Is it socially irresponsible to use a diesel truck to commute...

Jstas

...if your commute is less than 2 miles to a train station?

nooshinjohn

who cares... Al Gore can suck my tailpipe.

dkg999

Probably more mechanically irresponsible. Diesel's don't like constant short trips.

Less than two miles, I would be walking. Why hassle with the parking. This is not a comment on those that would drive, because I believe they should have the freedom to make that choice. I'm not a tree hugger, but a good walk gets the brain cells working.

bobman1235

dkg999 wrote: »

Probably more mechanically irresponsible. Diesel's don't like constant short trips.

Less than two miles, I would be walking. Why hassle with the parking. This is not a comment on those that would drive, because I believe they should have the freedom to make that choice. I'm not a tree hugger, but a good walk gets the brain cells working.

Agreed.

Though he didn't ask if it should be illegal, merely if it was "socially irresponsible." It's lazy, and as mentioned probably not the best for your vehicle's longevity, but... whatever floats your boat.

Jstas

Ah, see, not the question I asked. I didn't ask about walking.

Besides, both of you live in areas where heavy snowfall occurs as well as temperatures well below freezing. How walking is considered an option for either of you is hard for me to understand.

concealer404

SOMEONE has to buy the diesel around here, comrade.

Matt34

New deisel (07+) with the new federal emission standards or an older model, with straight pipe stacks, programer, 40" mud terrains and 10" of lift?;) If it's a newer one I guess I wouldn't consider it "socially irresponsible" but ethical I wouldn't call it a proactive stance by an individual and his or her responsibility to society at large.

TNRabbit

Jstas wrote: »

...if your commute is less than 2 miles to a train station?

No.

nooshinjohn wrote: »

who cares... Al Gore can suck my tailpipe.

Ditto~

dkg999

Less than 2 miles, it would need to be below zero with a strong wind before I wouldn't make that walk. A good pair of boots, a layered set of outerwear with a Filson garment as the outer layer, and a good backpack to keep my shoes, etc. in for when I get on the train or get to work. I'm not a young person, but I don't see the problem.

I know I strayed from your question a bit. To anwer your question directly ... yes IMHO it would be socially irresponsible for ME to drive a diesel truck less than 2 mi to the train station on a regular basis.

Sami

Jstas wrote: »

Ah, see, not the question I asked. I didn't ask about walking.

Besides, both of you live in areas where heavy snowfall occurs as well as temperatures well below freezing. How walking is considered an option for either of you is hard for me to understand.

I walked or rode my bicycle 2 miles to school about 90 days a year in -20C weather without even thinking twice. When it got closer to -30C or below then my parents drove us to school.

However, I don't see it as an option anymore as there are plenty of excuses now. Take your pick; too old, too lazy, time is money, not safe in my area...

Conradicles

TNRabbit wrote: »

No.



Ditto~

+1 what they said.

bobman1235

Jstas wrote: »

Besides, both of you live in areas where heavy snowfall occurs as well as temperatures well below freezing. How walking is considered an option for either of you is hard for me to understand.

Unless it is actively snowing or raining, or REALLY cold (say, below 20), I walk at least 3 miles a day during my lunch break. I wish I lived within walking distance of work, but I refuse to live in The People's Republik of Massachusetts so that isn't an option unless I find a new job north of the border.

cstmar01

eh depends on where you live. For me I would say in winter no, because I would rather be safe inside the truck then be dead trying to walk and get hit by a car. So No its not socially irresponsible in terms of safety. In summer, yes a bit seeing its just kinda being lazy to a point, but in reality I kinda don't care. I like walking but dont' think its a big deal what others do, its their choice, not mine.

tonyb

I would also say no, but have more of a problem with the phrase of "socially irresponsible". To me,it eludes to more than driving a truck 2 miles.

Huck344

bobman1235 wrote: »

Unless it is actively snowing or raining, or REALLY cold (say, below 20), I walk at least 3 miles a day during my lunch break. I wish I lived within walking distance of work, but I refuse to live in The People's Republik of Massachusetts so that isn't an option unless I find a new job north of the border.

