No Pants Subway Ride 2010 Details for NY


Last year’s No Pants Subway Ride

UPDATE: Just added Flushing Meadows Park as a 6th location!

All are invited to participate in the 9th Annual No Pants Subway Ride. The event will take place at 3:00 PM on Sunday, January 10. Everything you need to know is in this post. Please read it carefully!

REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION:

1) Willing to take pants off on subway
2) Able to keep a straight face about it

**THIS IS A PARTICIPATORY EVENT. DO NOT SHOW UP UNLESS YOU PLAN TO TAKE YOUR PANTS OFF.**

DETAILS

When: Sunday, January 10 at 3:00 PM, Sharp! (Over by around 5:30)
Where: Six meeting points spread out all over New York City. Details below.
Bring: A backpack and a metro card.
Wear: Normal winter clothes (hat, gloves, etc)
Facebook: You can RSVP to the Facebook Event

Complete logistics below:

HOW IT WORKS

There are six meeting points this year. Take your pick.

Astoria: Meet at Hoyt Playground – Google Map
Downtown Brooklyn: Meet at Prospect Park – Google Map
Downtown Manhattan: Meet at Foley Square – Google Map
Queens: Meet at the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Park – Google Map
Uptown Manhattan: Meet at the Great Hill in Central Park – Google Map
Williamsburg / Bushwick: Meet at Bushwick Park (AKA Maria Hernandez Park) – Google Map

Everyone should meet at their chosen meeting point at 3 PM. Please be on time. Feel free to be early.

At the meeting points, participants will be organized into groups and assigned a specific train car. Once everyone is divided up we will all head to nearby subway station[s]. Do not talk to others once you enter the subway system. No one knows each other.

Sit in the car as you normally would. Read a magazine or whatever you would normally do. Your team leader will have already divided you into smaller groups, assigning your group a specific stop where you will depants.

As soon as the doors shut at the stop before yours, stand up and take your pants off and put them in your backpack. If you’d like to use a briefcase, purse, grocery bag, or whatever instead of a backpack that’s fine too. If anyone asks you why you’ve removed your pants, tell them that they were “getting uncomfortable” (or something along those lines.)

Exit the train at your assigned stop and stand on the platform, pantless. You will wait on the platform for the next train to arrive. Stay in the exact same place on the platform so you enter the next train in the same car as you exited the last train.

When you enter, act as you normally would. You do not know any of the other pantless riders. If questioned, tell folks that you “forgot to wear pants” and yes you are “a little cold.” Insist that it is a coincidence that others also forgot their pants. Be nice and friendly and normal.

All train routes will converge on Union Square. Your exact route will be explained at the meeting point, and may involve a transfer.

You can wear fun underwear if you like, but nothing that screams out, “I wore this because I’m doing a silly stunt.” Wear two pairs of underwear if it makes you feel more comfortable. Don’t wear a thong or anything else that might offend people. Our aim is to make people laugh, not piss them off.

If you haven’t already, please take a moment to read about previous No Pants! Subway Rides.

Please leave your cameras at home and resist the temptation to snap photos with your iPhone, etc. while the event is happening. Take as many as you like before and after the event, but during the ride we really want people to enjoy the experience of participating rather than documenting. It detracts from the mission if everyone is taking photos of each other rather than keeping a straight face. Don’t worry, we have photographers assigned to every meeting point who will take great photos.

This is always a blast, and we look forward to seeing you there. You may bring along friends if you like, but make sure they get a chance to read all of these instructions.

See you on the 10th!

(Information for participating in other cities is here.)

Be aware that by participating, you recognize that Improv Everywhere is not liable in the event you are injured, arrested, or worse. By choosing to participate you are still responsible for your actions.

Comments

        • Best way to get from Astoria to Union Square is either N or W train (only about 15 stops). That will be much shorter ride compare with the downtown Manhattan 6 train to 125th street and coming back to Union Square.

          I did no pants last year with the 6 train group. Personally I think the ride was too long (about 30 train stops together, and my 6 train group was the last group reached Union Square). So I will prefer Astoria if we can arrive at Union Square before the sunset. The only problem is that I do not know how many people will be doing it in Astoria. A group that is too small will not be very interesting experience.

