by Derek—2004.05.21 @ 0701
Instead of driving all the way to the Franconia-Springfield Metro station, Melissa encouraged me to take the bus to the Metro instead. At 7:30 a.m. EST, Melissa drove me to the -- commuter parking lot. Yesterday I took some time to research a local phenomenon, "slugging", and I thought I'd try it out. If it didn't work, I'd take the Bus. Slugging is the commuter solution to the highly congested freeway system into D.C. The freeway has a two-lane highway that runs between the north and south-bound lanes and is for High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) only, meaning three or more passengers.
Slugging is highly organized and has been going on for years. In a nutshell, commuters go to a commuter parking lot, park their car, and wait in specific lines to catch a ride into town. Each line is like a bus stop, going to specific areas in D.C. Drivers who need to drive into town but do not have the required three passengers will go to these lots and pick up "slugs" so they can drive the less-congested HOV lanes. There is no money exchanged since there is a mutual benefit: drivers need the passengers, and the passengers need the drivers.
Upon arriving in the lot, I asked a commuter where the "Rosselyn" slug line was at. He pointed to a line of cars waiting for passengers. It worked out perfectly! The lead car had only two passengers and I made an even three. We were off, and it was only 7:30 a.m.
The drive was peaceful. One of the common-law rules of slugging is no talking. I sat in the front seat and enjoyed the ride in. It was great: no motion-sickness, no stuffy terminals, no crowded hallways.
We arrived at the Rosselyn drop-off point, which is right in front of the Rosselyn Metro station--only one Metro stop to Foggy Bottom (my usual destination). I was in the office by 8:15 a.m.!
On the way out of Foggy Bottom, stands of merchants awaited me. However, instead of selling anything, they were handing out free samples of a liquid Dannon yogurt. Ah! The city.