General Slugging Topics - Striped lines and crazy morning people

Print Page | Close Window

Striped lines and crazy morning people

Printed From: Slug-Lines.com
Category: General Slugging Questions and Comments
Forum Name: General Slugging Topics
Forum Description: This is the area for all general slugging comments. To add a comment simply create a new topic or see FAQ for detailed information on how to post comments.
URL: http://www.slug-lines.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1005
Printed Date: 25 Nov 2024 at 8:52pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Striped lines and crazy morning people

Posted By: shahedC
Subject: Striped lines and crazy morning people
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2004 at 9:04am

Sometimes I can't find a parking spot in the lot, so I park in a striped spot. It's not that I really want to, I just don't see a single parking spot, so I've done it, along with everyone else who's done the same thing.

I haven't gotten a ticket (yet) for this, so I'm assuming that this is acceptable when the lots are full? Sort of like speeding to move with the flow of traffic?

But this morning was a little different: one woman who had just parked really really far away was walking up the sidewalk and started yelling and screaming at me for parking in that spot. I calmly told her that if she was having a bad morning, she shouldn't take it out on someone else. So let's just get to work and do something productive instead. But she chose to yell at me instead.

She yelled till she was hoarse, and complained that cars in the striped areas cause her grief when she pulls out in the afternoon. I would think that the cars along the curb would be in your way, but the cars on the striped zones?

Anyway, it seemed like she was just out to pick a fight. (Everyone else seemed normal, and familiar faces smiled and waved.) I hope she's at least having a good day at work, and not yelling at her co-workers for leaving the faucet running or being a minute late for a meeting.

Thoughts?

Replies:

Posted By: lobrien
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2004 at 9:14am

quote:
Originally posted by shahedC
[br]Sometimes I can't find a parking spot in the lot, so I park in a striped spot. It's not that I really want to, I just don't see a single parking spot, so I've done it, along with everyone else who's done the same thing.

I haven't gotten a ticket (yet) for this, so I'm assuming that this is acceptable when the lots are full? Sort of like speeding to move with the flow of traffic?

But this morning was a little different: one woman who had just parked really really far away was walking up the sidewalk and started yelling and screaming at me for parking in that spot. I calmly told her that if she was having a bad morning, she shouldn't take it out on someone else. So let's just get to work and do something productive instead. But she chose to yell at me instead.

She yelled till she was hoarse, and complained that cars in the striped areas cause her grief when she pulls out in the afternoon. I would think that the cars along the curb would be in your way, but the cars on the striped zones?

Anyway, it seemed like she was just out to pick a fight. (Everyone else seemed normal, and familiar faces smiled and waved.) I hope she's at least having a good day at work, and not yelling at her co-workers for leaving the faucet running or being a minute late for a meeting.

Thoughts?

Liz

Posted By: merveilleu
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2004 at 9:15am

I too am inclined to think that the woman was having a particularly bad morning and it had nothing to do with you. I hope that your day improves.

I think the woman completely overreacted and should have kept her mouth closed. Her outburst was inexcusable.

Posted By: hotvaf
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2004 at 9:18am

While parking in the striped spots can be inconvienent for some - the outburst was way out of line. Now the double parkers in the striped zones, that gets my dander up.

Posted By: lobrien
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2004 at 9:29am

I can understand her frustration, however I would never proceed to yell at someone about it. Good gracious it's just a parking lot for heaven sake.
I've seen some strange things in the parking lot between 6 and 6:30am. I've seen people park in the striped lines even when there are entire rows of parking available. I just think to myself that particular person is lazy and move on to the line. Which they are since the lot isn't even full yet.
I would say this to those that park on the striped lines,it's illegal and, in the afternoons, those cars parked on the striped lines are awfully hard to get around since cars are parked against the curb as well.. People who park there create an obstacle course that rivals the ones I had to drive through during driver's ed in high school.
I hate to sound like my mother but we should all try to be considerate of our fellow commuters.

Liz

Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2004 at 9:38am

Thanks for the support you all.

I read RoadRunner's suggested topic, and I think that problems are caused by people on the curb, or double-parked on the striped zones. I am parked in a striped zone in an area where you would never have to drive over that area, so I am not blocking anyone's path.

Either way, yelling at someone in the morning is more disturbing than parking and driving any day. Now that should be made illegal. :-)

Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2004 at 9:57am

Good point RoadRunner, I'm sure all these other reasons are valid. Trust me, if I found another spot in the lot, I would. Driving around with a wrist splint on my hand and a back support belt is not a particularly pleasurable experience for me. I guess I just have to try harder to get up a little earlier in the morning and find a good spot.

Sometimes we let people merge in from an exit lane, when we know they took that lane just to jump ahead. Sometimes we let people speed and we move over to the right so that they can pass us. Let's all just give each other a break once in a while, and not go ballistic.

Reminds me of the cafeteria "bouncer" in my college, who would not let me take a donut out of the cafeteria, because the rule book said so. She made me dump it in the garbage, rather than eat it on the way out.

