Meet in Astoria and Flushing this Sunday for the No Pants Subway Ride

Image source: jcmedina on Flickr – action shot from the 2012 Not Pants Subway Ride

Thanks to CBS, we were reminded that it’s that time again – the No Pants Subway Ride. The ride, organized by Improv Everywhere, is in its 12th year, and it will be held in 54 other cities this year. According to the organizers, the only thing you’ll need to participate is being willing to take off your pants on the subway and act as if nothing is out of the ordinary. The ride will commence shortly after 3pm (this is the meeting time at the different gathering locations) and end by 5pm.

Queens plays a big role in No Pants Day – two of the five meeting places are in the borough. They are Hoyt Playground in Astoria (near the Astoria Boulevard stop on the N/Q) and Flushing Meadows-Corona Park (that would be near the Mets-Willets Point stop on the 7). Also remember – the 7 train is not running between Times Square and Queensboro Plaza (where you might pick up the N/Q) this weekend.

If you want to participate, bring a bag or backpack, a MetroCard, and normal winter clothes (hats, coats, gloves, pants). You’ll walk onto the subway car fully dressed, then take off your pants when you are aboard. Here are some guidelines from the organizers:

• 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.
• Once [participants] take their pants off, they are to exit the train at an assigned stop and wait for the next train to arrive. They will then enter the same car on the next 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.”

You can wear fun underwear, but not so much as to say “hey lookit me, I’m doing a prank!” Also, don’t bring a camera (it will likely draw attention to yourself and disrupt the event).

Here’s a video from last year’s No Pants Subway Ride:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF9FM6KqCu4]

No Pants Subway Ride Coming This Sunday [CBS]
Global No Pants Subway Ride 2013 [Improv Everywhere]