Horner Road Line Backwards

I slug out of Horner also to DC and someone decided to reverse our line one morning that really wasn't working, so we all agreed that this new line formation was not working, and we all at 7:00 in the morning where looking like we where having a line dance because we decided to all do a reverse hahhahahahah you had to be there!

TBell

Mike (mycroftt), I had to re-read your post several times because my feeble mind had a difficult time comprehending your thoughtful points. The first point (question) about "if you don't line up in the same direction as the cars are coming how do you know the destinations of the cars that aren't first in line?" is a good one. Actually, the cars first in line don't have riders going to the same destination. For example, this is what I observed, if the first three cars up front are going to Rosslyn and slugs are going to the Pentagon, everyone waits until the fourth car makes it close enough to the first person in line. The driver then calls out his destination and the first person yells the destination to the back of the line. If the fourth car is also going to Rosslyn, the fifth and subsequent cars wait until they can get close enough to the tell the first slug in line, or if they yell out their destinations, or if they have a sign. Now, if I show up at the end of fairly long slug line, I have to ask those already present where the cars up front are headed.

Your other point, "If the cars had to run the length of the line everyone could be calling out the destinations to those in front." I guess what you're describing is the typical line up of slugs for a multi-destination line. This seems to be an efficient enough way to match up drivers with slugs.

It's too bad that there could not be more lines that were exclusive. That is, a Pentagon only line, or Rosslyn only line. But, there are a number of drivers who don't care exactly where they drop off, so making exclusive lines would not reward these considerate drivers. Also, there probably is not enough good areas to set up separate lines. It was a big deal to separate the single line into a Pentagon/Rossly/Crystal City and DC lines.

I think this backwards line stuff originated when the first person in line just started asking drivers their destination by going back through the line of cars and everyone followed.

gg

Mycroftt, your last point is right on the mark. Now, the only question is how best to change it. You appear to be the only one interested in this topic (apparently out of curiousity), so it might be tough to get the line direction to change. I'm sure you're aware that people don't like change and this will require change. I reckon people might like things the way they are even if it's not efficient because that's the way it's always been.[V]

gg

Eric,

Question 1) There are two lines at Horner Road, one for the Pentagon/Crystal City/Rosslyn line and the other for points in DC. The backwards line that I refer to is the former line. I have no idea how the DC line works. Anyway, after you enter the lot from the Prince William Parkway, you turn left (if you turn right you enter the HOV), then make a right to the bus stop island. About five cars can line up starting at the tip of the island, but they usually line up 1-3 cars. The rest of the cars just line up perpendicular (right turn) with slugs not knowing their destination, unless they start walking down the line of cars. Walking down the line of cars and checking destinations appears ok if there are only a few slugs, but after a while, with more slugs, you have no idea who is next in line and it becomes confusing.

Question 2) The Pentagon/Crystal City/Rosslyn at about 7:30 usually moves quickly for both drivers and slugs. Mondays and Fridays are usually slow for drivers.

Now a question for you, what do you mean about the line-cutters at Tackett's? slugs, drivers or both? It might be interesting to know how it happened and maybe prevent it at Horner.

gg