Introduction

Interstate 95 in any other area besides Washington, D.C., is a traveler's highway. To anyone inside or 50 miles out of the Capitol Beltway, it's hell. The only way to make the heavy traffic load during rush hour somewhat lighter is by group commuting — carpooling, riding the Metro, taking a shuttle ... and slugging.
Slugging is a commuting trait unique to Washington, D.C. It's pretty much organized hitchhiking. The Virginia Department of Transportation has built numerous commuter lots where those who need to get to the Pentagon or Downtown will park, stand in line for the respective destination and wait for someone to drive up, shout "Two for Downtown!," hop in and go. Sound dangerous? It's oddly not ... most of the people who drive and ride are businessmen or in the military. Most of them drive fancy cars and wear fancy suits or uniforms — they're the people you would feel comfortable approaching in the street.
Slugging costs nothing. Slugs actually save the driver money. By having at least three occupants in the vehicle, the driver is allowed to use the HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lane. It was built to encourage carpooling into the District and, during rush hour, you are not allowed on the lane unless there are at least three people in the car. Off rush hour, that changes. Numbers are enforced every once in a while by cops who sit at the exit points of the lane. They count the number of people in the car and will ticket you if you don't have at least three. Some people have tried to cheat the system by having inflatables ... I'm not lying.
As I am a poor college student living with my family while I'm working in D.C., slugging is my only option. Driving would cost too much and taking the Metro from the Pentagon is cheaper than from Franconia/Springfield. I will be riding with two different people each day every day until the end of my work project in December. I realized this is an amazing view into the middle-class world of commuting and have decided to write about all of my slugging experiences.
To some, this blog is pointless and useless. To others, this could turn out to be a great analysis of a prime demographic. Either way, it's going to be fun for me!
Enjoy and please comment if you think I am leaving out any details that might be more insightful!