Michael Earl Caldwell is a Workers Compensation Insurance Technician with the State Fund Workers Comp carrier in Santa Ana. He rides the Purple Line subway train, and the Metrolink train to work every day.
Ceres: What’s your commute like? How long does it take?
Mike: It takes about an hour and thirteen minutes from door to door. I live in Koreatown in Los Angeles, so I take the subway from Western Ave down to Union Station—that’s thirteen minutes. Then, I get on the Metrolink train to Santa Ana for fifty minutes, then a brisk ten-minute walk from the train station to my office. So, I’m pretty awake by the time I get to work! [Laughter]
Ceres: Why did you choose to commute instead of driving or moving closer to your workplace?
Mike: Because Santa Ana is not a place for me after work hours. Orange County ISN'T a place for me after work hours. And, I don’t own a car. Too expensive in California! Been there, done that! I go where my job is. I’ve been in the Monterey Park office, and I’ve worked in the Cerritos office for my company too, and actually the commute that I’m engaging in now to Santa Ana is much easier than it was when I was driving.
Ceres: What do you like and dislike about commuting?
Mike: I like to get a nap on the train, every day, coming and going, and I hate when we’re delayed and held up and backed up because of idiocy, like people jumping in front of the train for instance, or speed restrictions, or freight congestion—because we always take the backseat to the freight service. Sometimes, that can be a real pain, especially on weekends!
Ceres: If you could change something about your commute, what would it be, and why?
Mike: Having a connecting shuttle that goes directly to my office from the Santa Ana train station, so I wouldn’t have to walk for that long. The train itself... the Metrolink train has actually
improved over the years. I’ve been riding it since
2002. I was actually here in Union Station working as a member of the launch team when the Metrolink first went online in 1992. So, I’ve
seen it grow, leap and bounce. It went from four lines to over, I think it’s seven lines now, so yeah, I’ve seen it do its thing. I’m impressed!
Ceres: Do you have any tips learned over the years commuting that you would like to share?
Mike: Always arrive early to get your seat!!! And, as you go on in time, it will become your space on the train [Laughter]. Be prepared for any eventuality. Living here in Southern California, it may be a good idea to carry a jacket in your backpack. I wish I had one right now. [Note: we did the interview nearby a train platform in Union Station in November, and that evening was cold, 55 degrees, which is cold for LA.] But, overall, it’s just “Learn to go with the flow!” and as long as you’re flexible with that, the commute will be enjoyable, no matter what happens.
Ceres: What advice would you give to rookies, somebody who is just starting taking the train?
Mike: I helped shepherd a couple of rookies over the years here and there, and get them
The Veteran
Photos by Lands of Void
More than 12 years commuting!
Michael (Mike) Earl Caldwell is a Workers Compensation Insurance Technician with the State Fund Workers Comp carrier in Santa Ana. He rides the Purple Line subway train, and the Metrolink train to work every day.
Photo by Chuck Jones
"Overall, it's just 'Learn to go with the flow!'"
73 - Ceres Magazine - Winter 2016