I've only dealt with a transit cop once, and I got "the dumb one".
I didn't have a ticket. I had planned on buying a ticket, but I was running late and the train rolled into the station and I had to run to catch it. If I took the time to buy a ticket, I was going to miss the train and be late for work. So I weighed the options and hopped on the train, sans ticket, figuring "what are the odds". Well, the odds were apparently against me.
Anyway, this guy pulls me off the train and I explain the situation. I even show him the fistful of change I was planning on using to buy a ticket. He just couldn't grasp the concept.
Him: "Why don't you have a ticket".
Me: "I didn't have time, I needed to get on this train or I'd be late".
Him: "You know, it's illegal to be on here without a ticket".
Me: "I know, but had to get on this train. I didn't have time"
Him: "You need a ticket, it doesn't matter how long it takes".
Me: "I know, but I had to get on this train. You asked me why I don't have a ticket and that's the reason".
Him: "The ticket dispenser is right on the platform. If you wanted to use it there is plenty of time.
Me: "The train was leaving and I had to get on it. I didn't have time."
On and on it went. Then, because I was late, I didn't even have ID on me. The only thing I had was my security card for work, which did have my name and picture on it, but nothing else. No address or anything. This necessitated a call to HQ. It was too complex a problem for him to deal with himself.
After standing there for 10 minutes I said "look, I'll tell you the truth and give you my real address and information and I'll pay the ticket". He apparently believed me because he took it all at my word. I gave him the real address, I know for sure, because they kept mailing me the ticket. I don't remember what I gave him for my birthday or even if I had too. I threw the ticket in the garbage and moved away from that place a few months later, so the situation has been resolved.
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