Should a pregnant woman get priority seating on CTA?

Leonard is not alone. "Going Public" received another e-mail this month from a pregnant CTA rider who wondered if it's appropriate to kick riders who don't belong in priority seating out of their seats because she's tired of getting "tossed around on the 'L.'"

On the CTA, priority seating is designated for seniors and people with disabilities. Unless there are major complications, pregnancy isn't typically considered a disability under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, which seeks to ensure equal opportunities for people with disabilities in employment, transportation and other areas. A separate Pregnancy Discrimination Act protects pregnant women from workplace discrimination.

When contacted by RedEye, disability rights advocate Barry Taylor said it "wouldn't be out of the question" to extend priority seating to pregnant women.

"The rationale behind giving a seat to the elderly would transfer over to pregnant women," said Taylor, advocacy director for Equip for Equality, a watchdog for disabled-care facilities in Illinois. "People should be willing to give up their seat for people who need it."

Pia Iannone, who is due to give birth in August, said other riders typically give up their seats for her 50 percent of the time, but some passengers have been more than helpful when she experienced a complication with her pregnancy.

Iannone of Lincoln Square said she was riding the Blue Line in April when she started to feel sick. She said she was "going in and out of consciousness" while one passenger checked her pulse and another contacted her husband. Iannone, 30, said she ended up spending the day in the hospital, and she's grateful to the other riders who assisted her.

Overall, she said riders have been "pretty nice" about accommodating her pregnancy, but "it depends on your luck."

Renee Oehlerking of Lincoln Park recently wrote to "Going Public" to commend Rene Melendez and Ernesto Pagan, part of the morning crew at the Irving Park Brown Line station. Melendez of Dunning has been working at the CTA for 28 years, and Pagan of Albany Park has been a CTA employee for 18 years. "When [customers] are down, I tell them it's going to be a beautiful day," Pagan said. "I say, `Don't worry, it's going to get better.' I give them hope every time." 

My pledge to ride every CTA bus line continues. I rode the No. 81-Lawrence bus this week and boiled my review down to 140 characters, the size of a Twitter tweet.

@tracyswartz Wilson Ave. + Marine Dr. to Jefferson Park Blue Line in about 45 mins. Good connector bus. Stops by Metra and Brown, Red and Blue Lines.

Next up: No. 68-Northwest Highway.

Here are some responses to the question about whether pregnant women should get priority seating on the CTA.

Deneckia Moore writes: "I just wanted to thank you for the article on June 23rd about the pregnant women on CTA. I am also one of those women. But another problem is people who use the handicap seating to set the strollers in. I thought you were suppose to fold them up. Why are they taking up two to three seats? And then they have the nerve to look at you to move. I just wanted to get that off my chest."

Darryl Grant of Uptown writes: "As a gently reared young man, I was taught, at an early age, that it is always polite to offer my seat to an obviously pregnant woman on public transporation to ease her condition.

Yet, a month ago I offered my seat on a crowded Red Line train, to an obviously pregnant lady, only to have the offer loudly refused and accompanied by a severe scowl. I am now hesitant to make a future offer."
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Rita E. Bell writes: "A writer (6/24/09) begrudges the inclusion of expectant mothers in CTA's priority seating announcement. His claim that women have given up their nurturing holds no water. If his was accurate, there would be no expectant mothers!"
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Lance Laird, 41, of Evanston writes: "I feel more men would give up their seats except for the fact they are not sure the lady is pregnant, and therefore could offend her. There are a lot of ladies with potbellies riding public transportation."
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Christine Kassel of Plainfield writes: "I just want to say THANK YOU for the article about pregnant CTA riders!!! I am 35 weeks pregnant and the past few weeks this has been an issue for me.

My friends are always appalled when my Facebook status says things like 'Christine is in disbelief that ONCE AGAIN it took a WOMAN to give their seat up for her on the bus, because the men are such ignorant ASSES!!!'.

I realize it is not considered a disability, but what ever happened to common courtesy?!?!"
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Jessica Ford writes: "I am six months pregnant with twins and I agree with Mercedes Leonard.

Thankfully my pregnancy so far has gone well and I usually don't need a seat on the bus. But those days when your back aches and you are exhausted beyond belief, it just makes me want to rip someone's head off when they don't offer me a seat!

And Mercedes is right -- it is almost always a woman that offers up her seat. Sometimes I feel bad taking a seat from a woman because women always seem to be carrying like 20 bags with them!