  7. Aaah. I live in NH so I won’t be able to join you all. Maybe I’ll take my pants off in the woods and scare the deer.

    Have a terrific time!

  10. Would it kill you guys to involve Bronxites? We have plenty of trains that go straight in to union square and would love to participate if given the opportunity.

  11. Oh how I wish sometimes that I lived in New York. You have too much fun. I loved the Invisible Dog Day. Thank to all of you with a sense of humor.

  17. May I speak for the under 21 pantless minority? I’m 17 and every year I miss out on the after pantsing festivities. Could there be an alternative to a bar this year?

  18. I’m bringing my Sony eReader for this year’s ride.

    Where are we meeting in Prospect Park? I guess we are taking the F-train into Manhattan?

    Oh! What to wear? I did the suit thing last year.

  20. The New York lewdness/indecency laws (below) seem to permit the no pants subway ride so long as you’re not wearing thongs (thus “private” areas), so does anyone know if anything came of the arrests in 2006 and have there been any arrests since that time? The state law carves out the ability for local ordinances to create a higher burden, so does anyone know if NYC has heightened the standard? I would love to do this but I’d rather not be arrested for it.

    § 245.00 Public lewdness: A person is guilty of public lewdness when he intentionally exposes the private or intimate parts of his body in a lewd manner or commits any other lewd act (a) in a public place, or (b) in private premises under circumstances in which he may readily be observed from either a public place or from other private premises, and with intent that he be so observed. Public lewdness is a class B misdemeanor.

    § 245.01 Exposure of a person: A person is guilty of exposure if he appears in a public place in such a manner that the private or intimate parts of his body are unclothed or exposed. For purposes of this section, the private or intimate parts of a female person shall include that portion of the breast which is below the top of the areola. This section shall not apply to the breastfeeding of infants or to any person entertaining or performing in a play, exhibition, show or entertainment. Exposure of a person is a violation. Nothing in this section shall prevent the adoption by a city, town or village of a local law prohibiting exposure of a person as herein defined in a public place, at any time, whether or not such person is entertaining or performing in a play, exhibition, show or entertainment.

  23. QUESTION!

    It says “Williamsburg/Bushwick” but the map has Bushwick Park in Bushwick. HOWEVER there’s a “Bushwick INLET Park” in Williamsburg. The big one just a few blocks from Bedford by the river, that just started up.

    Just asking because when I lived in Bushwick, that park was highlighted in your link was named something other than Bushwick Park (It was named Maria [something] Park). The only Bushwick Park I know is “Bushwick INLET Park” which is in the Burg.

    Can someone double-check and make sure this is the park you guys want, please???

    Thank you!!

  25. Charlie, This is Austin’s dad. I love this killer idea of yours and seeing these “missions” (especially ‘I Love Lunch’ and the ‘Supermarket Musical’- Queens) makes me miss living in NYC even more than I already do. I am envious, and were I still there, this 60 y/o would join you. Thanks for making the world a better and more jovial place! Best Huel Adams (Charleston)

  26. Hey, does any1 know if we’re allowed to go with our friends in groups, like 2 or 3 ppl or we have to stay singled during the whole time?

  28. silly white people with no other worries in the world, must be nice. keep contributing to the ever growing embarrassment you’re turning our city into

    • If you don’t have a metro card you can’t ride the subway. There is no age limit, but if you are a minor you should have your parents permission and participate at your own risk.

        • You can pop into any subway station and buy a single-ride metrocard. It’ll cost you $2.25. Keep in mind, though, that you might need additional fare to get to the meet-up point and/or home from Union Square if those places aren’t in walking distance for you.

  36. It’s really too bad this creative sort of guerilla organization and participation can’t be harnessed to spark civil disobedience. We’re walking around the city in underwear, irony-loving hipsters that we are, while our working-class peers are getting blown up in Afghanistan. There is rather a disconnect from reality with events like this.

