Standing in a crowded elevator that stops on every floor sucks. It's even worse during the summer. The elevator basically becomes a giant hotbox on a string. Or maybe you're at a hotel full of drunks from a wedding and just want to avoid them. The next time you find yourself in a hurry or just feel like taking an express elevator ride, try hacking your ride.

Sometimes elevator manufactures include a button combination that allows you to put an elevator into "express" or "independent service" mode. When an elevator is in "independent service" mode, it will bypass all other stops except yours. This can be very handy during typical busy elevator times like the beginning and end of the work day and especially lunchtime.

So how do you get an express elevator ride? There are a few ways...

Requirements:

• Any elevator
• A desire for non-stop elevator service
• Fingers

The Key

Most modern elevators have a master key. You might have seen your building manager or a fireman with one of these special elevator keys. If you have an elevator key, it's a sure thing. Anyone with the key is getting an express ride. Humm.... We wonder if they sell them on eBay *wink wink*?

Floor + Door Close [Button Combo] Many older elevators can be put into "independent service" mode by pressing and holding both the Door Close and your desired floor buttons at the same time for 5 seconds. There is a drawback to the button combination method. Many elevators have the "Door Close" button disabled. They are just placebos for impatient riders. In the time it takes you to find the "Door Close" button and press it, the elevator door has probably already stated closing. As a result, an elevator that would normally be capable of going into "independent service" mode, will not do so without a functional Door Close button.

Many older elevators can be put into "independent service" mode by pressing and holding both the Door Close and your desired floor buttons at the same time.

The Footplant

This is more of a "dick move" than a real hack. Firmly place your heel on the floor and the rest of your foot against the middle of the elevator door. Or if it's a small elevator, then just grab the sides and plant your foot against the door. If you have friends in the elevator with you, have them help. The goal here is to use the rubber tracton of your shoes to keep the doors shut. When the elevator reaches someone else's floor, the door will try to open, but won't be able to and should continue on to the next stop.

I went to Ithaca College and one of the dorms, called The Towers, had an old elevator and we used to do this trick all the time. Worked great especially when you were late for class. Most of the students knew about the trick though and we usually heard lots of cursing on the other side of the doors whenever we did this.

Hackable Elevators

Here's a running list of elevators that can be out into "independent service" mode thru a button combination. If you successfully were able to use a button combination on an elevator, please post the make and model number on our Facebook page.

If you don't know what type of elevator your building has, you can always ask. I work in a 70+ floor building in Manhattan. I sent this email to the building manager. This was his assistant's response:

dear [name removed],

random question for you. the elevators we have here in the building are made by Parkline. Is there a button combination to put the elevators into "Express mode" or do they require a key? most elevators can be put into "Express" mode by pressing the "Door Close" and "Floor" buttons at the same time. but not ours.

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Hi,

In order to put the elevators on "independent service," a key is required. Independent service is an express mode, where you can go directly to the floor you select without stopping anywhere else. There is no button combination to get into this mode. We need to call the elevator starter from the building to put a car into independent service.

Thanks,
[name removed]

Your success rate at Elevator Hacking will vary depending both on the brand of elevator and functionality of the Door Close button. If you are friendly with the building manager, security guards and/or cleaning staff, try asking them if they know any elevator tricks. They probably know the building much better than you. Good luck!