Take this morning for instance. So it's like 85 degrees out and I've already been standing in the blazing sun for like 20 minutes waiting for the bus.

There were about eight people standing around waiting with me. As soon as the bus opened its doors, these two boys ran in front of me to get on to the bus before me (first [redacted] move).

The bus was packed and I had to stand in the doorway. There was a guy in the first seat right behind the bus driver. He kept staring at me and I was thinking 'for sure he'll offer me a seat!'

Well, no such luck (second [redacted] move). Then people started getting off in back, but the [men] who ran in front of me to get on the bus first wouldn't move back, so I stood there trapped like a sardine in the doorway of the bus.

Finally I couldn't take it anymore and I said to [man] No. 1 in an irritated voice, 'can you move back -- PLEASE!'. The good little [man] obliged. And right away this nice girl spotted me and immediately got up from her seat and asked if I'd like it.

I, of course, took it and thanked her enthusiastically. At least now I could relax as I stare at [men] No. 1, 2 and 3. The poor girl who gave me her seat was carrying three huge bags. What a trooper!

I'm telling you ... It's the men in this city. They are all just ignorant, little pansies!"
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William Bruce Gename, 30, of Garfield Ridge writes: "I always give up a seat for pregnant women, as well as handicapped and elderly people. I won't, however, give my seat to a woman just because she's a woman.

Some of the 'ladies' on the Orange Line drop the f-bomb more than Joe Pesci did in 'Goodfellas'."
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Nola du Toit writes: "Why do you pregnant women compare your situation to that of the elderly and disabled?

Why should you be entitled to priority seating or make the rest of us non-pregnant people feel like crap for not giving you our seats? I will, with love, give up my seat for one of the city's older citizens.

And I am first in line to make life easier for those who are disabled. But give up my seat for you, pregnant woman -- no way!

Why? Because the old woman with the cane and the guy in the wheelchair had no choice in their situation.

You decided to have a child. You brought this upon yourself. You think you deserve the seat more than I do, just because you got pregnant!

Well hear this -- you don't! You chose this. You made the decision to get knocked up -- deal with it! And where am I supposed to draw the line?

First, you want my seat because you are pregnant. Then, after the baby gets here, you want my seat for the baby bag overflowing with a multitude of diapers, toys, and at least two months' supply of formula.

On a side note, I ask you, why do you need all that stuff for a few hours at the aquarium? Then I have to move because your three-seater, double-decker baby limousine takes up the entire aisle on the train.

And finally, after years of getting out of your way, I have to stand so that your 5-year-old (who rides the train for free) can sit in the seat I paid for.

When does it stop? How long do I (and the rest of society) have to put up with the decision YOU made?"
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Casey Ellis of Wicker Park writes: "I read the article 'Seatless on CTA-debate rages on' and was completely outraged by comments made by Barton Aplebaum.

EQUAL????

We are carrying you men's children, adding on 20-50 pounds, wrecking havoc on our bodies, aching backs, swollen feet and you think that we should not be given a seat???

I am figuring that you are the guy who will make his wife shovel snow when she is nine months pregnant. I feel sorry for whoever decides to marry you and carry your offspring."
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Melissa Lapsansky of the Southwest Side writes: "I agree that those in good health should give up their seat to those who need it. I ride the Orange Line daily.

I also take the bus to and from the train. Though I may look like I am in perfect health I am not.

I have been advised by my doctor not to stand for long periods of time due to a health issue. I feel guilty for sitting when there is a clearly pregnant woman or an elderly person standing while I am sitting but I know that it is not in my best interest to not follow medical advice.

So if you are elderly or pregnant please do not automatically assume that someone sitting is doing so because they are lazy or they don't care about the welfare of others. Heed the advice of Josh Hagen who wrote 'it is appropriate to ask rather than expect'."
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Kim Winne, 34, of West Rogers Park writes: "I have news for Barton Aplebaum. I haven't felt well my entire pregnancy (and I'm now 35 weeks) so yes, I think I deserve a seat over someone who isn't carrying around extra weight making their back, ankles, legs & feet hurt.

Not to mention the fact that I take medication everyday so as not to vomit -- the rickety CTA trains don't help and neither do the bus drivers who drive like maniacs.

It has absolutely nothing to do with equal rights. It has everything to do with common decency and consideration.

For someone like Barton who will NEVER know what it's like to be pregnant, how dare he assume that he feels just like a pregnant woman after a long day's work.