Jeez, I live in an area with nice weather (Los Angeles area) and I drive the 4 blocks to 7-11. Then again to quote the 80's band Missing Persons, "Nobody walks in LA" haha

bobman1235

Huck344 wrote: »

Jeez, I live in an area with nice weather (Los Angeles area) and I drive the 4 blocks to 7-11. Then again to quote the 80's band Missing Persons, "Nobody walks in LA" haha

Yeah, well, I'm not a huge fan of being fat, and I don't get much exercise sitting behind my computer all day at work, so... gotta take it where I can.

Demiurge

I'm with those who don't give a baboon's red **** what anyone thinks socially about my driving habits. If it works for you, do it. No, that doesn't mean I would in all situations, but in the winter time -- definitely.

Huck344

bobman1235 wrote: »

Yeah, well, I'm not a huge fan of being fat, and I don't get much exercise sitting behind my computer all day at work, so... gotta take it where I can.

You mean walking to the fridge from the couch isn't considered exercise? Damn, I'm going to need to step it up!!! My wife walks all the time. I'm not a big fan of it. I'd rather do the treadmill at the gym.

TNRabbit

demiurge wrote: »

i'm with those who don't give a baboon's red **** what anyone thinks socially about my driving habits. If it works for you, do it. No, that doesn't mean i would in all situations, but in the winter time -- definitely.

:d:d:d:d:d:d:d:d:d

Timothy Smith

Go for it Dude!

You paid for the truck.
You pay for the fuel.
You are less of a hazard to others than the Prius drivers with their faulty accelerators.

Rock and roll man...freedom of speech! (to paraphrase Doug the nunchuck guy from Ghostworld)

Knucklehead

only if its a bulldozer.

hearingimpared

Jstas wrote: »

...if your commute is less than 2 miles to a train station?

No! It is not "Socially Irresponsible." What you do with your vehicle, what kind or engine you use, how far you travel, etc etc is your business as long as stay within the confines of DOT and State drivings codes and laws.

Man, that phrase "Socially Irresponsible" make my blood boil. There are criminals running around with automatic weapons and there are people making a stink over diesel and auto emissions. Gimme a break!

nooshinjohn

hearingimpared wrote: »

Man, that phrase "Socially Irresponsible" make my blood boil. There are criminals running around with automatic weapons and there are people making a stink over diesel and auto emissions. Gimme a break!

Don't you see man? They are giving you a break by looking out for YOU!;)

cmy330go

Socially speaking? I couldn't care less. Do what you want.

But personally? I just couldn't do that to a diesel.

nadams

Google says it's 1.2 miles from my house to where I work. I've never walked or biked it. I ride my motorcycle in the summer, but usually I will go out of my way on that, to make sure it gets warmed up and cleans the plugs off before i shut it off.

Maybe I should start walking.... but I already own a truck... I don't own a good pair of boots, heavy gloves, a winter hat, or a balaclava. And my laptop bag would get heavy after the first block or so...

SolidSqual

Are you contributing more to the social well-being of society by being a productive worker and showing up on time, as compared to not driving your truck and being late or becoming injured footing it . . . Yes.

TroyD

I'd drive to the end of the driveway to get the mail and paper out of the box.

BDT

superjunior

one of my workers lives less than 2 miles from here and drives his big deisal f350 in when the weather is bad. when its nice he rides his 4 wheeler in to work, they're legal to ride on the road here.

bobman1235

You guys are kinda insane sometimes.

it doesn't necessarily have to be about the environment. I understand the backlash against the Al Gores of the world who are trying to sanctimoniously regulate what you can and can't drive. I agree that him and everyone in Hollywood trying to outlaw pickup trucks and SUVs can go eff themselves.

That doesn't mean that having SOME level of "social conscience" has to be a bad thing. Being a part of society means at least giving a passing thought to how your actions might affect others. I'm of the mind that it should rarely if ever be MANDATED how you act, but being a decent person means voluntarily at least trying to be a decent person. So many of you guys talk about the good old days when people were friendly to each other, and a community, and then in the next breath scoff at the idea of being "socially irresponsible" just because it sounds like something a bleeding heart hippie might say.

Driving a car three blocks to the train station is all funny and really sticks it to Al Gore, but ignoring any potential environmental nonsense (which is so negligible it's pointless to even consider), you're also creating more traffic, taking away potentially limited parking spaces, putting unnecessary wear on YOUR CAR, costing yourself gas and maintenance money, and depriving yourself of a great opportunity to get some fresh air and ten minutes of exercise for your fat ****.

