PATH Conductor’s ‘Crazy’ Announcements Causing Grins (VIDEO)

“Let ALL the people off the train! Let all the people off the train first! Let ‘em off!”

The voice belongs to Mike Allen, a veteran PATH train conductor whose anachronistic public announcements are making the daily ride a little bit easier – and fun – for local commuters.

Wearing a distinctive, Lincoln-esque beard, Allen leans up against the train’s PA system like a singer-songwriter before a microphone, readying to offer riders on the Newark-World Trade Center line some solid – if not oft-repeated – advice.

“For those of you boarding the train, if you have a book bag, take your book bag off before getting on the train. NO ONE wants to get hit by your book bag on a crowded train!”

According to a recent Port Authority blog, Allen has been working at his post for 11 years. It’s a gig that only slightly resembles “work” for the Brooklyn native, who said that he’s wanted a job at a railroad since he was a kid. (Read the full story here)

“In 2007, I placed my name on both the MTA and PATH conductor wait lists, but was offered employment by the Port Authority first,” Allen recalled. “When I got the call from PATH, I was so happy to leave my previous job at a hardware store – it was great.”

Every day at the PATH is a little different, and that’s part of what keeps him coming back, Allen said.

“Working the railroad is great to see what life in the city is all about,” Allen said. “Different people from all over ride these trains and it’s a fun experience to interact with them.”

• See related article: Port Authority Cop Uses Sign Language To Bridge Communication Gap

These days, Allen’s unique style of public service/performance is getting him nods all across his home turf. There was the group of guys in Bay Ridge who recognized him as “the guy behind those crazy PATH announcements.” Then there was the passenger who asked him to record her personal voicemail message.

The train conductor said that he’s been happy to oblige his fans.

“Commuting stinks,” he said. “No one enjoys doing it every day, but you gotta do what you gotta do. It’s even worse when you hear boring train announcements, so I try to give people something different. I think it’s fun.”

A YouTube user summed up the feelings of many local PATH commuters when he posted a video of Allen doing his thing last year as his train pulled into the World Trade Center station: “Dude has his dream job.”

Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photo: Port Authority of NY/NJ