I’m not sure how or when I’ll use this in a story, but I am fascinated by the idea of slugging, a term used to describe a unique form of commuting found in Washington, DC, San Francisco, and Pittsburg and sometimes referred to as “Instant Carpooling” or “Casual Carpooling.” It is the practice of forming ad hoc, informal, temporary carpools, essentially a variation of ride-share commuting and hitchhiking.
“The system of slugging is quite simple. A car needing additional passengers to meet the required 3-person high occupancy vehicle (HOV) minimum pulls up to one of the known slug lines. The driver usually positions the car so the slugs are on the passenger side. The driver either displays a sign with the destination or simply lowers the passenger window to call out the destination, such as “Pentagon,” “L’Enfant Plaza,” or “14th & New York.” The slugs first in line for that particular destination, then hop into the car, normally confirming the destination, and off they go.”
No money is exchanged for the mutual benefit: the car driver needs riders just as much as the slugs need a ride. Each party needs the other to survive.
I have about a hundred different ideas on how I might use this unique form of commuting in a story and at least a couple of ideas on how this might be the centerpiece of a novel. These odd, quirky, and unique parts of our world enthrall me as a writer, providing me with a previously unexplored landscape to place a character.
I have a bunch just waiting to be used. In fact, they are starting to become backlogged in my brain.
If only I had more time to write.
