Heat Wave

Something I find a little annoying as a Slug. Now that we are getting into the cooler months we slugs need to dress for the cooler climate. I find that a driver will have their heat turned up to make it comfortable for them in there shirt while we have heavy coats on to provide us warmth while standing in the long lines. I feel a little uncomfortable asking the driver to turn down the heat and/or take the time before I get into the vehicle to remove my coat. Has anyone else run into this situation or I’m I just being difficult?[V]

I am very sensitive to heat and I have already come across this overheating issue a few times. I usually just suck it up and use the heat to lull myself to sleep. Personally, I would rather just deal with it instead of risking offending the driver then having them be slightly annoyed during the drive. But I will surely speak up if they ask.

Forget Horner Rd, use Potomac Mills!

I always take my coat off before I get into a car and I also bought a personal fan to keep me cool during the trip.

I too, have been the victim of blazing enfernos on wheels. I'll never forget the time I rode with a woman I named "The Church Lady." (Haven't seen her in years.) One extremely bitter winter morning, I climbed into her van in my big, black wool coat. She didn't have a coat on -- that's usually my "uh-oh..." signal. The heat was on the highest setting, being delivered by a full blast fan right in my face. (Contact wearers can attest to how miserable that is.)

All the way to the Pentagon she sang to her gospel music on the radio. Sometimes, the Spirit moved her to clap her hands. This left the driving to her co-pilot: a stuffed teddy bear wedged into the space between the top of the steering wheel and the horn section.

Although I'd shrugged off coat, I was still sweating. My contacts had dried out. My head had started to hurt. I was feeling queasy. Church Lady sang on. Teddy did most of the driving. It was one of the rides where I felt I should fall down and kiss the ground of the parking lot when she dropped us off.

Moral of the story: Slugging, like Life, is a crap shoot. You never know what you're going to get. As for saying we get our rides "for free," au contrair! But hey! I can endure anything for 25 minutes or so. Additionally, my co-workers so enjoy the mornings I come in with, "You're not going to BELIEVE this one!" After 16 years, I've had my share of those "special" rides. :)

"Moral of the story: Slugging, like Life, is a crap shoot. You never know what you're going to get. As for saying we get our rides "for free," au contrair! But hey! I can endure anything for 25 minutes or so. Additionally, my co-workers so enjoy the mornings I come in with, "You're not going to BELIEVE this one!" After 16 years, I've had my share of those "special" rides. :)" - KatieM, Nov 9, 2004

Agree with KatieM's 'crap shoot' comment -- slugging is a sort of hitchhiking - you just never know who's gonna pick you up from the ole commuter lot. Maybe that's why the state of Maryland doesn't encourage slugging and justifies their position under an anti-hitchhiking law. So, Northern Virgininans, keep on sluggin' ! [;)]