Brown Line vs. Red Line

I recently started a new job - and it's in the highly-sought downtown area. We're not just talking "in the Loop," this office is right in the thick of it. Though as I've learned, this swanky new locale comes at a price...

As a result of my new location, my old-fashioned, gets-me-right-to-my-office-without-transferring Brown Line ride to Merchandise Mart no longer serves me well, as it used to. Instead of getting on my train, getting a seat and sitting there until I reach my destination, I now have to get on my [never-that-crowded] train, ride for two stops, exit, and get on another [always-packed-like-sardines] train.

This fish can I'm referring to is, of course, the ever-popular Red Line. I've never been a lakeshore dweller, so I've never used the Red Line as my life line. Sure, I've ridden it - a lot - but NEVER during commuter hours, save the once or twice I rode it home from work, though now I cannot think why I did that.

It's been just three days so far, and I already have a question: Red Line riders, how do you stand it? It's uncomfortable, it smells (usually of urine), and it's totally packed. I'm tempted to increase my commute by 20 minutes and just ride the Brown Line around the Loop to get me to the same ultimate destination without the discomfort and annoyance.

This isn't to say that I've never been jam-packed into a Brown Line, believe me, I have - but the difference is the smell, the sweat, the cleanliness.

I realize this sounds terribly stuck-up or snobby or whatever you want to call it, but I like my Brown Line and I'm apparently not adapting well to this change. I don't want you daily Red Line riders [of which I am now one] to take offense - I still find your train quite useful, just not during rush periods.