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Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:Cars in the UK
Notice:Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:COMICS::SHELLEYELD
Created:Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2584
Total number of notes:63384

2510.0. "Am I missing a "special" sign in the car park?" by CHEFS::CROSSA (Only losers take the bus!) Wed Apr 17 1996 13:08

    I just wonder how other people in DEC Park feel when they witness the
    following.(God forbid that the customers see people doing this)
    
    The time can be anywhere between 17:30 and 18:30. You are, as usual,
    sat in the traffic queue waiting patiently to get out. You see someone
    get into their Frontera/Shogun/Land Rover etc (any 4X4 normally) and
    instead of adopting the usual rules of decorum in these situations they
    blithely power across the grass/kerb lanes seperating lanes and cut in
    further up the queue. Last night I witnessed a Cavalier/Vectra pulling
    this stunt and I started to wonder on the length of life his exhaust
    system could expect.
    
    The points I wonder about are :-
    
    a) Why do these people think they are "special" enough that they do not
    need to queue/suffer with the rest of us?
    
    b) What extra cost does lease plan have to cover when these "special"
    people damage their cars? (O.K I am assuming they are leased, but the
    type of cars that do this, I would imagine, are not the drivers' in most 
    cases. Unless you like Vectras/Cavalier type cars.)
    
    c) What damage is done to the grass/kerbs by this kind of behaviour?
    
    d) etc etc 
    
    
    Now, I know that sitting back and thinking "oh well, they have only
    increased the queue by one car" is probably the easier thing to do.
    But.........
    
    
    So, What do others think about this? Any ideas on possible solutions?
    Do people care?
    
    
    			Stretch.
                                                                    
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2510.1IOSG::LOCKWOODDo you like our owl?Wed Apr 17 1996 13:456
    
    	How about the people who race up the outside lane, pull into the
    	entrance to the visitors car park, turn round and make like a
    	visitor, entering the queue at the front.
    
    	Pete
2510.2Will the meek really inherit the earth ?CMOTEC::JASPERStuck on the Flypaper of LifeWed Apr 17 1996 14:019
    
    ...and there are those who move their cars to the Bay A yellow-lined
    area ready for a 17:30 lemans start...
    
    Big Brother is watching us out there, but he is keeping a low profile.
    Is it time to let the guilty be counselled by their managers ?
    
    Tony.
    
2510.3 Ah, but what does "meek" mean? CHEFS::POWELLMOn [email protected]Wed Apr 17 1996 14:118
    <<< Note 2510.2 by CMOTEC::JASPER "Stuck on the Flypaper of Life" >>>
                 -< Will the meek really inherit the earth ? >-
                             ^^^^
    
    	Depends what you think you mean by "meek," Tony.  The "meek" in the
    true sense of the word, I am assured, will.
    
    				Malcolm.
2510.4"Meek" as in the Biblical context I assume.CHEFS::CROSSAOnly losers take the bus!Wed Apr 17 1996 15:2210
    Malcolm,
     Ref:The meek - Depends on the books you read, or believe I suppose!
    
    
    Tony - Good point about the cameras seeing this behaviour, especially the
    racing up the oncoming lane variety. Brings a whole new meaning to
    "customer interfacing" if one is coming the other way! 
    
    
    		Stretch.
2510.5VAXCAT::GOLDYSolvent goldfishWed Apr 17 1996 15:308
    Re .2
    
    > ...and there are those who move their cars to the Bay A yellow-lined
    > area ready for a 17:30 lemans start...
    
    There's no rule anywhere that says people can't do that!
    
    Goldy.
2510.6Do we need the rules spelt out ?CMOTEC::JASPERStuck on the Flypaper of LifeWed Apr 17 1996 20:258
    I dont believe anyone has quoted broken rules, I thought we were
    discussing what is reasonable behaviour.
    
    But since you brought it up, why do you think Digital has paid 
    for hatching with yellow paint in this area ?
    
