What Happened to the Slug Rules?

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   quote:
Originally posted by mycroftt

What an incredibly selfish attitude.  I guess the spirit of mutual aid is dead among the newcomers to slugging.  I would say that I think it's a shame but I know that they are selfish enough that they would compromise their principles in a heartbeat if the only slug available had a suitcase.  

	For my part, I have never refused a ride to a civilian with luggage or to military people when they have something larger than a briefcase.

	good for you, MyCroft, you are certainly entitled to your opinions and your actions.  however, my understanding of the slug system is that it is a system to get riders and drivers to and from work with the fewest possible cars on the road.  that does not mean i need to put a sticker with Washington Flyer on my car and haul full sized suitcases.  you want to do that, fine, but don't call drivers who decline to do so selfish.  

	rather like the slug who took off his suit jacket upon entering our vehicle one night and asked if he could remove my husband's jacket from the hanger to hang HIS jacket up.  sorry, i'm not providing a full service closet here with all items provided for the comfort of your clothing (general you).  

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
ceejay2 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote ceejay2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 Nov 2009 at 11:31am
	quote: Originally posted by mycroftt What an incredibly selfish attitude. I guess the spirit of mutual aid is dead among the newcomers to slugging. I would say that I think it's a shame but I know that they are selfish enough that they would compromise their principles in a heartbeat if the only slug available had a suitcase. For my part, I have never refused a ride to a civilian with luggage or to military people when they have something larger than a briefcase. good for you, MyCroft, you are certainly entitled to your opinions and your actions. however, my understanding of the slug system is that it is a system to get riders and drivers to and from work with the fewest possible cars on the road. that does not mean i need to put a sticker with Washington Flyer on my car and haul full sized suitcases. you want to do that, fine, but don't call drivers who decline to do so selfish. rather like the slug who took off his suit jacket upon entering our vehicle one night and asked if he could remove my husband's jacket from the hanger to hang HIS jacket up. sorry, i'm not providing a full service closet here with all items provided for the comfort of your clothing (general you).

mycroftt Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 11 Feb 2002 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote mycroftt Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Nov 2009 at 7:59am
	quote: Originally posted by ceejay2 quote: Originally posted by mycroftt What an incredibly selfish attitude. I guess the spirit of mutual aid is dead among the newcomers to slugging. I would say that I think it's a shame but I know that they are selfish enough that they would compromise their principles in a heartbeat if the only slug available had a suitcase. For my part, I have never refused a ride to a civilian with luggage or to military people when they have something larger than a briefcase. good for you, MyCroft, you are certainly entitled to your opinions and your actions. however, my understanding of the slug system is that it is a system to get riders and drivers to and from work with the fewest possible cars on the road. that does not mean i need to put a sticker with Washington Flyer on my car and haul full sized suitcases. you want to do that, fine, but don't call drivers who decline to do so selfish. rather like the slug who took off his suit jacket upon entering our vehicle one night and asked if he could remove my husband's jacket from the hanger to hang HIS jacket up. sorry, i'm not providing a full service closet here with all items provided for the comfort of your clothing (general you). They are not only selfish but they are childish as well. They are saying they will give a slug a ride because it confers a benefit upon themselves as the driver, i.e. riding in the HOV, but they will not allow the slug to bring his necessaries because it confers an additional benefit upon the slug but not an additional benefit upon themselves as the driver. It is the very epitome of selfish and childish behavior. Wah! Wah! He got more than me! It's not fair! Not only is that attitude and behavior selfish and childish, but I might also add that I find it disgusting that (supposed) adults behave that way.

Oosik Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Oosik Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Nov 2009 at 8:50am
	Mycroftt -- you are absolutely right. Drivers should accommodate all passengers regardless of what they bring with them or what they do in the car. It is only fair - for the passenger. While putting a bag in your trunk will require extra time at the pick-up and drop-off points, it is really best of the passenger who is, after all, not paying a dime to get downtown. It would not be reasonable for someone packing large suitcases to expect them to use commercial services because that would cost them something. Your comments have made me reconsider my less than charitable attitude when picking up slugs with my van and then only taking the 2 slugs it took to get onto HOV. My gosh, I unfairly and unjustly failed to provide rides to an additional 5 passengers! Sure my van would have been loaded to the max and I might have got stuck with a smoker reaking of fumes or a farter or someone who thinks my car is their make-up station and cafeteria -- but it's all about the slugs and I failed them. You seem displeased with the idea that all drivers seem to take into consideration is that it entitles them to drive on HOV. Now if we did not have an HOV system in this area but slugs still showed up awaiting transportation from the drivers - how many exactly do you think would be picked up? On days when the HOV lanes are open to all, as on Veteran's Day, how many slugs were able to catch a free ride into town? Your point is well taken. We must all do more to ensure that every slug gets a free ride no matter the cost or inconvenience to the drivers.

