610 jumping
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Topic: 610 jumping
Posted By: elwyn
Subject: 610 jumping
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2006 at 9:03am
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What is it that people are jumping the line to pick up slugs? I got out of the car today at 7:30 am to politely explain which way the DC-Crystal line was supposed to go (thinking maybe he was new at picking up) and got an ear full- "the line goes both ways" is what I was told and the gentleman behind, also jumping the line, yells out the window at me that "this is the way the line goes, that way crosses the lane and is wrong". This is getting way out of hand. Does VDOT have a map of how the line should flow so I can have some proof next time? I can't find one on their site.
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Replies:
Posted By: 122582
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2006 at 9:22am
Slugging is an informal, unregulated system of organized hitch-hiking. The rules are that there are no rules - just common courtesies. There are suggestions as to how people should behave posted on this site, for those who need to be told.
That being said, these high gas prices, the end of hybrid exemptions, etc. as bringing out slugs in record numbers.
Drivers get frustrated when the lines don't move due to people not being on-the-ball. This morning for example, (twice) a man 5 or so back in line was walking up to the cars to see where they were going (because the first 4 idiots wouldn't move their butts). He became a will call for me and got a ride ahead of space-cadets 1 through 4).
When drivers get frustrated by a non-moving line, when there are plenty of slugs, they will get creative. Alternate paths, alternate pickup techniques (including body-snatching).
610 is particularly problematic since there are so many slugs there. I've sat as the first car in line, while 10 slugs stood in the cold, all because they wanted Rosslyn instead of the Pentagon. None of them were walking back more than one or two cars to find out where the rest of the cars were going.
Pentagon is obviously the easiest slug destination. Somewhere along 14th seems like the second. If you're able to get a ride to one of those destinations, take it and use the metro or bus for the rest of the trip.
If you think of it from a drivers perspective, you will understand. Hauling slugs saves me 15 minutes. If I spend 15 trying to pick up slugs, I have not benefitted. I may as well have sat in SOV lanes, where I would have been free to have a couple of smokes, and listened to my radio, and chatted on my cell phone, etc.
Keep slugging alive - tip your driver today!
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Posted By: N_or_S_bound
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2006 at 9:24am
VDOT does not administer or regulate slug lines (nor do we want them to). Don't think there's maps on the VDOT site for commuter lot flow either. Signs are provided at the Pentagon in order to establish a more orderly flow of traffic in a congested parking area.
The Old 610 lot does have a couple entrances. An attempt is made to arrange an orderly flow of traffic in order to get vehicles all flowing in one entrance and thus preclude the line jumping. It all still operates out of courtesy and understanding of what is best for all.
The best you can hope for there is to get folks complying voluntarily rather than having someone mandate the "right way". Some additional signs may be of help, but enforcement will still not be there to make sure folks comply.
NoSb
SOV because you can, HOV because you care!
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Posted By: getmehome pweeze
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2006 at 10:22am
The "old" lot has always been a bit confusing due to its size and multiple destinations. If you are having such a bad time picking up slugs there, try the Mine road lot. There are only two lines, which via suggestions from this web site, was split from one about a year ago, to help curb the DC/Pentagon area confusion. Sorry for your bad experience.
GMHP was hea!
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Posted By: go2grl
Date Posted: 20 Sep 2006 at 2:16pm
I second the Mine Rd lot. It's a very smooth process in the mornings, regardless of time or destination. Since the split, it's just gotten better.
SHAKE1T
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Posted By: N_or_S_bound
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2006 at 7:55am
NOT so smooth in the afternoon when all the vehicles are illegally parked and blocking the aisles.
NoSb
SOV because you can, HOV because you care!
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Posted By: getmehome pweeze
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2006 at 8:40am
SO SO SO TRUE NoSb!! Its frustrating enough attempting to get out of that parking lot without being run down by speeding drivers, add the obstacle of squeezing around illegally parked cars, and its just a fun fun place to be at 5:30!!!