Posted By: tdar20
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2004 at 10:30am

You should not park there. There is a reason it is a striped zone. Just like people who park in handicapped spots when they do not have a sticker. As a father of a handicapped child nothing gets me madder than watching someone parked in a spot that I need to unload his wheelchair when that dont have a sticker to legally park there. What if you block an emergency vehicle one day? Gettign there earlier is a much better answer than blocking access for others.

Posted By: avalanche22
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2004 at 10:34am

All I can say this morning (6/2/04) is that I'm parked in the striped line. I got to the parking lot at 7:25 and yes the parking spaces already at 7:15 where gone. Come on now. Where do you expect people that get to the slug lot after 7:30 to park? Anyone that has a problem with it would say go to another lot. But are you going to be the one giving me a ride back home? Are you going to be the one giving me a ride to work? I think not.

Now I'm open to suggestions but they have to be reasonable. Oh for those of you having problems with people parking in stripped lines, I guess you have a problem with people parking behind the bus stops too.

We all have one thing on our mind. And that thing is to get to work. So everybody let's go to work come home in the afternoon and take your time getting out of the slug lots. It's not the Daytona 500. Just take your time and we all can be happy...

For the lady that wanted to yell at you (shahedc). Better you than me. Because police would have been in the area if it was me. She would of yelled but I would have rolled the window up and blasted my music. I would have went Old school and pulled out NWA and let her hear every word they had to say. Oh I would have been on her mind all day.

Posted By: vabigblue
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2004 at 10:45am

I realize this might be a long-term issue; however, do you believe, based on what's written so far, if VDOT will expand the Horner lot or will they suggest and probably enforce parking at the "not so much used" 123 lot? I've got a feeling that with the number of violations, no matter how legal or illegal it seems, the 123 lot may become a future slug site.

Posted By: avalanche22
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2004 at 10:52am

Yes I believe that 123 will become a future slug site. But until then we all have to make the best of what we have at horner.

Posted By: emancilla
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2004 at 11:02am

quote:
Originally posted by avalanche22
[br]All I can say this morning (6/2/04) is that I'm parked in the striped line. I got to the parking lot at 7:25 and yes the parking spaces already at 7:15 where gone. Come on now. Where do you expect people that get to the slug lot after 7:30 to park? Anyone that has a problem with it would say go to another lot. But are you going to be the one giving me a ride back home? Are you going to be the one giving me a ride to work? I think not.

Now I'm open to suggestions but they have to be reasonable. Oh for those of you having problems with people parking in stripped lines, I guess you have a problem with people parking behind the bus stops too.

We all have one thing on our mind. And that thing is to get to work. So everybody let's go to work come home in the afternoon and take your time getting out of the slug lots. It's not the Daytona 500. Just take your time and we all can be happy...

For the lady that wanted to yell at you (shahedc). Better you than me. Because police would have been in the area if it was me. She would of yelled but I would have rolled the window up and blasted my music. I would have went Old school and pulled out NWA and let her hear every word they had to say. Oh I would have been on her mind all day.

It's true. This morning the parking lot was used full capacity. That includes curbsides and stripped lines spots.

Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2004 at 12:41pm

tdar20, I didn't park in a handicapped zone, that is a totally different issue.

I wear a wrist splint and a back support belt, and I am surely not in great comfort driving around. But I think there are more people who need those handicapped parking spots, so I would never park there.

Posted By: tdar20
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2004 at 3:47pm

The handicapped zone is not that far off the point. What if an emergency vehicle needed to get through there and since your blocking the path.....what then? Those zones were put there for a reason and it is not to park in. I go back to my earlier point, leaver earlier so you can get a legal parking spot.

Posted By: avalanche22
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2004 at 3:56pm

What time is early? If my day starts at 8:30 why do I need to be in the slug lot at 7:00 AM. If it�s not me parking in the stripped area it will be somebody else that get to the lot after 7:45. Best believe if there were enough spaces at Horner than there won�t be any illegal parking. So until they expand Horner again, we will always have this issue.

Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2004 at 4:27pm

tdar20, my striped area is far away from the handicapped zone, and is not blocking the road.

yes, it would be more difficult for a fire engine to get in there and make turns, but if that were my intention, i would not accomplish anything by not parking in that spot.

i will try to get to the lot earlier to find a real parking spot, but for those of us who are going as early as they can and still not finding a spot, what else can they do? you tell me...

Posted By: glacier
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2004 at 5:05pm

How did this drift from strips to blue signed handicapped parking? Lets stay of topic.

Cheers,

Glacier

Posted By: ronin718
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 8:06am

Question... If the stripes were painted yellow, would you still park there?

IMHO, and at the risk of stirring up a real BIG hornet's nest, the issue of illegal parking, whether on white stripes or along the curb, is just another indicator of the "me first" mentality that permeates this area. And yes, I'll admit that I get it myself sometimes, but I hope it doesn't manifest itself in ways that could possibly endanger others.

Posted By: glacier
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 8:38am

Ronin,

I left my VDOT manual at home. Excuse me for my ignorance, but what is the difference between the colors? Thanks for the assist.

