Burl, Inc folks are a pet peeve of mine. I try to not let them in as well, and I’d really like to toss ‘em a hand grenade while they are waiting. But here in TX, they’re all armed and really ready. Don’t look at people and particularly don’t flip ‘em off.Burl’s cousin Hurl is the guy who decides to drive on the shoulder to do the same thing.
The freeway exit for a small town a bit north of here has become inadequate.
Cars leaving the freeway must slow down to about 35mph…. which at rush hour, backs up the off-bound traffic, and thus the whole northbound lane, behind them.
The unofficial solution has been that when it’s busy, cars start driving on the shoulder for a mile or two before the exit.
Several times, before I realised that, I tried to turn onto the actual offramp…. but some of the cars coming off the shoulder, especially if driven by Burl’s ilk, zoom to cut you off, making you slam on the brakes and possibly get rear-ended.
And I could see a couple of those jerks laughing about it.
We don’t let them in either. They are warned in plenty of time so no reason to try to get ahead. Sometimes the police are there to get them in but most times someone else does We try to stay as close to the car in front. I hate traffic anyway and avoid it when I can.There are a lot of Burls and Jerry’s out there anyway…
Well, perhaps it could be their 4-door F150 diesel duallie. Or the one that won’t look at you. They know you’re there. You know they know it. They know you know but they’re going to pretend. It becomes a game of “This car is stolen, is yours?”
“Those” drivers should all be infested with fleas. I’ll block the left lane so they can’t do that. It’s great when trucks cut a whole group of those idiots off also!.Bravo on this one and why am I not surprised Burl is one of “them”?
I agree with all that Burl is a selfish jerk. In the past I would have made all effort to keep him from merging. That is until a nice police officer educated me about the zipper merge. Two lanes meet at the merge point and alternate turns to merge. Just like the teeth in a zipper. It is the law in some states.
I think it depends on my mood. I get into the correct lane as soon as it is marked and may let others pass in front if I’m in a good mood (only one car though- otherwise the car behind may be annoyed). Other days I don’t let anybody through!
If someone want s in.. I let um in.. I figure they might be in a bind… say having to get home to a sick child….. and some day I may need to move quickly as well by zooming up in the merge lane…. Remember…. the last shall be first….. ! ! !
I’m with Dazz on this one, Plan ahead, get in the lane you need to be in AHEAD of time, watch for lane closures and get over LONG before it closes, and then practice a little zen. Think of it this way, how many times do you have to do nothing but think? If you are late, its not the end (unless you are on the way to the maternity ward! lol)
Years ago when I lived in Chicago this seemed to be the accepted plan, continue with two lane traffic until at about the point of the blocked lane, everyone zippered. This way everyone pretty much got the same deal, rather than people merging willy nilly for a mile or two. Certainly if everyone else is already in the left lane and you’re the one $$#!& who was left in the right lane like these dudes it’s a different story
Here’s an idea: the scene fades-out-fades-in & suddenly the cars look like, say 2023 (you know, no tires, they all hover, Jetson-like adornments, etc.) & someone just happens to finally notice 3 skeletons in an all weathered & rusty looking car with dry-rotted tires. Ooops!! Svenson, the idiot, forgot to take down the MERGE NOW sign before he retired in 2013!!
Hussell over 10 years ago
I get them thumbs up all the time.
Hussell over 10 years ago
@dry: I replied to your comment in yesterday’s Oat.
Hussell over 10 years ago
Don’t you love the people who stay in that lane and then want to push in front of you?
Morning Crustonians!
Laura Gildwarg over 10 years ago
Idiots the whole boiling lot of ’em!
Mornin’ Dave, mornin’ Crustwoodians!
gimpysgirl over 10 years ago
and 201st , and 202nd, and….Oh no….what if there’re there so long that they miss a meal?
mikie2 over 10 years ago
Burl, Inc folks are a pet peeve of mine. I try to not let them in as well, and I’d really like to toss ‘em a hand grenade while they are waiting. But here in TX, they’re all armed and really ready. Don’t look at people and particularly don’t flip ‘em off.Burl’s cousin Hurl is the guy who decides to drive on the shoulder to do the same thing.