mycroftt Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 11 Feb 2002 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote mycroftt Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Nov 2009 at 9:36am
	quote: Originally posted by Oosik Mycroftt -- you are absolutely right. Drivers should accommodate all passengers regardless of what they bring with them or what they do in the car. It is only fair - for the passenger. While putting a bag in your trunk will require extra time at the pick-up and drop-off points, it is really best of the passenger who is, after all, not paying a dime to get downtown. It would not be reasonable for someone packing large suitcases to expect them to use commercial services because that would cost them something. Your comments have made me reconsider my less than charitable attitude when picking up slugs with my van and then only taking the 2 slugs it took to get onto HOV. My gosh, I unfairly and unjustly failed to provide rides to an additional 5 passengers! Sure my van would have been loaded to the max and I might have got stuck with a smoker reaking of fumes or a farter or someone who thinks my car is their make-up station and cafeteria -- but it's all about the slugs and I failed them. You seem displeased with the idea that all drivers seem to take into consideration is that it entitles them to drive on HOV. Now if we did not have an HOV system in this area but slugs still showed up awaiting transportation from the drivers - how many exactly do you think would be picked up? On days when the HOV lanes are open to all, as on Veteran's Day, how many slugs were able to catch a free ride into town? Your point is well taken. We must all do more to ensure that every slug gets a free ride no matter the cost or inconvenience to the drivers. Pretty funny reductio ad absurdum, but what in the world is your point in speculating about there not being an HOV? The fact is that there IS an HOV and the historical perspective is that it was the DRIVERS who wanted to get on it and so began seeking riders and snatching them off the bus stops. So the answer to your question about how many slugs would get rides if there were no HOV is that none of them would get rides - just as they didn't get rides before the HOV. So what's the point? [?]

Oxi Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Oxi Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Nov 2009 at 10:06am
	quote: Originally posted by mycroftt What an incredibly selfish attitude. I guess the spirit of mutual aid is dead among the newcomers to slugging. I would say that I think it's a shame but I know that they are selfish enough that they would compromise their principles in a heartbeat if the only slug available had a suitcase. For my part, I have never refused a ride to a civilian with luggage or to military people when they have something larger than a briefcase. I am mostly driving these days, but in my slugging days I would not have dreamed about coming to the slug line with a full-size suitecase! I really appreciate all drivers and riders alike, but all need to stick to some common sense. Really! And in the future, I will not compromise my principles for a slug with a suitecase. And I do not think for a minute that I am selfish.

mycroftt Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 11 Feb 2002 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote mycroftt Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Nov 2009 at 11:19am
	quote: Originally posted by Oxi quote: Originally posted by mycroftt What an incredibly selfish attitude. I guess the spirit of mutual aid is dead among the newcomers to slugging. I would say that I think it's a shame but I know that they are selfish enough that they would compromise their principles in a heartbeat if the only slug available had a suitcase. For my part, I have never refused a ride to a civilian with luggage or to military people when they have something larger than a briefcase. I am mostly driving these days, but in my slugging days I would not have dreamed about coming to the slug line with a full-size suitecase! I really appreciate all drivers and riders alike, but all need to stick to some common sense. Really! And in the future, I will not compromise my principles for a slug with a suitecase. And I do not think for a minute that I am selfish. I slugged for about 5 or 6 years and have been almost exclusively a driver for the past 4 years or so. I would probably draw the line at live animals or bicycles if they weren't collapsible but I haven't yet had anyone try to get in with something that offended me to the point where I got all huffy about "Not in MY car!" I've given rides to people with large portfolios, suitcases, those large rolls that presumably contain blueprints, military people with large duffle bags or a number of uniforms on hangars... None of it bothered me. I figure we all just need to go down the road and I don't care what they need to bring with them - it's just throw your gear in the back and let's hit the highway. I honestly don't understand the need for all the drama and righteous indignation.