Cheers,

Glacier

Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 8:41am

I think this is analagous to going faster than the speed limit when everyone is doing so at a reasonably safe speed. Sure,it's illegal, but then, say the speed limit is 55, and everyone is comfortably going 65, it makes sense to go at that speed. It gets everyone there faster, and is preventing a long line of cars from backing up.

If you choose to stay at 55, that's fine, stay over to the right, and let people pass. No cop in his right mind will stop you if you are moving safely with the flow of traffic.

Getting back to the striped parking spots... you arrive at the lot (even earlier than you have to be), and still there are no parking spots. What do you do?

At a crowded movie theater, you can't just sit on the steps if the seats are all taken. But that's just a movie. People need to get to work in the morning, and if there are no spots, they should be able to take the striped spots if they don't have any other choice.

There were two police cars in the lot yesterday, and no one got a ticket. I'm sure they understand the challenge by now. The solution is to create more parking spaces in the surrounding or nearby area.

Posted By: ronin718
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 8:42am

quote:
Originally posted by glacier
[br]Ronin,

I left my VDOT manual at home. Excuse me for my ignorance, but what is the difference between the colors? Thanks for the assist.

Cheers,

Glacier

The way I learned it way back when, it's similar to lane markings. Yellow means don't park or drive there, white allows for driving over them (hence the markings for emergency access routes).

Posted By: emancilla
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 8:43am

Yellow is for emergency vehicles only. Like ambulances, fire trucks and similars.

Posted By: avalanche22
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 9:02am

shahedc

I agree with you 110% on both your answers. I just wish the people that complain understood how us sluggers feel once we arrive to a over crowed parking lot. We all have the same goals ever morning. GETTING TO WORK!!!!

Bottom line we need more parking spaces.

Posted By: ronin718
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 9:07am

quote:
Originally posted by avalanche22
[br]shahedc

I agree with you 110% on both your answers. I just wish the people that complain understood how us sluggers feel once we arrive to a over crowed parking lot. We all have the same goals ever morning. GETTING TO WORK!!!!

Bottom line we need more parking spaces.

Oh, I'm sure most everyone, drivers and slugs, understand the feeling of not being able to find a parking spot. It's simply a choice of what's more important, self or community. Around here, the answer frequently seems to be self.

Posted By: Max_28756
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 9:10am

If you think it's ok to park in the striped area, why not park along the curb, in the handicap spot, in the fire lane..... When did it become ok to pick what rules/laws we want to break? Once again, this comes back to taking responsibility for our own actions.

Posted By: ronin718
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 9:11am

quote:
Originally posted by ronin718
[br]
quote:
Originally posted by glacier
[br]Ronin,

I left my VDOT manual at home. Excuse me for my ignorance, but what is the difference between the colors? Thanks for the assist.

Cheers,

Glacier

The way I learned it way back when, it's similar to lane markings. Yellow means don't park or drive there, white allows for driving over them (hence the markings for emergency access routes).

For further clarification... I realize this comes from WA State DMV (where I learned to drive), but I'm sure this applies in some form nationwide:

"Other parking restrictions may be indicated by signs or curbs painted:

white - indicates that only short stops are permitted,
yellow/red - indicates a loading zone or some other restriction. "

Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 9:28am

ronin718, you haven't addressed the issue. What would you do to serve the community when you find no parking spots? Where would you park? Even if I am early, there will be always be people after me who don't get parking spots? Where would they park? I would not mind if they parked safely within striped areas.

If it's community you care about, are we not all a part of the community? Surely the same person who is early every day may be late on a different day... or vice versa. We need to act as a community and cut everyone some slack.

Either way, do you support that woman's right to yell out at a stranger first thing in the morning?

Posted By: tdar20
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 10:41am

If you cant get there early enough to find a legal spot then you pick up a slug and drive in. Or you take the train in. Saying that just because you are late allows you to park illegally is not a very sound argument and I am sure the police officer would smile at that excuse. The real issue is the lack of spots and that really needs to be fixed. This contributes to the overcrowding on the HOV lanes also. The growth around here is astronomical and shows no sign of slowing down. As for the person that yelled at you, well maybe one day somebody blocked her in and she had to wait for an extended time before she could move her car. Never know what set her off but your actions seemed to be the trigger. As for my own personal experience, I have never encountered a parking problem. At 6 am there are tons of spots left.

Posted By: avalanche22
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 10:53am

quote:
Originally posted by tdar20
[br]If you cant get there early enough to find a legal spot then you pick up a slug and drive in. Or you take the train in. Saying that just because you are late allows you to park illegally is not a very sound argument and I am sure the police officer would smile at that excuse. The real issue is the lack of spots and that really needs to be fixed. This contributes to the overcrowding on the HOV lanes also. The growth around here is astronomical and shows no sign of slowing down. As for the person that yelled at you, well maybe one day somebody blocked her in and she had to wait for an extended time before she could move her car. Never know what set her off but your actions seemed to be the trigger. As for my own personal experience, I have never encountered a parking problem. At 6 am there are tons of spots left.

