One-liners
- Thread starter AgentCooper
- Start date
TonyCarter
VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
I went back into Central London for the first time in about 10 years to do mandatory 'new HQ' familiarisation (despite me being WFH)...and I hope it is another 10 years before I have to go back.
Off peak is now an hour later in the morning that it used to be, so the train I wanted was £300 return; train was late both ways (so got 25% refund on both legs); very hot tube stations and trains once in London; overcrowded pavements; sooty smell everywhere.
Office was newly-built, and had lots of nice features, including ultra-wide screens on every desk...but the desks are 1/3rd smaller than the were in our old HQ so everyone is much more tightly packed, and the noise level is terrible (combination of everyone chatting and the air-con struggling to keep up with a 75% full office).
HomerJ
Author Level
sounds like robbery that price
TonyCarter
VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
Well, it's actually £342...but if I'm able to go off peak AND don't want a refundable/changeable ticket, I can get it for £109.
This is what's being offered for an open return for next week (so advance purchase, not on-the-day purchase)...
HomerJ
Author Level
SpyderTracks
We love you Ukraine
How much is a private jet i wonder? Can’t be too much more?
Salmon Fisher
Enthusiast
Or you could, you know, drive in?
TonyCarter
VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
I did drive to our old HQ in west London, near Heathrow (3-3.5 hours each way and £50 of fuel a week)...but they've moved to a new central London HQ, with no on-site parking...and the last time I drove into London it took another 2 hours to get from Heathrow to Leicester Square.
It just makes my WFH argument that much stronger
HomerJ
Author Level
I did drive to our old HQ in west London, near Heathrow (3-3.5 hours each way and £50 of fuel a week)...but they've moved to a new central London HQ, with no on-site parking...and the last time I drove into London it took another 2 hours to get from Heathrow to Leicester Square.
It just makes my WFH argument that much stronger
also the congestion/ulez charges as well which by the sounds of it are not cheap
ubuysa
The BSOD Doctor
Oh, I sympathise. On my commute this morning, as I exited the bedroom, Trixie, our cat, launched an attack against my naked right leg. She plays this game where she attaches herself to my leg and sees how far into my leg she can extend her claws before I'm howling in pain. Anyway I digress, think of it as a points failure at Shenfield. There being no beverage facility on this service I was forced to divert into the kitchen, which made me late for my appointment at my HQ. Whilst in the kitchen making myself a coffee Trixie launched an attack upon my left leg. It never ceases to amaze me how a human shouting at the top of their voice and waggling their leg in pain can be perceived by a cat as and act of pleasure on my part. By the way, waggling your leg in a situation like this is a bad idea, it just causes the cat to hang on tighter. A handy tip for you there. When I finally reached my HQ I was faced with the same old desk and the same old monitor, despite my protestations of its perceived inadequacy. My CFO constantly assures me that there is no budget for a new one, though strangely there does seem to be a budget for new dresses and new shoes. I don't think I'll ever understand business finance. Anyway, my office is the same as it always is, apparently there's no budget for redecorating either. The only positive from all of this, and the reason I'm following up with you, is that my commute from bedroom to office, via the kitchen remember, was completely free. Unless of course you count the minuscule wear and tear on the bottom of my feet and on the tiles on the floor. Oh, and the cost of a new cat....
HomerJ
Author Level
Tron1982
VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
Hem, just a serious question, is this some kind of your train price ?
Like, seriously ? Oo
I knew it was expensive, but not that much ...
I understand now why the train price reduction was mentioned in my future job place ...
TonyCarter
VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
Yes, that's how much it would cost me to travel the 210 miles from home in Liverpool to work in Central London using the only direct train company that covers that route.
There are other operators, that offer alternative non-direct routes, and to different London stations, but all their 'good' prices are after 10am as well, and add 1-2 hours to the journey.
There are other operators, that offer alternative non-direct routes, and to different London stations, but all their 'good' prices are after 10am as well, and add 1-2 hours to the journey.
Martinr36
MOST VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
No you have to watch out for the scameras
Another spoonfed youngster. Can't wait 'till he grows up and learns to use a knife and fork.
