Introduction
It snows 1-2 times a year in Seattle. The city just isn’t prepared for it, especially with all the hills around here. I had just landed from Austin at ~10PM on Sunday. Apparently it had started snowing at around 6PM that day. By the time I landed and looked out the window, I knew it was going to be trouble. The first sign of trouble was when I called for an Uber for pickup, the app kept trying to find a driver, but none matched. It timed out after a few minutes. I then tried again. This time the app froze up. This was NOT going to be good.
Step 1 – Get out of the airport
For some reason, the Seattle airport will only let EV cars pick up from the airport (so mostly Prius cars.) My first thought was to just get off the airport so that “regular” cars could pick me up. I saw a Crowne Plaza shuttle and hopped on it. When we got to the CP, I called up an Uber. The UberX was 15 miles away. The driver then called me up and said it would take her an hour to arrive but she could do it. With 4 inches of snow on the ground and wanting to get home ASAP, I told her to just cancel it.
I then tried to get a 2nd UberX. This new driver accepted the request and then “started my ride’ almost immediately even though I was still at the CP. I was like WTF?!? I called him up and he said, “Sorry I can’t pick you up due to the snow.” Then I yelled at him, “Then why would you say you picked me up?!?” and hung up on him. I later got that credit back. I then tried a 3rd Uber, and this guy was also 15 miles away. I called him up and asked him if he was actually going to come. He said, “Yes, I’m dropping someone off around there and will pick you up.” That was going to take forever, so I cancelled that request.
Step 2 – Go back to airport and catch cab
We then decided to hop back on the shuttle and go back to the airport. I figured there’d be more options there. When I got there, we waited in the taxi line. I considered a van dropoff, but they didn’t seem to be running. I thought about the bus, but I’m sure it was having issues too. The other option would have been a train into Seattle, but that wouldn’t be convenient in getting home. After 30+ minutes, we were able to get a taxi…a Prius of course. I told him to drive me to Bellevue, which is a 20 minute ride without the snow, and he was okay with it. Quick aside – I don’t live in Bellevue; I just park there since it’s on the way to the airport and I save a bit of Uber money.
Crazy Driver
While driving up the highway, I told him of my parking situation and he was giving me tips on how to drive in the snow. We were in the middle lane where cars were driving. He pointed to the slush where the lane lines used to be and said, “Be careful about crossing those since it’s fresh snow.” Five minutes later, sure enough, he crosses into the left lane and is now blowing down the highway at 70mph in a lane that is mostly snow since no sane person has driven in it. I tell my wife, “Put down your phone and hold on to the oh shit bar.”
Half way to Bellevue, he merges back onto the middle lane; I forgot why he got out of the left lane. Then he approaches a slower car and is now TAILGATING the car at 60MPH IN THE SNOW! And he’s tailgating him for a good 5+ minutes. All the while telling me how I should be able to make it home if I drive slow and careful!
Drop off or go home
Still on the highway, I had to make the decision of having him drop me off in Bellevue and then me driving home in the snow [in my front wheel Hyundai Elantra] or asking him to just drive me home. I eventually asked him to drive me home and he bluntly said NO. After a while, I told him that I didn’t live that far off the highway and there are no big hills. He then says, “Well if you take care of me, I can drive you home.” I knew what he meant but played dumb, “What does that mean?” He pointed to the meter and said to “take care of him.” I reluctantly agreed.
We merged onto another highway with 4 lanes but only one lane was being used. Our driver sure enough wanted to drive down unchartered territory while driving 60MPH. After he passed up some cars, he merged back to the one good lane. Eventually he was behind 2 cars and then begins to complain to me about how the first car is a truck and should have no problems driving in the snow. I mean, what do you say to this guy? After a few more minutes, he decides to pass them up again, driving in the fresh snow. I then asked him, “Is a Prius front wheel or 4 wheel drive?” He told me only front wheel but he muttered something about how the battery and the brakes or something gave him traction. I have no clue cuz it was nonsense. A few minutes later, we asked him to drop us off and we walked to the house. The meter read $53 and I gave him $70 and asked, “Okay?” He said, “Okay.” I couldn’t be more happy to be in my bed safe and sound that night.
Lessons Learned
One, try to not drive in snow if you have to. Two, sometimes, you just have to pay whatever.
I think a Prius is surprisingly decent in the snow b/c the battery gives it a lower center of gravity (not sure that’s true but what I’ve heard). Although I’d be doubtful of traction with those tiny wheels and light body. Glad you made it home safe.
snow driving in my rwd bmw was terrifying/occasionally fun till I got snow tires then it handles reasonably well in snow
That must have been one scary ride – actually its not that difficult driving in snow (I live in connecticut where we get a lot more snow). But drivers like these are what causes many of the accidents.
It is usually guys in pick ups thinking trucks are impervious to snow though – not someone in a Prius….his car is what makes it really crazy.
Yeah I was thinking there’s no way this Prius can be switching lanes like that at 60MPH in the snow. I thought for sure we’d slide off the highway.
Living in Michigan I laugh at 4 inches of snow….haha – glad you made it home ok eventually!
Dude. Seattle ppl can’t even drive in the rain and it rains all the time here. Just terrible.
Haha lmao – I still have to get out there – I guess I need to walk everywhere though!