Tacketts (New Lot) etiquette in AM

I slug from the Tacketts new lot in the AM and have also noticed recent confusion in the line of drivers waiting for slug to arrive. I believe there is an unannoucend effort underway to establish 2 lines, one for the Pentagon and another for Crystal City & Rosslyn. I'm not sure how a second line is established, but I think it will be beneficial to drivers and slugs alike when I does finally happen.


Patricia
Tackett's/Rosslyn lines

Back on the soapbox again!

The line cutters are getting worse. There is now a consistent group of drivers that insist on forming their own line and stealing slugs from the regular line (that's been working fine for YEARS).

Some drivers have told me that they will stop taking Rosslyn slugs if this keeps up!!! Basically, there's a lot of drivers who are doing the right thing and are getting tired of folks stealing the slugs they've been patiently waiting in line for.

Look at it logically... As a slug, if you get into one of those cars, you could end up sitting there for quite some time, because the driver has locked themselves into only taking Rosslyn (or Crystal City) riders. When there's one line of cars only, then when a car reaches the front of the line, they have the option of taking a Pentagon rider and getting on their way. And as a driver, a second line is foolish for the very same reason. Sure you could luck out some days, but does that really make up for the days when no Rosslyn riders show up for a while and you could've been on your way with two Pentagons??

Bottom line: The only thing that keeps slugging civilized is something you learned in kindergarden -- don't cut in line. So, I urge slugs, do NOT get into cars that are in this alternate line. In the long run you're only hurting yourself because there's already fewer drivers willing to pickup Rosslyn riders.

- Eric.

I guess the question is, when do you get there? At certain times, the penalty is probably minimal. But... two lines can NEVER work BETTER than one line. At best it can only be equal.

Follow the logic. If everyone all agrees to use one line OR if they all agree to use two lines, the first Rosslyn driver is still the first Rosslyn driver in either case. As soon as that driver gets two Rosslyn riders, she/he can leave (in the single line case, those slugs will be 'walking the line'). However, in the single line case, if you don't get a second Rosslyn slug by the time you reach the front, you have the option of taking the next Pentagon slug OR you can wait a bit to see if another Rosslyn comes. BUT, if you are in the two line situation, then you're stuck waiting for the next Rosslyn slug, period.

Worse, though, in the current case there is no agreement to all use one line or all use two lines. This leads to the slug having to make a choice of which line to use, which will inevitably lead to treating someone in the other line unfairly, as the slug has no idea who's been waiting the longest.

This last point is the source of the widespread complaints. Some slugs are uncomfortable having to make that choice and many drivers are getting irate at what they see (rightly, I think) as line cutting.

- Eric.





Edited by - Eric on 08 May 2002 15:52:39

quote:

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There seems to be two trends which need to be nipped in the bud. This AM, at about five til 8, I noted an example of each as I walked the line of cars with my Rosslyn sign. First, a driver was blatantly trying to cut the line by parking perpendicular to the rest of the line (at the entrance to the northern half of the lot). Although this person had another rider and was heading to Rosslyn, I ignored them. Do these people just not realize that there's like 20+ other cars patiently waiting in line, several of which are likely going to Rosslyn and were there first??

The second thing I noticed was someone near the back of the line hanging out of their car, calling out to me, trying to get me to short-circuit the line. (At least that's how I interpreted it, but if you're reading this and that wasn't your intent, I apologize.) As it turned out, there was, in fact, a Rosslyn-bound car ahead of that person.

Anyway, I just thought I'd get up on the soapbox a bit. Hopefully any drivers who are new to the Tacketts lot will not follow some of the examples they see.

- Eric.

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Maybe you should try another commuter lot if you're so disappointed with the sluglines at Tackett's. Potomac Mills has 3 diffent lines and they seem to work well. :) Have a happy day.

Patricia
Tackett's/Rosslyn lines

I've been picking up slugs at Tacketts for nearly a year now. My primary destination is Rosslyn, however, on occasion when the slug lines look bleak, I will pick up a slug for Crystal City or the Pentagon. I don't mean to be argumentative or to cause an uproar over this obviously emotional issue for Eric and Patricia, but I for one agree with the single line concept. The line moves very steady and I have had no problems picking up slugs. My only grievance is when, after I have been in line for a few minutes, a new driver pulls in and drives straight over to the side lot in order to cut the line and grab a slug.

It is very frustrating to myself and my passenger when we lose a slug because someone cut ahead of us.

The single line principle works in Rosslyn. The new pick-up point is also a single line, but with various destinations and two pick-up points. I see no problem with the way this operates - except for the occasional driver who feels they are all too important to wait in line and tries to create a second lane for picking up slugs. (You just know, one day, somebody's not going to take it anymore and KAPOW!!!...Right to the Moon!)

The single line works. I agree with Eric on this Patricia. I'm not saying your idea will not work, only that right now, the two line concept in its current configuration, creates more animosity and confusion than ease.

However, Eric....if we could get someone from the Department of Slugs to come out and put up designated signs and stops (like Rosslyn's), the two line idea might work better, but until then, the old tried and true method is most effective.

We all deal with enough frustrations in our life without having to start our day off with childish antics of people cutting in line.

I've said my peace. Please pass along this information to other drivers (scrapers) and slugs each morning to quickly alleviate this confusion. I hope you all have a pleasant day and a great summer.

Oh, by the way, to the slug that opened his briefcase and spilled his juice all over my rear seat, and didn't bother to clean it up - many thanks...I hope one day I can return the favor.

Edited by - croz61 on 29 May 2002 12:43:22