Smile, its almost Friday!
GMHP was hea!
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Posted By: SpongeBob
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2006 at 9:56am
Don't they ticket the bejeezus out of illegal parkers? At Horner, if you look with desire at an unpainted, unmarked curb spot, one where you won't block anybody or impede traffic, you get a ticket for impure thoughts.
What you're describing may be troublesome, but at least you all are maximizing the number of vehicles taken off the road and extending the slug pick-up time closer to 9:00.
I'd trade that for Horner, which is full by 7:10.
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Posted By: getmehome pweeze
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2006 at 10:05am
I tell you spongy, you are bendable and squishable, so I see why you would trade. But I'd rather see all the fools who block the driving lanes and impede our vision towed or ticketed. Either show up earlier with the rest of us, or park at the old lot dang it!!!
I have stated in a prior posting I feel they could extend the lot a few rows, since many with trucks "make" their own space on the grass up over the curbs anyway.
And WHY are there SO MANY handicapped spots? Is there a state/county law that states a mandatory amount of spots needed in a parking lot?
Anyone that shops at Target on 610 knows they are a culprit for too many handicapped spaces. Really. (off topic I know, but it gets to me every time I shop there!)
GMHP was hea!
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Posted By: N_or_S_bound
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2006 at 11:28am
Sometimes it almost takes a spotter to direct me thru the narrow space left to get between the illegally parked vehicles. Don't know if it's justifiable to break the law in order to support slugging/commuting though--just doesn't ring true as being "right".
Sponge, the enforcement comes and goes in both lots. I think they wait until folks' habits are into parking illegally and then they get to issue a massive amount of tickets to make it worth their while monetarily to enforce (all of that is supposition, nothing to substantiate that claim).
Yes GMHP, there are a required number of handicapped parking spaces in a given sized parking lot. Thing is, like at Target, they're all concentrated so it does look like a larger number than if they were dispersed. It's not like it would do much good to put all the handicapped spaces the furthest away from the store. True, we wouldn't notice them if they were further away from the store entrances, but then it would be a bit counter-purpose to do that don'tcha think? (couldn't find the code that addresses parking lots for you, sorry)
Placing the handicapped spaces in the commuter lots does the same, concentrates them in our line-of-sight as we get to walk past them all the time and become acutely aware of them when not in use.
NoSb
SOV because you can, HOV because you care!
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Posted By: getmehome pweeze
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2006 at 12:11pm
True true. Have a great weekend all, I'm out until Monday, woo hoo!!!
GMHP was hea!
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Posted By: shelbybrynn
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2006 at 4:18pm
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I understand that they have to have a certain amount of handicapped spots but they should rework their numbers because most of the spots aren't used or they are used by non-handicapped people who have the tag from transporting a handicapped relative. I know way too many people who are slugs that take advantage of that!! It burns me up that people are that lazy!!
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Posted By: sluDgE
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2006 at 6:53am
shelbybrynn,
Not laziness ... just another example of cheating by some self-centered people who think they are the most important persons on the face of the planet.
Those handicapped passes used illegally give those "me first ... and screw the rest of you" self-appointed VIPs a reserved parking spot because they are convinced they are more important than the rest of us.
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Posted By: tangelo53
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2006 at 8:55am
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122: in all of your posts, it seems that you are so against slugging. Please do us all a favor and stop picking them up then. You are so negative about a system that works great, and benefits both sides. Go ahead smoke your cigarettes and talk on your cell phone in the main lines......that will be one less car in line and I will be able to pick up slugs quicker :-)
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Posted By: 122582
Date Posted: 25 Sep 2006 at 6:07pm
Tangelo, this forum is for drivers and slugs and all their opinions.
You don't like mine, then don't read them.
As to how well the system works, just read how much whining is happening on both sides.
Keep slugging alive - tip your driver today!
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Posted By: sluDgE
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2006 at 6:42am
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