    
    Tony.
2510.7What yellow hatching?VAXCAT::GOLDYSolvent goldfishWed Apr 17 1996 21:178
    Okay, reasonable behaviour. I don't beleive it's unreasonable to move
    your car from Row J to Row A in order to get out of the car park
    quickly. Alternatively, do as I do, get in early and leave early!
    I park in Row A most days but I've never seen any hatching with yellow
    paint but then I don't pay much attention in the car park, just make
    sure I park legally and don't hit any other cars!
    
    Goldy.
2510.8CBHVAX::CBHMr. CreosoteWed Apr 17 1996 22:388
Some people are just habitual turds.  Just make note of who they are so you 
know how to treat them if you ever encounter them in a business related 
environment!

It's interesting how the supposed anonymity of driving brings out people's 
true personalities...

Chris.
2510.9VANGA::KERRELLsalva res estThu Apr 18 1996 09:1316
You've missed out two tricks:-

1) Park in the customer car park. This allows you to enter the queue near the   
   main car park exit. Of course, you have to be someone special to do this.    
   What I mean is, no ordinairy employee would be allowed to do this because it 
   would leave no room from customers would it? So only the very very very
   important people like senior sales managers and TMT members, their           
   secretaries, hangers on etc.. are allowed.

2) Use the gravel track on the A33 side of the building, cut through the        
   customer car park and find yourself with the same advantages as 1) above.
   This method is only available to those cheeky enough to go down to reception 
   everyday and request a token. Unless, of course, I've missed a trick and
   and there is some other way of obtaining a reasonable supply.

Dave.
2510.10IOSG::LOCKWOODDo you like our owl?Thu Apr 18 1996 10:002
    
    	If I worked in reception, I know where I'd park :-)
2510.11CHEFS::BRIGGS_Rthey use computers don&#039;t theyThu Apr 18 1996 10:359
    
    I was going to get out of my car the other night and give the driver of
    a Zanya courier van a piece of my mind for doing a pushing in job (in
    front of me!). I thought twice and decided he could very well be
    couriering something important (like an ITT response) so I resisted.
    There could be other overriding business cases in which case security
    should have the ability to escort such people out.
    
    Richard
2510.12I wish!CHEFS::CROSSAOnly losers take the bus!Thu Apr 18 1996 10:509
    Goldy,
    >> Alternatively, do as I do, get in early and leave early!
    
    Were I not contracted to do 9:30 'til 18:00 this would be a great idea.
    As it is I have to get in when the car park is at its fullest, and
    leave when the queue is its longest!
    
    
    			Stretch.
2510.13I'm not encouraging this of course :-)CMOTEC::JASPERStuck on the Flypaper of LifeMon Apr 22 1996 18:097
    ...4X4 owners driving over the kerbs...
    
    They may as well drive over the "dunes" & join the A33 by the Little
    chef. That would be more creative & should not impede their fellows as
    much as queue jumping in the carpark bottleneck.
    
    Tony. 
2510.14CBHVAX::CBHMr. CreosoteMon Apr 22 1996 19:1412
>    They may as well drive over the "dunes" & join the A33 by the Little
>    chef. That would be more creative & should not impede their fellows as
>    much as queue jumping in the carpark bottleneck.

a certain Digital employee, whose name I won't mention (but he was my manager 
a couple of years ago) found himself stuck in a traffic jam on a motorway, and 
spotted a road at the top of the emankment.  So he sticks his Discovery into 
4wd mode and clambers up said embankment, only to be stopped by a patrol car.  
Apparently they wanted to nick him, but let him go as they couldn't figure out 
what to charge him with!

Chris.
2510.15VANGA::KERRELLsalva res estTue Apr 23 1996 08:573
Has anyone mentioned parking in the Post House car park?

Dave.
2510.16VAXCAT::GOLDYQueen of the Jaffa CakesTue Apr 23 1996 09:383
    No. Do you recommend it?
    