I'm in my second dream at 6 AM. Come on now. Most people work day don't start until 8:30. Why do I need to be in the parking lot at 6 AM if I don't need to be at work until 8:30. Get real here. my day starts at 8:30 to 5:00 . not 6 AM to 5. Don't love my job that much to give them a extra 2 hours of my life.

As for the lady that yelled. You don't do that now day's. anything could happen. She could make the 5:00 PM news. People have different ways of dealing with stuff. If she ran across somebody that deals with their issues by carrying a gun she won't have anything to say.

You have to think before you act on your emotion. It may be your life on the line.

Posted By: mirangus
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 11:06am

I would love for someone (preferrably a female) to yell at me like that. I once had a female do that to me (a completely unrelated situation) and ever since then I carry around a small little 2-pill pack of Midol so I can hand it off to the next woman that yells at me like that. Rude? Probably. But female-to-female, she'll get the point...

It would be funnier if it were a male, I think...haha[:D]

Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 11:12am

there u go mirangus, that's a good idea. :-)

if i only i could identify the now infamous "crazy morning lady", i would point her out to you.

if word gets around, she'll know who she is.

Posted By: ronin718
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 11:16am

quote:
Originally posted by shahedC
[br]ronin718, you haven't addressed the issue. What would you do to serve the community when you find no parking spots? Where would you park? Even if I am early, there will be always be people after me who don't get parking spots? Where would they park? I would not mind if they parked safely within striped areas.

If it's community you care about, are we not all a part of the community? Surely the same person who is early every day may be late on a different day... or vice versa. We need to act as a community and cut everyone some slack.

Either way, do you support that woman's right to yell out at a stranger first thing in the morning?

1. My options here are: (a) find a designated parking spot or a non-illegal (unmarked, unpainted) spot that does not impede traffic within the confines of the lot; (b) try to find a legal parking spot nearby; or (c) adjust my timing to arrive early enough to get a designated spot. (Fortunately, my job allows that flexibility for hours.)

2. Cut everyone some slack? If we were to allow every driver whose time is too important to be bothered with finding a legitimate parking spot, there would be utter chaos in the lot. And when does person A's time become more important than person B's? Why should the community allow the few to ignore the dictates that outline the common good because it's not convenient? Where do you draw the line? Maybe I'm going to extremes here, but at what point is illegal activity no longer acceptable? Today it's okay to block emergency access routes and double park because it's too inconvenient to walk a couple of blocks or get up 15 minutes earlier. Tomorrow it's okay to block the intersection because I can't wait for the next light cycle. Next week I'll ignore the little old woman having her purse snatched because the thief needs the money. I know, extreme, but again, where do you draw the line? The community has laws and guidelines to benefit the many, perhaps at the expense of the few. Welcome to democracy 101.

3. No, I don't support the woman yelling at you forever. However, I might have made a passing comment myself. That's called community policing, where the community addresses issues where members step out of line. Society used to do a much better job of it ("it takes a community to raise a child"), and we weren't worried about metal detectors in schools. But that's another topic.

On a side note, this forum is a manner of community policing. We identify issues in the slugging community and work to resolve them. If sluggers get out of line, we berate them (cell phones, talkers, etc.). If drivers are out of line, we berate (and sometimes identify) them for the community. It's all for the good of the community.

Posted By: USA
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 11:23am

quote:
Originally posted by avalanche22
I'm in my second dream at 6 AM. Come on now. Most people work day don't start until 8:30. Why do I need to be in the parking lot at 6 AM if I don't need to be at work until 8:30. Get real here. my day starts at 8:30 to 5:00 . not 6 AM to 5. Don't love my job that much to give them a extra 2 hours of my life.

It's called "first-come first-served." Kind of like going to Tysons the day after Thanksgiving, or trying to show up at the last minute for a Redskins game. The people who showed up first got the better spaces, and if they run out....c'est la vie.

Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 11:34am

ronin718, the best response so far. You addressed all the issues, came up with viable alternatives, and best of all, you don't support the yelling. :-)

I'm going to try and get up earlier from now on... but there will still be so many many people parked illegally every day, without a doubt. I hope we can get newer parking spots made in that area.

Posted By: vabigblue
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 12:17pm

It's going to be a no-win situation for people who wake up late, drive to the commuter lot and slug. The reasons the lots are full is because people get there early for the parking. Most know that a certain time is out of bounds and all spaces are gone. You're taking a chance getting to a commuter lot at 8:30 and expect to park legally. Even tho the local government didn't predict the influx of new residents, its no excuse to park in an area not reserved for parking.

Posted By: emancilla
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 12:44pm

I agree with vabigblue. Also, it tells authorities that Horner Rd. is becoming very popular for all the residents in that area.
There are more people from Frederickburg and Stafford that park in Horner Rd. Also, people that used to park in other lots are becoming clients of Horner Rd.
Authorities should start thinking about expanding the lot to fullfil the demand of parking spaces.
When they opened the new parking lots I used to get at Horner Rd. by 7:15am. Sometimes I arrived there by 7:45 or 8:00am and still could find an empty parking space close to where the bus stops are. And I considered it too far away.?!
Now I'm lucky if I could find an empty parking space at the very end, close to Telegraph, if I get there at the same time.

