckwinkle who has created it all.

She is the author of pre-trial release, the architect of the anarchy plaguing the Cook County criminal justice system.

I had NEVER driven out to the airports during my entire 25-year career at the time.

Yes, if I had an early or late flight, I would take a cab and sometimes splurge if I needed to get somewhere in a hurry but otherwise it was always the Blue or Orange line.

As we rolled through Covid and then the riots, you started to hear about issues on the trains so I decided I would start limiting my riding time to between the rush hours.  This kind of messed up my flexibility because there were many times when I would go out of one airport and arrive in the other which made using the train very compelling.

I looked at my work trips more closely so I could choose the ones that allowed me to still use the trains if I was going out one and in the other.

Then I stopped using the Orange Line after you would hear about issues around the Roosevelt Rd stop and others during all times of the day.  And then…

It was three in the afternoon at O’Hare. I was coming home from a trip and I decided I would treat myself to a nice bag of caramel corn for the train ride home.

I got on the train, sat down and had a little of my snack.  I then rolled up the bag and set it on top of my stuff.

I’m a city boy through and through and my head is always on a swivel.  I don’t go to my trunk without locking my doors, so I put my earbuds in and looked out the window.

The ear buds were not on, that would block out any noise that could keep you alive.

The ear buds were there to give me the ability to strategically ignore others.

Shortly after the lightly filled train started moving a very tall black man approached me and started to talk to me.  I initially ignored him but he was persistent.

Finally, I realized my strategy was not working and things were going to start to escalate, so I looked at him and pulled out an ear bud.  I said, “Can I help you?” and said to me, “I want your popcorn, give me your popcorn.”  I handed him my popcorn and said to myself, never again, it’s not worth the cost.  That was the last time I took the train.

We don’t let our sons take the train now if they’re going to O’Hare or Midway, we tell them we will pay for the taxi/uber.

I prayed in church today for this young woman and her loved ones.  You wake up in the morning thinking it’s all ok and then your life changes, either by gasoline or a log on Michigan Avenue.  No one deserves this!  The city leadership doesn’t care about you and it seems in Chicago, neither do your fellow passengers.

Sad.

-30-

Steve the Pilot was born in Chicago and lived on the North Side before being driven out of the city of Chicago by rising violent crime. 

Comments 36

  1. When I was 13, a friend from school talked me into taking the L that goes by the Ryan at Wentworth. A 13.2% gentleman pulled a knife on me to get my seat. That was 1962, and have never set foot on any line since then.

    1. I am told that Brandon our stupid mayor has a bodyguard detail of 130 officers….slightly more than are assigned to mass transit unit to care for people on l trains and bus……
      Who is to blame?
      Apathetic voters who are too lazy to vote…….democrats who are looting the city and making it uninhabitable
      Thanks to pritzker,democrats judges,preckwinkle. Teachers union and our moron mayor
      After 32 years as a cop I fled the city……haven’t been back in 10 years…..so sad

  2. Nice article. I too rode the L just for fun as a kid. Fare and a transfer were like 35 cents and I was off for hours exploring downtown, the Loop, Skokie Swift, etc. Yes, loved sitting in the front car, exciting to be in the middle of an expressway, then being a subway, then elevated. I knew the difference between A and B trains and which of the newer ones were air conditioned in the 70’s.

    Last rode the L going to Wrigley after coming in on Metra at Union Station, maybe 15 years ago. The Brown Line (Ravens wood) is very unique to ride with great views. An old girlfriend even called it an alley train because it was literally in the alleyway.

    But it was safe enough as a kid of 10-12 to ride all day, and as a young adult I could safely ride with my girlfriend. Now — I would never ride the CTA, not a chance. The Daniel Penny effect is only an issue for decent law abiding people most other people just don’t care to help, watch, film it, or egg it on. Carrying a legal weapon is forbidden for citizens by law but it doesn’t deter the thugs and honestly may not be a help at all anyway. The culture is rotten, the justice system is corrupt. I’d get jumped by a dozen people and I’d be charged for defending myself.

