Conversation Transcript: Sarah Thompson
Halo Alert — Diamond 2: Exploratory Interview
Participant & Context
- Name: Sarah Thompson
- Date: 2025-02-24
- Age: 28
- Origin: Astoria, Queens, New York
- Destination: Midtown Manhattan, New York
- Commute Shape: ~15-minute walk → subway → ~10-minute walk
- Setting: Outside subway station (morning commute)
- Interviewer: Nile
- Consent: Verbal consent to a ~20-minute recorded conversation for a student research project; no sales intent.
Framing: This interview is part of an exploratory series with professional women and female university students who commute by walking and public transit. We anchor on specific, recent experiences and probe for emotions, workarounds, and routines.
Opening & Rapport
Interviewer: Good morning, thank you so much for agreeing to speak with me today. My name is Nile, and I’m exploring the experiences of commuters in urban settings. May I have your name, please?
Sarah: Good morning, Nile. I’m Sarah Thompson.
Interviewer: Nice to meet you, Sarah. Before we dive into the specifics of your commute, could you share a bit about yourself — perhaps your age, the area you’re living in, and where you commute to for work?
Notes (context):
Sarah begins her commute by walking ~15 minutes to the nearest subway, rides ~20 minutes, then walks ~10 minutes to her office in Midtown. She enjoys the rhythm of the city but stays alert during early mornings and late evenings.
Story-First: “Tell me about your last commute.”
Prompt: Tell me about the last time you commuted from Astoria to Midtown.
Sarah (Transcript):
“Last Friday, I left my apartment in Astoria a bit later than usual, around 8:30 AM. The sun was already high, casting a warm, golden hue over the streets. I enjoy these morning walks; they’re my little moments of peace before the day gets hectic. The neighborhood was lively, with local cafes brewing fresh coffee and fellow commuters hurrying along the sidewalks.As I walked towards the subway station, I noticed more street artists than usual, their music adding a unique soundtrack to my commute. I always keep my headphones in, though – a personal bubble of my favorite podcast, it makes the walk feel shorter.
The subway was crowded, as expected during rush hours. I managed to find a spot to stand and held onto a pole, keeping my balance as the train swayed through the tunnels. After about twenty minutes, I arrived in Midtown and emerged into the bustling streets. The last leg of my commute is a ten-minute walk to the office. I particularly enjoy this part; the energy of Midtown is invigorating, with people of all walks of life crossing paths.
However, the streets were a bit more chaotic than usual. A sudden roadblock rerouted pedestrian traffic, adding a couple of extra minutes to my walk. But it was fine, I made it to the office just in time for my first meeting.”
Notes: Left later (8:30 AM); sunny, lively streets; uses podcasts to create personal space; typical rush-hour crowds; slight delay due to roadblock; overall positive mood despite minor disruption.
Probe: “Tell me more about being rerouted.”
Prompt: Even though it turned out fine, you seemed frustrated (observed). What made it unsettling?
Sarah (Transcript):
“Well, yes, you’re right. I was a bit frustrated at that moment. It’s just that you develop this sort of rhythm in your daily routine, and unexpected changes, even small ones, can throw you off a bit. When I saw the roadblock and the crowd being diverted, my first thought was about the extra time it would add to my commute, and I worried about being late for my meeting.I also wasn’t familiar with the detour route, which made me slightly anxious. I prefer knowing exactly where I’m going, especially during rush hours when every minute counts. And in those moments, the streets feel more chaotic, everyone’s in a rush, and it’s not just about the physical rerouting but also mentally recalibrating your route and time.
Thankfully, it wasn’t a significant detour, and I managed to navigate through it quickly. But yes, at that moment, it was a bit unsettling, not knowing how much of a delay it would cause or if I’d encounter any other unexpected issues along the new path.”
Notes: Routine disruption → frustration; uncertainty about detour → anxiety; prefers known routes; mental load of “recalibration” under time pressure; detour minor but psychologically salient.
“What is the most hectic part of your commute?”
Sarah (Transcript):
“The busiest part of my commute is definitely the segment when I enter the subway station and during the train ride itself. Especially during rush hours, the station is packed…Once I’m on the train, the hectic feeling continues, though it’s more confined. The train is usually crowded, and finding a spot where I don’t feel squished can sometimes be a challenge… I try to stay aware of my surroundings, keeping my belongings close and making sure I’m ready to navigate through the crowd when it’s time to get off.
…It’s hectic, for sure, but also a fascinating part of city life.”