Try picking up a book and reading up on symptoms of pregnancy -- dizziness, extreme fatigue, back aches, swollen sore feet, nausea, vomiting, headaches, shortness of breath and excruciating heartburn are just some of the awful things we have to endure so next time you see a pregnant woman on the train or bus, especially in this heat, be a gentleman and offer her your seat.

Then maybe call your mother and thank her for what she endured just to have you."
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Sonia Martorell writes: "From what I have read, people that do not want to give up their seats to a pregnant woman are:

1. Women that have never been pregnant.

2. Men who do not have children, or did not participate in a relationship with a pregnant woman.

My husband always gives up seats for pregnant women and/or the disabled as do I. All I can say is that karma is a b****.

All the lazy, rude, pompous people that will not get up or even offer a seat to someone who needs it will find themselves in the same predicament at sometime in their lives.

Then they will have the that moment of 'Oh, so it is a big deal, gosh please someone offer me a seat'.

All they they get is tired blank stares ... and no offer."
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Adina Edwards writes: "Barton Aplebaum's rant about 'we're all equal' ... Did he even read what he wrote?!?

The 'equal but different' statement does not apply since a man cannot get pregnant! I pray he NEVER has a wife /significant other/loved one who is pregnant, at high risk to boot, that runs into a blockhead like him.

'Don't we all go to work, haven't we both worked a full day?' What a crock!

Barton, did you work a full day with another body inside of you depending on you for dear life?

That same body making your body tired, drawn and physically ill while you were working that same full day?

I believe it's more than your body that's lacking in 'nurturing'... It's your heart."
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Bradley Stephenson, 29, of Evanston writes: "For an obviously pregnant woman? Yes, and I have before.

But all it takes it getting berated by an insulted woman screaming at you 'I'm not pregnant!! How dare you!! Just because a woman has a belly does not mean they are pregnant! How disrespectful!' (etc etc) one time to make one hesitant to offer up your seat to any woman who does not look nine months pregnant.

I'd rather have a possibly pregnant woman silently resent me then be yelled at in front of everyone on the train by a large non-pregnant woman."
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Ray Zidarich Sr. writes: "In 1951, I was a high school student. I got the stuffing beat out of me by a tough [redacted] student. (He didn't like my looks.)

Three weeks later, he told the rest of the [redacted] kids to leave me alone. I found out later that it was because he saw me give up my seat on the street car, to a pregnant woman.

That was then, This is now."
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Diane Frisch writes: "I am so happy to see this finally getting addressed. My daughter, Nacirema (American spelled backwards), was born September 30, 1989. ... I was age 33.

I remember my stomach was gigantic by the fourth month (there was no question as to whether I looked pregnant or not), and I worked until two weeks before her birth.

I took the Red Line train at Argyle in Chicago. ... Almost every commute was torture.
I was very healthy, but the bumpy train ride would often make me nauseated or make me feel like passing out.

Naturally, if I sat down I felt better. I would say in the last five months of pregnancy, one [redacted] male, two [redacted] males, and the rest were women ... that either gave up their seat to me or at least offered their seat.

I was very shy so I never asked for anyone to give their seat to me. However, the most appalling incident was when a middle-aged [redacted] man raced me to a seat.

He won because I was afraid he would knock me down. I just sighed and stood there with my big belly hanging practically over him.

I tell every expecting mother that I know about this story and how rude and oblivious he appeared to be. To me, common courtesy should be shown to pregnant women.

It is very difficult to stand holding on to the rails when on a bumpy ride and being slung every direction. I often thought, one day someone pregnant is going to fall and sue the CTA for any harm to her baby.

Thank you for drawing attention to this much needed topic."
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Johnta Gatson, 26, of Glenwood writes: "The answer to this question is a no-brainer. I absolutely would give up my seat for a pregnant woman. Actually, I offer my seat to any woman, pregnant or not.

Chivalry is still alive, though it may not be thriving. It's just a part of being a good man. I know a lot of ladies express concerns about equality and some say 'Anything you can do, I can do better.'

I don't think women are second class citizens or anything like that. I just feel like its my natural obligation as a man to extend such courtesies to a lady."
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Irma Ruiz-Carabez, 41, of Brighton Park writes: "I was pregnant last year and my experience was that women were giving me their seats the majority of the time.

They sometimes apologized to me for not noticing I was there.  One time the super nice Orange Line conductor announced that a pregnant woman was coming in to make them aware that I needed a seat.

