 There's a certain expectation for commuters about the way you're supposed to use an escalator when taking Metro. WTOP's John Doman says the unwritten rule could be wrong. Riding on an escalator, you just know. Walk left, stand right. What if I told you that's wrong? If you let people walk on the left, stand on the right during the most congested times, it's not a very efficient way of clearing the platforms.