Speaking of Parking Wars

My wife and I have a little tradition where at least once a week, I try to meet her downtown for lunch with me and my daughter. I used to be patient and knew the best street parking and was usually very successful at finding a spot within a good distance of her building. That all changed when Tri-Met began laying new lightrail tracks down 5th and 6th and moved the "bus mall" over to 3rd and 4th. Now, in addition to sharing those already busy streets with numerous buses, we lost a large amount of parking spots that were converted to bus stops. No biggy, since it's temporary and at least per Tri-Met, necessary for growth.

I then began parking in the local SmartPark garage near my wife's office building. My frustration level for other drivers/parkers has risen, and today was ultimate in that frustration.

First off, let me tell you my theory and how I view a parking garage. Parking garages go up...this is what allows so many people to park in such a small area (building footprint wise). So while I may be parked two floors above you, I'm technically only 20 feet away. So given that, to me, there really isn't a bad spot to be had in a parking garage. Parking on a higher floor only increases your travel time by maybe 20-30 seconds as that is how much longer you may have to wait. Although I would argue that since you're most likely heading down the elevator, it evens out since you'll be picked up before the people two floors down. So therefore...waiting a minute or two for that person to pull out of their spot on the 5th floor isn't doing anyone any good as you're actually slowing yourself down, not to mention creating a line of 5 cars behind you that have no where to go.

I experienced this today as it took me literally 5 minutes to get to the top floor (8th) where guess what, there were so many spaces I had trouble choosing which one I liked best.

Another pet peeve...learn how to park within the lines. Now, I'll be the first to admit that those spots are small as they are obviously trying to cram as many in as they can for revenue's sake. Except for those folks driving Hummers, we can all fit between the lines, if we just take that extra moment and actually try. When parking upstairs today, I chose a spot between two cars, even though there were plenty of empty ones. My reasoning, I was driving my truck (longer than most cars) and I would impede a lot of progress in parking in many of the spots. As I pull into the spot, I realize it aint happening because the car on the left is over the line and I would not be able to get out. As I drive on in frustration, I see the car that started it all. Someone came in at an angle, parked at the obscure angle, wheels still turned and all and just left it there. A simple 30 seconds to straighten their car out would have allowed anyone to park in anyone of those spots. But no, that person is obviously too busy, or important to, so now, everyone who parks there had to shift over to account for that person.

Oh, I'm not done with this trip. I also witnessed another person park their full size sedan in a compact spot. This compact spot was kind of perpendicular to the spot next to it so by parking this car not designed for it, they actually blocked the other car from being able to back out. I watched as the driver got out, noticed it, but did nothing, since she "scored" a spot on the 3rd floor and didn't have to drive up a few more floors.

And lastly, upon heading out of the garage, I round the corner to be almost hit head on by some trying to sneak down the wrong way to snag a spot. Heaven forbid he have to drive the extra half lap around the garage to get to that spot the right way.

So here's the deal on parking garages. First, take the time to park correctly, correct it if you have to. Second, remember that while waiting a minute or two for that spot on the 4th floor, the 7th and 8th floors are wide open and you'd already be on your way down. Third, be patient and be considerate. Don't sneak down the wrong way and don't block others in, even if that person parked badly. Be the better driver and move on to the next spot!