Older men were giving me their seat too. Yes, I would give up my seat for pregnant women."

Steve Jackson, 58, the New East Side writes: "This is not even a close question -- the expectant mom deserves a seat. The buses are particularly unpredictable and a rapid stop in traffic (often on the No. 60 bys) could send mom to the floor or into one of those floor to ceiling grab bars, or worse.  Let's show our humanity and offer her a seat."
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Shantell Sutton, 21, West Side writes: "Tracy, OF COURSE I would give up my seat for a pregnant woman!! It's only the right thing to do."
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Sharon writes: "I can't begin to tell you how many times I have not been offered a seat by a pregnant woman or any passenger for that matter. I have a cardiac condition that you would never guess of by looking at me.

I've had numerous bypasses, I have a defibrillator implant, I've turned down a heart transplant twice now (personal reasons). I suffer through Congestive Heart Failure, breathing difficulties and the staples and wires left inside my chest rip and tear at my skin when I stand on the train or bus and need to hold on to a bar for support.

I can't stand for very long and I cry from chest pain if I've hurried to get inside the train or bus doorway before they close, as I suffer severe angina pain. Not one person, pregnant or otherwise offers me their seat.

I don't wear a sign and I certainly don't look for sympathy or special treatment. I don't give glaring leers or comment out loud to my friend next to me.

Short of tearing open my blouse and comparing scars, I have nothing to prove 'I earned every right to be where ever I park my little ass.' This also goes for my handicap parking privilege.

Don't get mad at me because (I'm looking good-lol) you're older or you're baby bump is showing. You at least had a choice, I didn't.

But just so you all know, I'm the first to get up because believe it or not, I think I have a good heart."
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Sarah Smith writes: "I was reading the Going Public article in this morning's RedEye titled 'Priority seating for pregnant women?' when I looked up and saw that a rather pregnant woman had just joined us in the cramped Brown Line car.

Just a stop before I had procured a comfortable aisle seat, was enjoying the daily RedEye, and trying not to fret over the fact I was going to be very late to work. I took a quick moment to watch the other riders to see how they would react.

Of course I was going to give up my seat.

Even if I hadn't just read the article talking about how around 50 percent of CTA riders are schmucks in regards to giving up a seat for a pregnant lady, I was still going to act.
I stared straight at a woman who was sitting directly in front of the standing pregnant lady.

I thought I saw a moment of contemplation on her face. She had to have at least thought, hey, that thing right in front of my face looks like a protruding belly with a baby inside.

Maybe I should let said belly, along with the rest of the person, sit in my comfy mass transit seat in this cramped train car.

It is 8:00 a.m. I bet this will make her day. I bet she'll name kid in said belly after me. Maybe just Godmother status would work in this situation.

Unfortunately, the moment passed for my fellow sitting-rider and she remained firmly planted.  The pregnant lady was grateful as I offered her my seat.

I had a Judd on repeat on my iPod. I could have stood from Sedgwick to Shanghai and not been bothered. I am simply amazed at people's capacity to be [redacted] bags."
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One rider, who asked his name not be published, writes: "I don't have a problem giving up my seat to the elderly and to those with disabilities.

Why? Because those conditions are out of the individual's control. In most cases pregnancy is a choice; so why should we be obligated to get up for you?

Does this mean I need to give up my seat for obese people as well? How about shoppers who went too insane on Michigan Ave and are falling over with all their gear?

They chose to get into the condition they are in, and with that all of the associated burdens.

If I had a hard day at work and happened to score a seat, I do not feel like I need to stand up for people who are burdened by lifestyle decisions.

If it's that tough on you to stand up maybe make other arrangements, leave a half hour early or later so you miss rush hour traffic. I'm sure whoever or wherever you are going will accommodate you."
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Ballatine Oblimae, 41, of Edgewater writes: "I'm sorry to all those mothers-to-be. The idea that pregnant women should be put in the same category as the disabled is absurd.

A disability is an affliction that is brought upon you that you have no control over. Nobody is making you have a baby. Even if a woman gets pregnant, that does not mean that she has to have a child.

It is not a situation that is put on you that you have no control over, so why are we to consider you disabled? That's like saying someone who is tired from a long work day should be considered disabled, or heck -- lets go all the way and say women are disabled simply because we're women, the fairer sex.

Not only am I a woman, but I am a mother. Pregnancy IS tough, but again, WE caused it.

