Sep 04 2008
First Day at the Pentagon
Today was my much anticipated first day at my new assignment at the Pentagon. This morning was also my first time slugging. The slug lines are informal carpools that form to take advantage of the HOV lanes going into DC. There are two lots about 1/2 mile from our house where drivers pick up extra passengers so that they meet the 3-person minimum for using the HOV lanes. The HOV trip to the Pentagon from Stafford is about 45 minutes. During heavy traffic, in the regular lanes, this can easily take two hours. The driver benefits by the savings of time while the passengers receive a free ride. You can read more about this at http://slug-lines.com.
Last week I cleaned up my motorcycle, put in some gas from the can, charged the battery and tried to get it started after sitting in the garage for the past year. But as Mugs already posted, I couldn’t get it to start. I ended up buying a new battery earlier this week, and the bike started up very easily after that. We planned for Mugs to drop me off at the slug line in the morning and pick me up in the afternoon. I didn’t want to ride my motorcycle to/from the lot because then I would have to lug around my full-face helmet and leather jacket all day. Yesterday I decided that the solution was to buy a half-helmet. Since the lot is so close to the house, I can wear a half-helmet with the ACUs and leave the leather jacket at home. Here’s a picture of me the day before going back to work.
Dale with Bike
I got up at 0500 this morning to walk Blaze, planning on riding over to the slug lot at 0600. By the time I fed and walked Blaze, it was already 0545. Normally after a period of leave, I shave the beard off the night before going back to work. Unfortunately, I didn’t do that this time. I was still shaving at 0600 when Mugs got up to start getting ready for the day. I eventually got out the door around 0620. Then my bike wouldn’t start. I must have drained the little bit of fuel I put in the tank while I was on my test ride yesterday. Anyway, at 0630, Mugs came out and gave me a ride to the slug lot.
There were probably about 20 people standing in the Pentagon line when I arrived. The line moved quickly, and within 10 minutes, I was next in line. A car pulled up to the front of the line, the driver said “Pentagon”, I got in the car with the next guy in line, and we headed to the Pentagon. Fortunately, I had read the rules and etiquette for slugging online and understood that conversation while slugging is not permitted unless the driver initiates it. After a nice, quiet 50 minute drive, I was dropped off at the Pentagon steps at 0730 for my first day of inprocessing. The post is already quite long, so I won’t go into any details on my first day of work. I also won’t talk about the garage door breaking for Mugs (she can post that). After 1 day of inprocessing I have 3 new security badges and 0 computer accounts. At 1600, I walked out to the Pentagon parking lot and stood in the Stafford – Rte 610 line. By 1645, I was back in Stafford and waiting for Mugs to pick me up at the lot.
Tomorrow I might get some computer accounts, but maybe I shouldn’t rush it!
Dale,
Where are you in the PNT? I am up there all the time for meetings. Perhaps we can get together for lunch some time. S/f
–Dan (Husband of Meg)
You can respond directly to my email jeepdad5@comcast.net.
Sir, I am intrigued by the slug lines. What happens if there are no cars for you? Sounds like a risk to me. This is coming from a small town person who is still fascinated by mass transit when visiting the big cities! You left in time to miss all the excitement. Last night we were shaken awake! All is good and all is safe. Was just a “Happy Ramadan” from the neighbors. :roll:
Nice Bike.
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I too was very skeptical of slugging; however, I couldn’t ignore all of the people Mugs knew that were huge fans. One lady (Fran) has been slugging successfully for the past 14 years. I’m now a big fan as well. I don’t have to worry about the hassle of parking at the Pentagon.