Have just caught the E train into New York (well Queens) and again quite easy. Even the huge number of tourists trying to work out the Air Train/Subway transfer pricing didn't delay the journey for too long.
My subway trip went very quickly due to a young lady offering to assist with directions and then having a good conversation on the journey in. A genuine person who was interested in the world and not trying to scam me. There are good people out there if you listen and respond with thought and care.