And we should take responsibility for that, rather than ask for special treatment. That said, I also believe that a kind and courteous person should give up their seat for expectant mothers, but because they wish to, not because they have to."
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Monica Fischer, 30, of Lakeview writes: "I gave birth a few months ago and worked up to my due date. I have to say, IF I were offered a seat on the 'L,' it would have been by another woman.
One time on the bus, I had to stand, and actually fell over on someone when the bus made a sharp turn. People do not realize if a pregnant woman falls on their stomach, it could hurt the baby."
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Gina Seo writes: "I would without a doubt give up my seat to a pregnant lady. On the other hand, I rarely see passengers give up their seats for senior citizens. Where did our respect for our elders go?"

Jennifer Gladys, 28, of the West Side writes: "I will most definitely give up my seat to a pregnant woman. It's just the right thing to do and besides she will be more safe and comfortable sitting than standing.

The bus might be crowded and perhaps the drivers stumbles over a bump. Someone can accidentally hit her in her stomach. Anything horrific can happen. I will also give my seat for the disabled and elderly as well."
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June Simmons, 64, Evanston writes: "Your column this morning in the Red Eye shows your lack of knowledge of the history of the Women's Lib/ERA movement. 

NOW, avid women's libbers and our lesbian sisters decided long ago that pregnancy was NOT an illness and, therefore, did not deserve any special treatment. This is the reason why pregnant women now get to work all the way through their pregnancy -- just about to delivery.

Why they are allowed six weeks off after delivery is beyond my comprehension -- since pregnancy is not a disease or illness and we should be able to, like our sister in times before hospitals, drop our babies in the field and keep on working.

Unless a pregnant woman wears a sign that says 'I have complications' I don't see any reason to give her special treatment or a seat on any public transportation.

By the way, if some pregnant women don't need a husband to look out for them, protect them and honor the fact that the woman is carrying his child, why do they need a seat on the CTA?

We older women give our seats up to pregnant women because of perhaps several reasons.

One might be that we've been through one or two or more pregnancies and know how it feels.

Another just might be that we did NOT agree, did NOT want NOW, avid women's libbers and our lesbian sisters to make decisions for us and when the fearful men allowed those thoughtless decisions to be made, ruined it for the rest of us then and for the pregnant women now."
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Joey McCusty writes: "I just wanted to say that as someone who moved here from a small town where people are generally more civil toward one another (Pittsburgh), I endured a lot of berating on the CTA my first couple years in this city.

I offered my seat regularly to those I perceived to be elderly, people with a lot of bags (both men and women), and pregnant women. Well, the one time she was NOT pregnant, which sorta ended my offering-my-seat-to-those-who-I-think-may-need-it thing.

In this age of Barbara Baxter-types cutting down the chivalrous at every opportunity,  I really wish people were just comfortable enough to ask for a seat if they felt they needed it.

I honestly would have no problem giving my seat to an able-bodied 20something if they told me they were simply exhausted from working a longer than usual day.

I hate the thought of someone in agony because they are standing on the train when it would not really bother me to be in their position. It's a shame you have to tread so lightly sometimes when you really just want to help those who need it."
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Kristina Brown, 27, of South Shore, who is pregnant, writes: "It's such a habit that I offered my seat and the lady looked down and said 'It looks like you need it more than me!'
The guy on the other side was shamed into offering his seat. Some still don't care and that's a shame!"
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Don Ehrenhaft, 27, of McKinley Park writes: "In regards to today's "Going Public" topic, 'Priority seating for pregnant women?', I'd like to present a few thoughts.

First of all, let me say that I do believe that someone capable of standing for the duration of the ride should surrender their seat to anyone that is perceptibly less capable. In fact, I think they face a pretty reasonable moral imperative to do so.

I do, however, think that it's borderline ridiculous to presume that we, as a society, or CTA as an organization, have the right to mandate the moral courtesies of individuals. Let's face it; if we are forced to make the right choice, it robs that decision of merit.

Secondly, (keep in mind, I'm not necessarily listing these in order of importance) to even list pregnancy in the same category as legitimate disability is laughable. Nobody chooses to receive a disabling injury. Nobody chooses to be diagnosed with a disabling disease.

Pregnancy is a condition that is, for all intents and purposes, completely self-imposed. If an individual is not willing to except all of the inconveniences of pregnancy, they have the choice to not get pregnant in the first place.

For the most part, the Americans with Disabilities Act is in place to help minimize the cultural inconvenience encountered by victims.