    Riding the train isn’t an option. The flying experience used to be exhilarating but now is a hassle. I mostly avoid the City at all costs even though I grew up there. The Daley years of a city that works is long gone.

    1. Yep, big brother George and I, northsiders, rode downtown, from age 10 and 11, almost every Saturday. Favorite loop stop was The Beanie Weenie. Franks and beans – 35 cents. As teenagers we were confronted on the homeward bound El by a bum who demanded our money. Brother George flattened him with a right hook and we exited at the next stop. So being careful on the El important even in the 1950’s.

  3. Also rode the CTA both buses and trains to Catholic high school and briefly for college before buying a car (freedom!). People today are shocked or think I am not telling the truth when I tell them that, usually lifelong suburbanites. It was just a part of growing up in the City.

  4. As another northsider, I too grew up in the as a kid in the 1950’s, 1960’s through the 1980’s riding the CTA rails. We called the present yellow line the Kosher Comet. We were skinny city rats who knew where and how to skimmy under the barriers at Wilson, Addison, and beyond for Ferris Buellers days out in the city, free of charge….those w ere the days my friend.
    On a much sadder not, thank you John for providing Steve the Pilot a column to keep the name of BETHANY MAGEE fresh in every decent citizens mind, yes, we must not forget her. Maybe Houli or Hickey know people at Gaelic Park in Oak Forrest to arrange a fundraiser for this poor girl, like what was done for the unfortunate girl from Ireland who had her brain smashed in Wicker Park.

  6. The only reason I go to the city is when I have to go for work. Otherwise, I’m avoiding it like the plague.
    I was born and raised on the NW Side, rode buses and the El all over the place. There were always a few seedy people you would see, but there was NEVER this level of disrespect and insanity with fighting on the platform, and now worse, setting people on fire. I swore the El off about 7 years ago when I rode with my daughter to UIC one morning, when a fine specimen of a human being decided to drop trousers and then a deuce right on the Harlem platform for everyone to see and eventually step in.
    I am working my tail off to get the hell out of here and as far away as possible from this shit hole city and state that I used to beam with pride and love, and never going to look back.
    To Brandon, Pritzker, and Preckwinkle: not only do you 3 earn a lifetime supply of golden moutzas, I give all 3 of you the universal 1 finger salute.
    Happy Thanksgiving all.
    JG

  7. Thank you Steve (the pilot) for this morning’s read. Good work.

    I too grew up riding the El and “long green” (bus) of the CTA. As a 11-12 years old kid I rode the Halsted bus from Addison to the Stockyards to see a Rodeo with my younger cousin. I knew to be careful. My folks were depression era kids. They taught me to be alert.

    I used to ride the El for work on occasion long ago as an adult. But something always seemed to go wrong requiring my intervention and I’d be late. So I stopped using public trans.

    There’s a piece written by Retired LTC David Grossman and I think it’s called On wolves, sheep and sheepdogs. If you google his name and that topic you’ll get something worth reading and sharing with family.

    Our world is ever more dangerous. I can deny this, but then I’m a sheep hoping the wolves never come. So I chose to be a sheepdog. And I raised my kids to be sheepdogs (they’ll tell you they were not raised as sheep). The point is, be aware, alert and prepared to stand against the wolf, and most of them will pick another flock to prey on. And if they choose you or your family, you’ll at least be somewhat ready.

  8. Thanks John Kass for an intense holiday column by your friend Steve. The house where my mother grew up was just 2 blocks from the UIC medical center, so I knew the CTA El system well enough to explore the North Shore.

    When we moved to Villa Park I rode CNW trains into Northwestern Station. I walked to Union Station to ride trains all over Illinois, and used Amtrak to visit family out west.

    The joys of railroads is now gone permanently as I wonder what will become of Bethany MaGee’s life. In Robert Redford’s “Horse Whisperer”, a young woman who suffered a horrible accident looks at her prosthetic leg and asks her Mom “Who’s going to want me now ?”