    Goldy.
2510.17CHEFS::AUSTIN_ITue Apr 23 1996 22:108
    
    Re .14
    
    The law says you must only drive on the carriageways - see page 71 of
    the Highway Code...
    
    Ian.
    
2510.18WOTVAX::STONEGTemperature Drop in Downtime Winterland....Wed Apr 24 1996 10:285
    
    you're confusing the Highway code with 'The Law', the Highway code is a
    guidebook, not Law.
    
    G.
2510.19FORTY2::PALKAWed Apr 24 1996 12:0415
    re .18
    
    Some bits of the highway code are based on law and are not guidance.
    They have been very careful about this. If it says 'must' (or 'must
    not') then there IS a law that states it. Of course, the law will go to
    great lengths to say what is illegal and the highway code will be a
    simplification of it and may misrepresent it a bit.
    
    I haven't checked the highway code, but I expect that there are several
    things it says about motorways using 'must'.
    E.g.
    	must enter or leave via the slip roads
    	must not drive on the hard shoulder (except in emergencies etc)
    
    Andrew
2510.20CHEFS::POWELLMOn [email protected]Wed Apr 24 1996 13:105
    	Re.14
    
    	Ian, the Digital Car Park isn't a public highway!
    
    				Malcolm.
2510.21 Watch out for Rathole! CHEFS::POWELLMOn [email protected]Wed Apr 24 1996 13:198
    Re.19
    
    	The whole of the Motorway section of the Highway Code totally
    reflects the law.  The most ignored part of that law, is of course, the
    bit about driving in the left hand lane and only using the other
    lane(s) for overtaking.  But then that is a complete "another subject."
    
    				Malcolm.
2510.22There is an offence....FORTY2::WILKINSXMR Team - DTN (830) 6884Wed Apr 24 1996 13:3813
    Deepening the rathole...
    
    FYI - There is an offence of "Driving other than on a carriageway"
    punnishable by Fixed Penalty Notice (non-endorsable).
    
    The Highway Code states all sections of the various laws that apply
    (see back pages) and if you go to court for a drivng "action" that
    contravenes the highway code I wouldn't rate your chances of getting
    off.
    
    FWIW
    
    Kevin.
2510.23Re.22 That doesn't apply on private property - as in DEC Carpark. CHEFS::POWELLMOn [email protected]Wed Apr 24 1996 13:391
    
2510.24Hmmmm...FORTY2::WILKINSXMR Team - DTN (830) 6884Wed Apr 24 1996 13:426
    No...that's obvious otherwise you'd be committing the offence 
    every time you drove into your garage at home *8-\
    
    By the way...You can drive at 120mph there too *8-)
    
    Kevin.
2510.25WOTVAX::STONEGTemperature Drop in Downtime Winterland....Wed Apr 24 1996 14:088
 >>   every time you drove into your garage at home *8-\
    
 >>   By the way...You can drive at 120mph there too *8-)
    
    
    ....how long is your garage ?
    
    G,
2510.26WOTVAX::DODDWed Apr 24 1996 15:353
    He has a rolling road.
    
    Andrew
2510.27FORTY2::WILKINSThu Apr 25 1996 14:573
	No...just a faulty speedo !

	*8-)
2510.28WOTVAX::stus.olo.dec.com::HATTOSChe moto, che cul !Thu Apr 25 1996 15:561
He could be parking at Heathrow -Runway 1
2510.29 Maybe he COULD do it in a garage? ;^) CHEFS::POWELLMOn [email protected]Thu Apr 25 1996 16:075
    
    	Well, the Thrust SSC is predicted to do 0 to 800/850MPH in about 27
    seconds, so.....  He would need a big garage though, 'cos Thrust SSC is
    54 feet long!
    				Malcolm.
2510.30WOTVAX::STONEGTemperature Drop in Downtime Winterland....Thu Apr 25 1996 16:227
    
    ... how fast it accelerates is only part of the equation, you also need
    to stop before you reach the back of the garage ! of course, if you
    have a car port then as long as the garden is long enough.....
    