It's there to help people who, if left to their own devices, would presumably not need it.  Again, I'm not saying that I wouldn't give up my seat to a pregnant woman, an elderly person, someone with an obvious disability, or even someone who just looks tired.

What I am saying is, it should be the right of the individual to choose to be charitable. I'm also saying that it is selfish and arrogant to expect the world to modify its behavior because of a choice that you made."
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Nicole Sabatino writes: "I always offer my seat to anyone in need, including pregnant women. I know all too well how it is to not get a seat while pregnant.
Also, the recording on buses says that priority seating is meant for the elderly, people with disabilities and expectant mothers. I hear it every morning on the bus. On the train, the same rules should apply."
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Denise Wilkerson writes: "I don't have a problem giving my seat up for a pregnant woman on the CTA but I don't think I should be forced to. I also think guys should give them up before a woman does.

Just because a person looks healthy doesn't mean they don't need to sit down. There have been plenty of times when I have felt ill on the CTA or knew I would probably pass out for one reason or another [redacted] so I don't think just being pregnant should automatically guarantee you a seat since pregnancy is generally a choice whereas disabilities and old age are not so I don't believe it should be in the same category.

Mercedes Leonard, in assuming that everyone is staring at her and automatically noticing that she is pregnant, presents a rather stupid argument.

When I am on the CTA I am reading, I am not spending an inordinate amount of time looking around me gawking at people and I have noticed, on the occasion when I have finished or forgotten a book, that most people on the CTA are the same way.

People are not looking around to see for whom they can give up their seats. One day when I was going home I sat down in a priority seat and a new co-worker sat next to me.

I was busy telling her about the workplace and whatnot when a woman who was two or three months pregnant walked up to me loudly demanding I give her my seat.

There were other people sitting down and she could have asked anyone but she acted as though I had pushed her out of the way to get it.

I looked up at her -- I did not see her but even if I had I would not have offered her my seat because she was only a couple of months along, and she started berating me loudly and looking around to the other passengers asking if she now has to bring a doctor's notice to get a seat on the bus.

Not for the sake of argument or to shut her up did I stand up and give her my seat but because I did not consider myself to be as rude and punitive as she was being.

I know she was trying to embarrass me but I simply did not care since I didn't know her or any of the other people, aside from my co-worker, on the bus although that likely would not have made a difference if I had know other people on the bus.

If it meant that much to her to make a scene then whatever, take it. She seemed to me to be someone who loved getting her way and would automatically appeal to the lowest common denominator to get it.

I stood in front of her and talked to my co-worker while the woman continued to attempt to berate me -- no one else responded or paid any attention to her.

I can't say that she didn't get hit by my bag from time to time as the bus swayed and took turns and I can't say that I tried to prevent my bag from hitting her.

If she had been five months pregnant that would have made the situation different, if she hadn't been so extremely rude that would have been different, if so many people who are pregnant or have children didn't feel that they and their children are automatically entitled to special treatment that would also be different.

A man holding a baby trying to go the wrong way down a gridlocked sidewalk at the Taste last year was pushing people aside left and right and then almost knocked me over.
I said something like 'Hey, watch out' or something and he turned around and said, 'I have a baby, [redacted].'

And I said to him, 'You have a baby, so that means you get to push women around?'

There were also many people pushing empty, or full, buggies around the Taste and running into people and screaming that they had children, indicating that the very fact should cause you to part the ways for them and apparently bow to their retreating figures.

Children are wonderful, they are miracles that change your life in so many unexpected ways but they are not currency and they are not excuses to behave badly or treat other people like they are less than the dirt on which you trod and the same goes for pregnant women.

You make the choice you need to deal with the results one way or another. It is not a moral obligation to give a pregnant woman a seat. It is courteous, it is polite and the right thing to do but it is not an obligation."
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Al Jackson writes: "At times I can't tell the difference between pregnant or obese."
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@aerolith writes: "entitlement complex. people think they deserve a seat cause they got there first. Its rude and they should give it up."
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@FialaKerns writes: "Yes, pregnant women should get priority as should mothers with young kids. Until you walk in those shoes...pregnancy is hard!"
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@ironone9 writes: "I would give up my seat on the CTA bus or 'L' Train anytime for a pregnant woman! They need to be off their feet in traveling!"
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@megy writes: "Having been pregnant 2x + often took CTA, I vote giving preg women seat. It's a strain to carry weight of bowling ball on body."