one CharlieCard question answered, another presented

[snugglekitty]

The bus driver told me yesterday, and I confirmed that it was true, that you have two hours to switch to another bus (or subway). I confirmed it was true by slightly overshooting my window and having to pay the fare again.

I suspect that I am going to become a grand master of getting a pile of things done in an hour and a half.

Here's my next question - how are those of you who have one carrying your CharlieCard? Has anyone tried to use this card while it was inside something? What happened?
I have been punching a hole in my bus pass and sticking it on my keychain for years. I'm considering getting one of these or one of these, since I pillaged the Cambridgeside Galleria without finding anything that seemed appropriate. Right, or one of these.

This is necessary for me because there are times when I leave the house without taking my wallet - like when going for walks.

Comments

[fraterrisus]

i leave my CharlieCard in my wallet at all times. i have had pretty good success with simply tapping my wallet against the reader. hip-checking the reader while my wallet is still in my pocket worked, but only on the third try. it's also worth noting that i don't carry any other RFID cards in my wallet, which some people do (work badges, etc).

as far as punching a hole goes, my recommendation is still "don't do it". the chip itself is visible if you look at the right-hand end of the green stripe on the front of the card in the right light, but the antenna runs all through the card and if you punch a hole in that the RFID will be much less effective. so holders are probably your best bet – you shouldn't have to take the card out of the holder at all.

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

as far as punching a hole goes, my recommendation is still "don't do it".

Oh, yeah. I'm totally aware of that issue, which is why I'm asking people for suggestions. :)

It's great to know that the card should work from within the wallet. That will solve most of my issue.

[bryghtrose.livejournal.com]

I keep the card in my wallet and just tap the wallet on the sensor. I've never had a problem.

[coraline]

i do th e"wallet to the sensor" dance and it's fine.

i have been told you can punch a hole an inch in from each side (i.e. 1 square inch from the corner) BUT that you can't put anything metal through the hole or it will cause the antenna not to function.

the keychain purse looks like a good idea.

[tisana.livejournal.com]

It's never occured to me to try to tap the wallet to the sensor. I always take it out ('course, I've only had the card instead of the ticket for a couple days now).

I have something similar to the second--in college we had to carry our IDs everywhere, so I carried that with my ID and license and my room keys. Now, since I need to carry my work ID and T pass, and poking holes in them is no longer an option, I dragged it out again. A lanyard makes it easy when I have no pockets. College bookstores may have plenty options for you, if you don't mind having a logo. But yeah...convenient design for that kind of thing.

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

It's never occured to me to try to tap the wallet to the sensor. I always take it out ('course, I've only had the card instead of the ticket for a couple days now).

Me too! I'm totally going to try that next. Yay!

It would be great if I could just get rid of most of the stuff in my wallet, and switch to something small that I was happy carrying everywhere. But I do want my business cards and my library card and my insurance information... sigh.