    
    G.
2510.31Virtual Reality?COMICS::CORNEJWhat&#039;s an Architect?Thu Apr 25 1996 16:374
    Don't need any space.  Just go "brrrrrrmmmmm" at a higher pitch :-)
    
    Jc
    
2510.32oncoming lane tacticsCHEFS::SURPLICEKFri Apr 26 1996 00:526
    Seen today: just after I made it into the queue outside our car park, a
    car came out of our car park in the oncoming lane, proceeded down the
    road in same oncoming lane, and pulled in (partially) to the queue 
    half way to the Post House.  Moments later, the act was repeated up to 
    the roundabout.
    
2510.33CHEFS::CROSSAInsane in the membrane!Fri Apr 26 1996 12:004
    Where's the Eddie Stobbart artics when you need them?
    
    
    			Stretch.
2510.34WOTVAX::HATTOSIt&#039;s simple - but it&#039;s not easySat Apr 27 1996 18:503
    Get the registration numbers and publish them here. (Or in UK_DIGITAL)
    
    Stu
2510.35Why is the traffic so bad at the moment. Is it Telecential peeps?CHEFS::CROSSAMay your chickens grow lips!!!Wed May 01 1996 12:1722
    >>  <<< Note 2510.34 by WOTVAX::HATTOS "It's simple - but it's not easy" >>>
    
    >>   Get the registration numbers and publish them here. (Or in UK_DIGITAL)
    
    >>   Stu
    
    O.K - Last night I, and probably eveyone else out in the queue, had
    better places to be than there. 'Mr Frontera' though was different! I do
    not care why, I just get hacked off seeing these kind of selfish so and
    so's in action!!!
    
    Brief description - The *only* (as far as I can see) Turquoise metallic
    Frontera Sport out there. Pretty distinctive for someone who tried to
    hide their behaviour toward the back of the car park. 
    
    I have the reg number - Your starter for 10 - it is an L plate. 
    
    If I witness it again I will report them to whoever can/will do
    something about it!!! 
    
                            
    			Stretch.
2510.36 Enquiring minds and all that! ;-) CHEFS::POWELLMOn [email protected]Wed May 01 1996 13:4321
     <<< Note 2510.35 by CHEFS::CROSSA "May your chickens grow lips!!!" >>>
     -< Why is the traffic so bad at the moment. Is it Telecential peeps >-
                                                 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    
    FLAME ON!
    	I don't know if that is so, but what seems to contribute greatly to
    the problems of getting out of DECpark carpark are the "old women
    drivers of either (should that be ANY) sex and any age" who will not
    pull out onto Imperial Way if there is any vehicle in sight on IW. 
    Sometimes it is a truck pulling out of the brewery and they still sit
    and wait!
    FLAME OFF
    
    	Sorry about that, got it off my chest though, feel better now.
    
    	What really prompted this reply was the unreported antics of said
    metallic torquoise frontera - do we just imagine that he, she or it
    drove over the grass?  Or was it something else that caused the upset? 
    You didn't actually say, stretch.
    
    				Malcolm.
2510.37?CHEFS::CROSSAMay your chickens grow lips!!!Wed May 01 1996 14:0810
    Malcolm,
    
    If you mean, "Why were you so ticked off by the behaviour?" refer to .0
    for a selection of points. If not, I am not sure I understand your
    question.
    
    			Stretch.
    
    P.S Old women (male or female) ????? Je ne comprend pas! Well I do
    actually but.......
2510.38CHEFS::RAVENWed May 01 1996 21:293
What about the Little Chef car park ....