    • Do you have the same opinion of people who will be watching the NFL Playoffs on Sunday? Are they disconnected from reality because they’re home watching football while others are dying in wars? Why single us out? A group of people getting together to do something fun and harmless in the public space for two hours on a Sunday afternoon isn’t any more or less aware of the problems in our world than anyone else.

    • Yeah, you’re right. We should just sit at home and be miserable all the time since “reality” is so depressing. I mean, why look for any joy in life when you can just focus on all the shit going on?

    • As a brother of a united states marine who served in Baghdad, Iraq for one year, I can assure you that this is not a “disconnect” from reality, This is a chance to embrace what really affects us and changes us for the better. Imagine a group of people with absolutely nothing in common save for the appreciation of appreciation, the enjoyment of enjoyment and the need and drive to do something just to do something. If you want to spark a change with civil disobedience there are plenty of organizations out there for you to join. A “guerilla organization” named “Improv everywhere” is not a good place to start.

    • I think it’s aprox 2-3 hours long. I’m sure there will be festivities going on after that, at various locations.

  40. Regarding the questions about pantyhose and long-johns– wear what you feel comfortable in. The spirit of the event is regular old underwear, but considering the amount of people participating, it’s not going to matter if a few people choose to wear tights/long-johns.

    • i already see women wearing tights without pants (or skirts or shorts) in the subway everyday thinking that those are ‘pants’ psh… they just wanna show their cameltoe

  41. Charlie, there are no options to add pictures on the 2010 facebook page (there is such option on the 2009 page). Will we be able to be add pictures after the event?

    • Yeah, I’ll enable it the day of the event or right afterwards. Someone posted a super spammy link in the links section and I decided just to turn everything off. I couldn’t even remove the link, which I thought was dumb. Event creators should have control over that.

  42. Just to be sure is there anyone besides fallon and danilo willing to do no pants kareoke for astoria? I’m sure there are plenty of kareoke places availible in astoria we can use. I’m asian.. I know! Don’t hide them from me!

  44. This will be my first time, I noticed there will be a lot of group separations and stuff. Will i be able to stick with my friends?

  45. Great idea. Brings me back to the sixties. I would try to do it in the summer, but my butt is cold even with pants on in the winter. Someone should organize a no pants event with cameras allowed. Maybe a revival Be-In in Sheep’s Meadow. In the summer please.

  46. This is great. This is by far not the first time I’ve gone pantless in public, but surely the first time it’s been for an organized event. I’m going with a group of 8 to brunch to get a little boozed up beforehand then we’re all going sans-pants. See all of you there!

  47. Awesome! Love the faces of unsuspecting riders. It’s a win-win. Who doesn’t need to spice up their daily train ride?

    • Question!

      Do we come back by 5:30 to the meeting point or we all end up in Union Sq?
      Is there a link to which group will be assigned on what trains?

    • A few friends and I are going and we are just turning 14….
      which is a little awkward but we thought this would be a lot of fun

  53. I can’t effin wait.
    Can someone answer me:
    I go to this band rehearsal on Sundays in the city, but it ends at 3pm sharp. it only takes 10 minutes from there to get to foley square; you guys think ill make it on time?

  56. so I’ve been wondering why noone has posted any comments recently for the past 4 days, until I scrolled to the bottom and realized “oh, there are the newest posts”.

  57. Flushing Meadows Park… Based on the map, there is about one mile walk just to get from the meeting point to the nearest train station (7 Train station). Are you sure about this?

    • The entrance to the 7 train is a little closer than where the map indicates. It’s not that long of a walk– I’d guess not much longer than the walks people took last year to the various trains near Foley Square.

  59. Is gonna be so cold.My package is going to shrink.
    Does anybody know if i can use packet-warmers in my undies.?
    I just cannot let the girls see that.btw IM HUGE.

  61. Sounds like cool and fun. just wish playoff football wasn’t on at this time. have fun semi-noodies!

  62. As a guy, isn’t it hard to remove your jeans and boots and then replace boots during the time it takes to go from one stop to the next?

    I’m thinking about doing the Manhattan downtown train but it seems like it would be way awkward for a guy. For a girl, their skirt would fit over their boots so they wouldn’t have to remove them..

