How far would you travel on a daily basis for a contract?

[SneakySimon]

Commute

I currently do East Midlands to London which is a 2 hour commute (4 hours per day). Been doing it for a year and just signed a 6 month extension.

It is hard going but the rate I can get in London makes it worth it – my plan was to do this for max a year but a rate increase and 6 months extension doing very little persuaded me otherwise!!

The 1.15 train journey is not too bad actually, I watch movies or read and my wife always has tea on the table when I get home at 7.30pm so it can work ok - just get frustrated at tiredness and missing out on going out etc but I got into debt so can't blame anyone else!!

[alreadypacked]

I guess what you are prepared to do, depends on if you have to do it.

[psychocandy]

I currently do East Midlands to London which is a 2 hour commute (4 hours per day). Been doing it for a year and just signed a 6 month extension.

It is hard going but the rate I can get in London makes it worth it – my plan was to do this for max a year but a rate increase and 6 months extension doing very little persuaded me otherwise!!

The 1.15 train journey is not too bad actually, I watch movies or read and my wife always has tea on the table when I get home at 7.30pm so it can work ok - just get frustrated at tiredness and missing out on going out etc but I got into debt so can't blame anyone else!!

Not sure if I'd do it just for a better rate but possibly if I had to. i.e. couldnt get closer contract.

[psychocandy]

For me it depends on the contract an my situation. If I had been on the bench for 3 months + and warchest disappearing then would seriously consider it. If it is a great opportunity/new technology etc then again I would consider it. Saying that I haven't had a single contract in the last 4 years that was under an hour and a half on a clear day. All have been flexible with time so I can miss rush hour spots and all had a reasonable WFH policy so 1.5 hrs is pretty standard nowadays.

One thing that does hack me off is buggering about with buses, trams, train etc. Would much rather do long commute in the car than doing public transport.

Exactly. Not ideal but situation depending.

Nah. Dont agree with the car thing. Cant kip when your driving !!! But then 1 hour in car is better than 2 hours on train. (Unfortunately, it'd be more like 3 hours+ to drive to London for me).

[doodab]

Exactly. Not ideal but situation depending.

Nah. Dont agree with the car thing. Cant kip when your driving !!! But then 1 hour in car is better than 2 hours on train. (Unfortunately, it'd be more like 3 hours+ to drive to London for me).

Driving to London also gets expensive with parking.

[shaunbhoy]

I used to commute daily from Swindon to Slough. Around 1.5 hours each way for normal congestion. Had to be an early start due to the traffic, and it was always bad on the way back too. Made for a 12-hour day. We had a small baby at the time too so very knackering.
I found that staying away 1 night a week helped me recharge my batteries though. Might be worth considering.

[norrahe]

2 hours each way every day and have been doing that on and off for 7 years

[Old Greg]

I used to commute daily from Swindon to Slough. Around 1.5 hours each way for normal congestion. Had to be an early start due to the traffic, and it was always bad on the way back too. Made for a 12-hour day. We had a small baby at the time too so very knackering.
I found that staying away 1 night a week helped me recharge my batteries though. Might be worth considering.

That clever Mr Brunel has improved journey times considerably since then.

[northernladuk]

I used to commute daily from Swindon to Slough. Around 1.5 hours each way for normal congestion. Had to be an early start due to the traffic, and it was always bad on the way back too. Made for a 12-hour day. We had a small baby at the time too so very knackering.
I found that staying away 1 night a week helped me recharge my batteries though. Might be worth considering.

Staying in a hotel just to charge up your gadgets is a bit extreme isn't it?

[Old Greg]

Staying in a hotel just to charge up your gadgets is a bit extreme isn't it?

The battery packs on those 1st generation pacemakers run down quickly.