Was with some friends from out of town & got carried away. Soon it was about 2 am and I was pleasantly pissed. My buddy looks over at me and says (with all seriousness) "how you gettin home?" This coming from a guy who used to lead the pack - in the madness that was our twenties.

ummm.... oh yeah, home

Well, the thought of leaving my MCS downtown & having to go get it the next day wasn't up on my list. Neither was the idea of leaving in the neighborhood I was in. I also have reached a point in my life where the idea of driving my baby in my condition was out of the question.

I looked up on the wall and there was a poster for "The Driving Alternative", where they would come pick you up in your car & drive you home in it for slightly more than cabfare. So I called them up.

I got this young 20 something kid who just about wet himself when he saw what he was driving home! I wasn't feeling great about this young kid behind my wheel... second thoughts & all... but I played nice and gave him a flightcheck and we were off.

Halfway home the guy was in 5th doing 60 kms. ummmm.... can you either go a little faster or downshift pleeeeeease. "sorry sir, can't exceed the speed limit." Thankfully he downshifted

Anyways, got home safe & sound with my baby. Gave the kid a thrill driving my car. Earned brownie points from my wife for being so responsible.

Only time I ever let a stranger drive my car, and taught me a good lesson.

Take a cab to the bar next time

 

Glad you were responsible. It is fun to kick up your heels on occasion, just be sure you have an alternative plan or you may find yourself lying on a park bench the next morning


Lois

 

I just love happy endings!!!

 

Great solution, ministrone! Better safe than sorry, and...of course, now there is another MINI-convert!

Clo/Wanda

 

Is that with or without kidney?
Urban legend stuff.

 

Thats an awesome service. That would be a sweet summer job, I wish they had that where I lived.

 

Good work. That's quite a service. How does the driver get home or back to work? It's really convinient for you.

 

Hey there Ministrone. I heard of that service being provided by a small business around these parts (Kelowna, BC), but haven't heard of it recently. Not sure if they're still operating. I'm guessing you're up here in Canada, being that you used km/h instead of mph. Either that, or you're across the pond.
The way the service operates MiniHune, is that there's two people that drive out to your location. One of them drives your car, and the other stays behind in the company car following where your car and the driver are going. Then picks up the other driver at the destination, and they drive back to home base.
I thought it was quite a nice idea. There's been times where I was in the same situation, and didn't want to leave my car where it was. Lucky enough, I've always come across friends that I got ahold of to rive me and my beast home.
Good decision there Ministrone.
Cheers,

 

Several of my coworkers just attended a funeral for an ex-coworker that did not make the wise decision you made. Young business professional in his 40s with two young kids. The designated driver, also too drunk to driver, hit a tree, and our friend lost his life. I've never heard of this driving service, that is an awesome idea though for folks in need.

 

Yeah.....I hope that service catches on. Pretty bright idea getting you and your car home safe. Surprised that it hasn't surfaced in more areas across this land.
Cheerio,

 

:smile: This service is offered in Los Angeles on St. Patrick's Day by some private businesses, but I agree that it should be a year-round business. I would volunteer my services to make it happen! :smile:

Clo/Wanda

 

MINIclo, are you sure you want to be out driving other people's cars late at night on a notoriously dangerous night for drunk drivers?

I'd hate to post here that one of my friends was killed by a drunk driver while she was considerately transporting drunk strangers home so they did not have to leave their car downtown because they did not consider the consequences of driving to a bar that they will not be capable of driving home from. Such people should take a taxi TO THE BAR!

I think the service is a great idea, but I'd rather you just come hang out with me on those particularly dangerous nights. . . .

However, good for you, ministrone! Glad to hear you and your MINI made it home safe and sound! :smile:

 

Yucca, Here on the Westside of L.A., particularly in Santa Monica, there is a little shuttle/tram service for folks not wanting to drive after imbibing on St. Patrick's Day. That is what I am interested in supporting. I am NOT interested in driving folks in Wanda on a drinking-holiday evening....NO WAY!

Clo/Wanda

 

Wow I've never heard of a service like that, I think it's a great idea. I wish we had it around here.

Here in boston, the drunk drivers use the services of the guardrails to get them home. The added time of the hostpital and court fees will still get you home quicker and cheaper than taking a cab.