Hitchhiking

[talisman]

Have any of you ever traveled by a combination of solely relying on hitchhiking and walking? Or picked up hitchhikers before? If so what made you decide to stop? I've picked up a couple before, but when I was much younger. Obviously I wasn't murdered. Had a long discussion with 3 hitchhikers with a pitbull while I was in Florida, but they wouldn't have fit in my car and were headed to Cali anyway, and I was still on my way to Cape Canaveral. I think they were going to be waiting a long time being together like that. They reminded me of Jesse's friends in Breaking Bad. Just curious what people think about it as a means of travel.

[DON SVO]

It's a great way to die.

[Baba Ganoush]

Well in the old days, it wasn't so uncommon. My father hitchhiked from SF to OK when he was discharged from the Navy in '72. Today, I wouldn't chance it.

[ELVIS]

Have any of you ever traveled by a combination of solely relying on hitchhiking and walking? Or picked up hitchhikers before? If so what made you decide to stop? I've picked up a couple before, but when I was much younger. Obviously I wasn't murdered. Had a long discussion with 3 hitchhikers with a pitbull while I was in Florida, but they wouldn't have fit in my car and were headed to Cali anyway, and I was still on my way to Cape Canaveral. I think they were going to be waiting a long time being together like that. They reminded me of Jesse's friends in Breaking Bad. Just curious what people think about it as a means of travel.

i never have hitchhiked , but ive picked up countless folks on the side of I45 while heading to and from houston. always made them ride in the bed of the truck. just not sure how well my cqc skills would be while trying to pilot a vehicle should they get out of hand. always very thankful. usually drop them at a gas station and buy them food and drink.

god bless.

[jakesford]

Well in the old days, it wasn't so uncommon. My father hitchhiked from SF to OK when he was discharged from the Navy in '72. Today, I wouldn't chance it.

So do you think its more dangerous out there 40+ years later? I am always curious when people act like we live in a more dangerous time. On a per capita basis, I don't there are any more "crazies" out there then there were in the '70s, and a vast majority of people are still of good nature.

Is hindsight that much more "rosey", or is it the extreme amount of media attention that every crime receives these days make it seem that much more unsafe?

[lowthreeohz]

When I was in junior high living in Utah we would hitch rides in and out of the valley. Nobody ever touched my weenie or tried to kill me though.

[HarrisonTX]

I think its legal in CA. I hitchhiked from Oakland to San Fran last Thursday at 11pm when Amtrak lost my bike.

[Baron Von Crowder]

When I was in highschool, a guy hitch hiked down to corpus and met a group down there, went into mexico, had a great week of spring break. IIRC, he graduated a year early as our valedictorian.

[Cooter]

I've picked up a few when I was young because I was armed and why not help somebody out...

I'd like to think it paid off because I was broke down 45min out of Santa Fe one time with a brown friend of mine, and we got picked up.

Once I got with my now-wife, I wouldn't do it just because

[ELVIS]

When I was in junior high living in Utah we would hitch rides in and out of the valley. Nobody ever touched my weenie though.

so you are saying it was a waste of time...

god bless.

[lowthreeohz]

so you are saying it was a waste of time...

god bless.

Bingo!

[Baba Ganoush]

So do you think its more dangerous out there 40+ years later? I am always curious when people act like we live in a more dangerous time. On a per capita basis, I don't there are any more "crazies" out there then there were in the '70s, and a vast majority of people are still of good nature.

Is hindsight that much more "rosey", or is it the extreme amount of media attention that every crime receives these days make it seem that much more unsafe?

No, people are much more cautious nowadays, especially the good ones, so the person who picks you up may not be the one you want a ride with. Same goes for the hitchhiker. It's well known that it is a dangerous and in some cases illegal practice, so more folks will question the motives of the hitchhiker.

[Chili]

I have never technically hitchhiked, but I used to walk about 2 miles to school, down a long winding country road, and neighbors would pick me up from time to time, and drop me at the school (had to pass it to go anywhere from our road).

My favorite was a guy whose property bordered ours, and he often was driving his '58 Corvette.

I have never picked up hitchhikers either, but have given rides to stranded motorists a few times.

[talisman]

So do you think its more dangerous out there 40+ years later? I am always curious when people act like we live in a more dangerous time. On a per capita basis, I don't there are any more "crazies" out there then there were in the '70s, and a vast majority of people are still of good nature.

Is hindsight that much more "rosey", or is it the extreme amount of media attention that every crime receives these days make it seem that much more unsafe?

I tend to agree with this.

[BP]

Well in the old days, it wasn't so uncommon. My father hitchhiked from SF to OK when he was discharged from the Navy in '72. Today, I wouldn't chance it.

That was very common practice for soldiers before Vietnam. My dad hitchhiked from Amarillo to Vegas and back several times. I'm pretty sure he had a travel allowance and kept it this way. I know at least once though he drove a new Caddy across country for a dealer trade instead of taking a bus or hitchhiking.

There isn't really a need to do it anymore though. As long as you can get to an airport and have orders the DOD will pay for a standby ticket to wherever you are supposed to go. Or if you are near a base with a passenger terminal you can always ride those planes for free. Getting to and from the base/airport is on your dime though but may be reimbursed eventually.

Personally unless they are wearing a uniform I probably won't stop. I mean if it's something obvious like they are in the middle of the desert and walking with a gas can and I can see their car I'd probably pull over but if I'm driving on I-35 heading to Austin and see a homeless guy sitting there with his dog and a thumb out I'm not going to.