  63. How wrong would it be if a very 9 months pregnant woman took off her pants? LOL I’m thinking about it!

  65. I live in Las Vegas NV and I saw on tv that their was going to be a no pants day at the monorail on sunday I was wondering if this was true and if so details my friends and I would love to be a part of it!

  67. To people doing pantsless karaoke, where are we going / are we meeting at Union Station before we head over? My cell doesn’t have internet access, so unless someone is waving their pants in the air yelling “Pantsless Karaoke over here!!!” I’m not going to be able to find you.

    • i would figure that the pantsless kareoke would all meet at union sqaure since thats where everyone is going.. i’d like to know too

  70. whos going to the queens flushing meadows group? that meeting place is alot easier for me to get to

  71. Question. How does one removes his pants through his sneakers? Isn’t that awfully difficult? Should we remove our footwear or what?

    • Aaron, yeah it can be rough to remove your pants over your sneakers. You could always wear a loose tracksuit bottom so that the leg holes can easily slide over the sneakers. Either that or immediately after you get on the subway car, you untie and remove your sneaks. Last year I nearly totaled the little old lady next to me when I overbalanced as I was trying to pull off my jeans over my sneaks in time :)

        • you can wear boots just make sure you can get your pants off in time. practice at home lol.. awww agent aloha thats mean.. now some little old lady can say that some strange person trying to take off their pants bumped into her on the nyc train.. on second thought that sounds like an awesome story to tell.

  72. Yayy Flushing Meadows Park! I’ll be there, but unfortunately the idea of being pantsless in 27 degree weather isn’t as appealing to any of my friends, so I’ll hope to meet some nice pantsless people tomorrow :)!

  73. I’m working til 3pm at Atlantic Terminal in Bklyn. I wanted to participate, but there’s no way I can get to Prospect Park before 3:30. I’d like to then “participate” by witnessing the event and not saying a word to people who don’t know what’s going on and being one who’s allowed to take pictures.

    For those in the know, if you’re allowed to tell me…will any of the riders be coming through the Atlantic Ave stop? Any idea approximately what time?

    For all those who are lucky enough to be able to participate, have fun and stay warm!! (well, as warm as you can)

  74. I forgot to add something to my question:
    I go to this band rehearsal on Sundays in the city, but it ends at 3pm sharp. it only takes 10 minutes from there to get to foley square; you guys think ill make it on time? And if not, will it definitely start at 3:00?

  77. aaaahhh, i need some funky boy-shorts!!! any ideas for Lower East Side/SOho? Topshop? American Apparel? anyone?

  82. Can’t wait, kinda nervous! My first time n my partner in crime backed out. Hoping to meet some cool folks and have a fun time afterwards as well :)

  84. Dear No-Pantsers:
    I just ran into your people on the F train coming into the city from the Carroll St. stop. I was with my sis and bro-in-law from out of town and it could not have been a more beautiful true New York City experience to be on the platform, watching everyone who came in trying to figure it out. I had a lovely exchange with one no-pants fella who tried to convince me to “join us” and I surely would have had not my underwear choice for today pushed me into a category of lewdness that I thought would detract from the pants-free mission.

    I’ll be with you in 2011.

    So thank you, all NoPantsPeople. You are my heros!

  85. Girl who looked like Zooey Deschanel @ 14st L train platform around 3pm or so. I think I love you.

    You were with a tall, tan-skinned asian guy who was also in his undies. I had a brown wool hat on.

  87. this was amazing!! too bad everyones getting drunk right now not me -.-;; i’m doing this again!

  88. I arrived just too late (bc my ride felt it not important and dropped me a ways away) to find you guys and didn’t kno where to go. Very sad and I even called out sick to work. I wound up @ the south end of flushing park. And by the time I’d trekked there no soul was in sight
    T.T I waited so long too SUPER DISAPPOINTED.

    • well when i arived to Union square i didnt want it to be over. So i took the N train back and forth! you could have still done it!

      There is alwaqys next year <3

  90. Missed my bus from Philly after being super psyched to be involved…showed up anyway went to American eagle to try on jeans…no pants later I loved it!! Next year baby!!!! Do it up!!

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