Posted By: emancilla
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 12:46pm

quote:
Originally posted by emancilla
[br]I agree with vabigblue. Also, it tells authorities that Horner Rd. is becoming very popular for all the residents in that area.
There are more people from Frederickburg and Stafford that park in Horner Rd. Also, people that used to park in other lots are becoming clients of Horner Rd.
Authorities should start thinking about expanding the lot to fullfil the demand of parking spaces.
When they opened the new parking lots I used to get at Horner Rd. by 7:15am. Sometimes I arrived there by 7:45 or 8:00am and still could find an empty parking space close to where the bus stops are. And I considered it too far away.?!
Now I'm lucky if I could find an empty parking space at the very end, close to Telegraph, if I get there at the same time.

Posted By: ronin718
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 12:54pm

Perhaps there's more than one answer here. Horner Rd. is popular because of the slug infrastructure. Rather than just expand the parking (which would mean reducing parking initially for the construction), how about expansion into other areas:

1. As was previously mentioned, maybe a slug zone at Rt. 123.
2. Build P&R lots at locations further south with access to the HOV lanes, and institute slug zones at these locations. This would benefit folks who come all the way to Horner for the ride.

Anyone care to add to the list?

Posted By: emancilla
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 1:08pm

There's a slug system at Route 123. Unfortunately, it's not as popular as Horner Rd. Why? I have a friend that goes to Route 123 in the afternoons. She leaves from work earlier that I do. However, when I get to the slug-line, she is there and the funny thing is that I get a ride and she is still very far from the begining of the line.

Posted By: mirangus
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 2:18pm

quote:
Originally posted by emancilla
[br]There's a slug system at Route 123. Unfortunately, it's not as popular as Horner Rd. Why? I have a friend that goes to Route 123 in the afternoons. She leaves from work earlier that I do. However, when I get to the slug-line, she is there and the funny thing is that I get a ride and she is still very far from the begining of the line.

emancilla-where is the line for 123 (afternoons)?

Posted By: pb1974
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 2:24pm

I agree. I am one the folks who come in to Horner from Fredericksburg. I live very close to the Rt. 3 lot; however, because the slug system is not well-defined (or convenient - I will not go to the Pentagon in the evenings to get back to the lot), I go up to Horner. I really dislike Horner, but it's got the best system going for me, except for Hechinger's, which is farther away.

quote:
Originally posted by ronin718
[br]Perhaps there's more than one answer here. Horner Rd. is popular because of the slug infrastructure. Rather than just expand the parking (which would mean reducing parking initially for the construction), how about expansion into other areas:

1. As was previously mentioned, maybe a slug zone at Rt. 123.
2. Build P&R lots at locations further south with access to the HOV lanes, and institute slug zones at these locations. This would benefit folks who come all the way to Horner for the ride.

Anyone care to add to the list?

Posted By: emancilla
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 3:21pm

Mirangus, the line for 123 is located on 14th and New York Av.

Posted By: tdar20
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 3:58pm

Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2004 at 9:13am

I got to Horner around 8am this morning (Friday), and found plenty of parking spots. I'm glad I didn't have to park on a stripe today. :-)

Posted By: mirangus
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2004 at 9:28am

tdar-if I read your suggestion correctly, you were suggesting above that those who show up to the lot late and cannot find parking should pick up slugs instead. Where are those slugs that you're supposed to pick up going to park? If no one can park, no one can ride. I understand what you were saying, but it's a logistic impossibility. Unless I mistook you, then never mind me! Sounds to me like the only real solution is to bug the snot out of the folks responsible for building the commuter lots and get them to expand the lot. Good luck to y'all...

Posted By: Dhacim
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2004 at 10:03am

Here is one for ya....Get to the lot about 30 minutes earlier....[:)]

NWA huh?? That is a bit old school.

Originally posted by avalanche22
[br]All I can say this morning (6/2/04) is that I'm parked in the striped line. I got to the parking lot at 7:25 and yes the parking spaces already at 7:15 where gone. Come on now. Where do you expect people that get to the slug lot after 7:30 to park? Anyone that has a problem with it would say go to another lot. But are you going to be the one giving me a ride back home? Are you going to be the one giving me a ride to work? I think not.

Now I'm open to suggestions but they have to be reasonable.

Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2004 at 10:30am

Dhacim, this has already been covered.. you get there earlier, but there are still not enough parking spots for everyone who get there after you.

Say, a lot of us try to get there at 6am, and the lot is full by 7am. What about those who show up afterwards? Where will they park. Getting there earlier will not solve the problem of no parking spaces for those who can't get there earlier for a variety of reasons.