LiliWhyte Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 30 Mar 2008 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote LiliWhyte Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Nov 2009 at 11:27am
	No, you're not out of line at all. I ride all the time now; my ultimate destination in the morning is Navy Yard Metro (across the street, actually) because parking is at a premium in that area. I've "slugged" off and on for the past six years and have come across some real "doozies", both drivers and passengers. When the driver is kind enough to pick up "slugs", passengers should extend every courtesy possible. That includes no eating, drinking, gum popping or other noisy or messy activity, and especially no cell phone use unless it's absolutely necessary. The driver needs to be able to concentrate on the traffic and not be distracted!! Now as for drivers, I've ridden with a few whom I will make every effort to avoid in future. One fellow who drives a red late model Chevrolet 2-door is an example. He drove (southbound) like a maniac, speeding and tailgating, in and out of traffic, like there was no one else in his car. When the other passenger commented, he threatened to stop right there on the HOV and have the young man get out of his car: "...either shut up or get out [right here and now]!" Another man (who looks like the "mad professor") also drives like a maniac, and he drives a variety of vehicles, so one never knows if it will be an aging Plymouth (or similar) van, a 2-door Honda, or some other vehicle. I rode in the back seat of his 2-door one time, with no windows down, no A/C or fan operating at the time, no ventilation, and I was "melting"!! Finally, about the last mile or so of the trip, he decided to turn on the fan!! One young "lady" played her radio very loudly, and it was not what I would have considered "universally enjoyable" type "music". Yes, drivers are kind enough to share their cars with us "slugs". But drivers also need to be mindful of their passengers and consider their welfare and comfort as well. Brenda K. Brummer

ceejay2 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote ceejay2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Nov 2009 at 1:16pm
	quote: Originally posted by mycroftt I honestly don't understand the need for all the drama and righteous indignation. that's okay, i don't understand the judgemental attitude that if other drivers object to being treated like an airport shuttle they are selfish. i absolutely defend your right to load up your car with whatever luggage your slugs may wish to bring. why can you not give drivers who choose not to do so the same respect?

mycroftt Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 11 Feb 2002 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote mycroftt Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Nov 2009 at 2:45pm
	quote: Originally posted by ceejay2 quote: Originally posted by mycroftt I honestly don't understand the need for all the drama and righteous indignation. that's okay, i don't understand the judgemental attitude that if other drivers object to being treated like an airport shuttle they are selfish. i absolutely defend your right to load up your car with whatever luggage your slugs may wish to bring. why can you not give drivers who choose not to do so the same respect? The answer is right there in your post. I do not respect them because they aren't simply choosing not to carry large luggage - they are whining about being taken advantage of. It is this preposterous claim that they are being ill treated that rankles. It's the huffy blustering pomposity and righteous indignation that someone would have the unmitigated gall actually to position themselves in the slug line with their items in a manner that offends and violates basic fundamental rules of ethics and morality by having a large piece of luggage in their possession. I have this outlandish vision of the exchange when one of the moralists encounters one of the fallen with their enormous pile of foul accoutrements at the slug line. "Don't come near MY car with that big suitcase, you swine! Who do you think you're dealing with anyway? Do I look like an airport shuttle or what? Do I look like the type of person who would allow you to get away with this outrage? Not me, buster, you can just stand right there with that enormous steamer trunk. You're not going to forklift that behemoth into MY car that I paid for with MY hard-earned money! I don't care if we both have to stay here all day!" Geez - you'd think they were coming near your cars with boxes of child pornography or a shipment of cocaine. Why the drama? If it will fit, just throw the damn thing in the back and get on your way. Life can be really simple it you let it be.

Oxi Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Oxi Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Nov 2009 at 3:12pm
	quote: Originally posted by mycroftt quote: Originally posted by ceejay2 quote: Originally posted by mycroftt I honestly don't understand the need for all the drama and righteous indignation. that's okay, i don't understand the judgemental attitude that if other drivers object to being treated like an airport shuttle they are selfish. i absolutely defend your right to load up your car with whatever luggage your slugs may wish to bring. why can you not give drivers who choose not to do so the same respect? The answer is right there in your post. I do not respect them because they aren't simply choosing not to carry large luggage - they are whining about being taken advantage of. It is this preposterous claim that they are being ill treated that rankles. It's the huffy blustering pomposity and righteous indignation that someone would have the unmitigated gall actually to position themselves in the slug line with their items in a manner that offends and violates basic fundamental rules of ethics and morality by having a large piece of luggage in their possession. I have this outlandish vision of the exchange when one of the moralists encounters one of the fallen with their enormous pile of foul accoutrements at the slug line. "Don't come near MY car with that big suitcase, you swine! Who do you think you're dealing with anyway? Do I look like an airport shuttle or what? Do I look like the type of person who would allow you to get away with this outrage? Not me, buster, you can just stand right there with that enormous steamer trunk. You're not going to forklift that behemoth into MY car that I paid for with MY hard-earned money! I don't care if we both have to stay here all day!" Geez - you'd think they were coming near your cars with boxes of child pornography or a shipment of cocaine. Why the drama? If it will fit, just throw the damn thing in the back and get on your way. Life can be really simple it you let it be. I was going to say "wow, great voca" right until you started putting nasty words in the mouths of people you don't know. Sounds to me now that you are making it into drama, because your postings get longer and longer...