The Cars.com Blog “Kicking Tires” has some photos of some “alternative fuel only” parking spaces at a Chicago Home Depot., including one of a Land Rover parked in one of the spots. Either the dude in the parking spot hasn’t figured it out yet, or he/she/it is running biodiesel? Has Chicago turned into California since we left?
We haven’t seen these before, but we live in Brooklyn and don’t drive a car. Hot new thing? —MEGHANN MARCO
Home Depot Hybrid Parking Abused [Kicking Tires]
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I have always enjoyed reading the comments on this site, but my opinion of the intelligence of the posters has changed dramatically with this article. I have never seen so many rude, uncaring jerks post in one spot before. Calling pregnant women and mothers whores? Lazy? Not fit to leave the house (aka “if you can’t walk you shouldn’t be shopping”)? What next, picking on five year olds who can’t read and old women who have been mugged?
A list of what I would park in said spots:
http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/112_news04092…
http://www.aavi.com/
http://www.aikensairplanes.com/images/FMBZ048_SHERMAN_TANK…
I never used an “expectant mother” spot with my first two pregnancies. However, now with my third pregnancy with complications, I do. My husband works 14 hours a day and we have no family or friend support structure. Yes, I’m supposed to be on bed rest, but if my other two kids and I want to eat then I have to go grocery store. I don’t get a choice.
To all you inconsodierate individuals, ask your Mom if she would have appriceated this courtesy. None of you would even be here if it wasn’t for a pregnant woman.
If you still feel differently, then God help you if you are ever in need of common courtesy or help from another human being.
@Elara: You said, “You guys park in handicapped spots too, don’t you- because if someone is really THAT handicapped, they should be at home or at the hospital, in a bed, not out shopping.”
Nope. I’d never park in a handicapped spot, but those expectant spaces are fair game. As others have said (perhaps ineloquently, yes), it’s pretty unlikely a person would willingly become handicapped, but the pregant peeps have chosen to become so.
If they didn’t think ahead to what it would be like in month 9 and after the baby’s born, then their poor planning and shortsightedness is hardly everyone else’s problem.
Wow, some of these replies are unbelievable. Parking spaces are not a god-given right, they’re a privledge and convenience given to you by store/property owners.
The only spots you should be parking in are the ones they DESIGNATE for you. If you don’t like it, tough luck. Shop at a place without these reserved parking spots.
I normally enjoy reading the posts here and skip the comments, but wow! Talk about an undeserved sense of entitlement.
Consumerist is all about fair dealing. Companies aren’t allowed to break the rules (be they laws or conditions of sale) just because they feel like it. But guess what? Neither are consumers. If they own the parking lot, they can choose who parks there. Don’t like it? Find another store, or look for street parking. This “the rules apply to everyone but me” attitude is just unbecoming.
(And no, I’m not just posting this because I’d love to have a special parking spot for my diesel Benz… but it doesn’t hurt)
Man a lot of you people feel really strongly about parking spots. I normally just park my car and get out, I didn’t know where I parked mattered.
I fail to see why the expectant mother spaces are such a huge deal. If this is the most “bothersome” thing in your day you’re probably doing ok.
As others have said (perhaps ineloquently, yes), it’s pretty unlikely a person would willingly become handicapped, but the pregant peeps have chosen to become so.
@seattlegirl: Using that logic we should deny handicapped spots to drunk drivers and extreme sports enthusiasts and allow spots for women who were raped.
Are these spots popping up because of some mandate or economic incentive? Is HomeDepot trying to meet some “green” certification in part by reserving these parking places? Is there a tax break for this? I have my doubts that they do it just to be a good company.
OK, I just have to comment on this one.
I live in Chicago and do not own a car. I make runs to home depot every now and then on my bicycle.
Now, what I hate the most about going to Home Depot is they have no place for me to lock up my bike. I usually have to seek out a tall sign embedded in concrete to attach it too. Sometimes there are not enough of these with other cyclists attaching to them also and you have search around or just go home.
You would think they would have a bike rack if the whole “green” thing was more than an act.
@WhaThe: I’m going to take a stab in the dark here, but most of the things at the Home depot are fairly large and or heavy. How do you get stuff home? As far as the rest of the article, expectant mother spots should be for “ready to pop” mothers. The “my stick turned blue yesterday” expectant mothers shouldn’t park there. What really cracks me up is Handicap parking, doctors up here write prescriptions like candy for them. 60% of the cars have the placard, the spot is irrelevant.
@Optimistic Prime:
True, but a lot of things are small and fit in a backpack too(lightbulbs, showerheads, tools, etc). Also, I think the city gives away and installs bike racks if a biz requests one. Not sure if they still do this but they did a few years back.
Quick check turns up this request form for a rack.
http://www.chicagobikes.org/forms/bikerackrequest.php
Maybe I’ll request one for the location.
@synergy:
Having lived in Washington and southern California for the last fourteen years, I can confidently say that I’ve never seen one either.
Is this some sort of Bay Area thing or is it just that the Liquor Marts I frequent don’t cater to the preggers set?