General practices[edit]

In practice, slugging involves the creation of free, unofficial ad hoc carpool

networks, often with published routes and pick-up and drop-off locations. In the
morning, sluggers gather at local businesses and at government-run locations
such as park and ride-like facilities or bus stops and subway stations with lines
of sluggers. Drivers pull up to the queue for the route they will follow and either
display a sign or call out the designated drop-off point they are willing to drive to
and how many passengers they can take; in the Washington area the Pentagon
—the largest place of employment in the United States, with 25,000 workers—is
a popular destination. Enough riders fill the car and the driver departs. In the
evening, the routes reverse.[14][2]
Many unofficial rules of etiquette exist, and websites allow sluggers to post
warnings about those who break them.[2] Some Washington D.C. rules are:

 Drivers are not to pick up sluggers en route to or standing outside the

line, a practice referred to as "body snatching".
 A woman is not to be left in the line alone, for her safety.
 No eating, smoking, or putting on of makeup is allowed.
 The driver has full control of the radio and climate controls.
 Windows may not be opened unless the driver approves.
 No money is exchanged or requested, as the driver and slugs all benefit
from slugging.
 Driver and passengers say "Thank you" at the end. [15]