Posted By: glacier
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2004 at 11:19am

Ronin,

Thanks for explanation on the markings

Cheers,

Glacier

Posted By: Dhacim
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2004 at 11:39am

Shahed,

I realise we are in different lots...but...should the counties of Prince William and Stafford donate endless amount of space so that everybody can have a parking spot...No...that's ridiculous...I personally have no problem with anybody parking on the striped lines, what blows my mind is that most of the time the striped line spots in the back of the 610 lot have people parked in them when 2 spots closer is an empty spot....I don't get the logic....

All's I'm saying is this...If you know everyday that a lot is going to get full at a certain time, then you should get there before that time....Simple right....Guess what, if you can't get there on that time, I don't give a hoot where ya park. But avalanche22 wanted a simple solution....I provided that.... Another option is to drive that day, and pick up the slug, rather than be the slug...

Again, no angst, feel free to park in the striped spot....

Also, as nice as it sounds that you are concerned about the people after you not getting a spot....In the most unselfish manner possible, its not really your problem...and I mean that in the nicest way possible...

Posted By: slugguru
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2004 at 11:42am

The County or whomever controls the lots has not done enough 4 the community......Extending the Horner lot a while back helped out, but adding so many new housing communites was a disaster(for the lot)waiting to happen......Until they can serve us better and build another convenient lot like Horner, go to Potomac Mills!!!!there is plenty of parking..... Its not as bad as u think.......

Posted By: emancilla
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2004 at 11:51am

quote:
Originally posted by shahedC
[br]I got to Horner around 8am this morning (Friday), and found plenty of parking spots. I'm glad I didn't have to park on a stripe today. :-)

Fridays are always like that ShahedC. Don't get to excited. [;)]

Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2004 at 11:53am

I know. But you gotta make the best of what you can get. [:D]

Posted By: emancilla
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2004 at 12:01pm

quote:
Originally posted by slugguru
[br]The County or whomever controls the lots has not done enough 4 the community......Extending the Horner lot a while back helped out, but adding so many new housing communites was a disaster(for the lot)waiting to happen......Until they can serve us better and build another convenient lot like Horner, go to Potomac Mills!!!!there is plenty of parking..... Its not as bad as u think.......

Slugguru, parking in Potomac Mills would not be a problem in the mornings. The problem many of us see is on our way back home since a few riders go there in the afternoons.

Posted By: slugguru
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2004 at 12:18pm

I think more people should think about taking folks to Potomac in the evenings.I used to pick up for Horner only in the evenings...........but now i take either........and actually it's doesn't add hardly any xtra time to my commute like i used to think it would ...

quote:
Originally posted by emancilla
[br]
quote:
Originally posted by slugguru
[br]The County or whomever controls the lots has not done enough 4 the community......Extending the Horner lot a while back helped out, but adding so many new housing communites was a disaster(for the lot)waiting to happen......Until they can serve us better and build another convenient lot like Horner, go to Potomac Mills!!!!there is plenty of parking..... Its not as bad as u think.......

Slugguru, parking in Potomac Mills would not be a problem in the mornings. The problem many of us see is on our way back home since a few riders go there in the afternoons.

Posted By: slugbug
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2004 at 12:45pm

For the Record....If I see 2 Potomac Folks and about 8 Horners, I will always opt to take Potomac, cause I know you guys tend to get slighted in the evenings. [:(]

Posted By: glacier
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2004 at 2:12pm

For me, it's a nice safety net to park in Horner knowing I can take the PRTC bus from the Pentagon after the sluglines dry up at 6pm.

Cheers,

Glacier

Posted By: churchlady
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2004 at 2:49pm

Folks don't want to park at Potomac Mills because there are not enough return rides home and they don't want to risk getting stuck. Maybe a solution might be for PRTC to run a late bus to slug destinations like Potomac Mills and the 123 lot. Once folks know that they will not get stuck, it could generate enough usage to take the pressure off Horner Rd.It could be a win-win for PRTC and the slug community.
Another possible solution could be to move the Tacketts line at the Pentagon closer to the Horner line. Many of us might be willing to go to Tacketts via Horner if we could easily get the passengers.

Posted By: slugguru
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2004 at 2:54pm

Good Ideas!

quote:
Originally posted by churchlady
[br]Folks don't want to park at Potomac Mills because there are not enough return rides home and they don't want to risk getting stuck. Maybe a solution might be for PRTC to run a late bus to slug destinations like Potomac Mills and the 123 lot. Once folks know that they will not get stuck, it could generate enough usage to take the pressure off Horner Rd.It could be a win-win for PRTC and the slug community.
Another possible solution could be to move the Tacketts line at the Pentagon closer to the Horner line. Many of us might be willing to go to Tacketts via Horner if we could easily get the passengers.

Posted By: JiggaJynx
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2004 at 9:24pm

quote:
Originally posted by churchlady
[br]Folks don't want to park at Potomac Mills because there are not enough return rides home and they don't want to risk getting stuck. Maybe a solution might be for PRTC to run a late bus to slug destinations like Potomac Mills and the 123 lot. Once folks know that they will not get stuck, it could generate enough usage to take the pressure off Horner Rd.It could be a win-win for PRTC and the slug community.
Another possible solution could be to move the Tacketts line at the Pentagon closer to the Horner line. Many of us might be willing to go to Tacketts via Horner if we could easily get the passengers.

