I put notice in at work because I can't afford the gas to get there.

[HeeBGBz]

I was paying $40 a week to get to work and back, back when it was $2.13. That's about 25% of my take home. Now at nearly $2.50 a gallon, I have to bail on the job and look for something closer to home or something on the bus route.

[LisaM]

1. Can't you carpool?

You must be either 1) really far away from your job; or 2) drive a gas guzzler.

Bus ridership in Seattle is way up - the buses are always packed now.

[HeeBGBz]

3. Yes to far away and yes to a guzzler

Where I work now isn't covered on the bus route. It would leave me several miles away from the job.

I drive an old Chevy Caprice Classic that needs work in the gas sucking area.

I am the one of two employees that aren't family. The other one works opposite shift from me.

[pitohui]

2. business will have trouble finding part-timers

for the very reason you mention

not worth driving to work for a small paycheck

this assumes the price of gas remains this high, i assume it will fall after labor day

[HeeBGBz]

5. You think it will fall? I hope so.

Even so, I did not factor in the cost of driving there when I took the job. Considering the suckage factor of my vehicle, I am cutting my losses now and looking for something I can either bicycle to or take the bus if need be.

[SammyWinstonJack]

4. That just isn't right!

WTG bush** you little worm! While you and your GREED PIG oil exec buddies are becoming obscenely rich, HARD WORKING (that doesn't include you)Americans are struggling to make ends meet. HeeBGBz, I hope you find something closer to home and that you find it soon.

[HeeBGBz]

6. I will find something and probably be better off

I feel kinda bad for my boss though.

[LisaM]

7. It bothers me that many businesses aren't on buslines

My boyfriend cannot take a bus, for example. He can get within approximately one mile (after being on two buses for more than an hour) but where he works is really not a place where a pedestrian would be safe - off the highway, no sidewalks, etc. Wal-Marts are NEVER on buslines.

[RamboLiberal]

9. How about when the busline cuts service

In Pittsburgh hours, routes, etc., are cut way back. Forget it on weekends or late night!

Will the buslines be cutting service cause they have to buy diesel? When they go for their next contract that is going to be bad!

[LisaM]

12. P.S. he doesn't work at a Wal-Mart

I was just randomly thinking that Wal-Mart employs so many people and yet most can't get to work on the bus.

[MountainLaurel]

18. Some places would be lucky to have buslines

At all. In this country, public transportation is available to a slim percentage of the country.

[Mari333]

8. I did the same thing.

now I have a lower paying job but its only 1/2 mile away..couldnt afford the 35 miles to work, wasnt worth the gas.

[GreenPartyVoter]

10. I hope you can find another job closer to home

[RamboLiberal]

11. I've been wondering how those people who moved out

to now what is referred to as the exburbs in their overpriced McMansions are going to cope with their gas guzzling SUV's and minivans? Some of those people have horrendous commutes.

How about the soccer moms who shuttle the precious little kiddies all over the place for their soccer, karate, dance, afterschool tutoring, etc. gonna cope.

Are they going to have to tell the little kiddies - tough, go play with your friends in the yard or the street like we did?

Horrors they may tear up their precious little yards.

Will the homeowners association then come down on them!

:evilgrin:

And no, I'm not one rooting for high gas prices!

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

13. I paid 2.63 this morning for middle grade; at 5:30 pm, it was up to

2.67! WTF? Bullshit.

[HeeBGBz]

16. Geez, that will probably be us tomorrow.

What a rip-off!

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

14. I began taking work home - fortunately my employer cooperates

I was driving 100 miles round-trip to my office each day, at a cost in California of about $12 a day. That's not considered a long commute distance for the Los Angeles area, where everything seems to be far from everything else. I have found a bus route that costs me $4.40 round trip and I only go to the office about once a week to pick up files and bring them back. Of course a 100 miles round trip by bus takes a long, long time. I've been working as an independent contractor in the same office for more than 10 years, so I guess my employer trusts me with files at home. I now spend most of my day, including week-ends, communicating with clients through e-mail and preparing files on my word processor (when I'm not posting on DU). I think more American companies should try to decentralize the office and allow employees to work through the Internet, when possible. I think we're inevitably going to have to head in this direction, as freeways become clogged and undriveable and unlimited driving becomes a privilege of the rich.

[growlypants]

15. If it hits $3.00/gallon Im gonna BIKE my ass to work.

Seriously. I'll park that car so fast.....

[shanti]

17. guess i'm lucky

i have light rail to carry my butt to work every day. the good thing is that my employer subsidizes the tickets, so it only costs me $20 a month! ain't that something! parking is at least $80 a month, and well, we won't even talk about the gas.