I lived the city all my life and have had early and closing shifts always using public transportation. Train and bus. I never carried pepper stray because i was never scared. I would just get up and go to work. Just stay alert of your surroundings. Don’t talk to strangers. Stay away from suspicious people. Try to always be in well lit areas. Things they teach you as a child.

I live in NYC and have been a opener all of the six years I been with the bux. I take a bus to the train and then it's a 20 min walk from there. Both rides a fairly short but I try to stay hyper aware of my surroundings, my headphones low and frequently check behind me as I walk.

When I got hired I took Uber for my first few morning shifts but I just couldn’t sustain it. I decided to fix up my bike and just ride to work and it’s been working for me ever since.

Unfortunately the trains and buses in Boston don't run early enough for me to take them. We have to Uber or taxi. :/

I’ll probably try doing this! Someone stole my bike seat lol but I’ll fix it up.

I used to take public transportation occasionally, only twice for work but often just for recreation. This was in Dallas, Texas. Those of you who know downtown Dallas know when I say it can be rough, we mean *rough* lmao

I've been on the train as early as 7am and as late as 1am. I've walked from train stop to my apartment as late as 3am and as early as 5am.

I was only ever approached three times in the two years I lived there, and I was followed once because I told the guy I didn't want the drugs he offered me. He followed me to the corner and then stopped. I still carried a knife in my bag just in case but I never once had to use it, let alone even take it out. It acted more like a security blanket than a defense weapon.

Keep your head up, eyes open, no earbuds, hands out of your pockets/bag. If you carry a bag, make sure it is strapped firmly to you or held firmly in a closed fist. If your city is a sketchy city, never travel with your wallet or your phone visible, **including** in your pocket (makes you a pickpocket target). I would honestly suggest buying a cheap wristwatch so you don't have to check your phone often. If someone asks you for the time, you can use that rather than showing someone you have a phone. If someone asks you for money or if you dropped your wallet, *never* pat your pockets for your wallet, because it gives them an idea of where to pickpocket. If someone does approach you aggressively (verbally or physically), make sure they know someone is expecting you or someone knows where you are. It makes you a less desirable target.

Your chances of being physically attacked are statistically low. It does feel a lot better to have a defense maneuver in mind, so I would invest in mace (if legal), a pocket knife (if you're comfortable), or anything like that. Brush up on your laws. But it will be okay if you keep your head about you

wow this is crazy, i’m sitting in my uber on my to open right now because i was having this exact question this morning, because uber is pricey and i just started opening.