How late do you want to leave? The last Lake Ridge PRTC (OmniRide) bus on the schedule leaves CC at 6:41 and the Pentagon at 6:50 (assuming heavy inbound traffic doesn't delay the bus getting to the start of its route). It has stops at the Rt. 123 lot and at Tackett's Mill. The last Dale City bus leaves CC at 6:19 and the Pentagon at 6:28, with the same assumption as above. It has stops at Horner and at Potomac Mills. (www.prtctransit.org)

As for the location of the Tackett's line, when I pick up Tackett's slugs, I usually let them know I go to there by way of Horner to avoid Old Bridge Road traffic. It's less stressful for me as a driver.[:)]

Posted By: FromWoodbridge
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2004 at 11:39pm

I have to disagree that the county hasn't done enough for sluggers. The fact that we have a FREE system to park and ride or drive in shows the county HAS done a lot. There's only so much they can do, and it costs money to extend lots or build new ones, and if you expect them to pay for new lots, then you need to expect to pay for them.

And honestly at Horner Rd, I rarely see people get tickets for parking in striped areas, so all in all, it seems like the police leave sluggers alone for the most part. [:D]

In that sense, we should be very happy and pleased that we have the best commuting system that I can think of. And that is including the rude cell phone talkers, the "offensive" radio stations, the long lines at times, and the "Do Not Ride With" list. [8D]

quote:
Originally posted by slugguru
[br]The County or whomever controls the lots has not done enough 4 the community......Extending the Horner lot a while back helped out, but adding so many new housing communites was a disaster(for the lot)waiting to happen......Until they can serve us better and build another convenient lot like Horner, go to Potomac Mills!!!!there is plenty of parking..... Its not as bad as u think.......

Posted By: pb1974
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2004 at 9:25am

KaTaNa - where do you leave from in the evenings? I've been slugging from the Commerce Building (around 14th and Penn) for a year, and I've only seen drivers say Potomac Mills maybe 3 times in that year.

quote:
Originally posted by KaTaNa
[br]
quote:
Originally posted by churchlady
[br]Folks don't want to park at Potomac Mills because there are not enough return rides home and they don't want to risk getting stuck. Maybe a solution might be for PRTC to run a late bus to slug destinations like Potomac Mills and the 123 lot. Once folks know that they will not get stuck, it could generate enough usage to take the pressure off Horner Rd.It could be a win-win for PRTC and the slug community.
Another possible solution could be to move the Tacketts line at the Pentagon closer to the Horner line. Many of us might be willing to go to Tacketts via Horner if we could easily get the passengers.

I've NEVER gotten stuck trying to slug back to Potomac Mills, but I guess that all depends how late you're trying to go home too. This is a viscious circle for PM. If more people were to commit to it, then it wouldn't be a problem. But, how to do that is the REAL question...*SIGH*

Posted By: tdar20
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2004 at 9:36am

I agree with woodbridge about the State doing a lot for slugging. Its the only area I know that does not charge for the parking. The VRE lots are free but you more than make up for it when you buy a train ticket and the prices are going up again.

Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2004 at 5:40pm

It's been a week now, and I've been parking in real parking spots.
(I hope i can keep this up :) )

in the meantime, I've spoken to various people on this topic, and everyone (whom I talked to) agreed that if there were no spots, they would feel that it's ok to park in the striped zones or along the curbs.

one of them did pick up 2 slugs from the line, but keep in mind that these slugs probably did not park in a proper spot themselves, if they just got there. Also, if everyone did this after the spots filled up, there would be a long line of cars, and no slugs to pick up. Think about it. :)

Posted By: VABARBIE22
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2004 at 8:00am

Posted By: USA
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2004 at 8:03am

quote:
Originally posted by VABARBIE22
[br]. . . to park on strip areas . . .

Strip areas? Are these good-looking ladies who are doing the stripping? I may have to start going to Horner Road!

Posted By: VABARBIE22
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2004 at 8:25am

fhsdjk

Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2004 at 8:28am

that would explain the high occupancy...

Posted By: USA
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2004 at 10:32am

I resisted the temptation to make a pun on the name "Horner Road" [:p]

Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2004 at 10:42am

lol, it must be Friday

Posted By: VABARBIE22
Date Posted: 11 Jun 2004 at 3:27pm

dsvc

Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2004 at 8:56am

Well, it finally happened.

I got a ticket yesterday.

You'd be surprised how easy it is to get up earlier now, to get a real parking spot. :-)

I feel for the latecomers though... there will always be latecomers every day, and they will get a ticket sooner or later.

Posted By: ronin718
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2004 at 10:39am

Was it because you were parked in a striped area or a sign-posted no-parking area?

Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2004 at 10:41am

It was a striped area with no signs posted. The stripes imply that it is a no parking zone.

It seemed like everyone got a ticket at Horner yesterday.

