Carpool anyone?

[ColonelPanic]

Just curious to see how many of you carpool... If so, how many miles are you saving? Not to mention, what do you have the fortune (or perhaps misfortune) of riding in when it's your turn to leave the Vibe at home?

[ColonelPanic]

Figured I'd throw this out for you all... I don't think such a poll has been created so far...I do the carpool thing myself, fortunately there is a guy who lives five minutes from here that works the same shift in the same department as I do. Actually, he's my boss, so that's kinda weird. But with my schedule, I usually end up driving 100 miles (vs. 200) on weeks I work 4 days, 75 (vs 150) on the 3-day week. It's generally a I drive one day, he drives the next deal, although there are exceptions occasionally. It isn't split 50/50 most of the time, but close...So, half of the time, I'm riding into work in a '04 Kia Rio, while the Vibe gets some much needed rest. Actually the Rio ain't a bad little car, even has fewer rattles than the Vibe. lolConsidering I won't own the Vibe for two full years until early January and already have 38K, the Vibe needs to take a break. Anyone else?

[Sputnik]

I walk to work. So the only time I drive is to go shopping, home to Kingston, or to the gym.

[ragingfish]

I can't carpool..everyone I work with lives within 2 minutes of the store...I live about 25-30...They will get me to pick them up if their car is broken or being used...but I never get the luxury of not driving...

[AKLGT]

no carpooling for me. i am required to have a reliable source of transportation for work. and now my job is about 80% driving so i'd have to drive someone else everyday.

[JohnC]

I have pooled off and on for over 25 years and I can tell you for a fact that there is NO car pooling partner without their faults! Including myself. Here are a couple issues I have run into.Always late, never ready at the agreed time. Smoking in my car...even after I had bronchitis.No A/C during Arizona summer (100+ temps), no heat during Washington winter.Drives too slow, drives too fast, reckless driving, drunk driving, you get the picture.One of them insisted on listening to the Dr Laura show every on the way home and listening to Howard Stern on the way in (there has got to be some kind of skitsafrenia here).Kinda funny looking back at it. A few years back I decided NO MORE CAR POOLING, life has been great since then. I listen to the music I like, books on tape and several talk radio shows.Does anyone else have any pooling horror stories?

[ColonelPanic]

Absolutely, it has its faults. Number one, you have to be really careful who you pick to ride with. Someone who is late all the time can really put your job in jeopardy. If you work in the same department, the person you'd better like the person you are riding with, since you'll be spending lots of time together... Plus, you're chained down - can't go anywhere for lunch, don't have the option of just leaving should the need arise... Sure has its downsides!I don't have too many horror stories, luckily. Last year, I was carpooling with the same guy I am now, until his schedule changed. Before he got a new car, he had this Nissan 240 SX with a broken heater. That kinda sucked. But other than that, I have been pretty lucky. For me, the benefits far outweigh the risks, so this is a good deal for me.Although I have to keep my car parked more this time around. Previously, saving miles on the car only meant I could go out and rack up more miles on my off days, going places "just because..." So in reality, I think I drove more then than I would if I drove every day.

[soldierguy]

Where I live right now I walk to work, so carpooling isn't needed.Conceptually I like the idea, but I couldn't do it in reality, even if I lived further away. There have been WAY too many times at work where I've had to run off somewhere for the job (usually 3-5 times a week), and I wouldn't be able to do that if I carpooled...either I'd be stranded or I'd leave someone else stranded. Not good things.