The "Do Not Ride With List"

*****90's model Isuzu Rodeo Burgundy 4dr VA plates YFH-2427, say they are going to L'enfant, but actually go to Crystal CIty first and don't get on 95 till Dumfries!!!!!*****

This morning I arrived at the 610 lot at about 6am and to my delight there were only 2 people in front of me. Along comes a couple of nice African-American women in a Burgundy Isuzu Rodeo. They said they were going to L'enfant Plaza. Well, in order to keep from foaming at the mouth and waving my arms wildly I will keep this brief. They drove all the way to Dumfries on Rt. 1, stop lights included. Then as we approached the Pentagon the passenger turns to me and says "we just need to drop her off in Crystal City and then we'll go to L'enfant." [:(!] So, 1 hr and 15 minutes later I arrive at L'enfant, late for work and fuming. These women were nice, but they need to pick up for Crystal City and not drag innocent civilians (like me) all over God's creation.

*****90's model Isuzu Rodeo Burgundy 4dr VA plates YFH-2427, say they are going to L'enfant, but actually go to Crystal CIty first and don't get on 95 till Dumfries!!!!!*****

I am absolutely shocked and stunned at the experience I had this afternoon as a slug and as a woman. The people I rode with tonight need to be boycotted by everyone from here to eternity! [}:)]

Here is what happened:
I was in the slug line at 14th & G for 610 with another lady I slug with at aout 4:10. An older white Chevrolet Lumina pulled up and the lady in the passenger seat held up her fingers indicating they would take two slugs. We got in and were on our way. The ride was awful: they did not have the heat on (it was 40 degrees outside) and they had NPR on extremely loudly playing with only the speakers in the back of the van on. Needless to say, I gave up on my earplugs because it was useless.

That was not the worst part. Upon exiting I95, we told these people that we were both at the "new lot." The man looked to the woman (we believe it was his wife, named Rachel) and replied that he was going to the old lot. He developed an attitude and said we should have told him before we got in the van. [B)] He said he had to drop off his wife and go buy auto parts. (At this point it was 5:05 - I am sure he could have gotten to the auto parts store by 5:30. He then stopped at the intersection of route 610 and Staffordborough and asked us if we wanted to get out there. [:0] We said yes since you refuse to take us to the lot we need. Upon exiting, I told him, just as you said we should have told you we were going to the new lot (even though it was two of us and it is assumed that you will go where the two slugs are going), you should have told us prior to us entering your van that you were only willing to go to the old lot. I also told him he would never have to worry about us again - we would never step in his van again. [}:)]

The two of us had to cross eight lanes of traffic during rush hour in the cold, encountering mud, trash, traffic and such items as condoms along the way. Plus, there are no sidewalks for most of the way. It was awful. [:(!] We could not believe the rudeness and inconsideration of these people. I am willing to accept some responsibility (maybe we should have specified the new lot, even though we were together and they asked for two slugs...whatever!!). However, we feel that their behavior was atrocious and reprehensible. He could have indicated his preference, acknowledged the inconvenience and taken us to the new lot, with the warning that he wouldn't do it again in the future. Or, he could have dropped us off with his wife and she could have zipped us over. In this day and age, with safety concerns and such heavy traffic, we think these are two of the most self-centered and self-serving people we have ever encountered. Please do everything in your power to pass along this info to everyone you know. Do not ride with them!

Their info: it was an old white Chevrolet Lumina van with burgandy interior baskets in between the two front seats and squeaking brakes. The woman is in her mid-40s with red straight hair, the man is mid-50s with grayish hair and a salt and pepper beard.

FYI, the man said he also slugs and always specifies which lot.

To my knowledge, it is not simply a "given" that all slugs are going to the old lot. Please respond and let me know what you all think. I may be being overly sensitive or naive, but I was stunned and appalled.

You're right - it could have been avoided by EITHER party speaking up, especially since he was restricted and claims he had to go the auto parts store. It's never been an issue for us when a driver indicates for two slugs - it is assumed that the driver will go to one lot only and that the slugs are going to the same lot. I guess chivalry is out and leaving two women on the side of the road is in. Nice.

Thanks,
Susan

As I stated in the original post, there were no walkways or walk signs, nor paths for foot traffic. We had to run to cross eight lanes of rush hour traffic and then walk a 1/4+ to the other lot. It's not only a matter of rudeness, it's a matter of safety and being a decent human being. Would you feel any differently if it were your mother, daughter, sister or child? I guess my expectations are too high.

Thanks,
Susan

The bottom line here is communication as stated above. When you make an assumption you leave yourself wide open at that point. There is a big problem with the new vs old lots at 610 so speak up and dont assume anything!