K.R.
2510.39 What about the Little Chef car park? CHEFS::POWELLMOn [email protected]Thu May 02 1996 09:151
    
2510.40It's outside the little chef.KERNEL::IMBIERSKITGood frames, Bad frames...Thu May 02 1996 09:541
    
2510.41You guys kill me :-)COMICS::SHELLEYDon&#039;t get mad, get even.Thu May 02 1996 10:121
    
2510.42CHEFS::BRIGGS_Rthey use computers don&#039;t theyThu May 02 1996 10:3714
    
    OK, don't keep us in suspense, what did the Frontera do? I was getting a
    little worried as I was in a Frontera in the car park last night!! Wrong
    colour/reg/model though (phew!).
    
    It seems to me that the hour I spent in the car park last and the night
    before was nothing to do with Digital or Telecential. Does it coincide
    with Courage knock off time? And then there's the Basingstoke road. And
    then there's the wait to get on the roundabout at J11. I'm sure these
    external factors are to blame.
    
    
    Richard	
    
2510.43Sorry to keep you on tenterhooks. That was not the plan.CHEFS::CROSSAMay your chickens grow lips!!!Thu May 02 1996 10:5010
    Richard,
    I am not keeping people in suspense intentionally. What actually
    happened was pretty much the behaviour listed in .0 that started this
    string off. The, I am not going to sit here with the rest of these
    people as I have the ability (4x4) to get out of here quicker,
    attitude. The guy just walked up to the car, jumps in and away he goes.
    No queuing at all!!! What makes people so "special"? 
    
    
    			Stretch.
2510.44It's the car that's "special"!!AYOV10::JMCNULTYTue May 14 1996 18:0419
    What makes these people so "special"?
    
    It's not the people that are so "special", it's their cars!, however,
    if you want to be "special" try car sharing, but remember to pick
    someone with a 4x4, there's nothing like the thrill of a full car of 
    folk jetting over the embankment and out of the carpark quickly!!. 
    
    ..there's the other option of having a moped in your car boot, parking
    the car a mile away from the office, jump on the ol' sprug and proceed 
    to and from your car to work!, and if you car share there's room for 
    another passenger!! (small basket on the front for luggage, briefcase,
    portable phone, daily paper etc), think environment, forget about 
    danger to life. 
    
    Seriously, wouldn't it be satisfying if you could make a citizens arrest 
    when this happens, trouble would be catching up with them without you
    breaking the law!!.
    
    cheers. jm.
2510.45taxi (minicab) drivers....grrrrCHEFS::mikroe.reo.dec.com::ROEMThu May 16 1996 17:4112
Interesting behaviour last night ....

Long queue of stationary traffic waiting to get out onto Imperial Way. 
2 minicabs proceeded down the outside of the queue all the way round the 
bend, forcing at least one oncoming car to brake and take avoiding action. 
How they managed getting out on to Imperial Way I couldn't see. It's a long 
time since I've seen such *blatant* 'couldn't-give-a-****-about-the-rest-of- 
you' attitude.

Anyone else witness their progress?

MRo
2510.46WOTVAX::DODDThu May 16 1996 18:114
    It was probably some Digit who'd booked a taxi to wherever he'd parked
    his car.
    
    Andrew
2510.47?CHEFS::CROSSAMake mine a double double!!!Thu May 16 1996 18:345
    I am amazed that a taxi driver passed up the chance to up his meter
    reading legally! Was there anyone in the cabs?
    
    
    			Stretch.
2510.48CBHVAX::CBHMr. CreosoteThu May 16 1996 19:118
>    I am amazed that a taxi driver passed up the chance to up his meter
>    reading legally! Was there anyone in the cabs?
    
probably not!  You know what some minicab drivers are like, drive like 
hooligans when they're on their way to a pick up, then crawl along afterwards 
to get the meter reading up...

Chris.
2510.49They were stopped and warnedRDGENG::BRYANTThu May 16 1996 19:2726
    If this was Tuesday you are talking about, the taxis picked up some
    people from Telecential. I saw them do this from the top of DP2, and
    when I saw them drive down the wrong side of the road I telephoned
    security to complain, and was informed that they had staff outside who
    might stop them.
    