    I’m sure millions of other Americans will also avoid Chicago now. It’s tragic that Democrats embrace violent criminals, street gangs and sex offenders as valued assets of their political machine.

  9. I was a fellow 25 cent explorer too Steve. Public transportation and even Christmas parades have been taken from us and our leaders continue to coddle the criminals. The city ironically would be safer without the CTA all together.

  10. Steve,

    Thanks for those memories. I also rode the CTA bus and the Rock Island from 1981-1991. My first job out of college was at a bank downtown. There were no problems. Everyone knew everyone else in certain time slots. People waved, smiled, said hello and were generally helpful and friendly.

    When I left the bank and took a job with CPD and my eyes opened a little wider. I haven’t ridden public transportation in over 25 years. If I were forced to ride I would be cautious.

    Being retired is enjoyable. Everyone I know that has retired would like to continue their life status quo without incident. Today I take precautions and do not travel without precaution. Recidivism has reached an all time high. And quite frankly the bad guys just don’t care. I have been fortunate in my career and never had to discharge my weapon. I pray that that will continue until the day I greet the Lord. If by some downward chance of fate some full time bad guy recidivist threatens the safety of my family or myself, well, he won’t ever do that again.

  11. I previously used the CTA green line from Harlem in Oak Park but refuse to ride it now due to numerous unpleasant experiences since the pandemic including a witnessing a violent assault during my last ride this summer. Also shocked that the CTA is going to spend $5.7 billion to extend the Red line south to 130th Street. Why would we waste taxpayer dollars on a system that is bleeding cash and underutilized since the pandemic. The project was originally projected to cost $3.6 billion to add 4 stations, but the cost has ballooned to $5.7 billion. They should cancel the project and spend a smaller amount of money to fix existing lines such as the Blue Line to Forest Park which has a slow zone from Medical Center all the way to the end of the line in Forest Park.

  12. I rode the Red Line downtown for years from Lincoln Park–the DePaul students going from campus to campus provided a congenial passenger group. I stopped after the COVID-19 lockdowns when the ridership became scarce. I still ride the buses, but always near the back exit.

  13. Thank you Steve the pilot for your column.
    I grew up in the city. South side girl born and raised. I thought nothing of jumping on public transportation. I recall being in high school and taking my younger siblings downtown to see the Christmas decorations and windows. Never ever thought it wasn’t safe.
    It’s sad to hear and read the stories of what takes place now. The old saying of we can’t have nice things rings truer and truer.
    Happy Thanksgiving.

  14. It is bitterly ironic that the senseless assault on Miss Magee happened on the heels of the transit bailout plunder orchestrated by the Protruded Potentate of Porcelain. Very few now may be aboard the CTA. But everyone’s money will be.

  15. It was interesting to realize the CTA was once safe enough for an 11-year-old kid to ride alone. And it didn’t seem to bother your parents at all. Not from Chicago, but I’m fortunate enough to have lived in a time and place where I felt fully safe riding city buses at the age of 13. And my parents were completely ok with it. And I wasn’t a big kid, not at all.

  16. Haven’t used the CTA in years. And then it was only as a kick to attend a Cubs game. Every bus or L had either a beggar, crazy or smelly. It was also too depressing to see the poor souls who had to be on those conveyances.
    I even stopped 2 years ago taking leisure rides in my convertible downtown to cruise downtown on a sunny summer workday afternoon. Top down, with a gun maybe.
    Why haven’t I sold my Chicago home and left for safer ground?
    I really don’t know.

  17. Being a Skokie kid,….my brother and I didn’t ride the CTA ‘El’ that often. However,…back in 1957 we did take the ‘El’ from Howard St. to Comisky Park to watch the White Sox play. A night game. No thought was given by our parents that it was unsafe. No issues coming or going. That’s how it was back then.
    Unfortunately,….not anymore. Last time I rode the ‘El’ was twenty years ago to sign retirement papers downtown in an office building.
    I feel so sad and angry what has happened to this young lady. Doubtful the mayor has any empathy for her. Or the governor.

