RBers are great for carpooling—whether to parties, or going up to Tahoe on ski trips. Carpooling gives you a chance to get to know someone new as well as to save some money. A little bit of common sense and courtesy goes a long way toward making it a great a experience for everybody.
Here are a few rules to remember:
- A carpool is 2-3 or more people per car
- You should pay the driver for your share of the gas expense there and back. If you ride up with one driver and back with someone else you owe each driver for their part of the trip. Split the cost by the number of passengers in the vehicle. In other words if there is 1 driver + 1 passenger then you, the passenger, pay 1/2 the cost of the gas. If there are more riders then the cost is split evenly between the driver and the passengers.
- Don't make the driver have to ASK you for the money. It is very expensive to maintain vehicles that have to be driven in bad weather.
- Please be flexible on departures. The driver is responsible for getting you to your destination safely. The ride can be very long when the weather is bad. Please be ready to go on the stated time (Don't call the driver the night before to tell them that you can not leave at the agreed-upon time).
- The same goes for the return trip. Don't announce on Sunday morning that you need to be home by Noon to get Fido out of the kennel.
- Be flexible on food. Two words: "Driver's Choice". If this person is nice enough to cart you up to the slopes, then it is his/her choice on where to stop and eat. If you are vegetarian, and the driver wants a burger, then don't demand that everybody in the car stop and eat at the only vegetarian restaurant between here and your final destination. Try to plan ahead.
- Offer to take your turn driving. It can be very tiring do a long evening drive to Tahoe, Monterey, Mendocino, etc. especially in a traffic jam. Offer to relieve the driver, but if he/she declines then don't push it.
- Don't hog all the space—bring only what you need. Remember, you are sharing the car space with others who have to bring bulky equipment too.
- Don't ask the driver for "curbside" or "pick-up" service. Offer to meet the driver in a location that is convenient to him/her.
- If you need a ride both ways, then be sure to make arrangements up front. Just because you rode up with somebody, don't expect that they will "automatically" be taking you home. Ask them before you leave the Bay Area.
- And last but not least—KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING! (Duhh...) Don't expect the driver to know where your cabin, campsite, hotel, etc. is, or to spend time driving around looking for it. Be prepared with clear and accurate directions and phone numbers if needed.
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