SusanSunshine Premium Member over 10 years ago
It would be a scary Halloween video….
Being cooped up in a car with those guys, for several hours in almost stopped traffic…..
A real-life horror film.Do you put down the windows and breathe diesel fumes?
Or…. risk …. you know.
Good morning!
Ok, why don’t you have your coffee before you start thinking about that, Crustwoodians.
SusanSunshine Premium Member over 10 years ago
The freeway exit for a small town a bit north of here has become inadequate.
Cars leaving the freeway must slow down to about 35mph…. which at rush hour, backs up the off-bound traffic, and thus the whole northbound lane, behind them.
The unofficial solution has been that when it’s busy, cars start driving on the shoulder for a mile or two before the exit.
Several times, before I realised that, I tried to turn onto the actual offramp…. but some of the cars coming off the shoulder, especially if driven by Burl’s ilk, zoom to cut you off, making you slam on the brakes and possibly get rear-ended.
And I could see a couple of those jerks laughing about it.
loveslife over 10 years ago
We don’t let them in either. They are warned in plenty of time so no reason to try to get ahead. Sometimes the police are there to get them in but most times someone else does We try to stay as close to the car in front. I hate traffic anyway and avoid it when I can.There are a lot of Burls and Jerry’s out there anyway…
GROG Premium Member over 10 years ago
I’m practically hugging the bumper of the car in front of me and hope the car behind me is doing the same. What makes them think they’re so special?
MeGoNow Premium Member over 10 years ago
I do have to say they’re doing one thing right. There are at least three air fresheners hanging from the mirror. Not enough, but it’s a start.
mikie2 over 10 years ago
Well, perhaps it could be their 4-door F150 diesel duallie. Or the one that won’t look at you. They know you’re there. You know they know it. They know you know but they’re going to pretend. It becomes a game of “This car is stolen, is yours?”
finale over 10 years ago
“Those” drivers should all be infested with fleas. I’ll block the left lane so they can’t do that. It’s great when trucks cut a whole group of those idiots off also!.Bravo on this one and why am I not surprised Burl is one of “them”?
CloverShirley over 10 years ago
I agree with all that Burl is a selfish jerk. In the past I would have made all effort to keep him from merging. That is until a nice police officer educated me about the zipper merge. Two lanes meet at the merge point and alternate turns to merge. Just like the teeth in a zipper. It is the law in some states.
vldazzle over 10 years ago
I think it depends on my mood. I get into the correct lane as soon as it is marked and may let others pass in front if I’m in a good mood (only one car though- otherwise the car behind may be annoyed). Other days I don’t let anybody through!
InTraining over 10 years ago
If someone want s in.. I let um in.. I figure they might be in a bind… say having to get home to a sick child….. and some day I may need to move quickly as well by zooming up in the merge lane…. Remember…. the last shall be first….. ! ! !
Last Rose Of Summer Premium Member over 10 years ago
I’m with Dazz on this one, Plan ahead, get in the lane you need to be in AHEAD of time, watch for lane closures and get over LONG before it closes, and then practice a little zen. Think of it this way, how many times do you have to do nothing but think? If you are late, its not the end (unless you are on the way to the maternity ward! lol)
admwrlk Premium Member over 10 years ago
Years ago when I lived in Chicago this seemed to be the accepted plan, continue with two lane traffic until at about the point of the blocked lane, everyone zippered. This way everyone pretty much got the same deal, rather than people merging willy nilly for a mile or two. Certainly if everyone else is already in the left lane and you’re the one $$#!& who was left in the right lane like these dudes it’s a different story
orbenjawell Premium Member over 10 years ago
Burl wouldn’t, couldn’t do it any other way except the idiotic way……..
orbenjawell Premium Member over 10 years ago
Here’s an idea: the scene fades-out-fades-in & suddenly the cars look like, say 2023 (you know, no tires, they all hover, Jetson-like adornments, etc.) & someone just happens to finally notice 3 skeletons in an all weathered & rusty looking car with dry-rotted tires. Ooops!! Svenson, the idiot, forgot to take down the MERGE NOW sign before he retired in 2013!!