Drivers....why do you pick up slugs?

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   As a slug or "informal, impromptu car-pooler" driver, I am able to use the guaranteed ride -- and am registered for it -- just as I would be if in a van/car pool.

	Suzan

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SuzAnne Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 06 May 2005 Location: NY Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote SuzAnne Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Aug 2005 at 11:57am
	As a slug or "informal, impromptu car-pooler" driver, I am able to use the guaranteed ride -- and am registered for it -- just as I would be if in a van/car pool. Suzan

msticaries Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Location: va Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote msticaries Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Aug 2005 at 11:55am
	I was part of a van pool: The person driving was alway 1/2 hour to 45 minutes late in the evening EVERY night, and standing out in the elements (when it's really cold or hot) waiting really bit the big one. Of course if you were 5 minutes late in the morning they left you high and dry. the train, there are NO parking places left (especially since I am a spotsy resident can't park in certain lots) by the time I would need to catch the train, and that is at 6:00 a.m. to get to work by 8:00 a.m. and then I have to switch to metro to get to the office. bus, I have taken them too only to break down on the highway. so I drive or slug. I can come and go at my pace and not have to worry about anyone else's schedule.

122582 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 28 Apr 2005 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote 122582 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Aug 2005 at 11:50am
	Because I like having something to complain about. Seriously, my schedule does not allow me fixed hours, and I frequently (with no notice) have to work late (after the last bus or VRE). Thus I must have my own ride home. If my schedule were such that I could report to work 10:00-7:00, I wouldn't bother with the slug lines at all. Since it does not, the only way for me to get to the Pentagon in a reasonable time-frame is to drive my car and pick up slugs, ride my motorcycle, or consider buying a Hybrid (and no, the auto manufacturers are not going to allow the exemption to expire). In any event, I like many others, came out here for the big check and steady work, but found it necessary to move to Freddiesburg and points south to afford the house we wanted. In short, KC, I have little choice.

sluDgE Members Profile Find Members Posts Master Slug Joined: 27 Oct 2003 Status: Offline Points: 501	Post Options Post Reply Quote sluDgE Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Aug 2005 at 11:14am
	Because it's fun! [^] ( ... and I occasionally do need a 3rd or 4th person in the car when all the regular carpool members aren't available). Keep on sluggin'! [:)]

mirangus Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 28 Aug 2002 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote mirangus Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Aug 2005 at 10:39am
	- My company pays for parking - I'm a control freak who has a rather whimsical, I mean flexible, schedule. - I like meeting new people - The VRE is way more expensive for me - Maintenence costs for my vehicle consist of oil changes and the annual servicing that would have been done anyway. - Everything else SuzAnne said

MDC Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 04 Dec 2002 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote MDC Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Aug 2005 at 10:38am
	My last car lasted 228K miles over 11 years driving of myself in the regular lanes. It was still going strong when I wrecked it while Christmas shopping a couple of years ago. Oh yeah, why pick up slugs? Because it works better than other options.

SpongeBob Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 06 Oct 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote SpongeBob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Aug 2005 at 10:24am
	Carpooling has slugging beat all to pieces, if you have the luxury of set hours, like me. I like the dependability, and knowing I am going to make the daycare on time. And I like the deadline in the morning, or I would never get up! My wife picks up slugs every morning, which means her morning is flexible, but she never knows when she is going to get out at night, so she can't take VRE or be in a carpool. Without slugs, I don't know what she'd do.

N_or_S_bound Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 20 May 2005 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote N_or_S_bound Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Aug 2005 at 10:04am
	SuzAnne said quite a bit of it. Convenience is one of the biggest reasons. I'd also add that highway miles don't really compare to other miles. Sure oil changes increase, but brakes and tires seem to wear out faster on short, around town trips than on HOV driving (even with the increases in congestion there). My parking is paid for. I occasionally need my vehicle to get to meetings around town. I'm compensated adequately to be responsive and that means having my own vehicle at the ready. Carpool/Vanpool/Metro/VRE either aren't available or convenient to my place of work. Although being on the river has other advantages. I like slugs too. NoSb SOV because you can, HOV because you care!

mariam0673 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 29 Apr 2005 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote mariam0673 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Aug 2005 at 9:35am
	I like knowing that I have my car here, at work, where I can go at a moment's notice if necessary, or work late if necessary. Also, I live in Triangle, so if I wanted to do something after work I'd have to take my carpool all the way back to Triangle and then backtrack if I had plans, for example, in Springfield. I guess for me it's just the comfort of knowing I don't need to depend on anyone else.

shahedC Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote shahedC Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Aug 2005 at 9:20am
	Yep, SuzAnne pretty much said it... the slug system is more flexible than any "guaranteed" ride home, which restricts the number of emergencies you're allowed to have per year. You can also stay as late as you need to, and not mess up a carpool. KCWolfPck, please don't say something like "Yes, but why do you pick up slugs?" If you don't get it by now, then you won't get it. :)