HOW IT WORKS

We will assemble in Foley Square at 3 PM. Please be on time. Feel free to be early. You will be divided up into a team with a team leader who will coordinate your train car. There will be five staging cars flowing into five target cars, spanning the entire train. Take a look at the chart below. Every "S" stands for a "Staging car" where people will begin with their pants on. At every stop, an assigned group of people will stand up, take their pants off, leave their "S" cars and walk down the platform to their "T" (Target) car. The "/" is the middle point of the train.

= = = = = / = = = = =
T S T S T S T S T S

When we're organized, we will all head down to the Brooklyn Bridge 6 Train stop together. Do not talk to others once you enter the subway system. No one knows each other. We will wait for a train to arrive on the uptown side of the tracks and all board our assigned cars (follow your team leader). A man with a megaphone will confirm that it is time to board the train. We may let one train go before entering to make sure everyone is ready.

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. Sit near your group. Those who are in the first few groups should sit near the front of the car. Those in the last few groups should sit in the back of the car and move up as their turn nears.

As soon as the doors shut at the stop before yours, stand up and take your pants off. There will be a couple of people in the front of the car in charge of collecting the pants. Toss your pants in their direction, but do not interact with them. Pretend as if you don’t know them.

Make sure you keep your wallet and any other personal items in your coat pocket. No one has lost his pants at a No Pants event as of yet, but be prepared in case of emergency.

After you have de-pantsed, walk towards the front door of the car. When the door opens at your assigned stop you will get out and quickly walk forward and into the target car. There will be someone there to make sure the door does not close on you, but you’ll still need to hurry.

When you enter the 2nd to last car, 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.

After all pantsless riders are on, two people will enter the train with large duffle bags selling pants for $1. Take out a dollar bill and buy pants as if this were normal. If you can find your own pants, great. If not, buy some that look like they fit and you can swap later.

We will exit the train at 125th street. Pay attention so you don't miss this stop. At 125th Street, we will attempt to regroup on the platform, swap pants as needed, and then repeat the mission back down to Brooklyn Bridge.

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. Avoid wearing a thong or anything else that might offend people. Our aim is to make people laugh, not piss them off.

If for some reason you get stranded on the platform or otherwise separated from the group, take the train downtown to Brooklyn Bridge and wait on the platform. We will be there eventually and you can get your pants back. Remember to keep all valuables in your coat pocket. We're not responsible if anyone loses his pants or anything else (including dignity).

If you haven't already, please take a moment to read the previous mission reports for the last four No Pants rides. They are located on the "Missions" page.

This is always a blast, and I’m really happy that you are taking part in it. You may bring along friends if you like, but make sure they get a chance to read all of these instructions.