"Take Three" Etiquette

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   Sometimes slugs don't even have to ask. The driver offers to take three and it's kind of them.

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emancilla Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 30 Sep 2003 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote emancilla Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 8:57am
	Sometimes slugs don't even have to ask. The driver offers to take three and it's kind of them.

glacier Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 11 Dec 2002 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote glacier Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 8:36am
	Admin, Good morning. I tend to agree with both DC2RV and VA, it should not be a problem to ask. I think most drivers have more of a backbone then you may be giving them credit for. Saying no in a polite manner is easy. "No thank you, just two please." I agree that asking for 3 should only be done in certain situations, but it needs to be the call of the slugs and drivers present at that situation to make the call. For anyone to try to make an all encompassing list would be a wasted effort. I think it's great that you addressed it; situational awarenes and common sense should rule. Thanks. Cheers, Glacier

vabigblue Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote vabigblue Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 7:31am
	I have mixed feelings about this issue. I don't see a problem with slugs asking drivers to take three and I certainly don't see a problem with the drivers saying "no", after all, they own the vehicle and, at that point the decision maker. On the other hand, as the writer states, timing and supply and demand is the real issues here. If it's close to HOV closing down, then its appropriate to ask and it doesn't necessarily have to be 50 slugs waiting, it can be 10 with two vehicles picking up slugs. I say take three if you have the space. But with 6 cars in line and 15 slugs, by all means leave enough for the next car.

DC2RV Members Profile Find Members Posts Master Slug Joined: 28 Feb 2002 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 1014	Post Options Post Reply Quote DC2RV Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 7:23am
	It's all a matter of perspective. If I've been standing there for a long time, if the weather's bad, or if the line is long, (and if I'm the 3rd person), I'll ask if the driver will take 3. If he/she says no, c'est la vie. This writer seems to be absolutely certain of a number of assumptions: 1. There will be later drivers for all of the slugs. 2. That the # of drivers and slugs remains constant. 3. And given #s 1 & 2, that it's imperative for drivers to find riders, but not necessarily vice versa.

Admin Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 25 Jul 2001 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Admin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jun 2004 at 6:34am
	I received the following email regarding taking three slugs instead of the normal two. I tend to agree but would like the slugging community to comment. "I have been slugging for four years and a new trend is starting to develop that needs to be nipped in the bud. Many slugs are asking drivers to "take three". This is selfish on the slug's part and can put the system out of balance. The driver normally doesn't want to be seen as a jerk, so he agrees to take extra slugs. This leaves fewer slugs for later drivers, who then have to wait longer to get their slugs. The ONLY time it would be appropriate to ask a driver to "take three" is when things are way out of balance. If there are 50 slugs in line, it's after 5:30 PM, and there is one car, go ahead and ask. Otherwise, let the system work!"