What was wrong?

Oh my, do people really print out the "rules" and put them in the seat pockets for riders to read? I have been slugging for almost a year now and I have never ever ridden in a vehicle like that! But seriously, if I had, I think I might be a little concerned--it's like having homework on your ride home! I wonder if you have to sign on the dotted line before getting in one of those cars? Before my first time slugging, I did my research online and talked to a co-worker, both of which gave me a good idea of what is expected of slugs. That is just too funny!

Good Morning All,

I am very glad MJ answered my question, "What was wrong?" because I honestly did not know what had happened.

My gum chewing was not relentless because, I was already concerned about this lady being upset about something. Therefore, I was not about to try to add to whatever might have been wrong.

Reading MJ's view of the situation, I'm not even sure we were in the same vehicle. The other slug and I do agree there was excessive braking and the lane changes were not done appropriately. There were some hard looks from a couple other drivers as well. Perhaps they were just having a bad afternoon too.

As for the seat belt hitting the window, I take extra care in making sure I put seat belts back in place and not let the fling back in position. Nor did I call myself slamming your car door.

MJ, I apologize for the fact that you felt that I disrespected your property. Disrepecting your property was not my intent in any way. The snoring, I can't do anything about it and don't always know I'm doing it because I'm sleep. But, I am sorry it offended you.

I have passed other vehicles in the slug line for and should the "opportunity" present itself again, I shall pass up a ride in your vehicle also.

Sincerely,
SpotsyN8ive

SpotsyN8ive

As Paul Harvey says "Now the rest of the story".....

This woman gets in the front seat of my car, falls asleep and starts to snore loudly. After awhile it didn't look like she was going to stop, so I tapped on my breaks a few times trying to wake her up. Each time I tapped on the breaks I made sure there wasn't a car following closely behind. Well, be careful what you ask for...she finally wakes up, proceeds to put gum in her mouth and started popping it relentlessly. The only reason she stopped was she fell back asleep and started snoring again. That was when I tapped her leg with my soda can, just trying another way to wake her up.

Maybe I should have spoken up, but it can be hard to tell a stranger that their behavior is distracting, irritating and down right rude. So instead of speaking up, I tried to get to Rt. 3 as quickly (and safely) as possible. Yes, I did change lanes frequently, but each time I made sure to use my turn signal and did not cut any one off. I did not tailgate. At no time was I driving agressively. What SpotsyN8ive let out was, when she got out of my car, she let the belt buckle hit against the window sharply and slammed my car door really hard. That's why I told her not to ride in my car again. After a very uncomfortable ride for me, she treated my property very disresptfully.

Regarding the lady in the back seat using her cell phone, I had no problem with her(although a considerate slug asks for permission to use a cell phone). I was exacerbated by your rude and inconsiderate behavior.

It's slugs like you that make people go buy hybrids. Maybe I get clean fuel tags for my hybrid. But then again, I'm a firm believer in HOV-3 and I will not let your bad behavior dissuade me from picking up slugs. In the four years of picking up slugs at Gordon Rd, I have had numerous slugs compliment me on my driving and providing a comfortable, safe ride home. You should actually be thanking me...I was one of the people responsible for getting the Rt 3 line started!

First time posting so please bear with me: I've been driving and SLUG'in for almost a year now but I still consider myself a "newbie" however after only a few months on these roads you get to become an expert in your own mind real quick. I SLUG'ed for a while to get a feel of what to expect, my hours (5:30am-4:00pm) don't allow me to SLUG so I drive, after a while I adopted a quasi-carpool (I still drive and take my car but same passengers and they help with gas, prearranged situation, would NEVER expect a SLUG to help out with gas). However, I still pick up SLUGs when one of my carpool can't make it or whatever and this is speaking from my experience from picking up SLUGs:
- EXCESSIVE cell phone use should be highly discouraged (and is from reading a lot of these posts), it's a nice surprise when people have their phones on vibrate I'll admit, but one or two quickie's on the way home I never have a problem with, it's part of life and your life doesn't stop when you get in my car.
- I want my SLUGs as comfortable as possible, I feel it's a give and take situation and it's just as much my responsbility to make it comfortable as it is for the SLUG(s) to respect my vehicle and use common sense and manners. I love having conversations but also respect SLUGs who want to have "personal" time and sometimes I do too, especially in traffic jams and the like.
- I love to head bang BUT a lot of people don't and, again, it's treat people like you want to be treated so the majority of my ride it's on 107.7FM then during the last part I put it on old time rock & roll ALSO I turn my radio to front speakers only to help the passenger in the back not be blared by speakers in their ears unless they ask for it :).
- If I'm offended I will ask politely for someone to discontinue whatever their doing, no, they will not be asked to walk and, no, they will not be ask to not ride in my car again (unless they are breaking stuff or being out of control but that has never happened). Again, some of these "SLUGs" are new and do not know SLUG "rules" and such. It would help to print out the nice handout and put in the back holders of the front seat (I've ridden in some vehicles that had this and that's how I got mine in the beginning)
- I believe it's all about respect for your fellow human being. We both offer a service to each other to get home a LOT quicker than those fellas sitting in the traffic outside the HOV for the majority of the time and you couldn't do this without SLUGs and SLUGs couldn't do it without drivers picking them up. Mutual respect and common courtesy. I usually (try to) say "I'm sorry" when I misjudge something or have to brake harder than normal because of my own mistake and try to give a warning, again, common courtesy especially if your waking someone up from a sound sleep cuz you wouldn't want someone doing that to you.
- A/C: My civic takes a while for the A/C to get going so it is uncomfortable for a while but I have it on and it's usually cool by the time we get a few miles down I-395 so please be patient, I'm sure 99% of the drivers do not have it uncomfortable in the vehcile on purpose so if you ask politely for the air to be turned on or inquire about the air respectfully, 9 times out of 10 I'm sure it'll be adjusted.
- Apologize for the long post, I'm a HUGE fan of SLUG'in and never in my life seen this before. It sucks driving the 55 miles each way but picking up SLUGs has actually made it "saner" for me, lots of interesting people met and lots of discussions about a lot of things, don't get that on a train or bus. Oh, one more thing, I agree with if your uncomfortable about getting into a vehicle please pass on it, trust your instincts and such, don't worry about offending that driver, he/she will get over it or won't think twice about it. No worries mate! If I drive too fast for your comfort level (80mph is my norm), I'd much rater you pass on me and take the next person than to have an uncomfortable and stressful ride up or down the interstate(s), nobody needs that after a long day at work or to begin your workday with.

Glenn
Arizona Man (2 years left and counting, grin)

P.S. Thanks for SLUG'in!!!

I turn my phone to vibrate when I get to the slug line. When I get a ride, instead of making the "I'm in a car" or "I've got a ride" call, I just call my SO and let it ring 2 times and hang up so he knows I've got a ride. I would think if you are expecting a really important call to tell the driver upfront and ask if its ok to take the call. I;m sure most drivers would be understanding in an emergency, etc.