Demiurge

bobman1235 wrote: »

You guys are kinda insane sometimes.

it doesn't necessarily have to be about the environment. I understand the backlash against the Al Gores of the world who are trying to sanctimoniously regulate what you can and can't drive. I agree that him and everyone in Hollywood trying to outlaw pickup trucks and SUVs can go eff themselves.

That doesn't mean that having SOME level of "social conscience" has to be a bad thing. Being a part of society means at least giving a passing thought to how your actions might affect others. I'm of the mind that it should rarely if ever be MANDATED how you act, but being a decent person means voluntarily at least trying to be a decent person. So many of you guys talk about the good old days when people were friendly to each other, and a community, and then in the next breath scoff at the idea of being "socially irresponsible" just because it sounds like something a bleeding heart hippie might say.

Driving a car three blocks to the train station is all funny and really sticks it to Al Gore, but ignoring any potential environmental nonsense (which is so negligible it's pointless to even consider), you're also creating more traffic, taking away potentially limited parking spaces, putting unnecessary wear on YOUR CAR, costing yourself gas and maintenance money, and depriving yourself of a great opportunity to get some fresh air and ten minutes of exercise for your fat ****.

I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure New Jersey gets really cold and pounded with snow, doesn't it? Who the hell thinks its practical to slog through the snow and cold with laptop bags and depending on where you work, nice clothes, when you can just get in your vehicle and drive there? If it's nice out and sunny...taking a 2 mile walk might make some sense. Then again, I don't know what this persons schedule looks like.

The comments about taking the car to the mailbox are made tongue planted firmly in cheek. They're made because people are sick and tired of all of the hysteria surrounding you know what and the green movement.

I'd argue I'm more environmentally aware (obnoxious phrase) than most of the patchouli wearing hippie nozzles in their Prius' that love to be SEEN as though they care. They're usually the same people flicking their cigarette butts all over the street since we can't smoke in privately owned businesses anymore.

The very phrase socially irresponsible is obnoxious. I'll walk when I want to walk and I'll drive when I want to drive. Just because someone makes the choice to think for themselves rather than buy into a moronic feel good trend does not make them stupid or lazy.

/rant

Jstas

You assume alot there bobman.


Also, I am not the one considering this. A co-worker at work here was commenting on his purchase of a new Dodge diesel pickup truck and how he uses it to "commute". That sparked another co-worker to go in to "attack hippie" mode and chastise him for being "socially irresponsible".

He came back with the fact that his "commute" is to the train station which is less than 2 miles from his house. But his house is about 30 miles from work. So he takes public transportation for the majority of his commute which, according to the eco-****, is the "green" choice if distances are too far for bike, foot or pack mule.

The other co-worker, looking dejected, still maintained that it was socially irresponsible. I think she was just mad that he bought a "big, man-truck to pollute the environment with" even though he has a legitimate use for it in towing his race cars to the race track.

I asked the question here because I thought it would bring interesting responses.

But the eco-**** stuff is a bit over the edge.

My train station is exactly 1.83 miles from my house. I cannot easily walk it because most of the distance is along state divided highways with no sidewalk and I am NOT walking in the gutter of the right lane. I can get there on side streets but the distance turns into almost 4 miles because of the roundabout way I would have to take.

If that makes me less of a person than bobman or dkg999 then I guess I am. Then again, I do "commute" now in a pickup truck with a gasoline powered engine of 7.4L of effective displacement making about 500 horsepower and sucking down 25 gallons of high test at 13 miles to the gallon. So if anyone hasn't figured it out by now, I don't give a rat's patoot about it.

But, at the same time, I'm not opposed to walking and I use public transportation daily for my 20 mile commute. My train stops about 4-5 blocks from my building so I'm still trekking 10 city blocks daily as well as what I walk to go find lunch. Currently my commute takes about an hour one direction and I spend 2-2.5 hours a day commuting. If I were to walk the 2 miles to and from my house to the train station, you can add another hour on to that time. Work already sucks away about 11 hours of my life. If driving 2 miles to and from the train station can get me an extra hour in my day then I'll gladly forgo the harsh weather getup and inconvenience of backpacking to work in favor of burning some dead dinosaurs in the heated comfort of my vehicle. You may think different but that doesn't make me lazy.