  18. When I was in 2nd grade my mother walked me to the nearest bus stop to go to school. At the time each bus route had a time schedule. My mother told the driver I would be at this corner each week day to go to school. Make sure he gets off at the stop near school. That was the only time she walked me to the stop. Never a problem.
    From then on I used CTA to go to high school (Quigley), university (Loyola), med school (University of Illinois), residency (Northwestern) and fellowship (Michael Reese), Sox, Cubs, Bears, Bulls, Hawks games as well as going downtown to various stores. My parents thought something was wrong with me since I didn’t hound them to use car. So at 21yrs old they bought me the first Chevy Camero,(1967) for my birthday. I said what did you do that for? It sat in the garage. Once I took it downtown and had radio stolen. But never had a problem on CTA!?
    Go figure.

  19. Thanks Steve The Pilot! Excellent. Was going to comment on one of the replies, but as I read on, I found ALL of them well written and on point. The CTA is a big NO! Kudos to all, and to John for creating this environment. Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!!

  20. I’m so glad that I packed up and left the city in 2020. It infuriated me that I paid so much in property taxes and I couldn’t use any city services. I avoided dealing with the bureaucrats as much as possible. My sons took the bus to school every day during high school. My youngest took it every day in 8th grade as well because he didn’t want to change grammar school. They had stories about the CTA. I knew what they were talking about since I was a south sider, transplanted to the north side.
    That bastard who doused that poor girl with gasoline ought to get the chair and do a slow burn 🔥

  21. If anyone is wondering why the CTA has been turned over to thieves and psychopaths we should examine two of the main factors among the many others. When one is granted welfare benefits, ie “Snap”, the recipient is also given a free CTA card to seek employment. This means the card is then used to ride the buses and trains to seek victims for theft and robbery. The card is also used to hustle people at the turnstiles by selling rides for, say a dollar if it’s a slow day for the commission of robberies. Now that I’ve explained how the thugs ride the trains, now let’s address the psychopaths riding the trains. Numerous homeless organizations give the homeless free CTA cards to ride the trains that enable the lunatics to gain entry and create havoc. There is actually a facility for the homeless at the Blue Line, O’Hare stop. Other homeless organizations will give the homeless CTA cards to seek help from the homeless facility at the O’Hare stop. These organizations also give them cards during the winter or during hot spells in the summer puposely instructing the homeless to ride the trains for warmth or to stay cool. Most are also directed to the Blue Line to seek help but very few do. Many are on need of psychiatric incarceration for being dangerous to the public like the lunatic that burned the poor girl. He should be in a mental facilty for violent criminals, also known as the psych ward in a state prison. Instead, violent mentals are deliberately put on the Blue Line to get to the mental facility at OHare. That’s right, some genius actually decided to put the wolves in with the sheep. We have to blame the usual suspects, incompetent politicians and courts but let’s look at the other HUGE factors that enabled that poor girl to be set on fire. ALL of these people have ownership of this.

  22. Since young, CTA was our main way of getting around the city. I recall when the now called “Blue” line subway was completed and our dad took us down to the Division Street station to hop on the new subway to go downtown. It was fascinating as he took us up to the front car by the motorman to watch as we flew through the tunnel, lights flashing by and the track sounds as we glided on the rails. I continued to take CTA as an adult to go to work and/or shopping, even took it at 2:00 a.m. getting on the subway at Clark and Division after hanging with friends at Mother’s.

    However, just before Covid, I started to drive downtown more and more to work rather than transfer from the Ravenswood (Brown) to the North/South (Red) due to the overcrowding and more and more homeless or confrontational passengers. But I still would take the “EL” downtown to a concert or dance event rather than pay parking.

    With the more recent events reported on CTA, I now use Spot Hero and reserve a space rather than use CTA. I especially loved riding the Ravenswood (just hate calling it the “Brown” line . . . ), but riding CTA in the evening is getting too concerning and this 71 year old just doesn’t want to put myself in danger’s way. I may use the “EL” during the day as that line seems to be less harassed.

    That judge (the less than honorable Gonzalez), especially, should be forced to ride the Blue Line chained to a chair 24/7 for at minimum a full year.

