Purpose

Now that you know about slugging, you're probably curious as to why I'm blogging about it, and here's why:

Firstly, as a slug, riding with someone new just about every day, you come to see a lot of new things and experience a lot of 'different' people.  I'd like to use this blog to shed some light on the slugging culture, as well as the nuances that are associated with this unique system of informal carpooling.

Secondly, I've been working in a large Transportation Office for the past few months (well, the customer base is large, our office is not so large).  Our office is responsible for coordinating shuttle buses for our customers, as well as keeping our customers informed of the transportation options available to them, i.e. bus, train, Metro, car/vanpool, and of course, slugging.

Since the beginning, I've been the only person who slugs - so that would make me a slug SME (subject matter expert).  My co-workers especially appreciate my slugging knowledge when a customer calls with slugging questions.  Even the people in the Parking Office have tapped into my expertise!

Slugging is it's own adventure, and I love sharing that adventure with others.  Stories of crazy drivers, morning radios blasting, and afternoon lectures from slugging companions - these are the stories I bring to work each day.  One day, after hearing one crazy story after another, my colleague encouraged me to start a blog (a slog) where I could share those stories with the masses.

So, that day an idea was born.  And a few days later, this slog was born.  What's to follow will be my craziest rides as a slug... I'll try my best to paint the most accurate picture of my sometimes out-of-the-ordinary morning and afternoon commutes.  I hope this will inspire more folks to explore the idea of slugging, or at the very least, bring a little joy to your day... and make you really think when you see someone miserably gazing out the back window during rush hour on the HOV lanes...

Intro to Slugging

If you're not from the National Capital Region (NCR) (DC, Northern Virginia, or Maryland), it's very likely that you're unfamiliar with the term "slugging" and what it means.

Slugging is an informal carpool system that came about to meet a growing need for folks in the NCR, and evolved from a more 'standard' approach to carpooling.

Here's how slugging came to be:

-Carpooling first became prominent in the United States as a rationing tactic during World War II.  It returned in the mid-1970s due to the 1973 oil crisis and the 1979 energy crisis.
-In 1975, new High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes were introduced to highways in the Washington DC area.
-The new lanes, along with frustration over failures of public-transport systems and high fuel prices, led to the creation of "slugging." 

Slugging is not a government sponsored commuter program - instead it was created by local citizens looking to solve commuting problems. 

Who is involved:

Drivers - they're the people driving the car (obviously) who need additional riders to get onto the HOV lanes.
Slugs - they're the people waiting in line at a designated slug line location looking for a ride to their destination.

How slugging works:

-Cars that need additional riders to use the HOV lanes pull up to a designated slug line (which are located throughout the NCR).
-The driver pulls up to the slug line and either displays a sign with their destination, or rolls down the passenger window to announce their destination (Pentagon, Crystal City, 14th & D Street, etc.).
-The slugs fill cars according to their spot in line, so, the first person in the line going to the Pentagon will take the ride, and off they go!

The concept of slugging is very simple, but like most other things, it's not without it's rules.  The rules are unwritten and can be changed at the discretion of the driver.

Rules of Slugging:

-Drivers are not to pick up slugs en route to or standing outside the line, which is known as body snatching.
-A woman should not be left alone in line, for her safety.
-No eating, smoking, or putting on make-up.
-The driver has full control of the radio and temperature controls.
-No open windows unless the driver approves.
-No money is exchanged or requested (both the driver and slugs already benefit from the 'transaction').

One thing to keep in mind, the slug only serves the purpose of getting the driver onto the HOV lanes and to their destination quicker.

Slugging might seem "sketchy" or "weird" to some folks, but in the over 30 years that it has been around there has not been a single incident.  Also, as a slug myself, I can say that there are definite benefits to slugging, such as:

Benefits of Slugging:

-Shorter commute (because of the HOV lanes)
-Personal time (to read the paper, take a nap, etc.)
-And, best of all, it's 100% free!


So, next time you hear about slugging, you'll know what it is and how it might benefit you!