    I followed this up with security that evening and was told that the
    drivers were stopped and identified, and their controller was informed
    that if they did this again their contract would be cancelled. I am not
    sure what the status of the contract or the threat is, but even if
    there is not one, taxi firms do rely on receptionist/security types for
    a lot of business, and so I would have thought it would have some
    suitable effect.
    
    I believe that security are genuinly trying to stop bad behavior in the
    car park and there is concern that someone will do something stupid one
    day if they do not stop it. 
    
    Recognising that there may be some genuine valid reasons (I will
    not speculate what they might be) for needing to leave the car park
    ahead of the rest, security will apparently personally escort any car
    with such a reason out of the car park. If this applies to you, or more
    likely your visitor, then you need to inform security as you leave the
    building.
    
    Stewart
2510.50VANGA::KERRELLsalva res estFri May 17 1996 09:444
I can just see the queue forming at the security desk now. We could have the
equivalent of a triage nurse to sort out who should get seen first...

Dave
2510.51Memor == Memory :-)IOSG::LOCKWOODDo you like our owl?Fri Aug 09 1996 17:4412
    
    	RE: .35
    
    	L412HDP by any chance?
    
    	I saw the same last night.  Horrible greeny blue metallic Frontera
    	Sport.  I almost forgot to reply to this note but fortunately I
    	still had the number plate tattooed in my memor even at 4.45 on a
    	Friday afternoon.
    	Must be a regular occurence.
    
    	Pete
2510.52I reckon it must be the same one.CHEFS::CROSSANuns! Reverse! Reverse! Mon Aug 12 1996 14:1115
    Pete,
    
    L412 HDP is the "special" person in question. Was it the same scenario
    - Jumps in Frontera and drives over the grass verges. I think I know
    the guys name. If you can confirm his actions I will report him to
    security. What good that will do I am not sure given the following
    example ........
    
    RE: Taxis - I spoke with security about this after witnessing the same
    dangerous behaviour in the car park - "Right, that's their contract
    gone" said security - couple of weeks later and the same firm are regularly
    pulling up by the security ramp!!
    
    
    		    	Stretch.
2510.53IOSG::LOCKWOODDo you like our owl?Mon Aug 12 1996 14:4311
    
    	Yup.  Jumps in Frontera with unforgettable number plate, proceeds
    	across the grass partitions and then around the top of the ones
    	where you can do that.  Gets into the queue at the front.
    	The worst part is he was going between cars that were quite close
    	together and across at a diagonal.  If the car slipped a little...
    
    	Lemme know if you get any results...
    	Cheers,
    	Pete
    
2510.54CHEFS::CROSSANuns! Reverse! Reverse! Wed Aug 14 1996 19:0317
    Pete,
    
    I spoke with security today and they will be having a word with the
    persons manager.(BTW it is not the first time this person has been caught
    doing this)
    
    If you or anyone else sees this occuring security want it repoerted -
    they do see what happens through the cameras but people coming to
    them carries more weight. 
    
    Ironically the person in question works in finance - I would like to
    see a claim for damage to his/other cars being refused due to his
    actions!
    
    
    
    			Stretch.
2510.55Lazyitis is a contagious disease!CHEFS::CROSSAAs Bob is my witless!Wed Jan 22 1997 13:2319
2510.56Security should use wheel clampsRDGENG::BRYANTFri Jan 31 1997 11:0115
    re .55
    
    And then there are the people who create an extra lane down the middle
    of the overflow car park making it difficult for the drivers who park
    along the sides to get out. 
    
    I very nearly failed to get out of the space where I had parked last
    Tuesday, and only managed to squeeze out because the space to my left
    had already been vacated.
    
    Perhaps it is about time security started to use wheel clamps.
    
    Stewart