Bleak congestion future

Washington Times ^ | 9-1-06 | David T. Hartgen

[JZelle]

Labor Day weekend is usually one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, but who can tell anymore? Our roads are so overcrowded that a hectic holiday weekend is indistinguishable from an average weekday. Washington, D.C. is already the fourth most congested city in the U.S., behind only San Francisco, Chicago and Los Angeles. Commute times during peak traffic hours are 51 percent longer than during off-peak times, meaning a trip that is supposed to take you 30 minutes takes over 45.

[Onelifetogive]

Long-term solution.....Telecommuting. Is there really a need for so many people to congregate together at the same location for just for work.

[Gorzaloon]

Long-term solution.....Telecommuting. Is there really a need for so many people to congregate together at the same location for just for work.

I was doing it a day or two a week for two years.

It is much more productive for many functions. An enormous benefit is that eternally ongoing waste-of-time meetings do not have the same "Fifteen Minutes of Fame" value for every stupid pointless "Contribution", not being as attractive to amateur talent on Netmeeting.

They want to SEE themselves putting you into a coma, and read the body language that says, "If you do not shut up in another minute I am going to kick your throat in".

Take away the presence, and the Napoleons lose their cheap thrills.

Your Work Product speaks for itself, for a change.

Another benefit is not being physically present during the 4:45 PM "Emergencies". They do not get the thrill out of watching supressed rage, and take their search for sadomasochism elsewhere.

Everyone has both endearing and alienating personality traits. In telecommuting, the professional persona comes to the fore, and much friction is lessened.

Other than in-office friendships, there is no good reason to drive, and many, many bad ones. I am certain everyone can add many to the examples above.