Posted By: slugbug
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2004 at 10:54am

Take a look at the Date..........it's the last 10 days of the month. You know how the trend goes...even though "they" won't admit it. I'm always cautious from the 20th til the end of each month.[;)]

Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2004 at 11:04am

yeah, i figured they won't do it every day, but I still won't take any more chances. It's not worth it.

I need to be at work on time anyway. So I should use this as an excuse to get to work on time. :-)

Posted By: no_more_metro
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2004 at 3:23pm

I got a ticket, too :(

It was the first time I had ever parked on striped lines, but I thought it was acceptable since everyone and their mother does it. Is it also illegal to park along the curbs where everyone parks?

Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2004 at 3:45pm

I think all unmarked curb spots and striped spots are illegal. But this seems a little ridiculous since there will be these illegal parkers every single day, in huge numbers. They will get randomly ticketed one or more times a month.

Posted By: vabigblue
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2004 at 4:28pm

quote:
Originally posted by slugbug
[br]Take a look at the Date..........it's the last 10 days of the month. You know how the trend goes...even though "they" won't admit it. I'm always cautious from the 20th til the end of each month.[;)]

Do you really think they look at dates? I mean, why? If they are trying to reach a quota, why wouldn't they try to exceed the quota and write tickets at any time during the month? I've always heard that law enforecement ticket more at certain times, but it doesn't make sense to me.

Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2004 at 4:33pm

Because writing tickets at any time of the month will require more work, and exceeding quotas may result in more complaints about lack of parking spots, which again results in more work.

For myself, the solution is simple, I just have to get to the lot by 7:15, which will get me a real parking spot and also get me to work on time.

How about those of you have to get to the lot after 7:45? What do you plan to do?

Posted By: slugbug
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2004 at 4:42pm

One day....Just one day in that Horner Road lot could fill many quotas towards the end of the month (for them)....but.....this is pure speculation. Oh......btw....for those who watched that new show last night THEM....it's not the same...lol [:D]

quote:
Originally posted by vabigblue
[br]
quote:
Originally posted by slugbug
[br]Take a look at the Date..........it's the last 10 days of the month. You know how the trend goes...even though "they" won't admit it. I'm always cautious from the 20th til the end of each month.[;)]

Do you really think they look at dates? I mean, why? If they are trying to reach a quota, why wouldn't they try to exceed the quota and write tickets at any time during the month? I've always heard that law enforecement ticket more at certain times, but it doesn't make sense to me.

Posted By: Sluggrl
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2004 at 6:52pm

For all of you complaining about the cars parked in the stripped lines, I'd like to tell you that I park in the same stripped parking space every single day.

When I get to the lot in the morning all parking spaces are occupied; therefore, I have no choice but to violate parking regulations.

Please don't respond by saying that I should get there earlier, if we all do that, we'd have the same problem.

Until we find a solution I thank you all for allowing me to have a designated-undesignated parking space!

Posted By: ronin718
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2004 at 11:52am

quote:
Originally posted by Sluggrl
[br]For all of you complaining about the cars parked in the stripped lines, I'd like to tell you that I park in the same stripped parking space every single day.

When I get to the lot in the morning all parking spaces are occupied; therefore, I have no choice but to violate parking regulations.

Please don't respond by saying that I should get there earlier, if we all do that, we'd have the same problem.

Until we find a solution I thank you all for allowing me to have a designated-undesignated parking space!

And may you just as cheekily enjoy the occasional enforcement when it comes around. I'm sure the stripes are there for some reason other than to inconvenience the law-abiding.

Posted By: pplmvrs
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2004 at 1:40pm

I also hope that you enjoy your ticket when you get one

Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2004 at 1:46pm

well... i started this thread.. and i gotta say... i did not enjoy my ticket! no matter how crowded it gets, i always continue to park in the last lot near Telegraph, and always get a spot.

i still don't have anything against Sluggrl though... if all the spots are taken, where will you park? If all striped parkers were to park in the far lot, I would have no more parking spots to park in...

Posted By: shahedC
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2004 at 2:29pm

Really... but how would I get a ride back home?.. I work at 21st and K.

I usually catch a ride using an email list on our block, or I walk to Foggy Bottom, ride Metro to Rosslyn, and catch a ride there. At Rosslyn, rides to Tackets are scarce

I guess it's just easier to park in far lot at Horner, and walk a few extra steps.. I get 2 minutes of exercise, and no parking tickets, :-)

Posted By: vabigblue
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2004 at 3:41pm

Tacketts is hard to get to if you aren't at the Pentagon. You could take the Metro to the Pentagon and catch a ride to Tacketts from there. That's a sure bet![:p]

Posted By: emancilla
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2004 at 3:52pm

I guess no one thought how popular Horner Rd was going to be. Of course there are more options than parking at Horner Rd. However, it might not be as convenient for most of us.

Posted By: ronin718
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2004 at 4:06pm

Yeah, it could be worse. We've got plenty of parking at Herndon-Monroe, plenty of slugs, but no drivers. Oh yeah, and one HOV lane. But we're still trying to slug....... [8D]