How Far is Too Far?

[Argabarga]

3 blocks was too far for this guy.

He had a valid permit for an apartment complex in the 300 block of Garfield, apparently, he has a buddy that lives in the apartment complex in the 600 block of Garfield.

So, he drove his car over there, and because he didn't have a permit, he PARKED IT IN THE FIRE LANE. (P.S. - putting your flashers on means NOTHING)

Normally, that's an immediate tow, but call backlog meant it took an hour for us to get a truck down there after it was called in to us. And the car was STILL there. We towed it in, and as far as I know, when I left at the end of my shift 2 hours after that, it was still sitting in impound, and nobody had called to ask about it.

I know economies are all about trade-offs and what's "worth it", but really, A $105 tow, and a $15 ticket for being in a marked fire lane? That's a fair trade for not having to walk 3 city blocks?

Oh, and on the 200 block of Garfield, there's a PARKING GARAGE, where 12 hours of parking costs $4!

No wonder they say that 1/3rd of Americans are out of breath by the time they've walked from the couch to the fridge...

Oh, and the whole reason we were backlogged? The only driver who was in town that night was busy towing another car, who didn't have a permit for the lot he was parked in, but did have a valid permit for the place ONE BLOCK away. In fact, it would only be one block if he drove it. The two complexes are on back-to-back sides of the SAME BLOCK, and from back door to back door, it's 50 yards.......

Don't get me wrong, laziness is why I have a job, but really, not even a modicum of effort? Really?

[Moirae]

rofl.



This is why we shouldn't cater to laziness.

[Caractacus_Potts]

Don't get me wrong, laziness is why I have a job, but really, not even a modicum of effort? Really?

Last time I was in for jury duty we were all in a room on the 2nd floor waiting to see if we would be needed or if we could go home. I noticed one of the court officers assigned to us looking out the window overlooking the employee parking lot and chuckling. I went over and asked him what was going on.

He pointed to a car that was being towed out of the lot and told me that a woman had driven that car into the lot about twenty minutes earlier. It's a fenced lot with a guard shack but the barriers are left open. It is clearly marked for court officials and employees only and there is a parking garage across the street.

The guard in the shack told the woman she couldn't park in the lot but she ignored him and parked anyway. Apparently she had to be at court for some sort of driving offense, she was pissed off and said something to the effect that if she has to f'ing be at court for an f'ing ticket then she'll park in the f'ing employee lot.

Unfortunately I was dismissed so I didn't get to see her face when she came out and found out that not only does she have another ticket, her car is in the impound lot.

[Shalom]

Did you at least shut off the blinkers, so he'd be able to start the car when he picked it up?

[Argabarga]

Did you at least shut off the blinkers, so he'd be able to start the car when he picked it up?

We aren't legally allowed to enter a towed car, so he probably needed a jump in the morning. (you get one freebie as a courtesy just to get you on your way)

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

I know economies are all about trade-offs and what's "worth it", but really, A $105 tow, and a $15 ticket for being in a marked fire lane? That's a fair trade for not having to walk 3 city blocks?

Sure it is. Just look at all the people who park in handicapped spaces without proper permits or plates.

I do recall posting about a guy who parked his vehicle in a handicapped space at the swamp without the proper permits, got ticketed, and when he came back he just took the ticket and drove off. He probably just figured that was the cost of having to walk less.

[Tama]

Yay, an argabarga post!!!!

But seriously. 3 blocks. Holy hell.

[MournBlade]

I"m waiting to see Wall-E style chairs any day now. Walking is such a hassle. XD

[Android Kaeli]

3 blocks isn't nothing, I walk that much and more each day at work and then some more at the gym. If not being able to walk that far isn't laziness, then I don't know what is.

[AccountingDrone]

I used to love walking ... I would love to be able to walk 1 block, let alone 3 blocks. I miss taking the mutt out into the woods for a nice long walk

[Seshat]

That's why we have our permits, AccountingDrone.

But as well as your permit, you have my sympathy and understanding. I'm sorry. Have a big hug. (And give me one?)

[Kristev]

That's just foolish, lazy, and they have it coming!

[BrenDAnn]

My 21-year-old nephew would laugh his ass off at these dolts. Why? Because he walks EVERYWHERE in the city he lives in. He HAS TO. We're talking up to half hour walks across the city to get groceries, etc. Yeah...But one to three blocks is too far for these guys, and they have to violate rules to get closer. Idiots.

[Polenicus]

My 21-year-old nephew would laugh his ass off at these dolts. Why? Because he walks EVERYWHERE in the city he lives in. He HAS TO. We're talking up to half hour walks across the city to get groceries, etc. Yeah...But one to three blocks is too far for these guys, and they have to violate rules to get closer. Idiots.

Yeah, living a few years without a car taught me a few things:

1. It's ENTIRELY DOABLE. So many people are convinced that it's not possible to live without a car. But it is, especially if you live in the city.

2. You very quickly stop missing it. Yes, you have to walk and bus everywhere, but at the same time, you don't have to park, pay gas, or those lovely $600 emergency repairs when your car craps out.

3. You learn to be more frugal. Simply knowing that whatever you buy you'll have to haul home tends to curb the impulse buys.

The only reason I bought a car was because the job I had taken managed to be in some kind of bus route dead zone, and what was a 15 minute drive was a 2 1/2 hour bus ride, with three exchanges and a big 45 min layover in an uncovered bus loop (Which during an Edmonton winter would be horrible).

[Mr Hero]

Yay, an argabarga post!!!!

My reaction as well. I love hearing stories of how you hand failures what they deserve.