Notes: High-density crowds; vigilance over space and belongings; “individual isolation” amid proximity; practiced readiness to board/alight.
“Tell me more about worrying over belongings.”
Sarah (Transcript):
“Yes, during those crowded train rides, I do find myself becoming more vigilant… It’s not outright fear, but there’s definitely a sense of wariness… I’m usually holding my bag very close to me… ensuring it’s in my sight at all times.…If someone brushes against me or if there’s a sudden stop and people shuffle, my pulse quickens a bit, and I’m immediately checking my belongings.”
Notes: Heightened alertness (somatic cues like quickened pulse); proactive bag control; constant monitoring; tension peaks with jostling or surprises.
“What part makes you feel most uncomfortable?”
Sarah (Transcript):
“I think the part that makes me the most uncomfortable isn’t a specific location or time but certain situations, particularly when the train is overcrowded… personal space becomes virtually non-existent…There’s also the aspect of getting off at my stop when the train is that packed… a bit nerve-wracking…
…the vigilance about my personal safety and belongings… intensifies in those really cramped spaces.”
Notes: Discomfort is situational (overcrowding), not geographic; exit anxiety; vigilance spikes with density.
“How has your commute changed over time?”
Sarah (Transcript):
“When I first started… everything was new and required a lot of attention… anxiety dropped as I became familiar with the route……schedule and route changes… shifts in crowd patterns…
I’ve made adjustments: choosing less crowded cars, platform position, and timing to avoid peak hours.”
Notes: Adaptation and optimization; familiarity lowers baseline anxiety; micro-strategies to manage density.
“Moments when you felt less secure?”
Sarah (Transcript):
“One evening… subway was less crowded… someone behaving erratically… made me feel uneasy… I wished I wasn’t alone in the car… felt trapped until the next station.Another time… winter, dark early… poorly lit areas made the walk feel more daunting… constant looking over my shoulder… relief in well-lit, crowded spots.”
Notes: Off-peak sparsity → eeriness and entrapment feeling; lighting is a strong moderator of perceived safety; seeks visibility and crowds for reassurance.
“Do you have safety habits or routines?”
Sarah (Transcript):
“Yes… especially after those unsettling experiences. Whenever I’m commuting late or in a less crowded car, I send a quick text to my roommate or a close friend… share my location and ETA…We have a system — if I don’t message again by a certain time or don’t come home as expected, my friend knows to reach out… These small actions give me a sense of control and reassurance.”
Notes: “Safety through connection” routine; lightweight protocol with accountability; boosts perceived control.
“Are the messages about safety or catching up?”
Sarah (Transcript):
“Primarily about safety. It makes me feel like I’m not alone in those vulnerable moments… The primary intent is ensuring my safety and maintaining a sense of connection with someone who knows where I am.”
Notes: Intent is safety-first; companionship effect reduces vulnerability.
“How much of your walking time is spent thinking about safety?”
Sarah (Transcript):
“Safety is a subtle but constant thread… more active during certain parts. Morning walk feels relatively safe; just casual awareness.Evening/darker segments → heightened vigilance; a good portion of mental energy devoted to surroundings.
Out of ~25 minutes of walking, actively thinking about safety for ~10–15 minutes, mainly evenings or less busy areas. On the train, safety thoughts linger in the background, especially when crowded.”
Notes: Time-of-day and density are key moderators; meaningful “cognitive tax” of vigilance (10–15 min/25).
Referral
Interviewer: Who else should we talk to?
Sarah (Transcript):
“My friend Alex takes the same subway route but has a slightly different perspective… She’s used public transportation for years and has interesting stories about ups and downs.”
Emerging Themes
- Predictability & Control: Routine disruptions (reroutes) create outsized stress under time constraints.
- Density & Proximity: Overcrowding drives vigilance and discomfort; exit anxiety at packed stops.
- Lighting & Timing: Darkness and off-peak sparsity amplify perceived vulnerability.
- Safety Through Connection: Lightweight check-in protocols (texts, location sharing) deliver reassurance.
- Cognitive Load: Safety vigilance imposes a recurring mental tax during specific commute segments.
Researcher Reflection
- Surprises: Emotional salience of minor reroutes; the specificity of exit anxiety.
- Assumptions Updated: “Safety” is as much psychological (control, reassurance) as physical risk.
- Next Steps: Expand interviews to late-night riders, different lines; pair with observations at entrances/exits; compare with different commuting modes (bus, rideshare, biking).
Attribution: Interview conducted by Nile as part of the Halo Alert exploratory research series (Diamond 2).