Slacking Issue VI: Commute

My next topic about "slacking" is the commute to work and how this can work out for those that want some quality slacking time.  Of course the commute to your work will depend on where you live but if you are able to "choose" where you live and your workplace is fairly laid back, you can use your drive - or lack of ability to do so - to and from work to essentially trim some time off their work day.

My first example is from a time when I lived in Phoenix in the late 80's...at this time in Phoenix there was literally one interstate that ran north and south that that was just 6 lane (3 lanes each way) ...  At this time driving any distance in Phoenix was a crap shoot.  Never, not once, would you ever be questioned if you show up late for any appointment or your job (as long as it was a consistent occurrence) because everyone had the same excuse and that was the traffic.  The sad fact is, though, you would be late for your appointment or whatever because it was actually due to the traffic...at any time if an accident or mishap happened on your route to where ever, you were screwed.  More than once I have came to a complete stop on the interstate or various other streets/roads in and around Phoenix.  Sometimes a 20 minute trip would take 2 hours because of some mishap.  I only could dream of how much better being stuck in traffic today would be compared back to then...all I had back then was the radio ... no cell phones, internet, etc... Now, being stuck in traffic a person can open up their laptop or pull out their smart phone and at least have some good time killing items available.

The second example works great in this region, the barren wasteland.  I have worked at a couple of different jobs and in both instances there have been coworkers that live 10, 20 miles out of town and make the drive in and out every day.  Traffic would never be an issue here.  But what these folks have in their favor is bad weather.  Each winter we are all but guaranteed at least a half dozen blizzards or so that will close down the highways, which would prevent the out of towners from getting to town.  Getting around town during a blizzard usually isn't too bad and a person can typically get to work and home safely...but out in the open it is too dangerous.  These coworkers simply need to call in to say that they can't make it to work because of the no travel advisory and go back to sleep. 

Another factor that is working in their favor these days is that the weather forecasters are all about overhyping any weather system and even the remote chance of a blizzard forming, will forecast a blizzard days in advance...those living out of town will all but make arrangements to not leave their house for the next 3, 4 days because of the impending blizzard...and then I would say 3 out of 5 forecasted blizzards don't materialize or are not as bad as what was forecasted...but that won't stop the out of towners from making plans on not going to work for the day...