  23. Pilot Steve.

    I was a Garfield Ridge kid. The Archer bus was the key to the city, then the el from State and Lake. Back then in my world the bus drivers and train people were so personable and kind to us kids. It led me to my career, going to a Catholic school, on the religious holidays I would go to 26th and California. I would ask the Sheriffs what court rooms had some good trails going on. Would go and sit mostly in Judge Baileys court room. What a life learning experience. Watching the States attorneys and the cops.

    Now at almost seventy I worry about my daughters working in Chicago. Pray daily.

    Praying for the young lady in the burn unit at Stroger hospital. Praying for the fourteen year old boy and his family murdered Friday night.

    Our Governor makes a video wearing a bullet proof vest for the Colbert show showing how safe Chicago is. Making jokes at the expense of every victim and citizen in Chicago. In another video Walks on the Lake front at six am, with twelve State Troopers as his security and three large black SUVs.

    Please tell that to all the families of the homicide victims, of Black Genocide here in our once great city. Tell that to the flight attendant with severe brain trauma, never to work, walk or talk again, young ladies only sin was walking on Michigan avenue at noon time, her poor parents having to take care of her now for the rest of her life.

    Look at the Memorial Day shooting in Forest Park where the sleeping homeless were executed on the CTA train. No one cares, because they were nobodies of Chicago society.

    The politicians in Springfield, Cook County and Chicago made this society we now live in.

  24. I rode the L – the Green Line, and sometimes the Red Line – for many years in the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s. There was no concern for personal safety. It was not unusual for a police officer to share a bus or train ride with me. I don’t think that happens anymore. The mentality of today’s “justice” system in Chicago is “criminal over innocent victim”. These are perilous times for public transportation, thanks to Preckwinkle and her ilk. A formerly frequent visitor to the City for arts and entertainment (I am a suburbanite), I will only return for a special occasion if I am packing.

  25. I’m guessing here, but I bet Toni Preckwinkle has not rode the CTA without a body guard for 30years, ditto Pritzker, Judge Tim Evans, Mayor Brandon, all of them. The welfare moms are their core constituents, along with all the union members who get the sweet pensions, some for very little work.

    Mr. Diaz mentioned SNAP. The problem with welfare in general is that it does form a culture of dependency. Thomas Soule has done research that affirms this, and he is one of the few that says these programs have even hurt the poor. I would not say it should be eliminated, but it is clearly given to too many people.

    Public spending can be used for good. Things like public safety are crucial. But I cannot think of a better thing to do than to build housing and keeping rents/mortgages low for working people. Anyone who works should have a place to stay and be able to see a Dr. if they need to.

    There has to be a balance between law and order and compassion and decency. If the CTA is unsafe and so many are afraid to use it. What the hell are we paying for?

    I think we need political reform, term limits, public financing of campaigns, extensive debates and issue forums, and a robust police presence all over the city. It’s tome to take it back.

  26. I thought the content of the “Never Again” column was going to demand that NEVER AGAIN are we going to tolerate the unspeakable crimes that are being perpetrated on law-abiding citizens of Chicago and the suburbs, and especially on women. Things are out of control. The inmates are running the asylum, from the Mayor to the Governor. There was hope when Eileen O’Neill Burke was sworn in one year ago as Chicago’s States Attorney but crime in Chicago has only worsened and the crimes have become more heinous. When are we innocent citizens going to organize and protest against criminals and criminal behavior in our city? Somehow protests in favor of criminals and crime are able to be organized. When are we going to start marching and shouting, “NEVER AGAIN?”

  28. The city leadership doesn’t care about you or your family. That is a fact.
    Also, despite Brandan dumb dumb’s assertion, we can reduce crime by locking up the criminals.
    Question: who represents the coddle criminals constituency? Rich white folks? Black families are fleeing the city. What has taken them so long? Sure, the city was safer under Daley and the schools were ok 20 years ago. But now, the streets are dangerous and CPS is a write off. The people who remain keep voting in incompetent partisans. Why?

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