Kaitlin Jay is a super-commuting cosmetologist who travels from North Carolina to New York City regularly to work as a hairdresser. She decided to move to Charlotte to be closer to her boyfriend and enjoy a slower pace of life but did not want to leave her clients in the city. She now travels back to Manhattan biweekly, spending just under $1,000 a month on flights, ground transportation, and renting a room from a friend. She works six days a month in the city and four days a month at a salon in Charlotte, managing her schedule to have personal time between trips.
Kaitlin is one of the over 3 million breadwinners who travel for their out-of-state jobs. Despite the potential cost and time consumption, those who make it work are willingly going for it. Wall Street Journal reporter Chip Cutter also experienced a similar situation, traveling from Columbus, Ohio to New York City multiple times a week for work. Cutter initially thought the back and forth would be cheaper than renting an apartment in NYC but ended up busting his budget. However, not all commuters experience the same challenges, as some find their journeys to be smooth and even quicker than their local transit trips.
Susan Miller, a professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, has an easy commute between New York City and the Midwest for her weekly lectures. She humorously noted that it takes less time for her to travel to Michigan than it did for her to commute to Manhattan for work when she lived in Long Island for 23 years. Kaitlin Jay also manages her travel between Charlotte and New York City efficiently to make it to her shifts. She wakes up early for her flights, lands at LaGuardia Airport, and takes multiple modes of transportation to get to her workplace at the Scott J Aveda salon.
Despite the challenges and long hours, Kaitlin’s dedication to her work has gained admiration from her online followers and clients. She remains focused and committed to providing top-notch service to her clients in New York City while also enjoying her life in Charlotte. Kaitlin expresses her love for both locations and her gratitude for being able to experience the best of both worlds through her hard work and dedication. With careful planning and a positive attitude, she manages her super-commuting lifestyle successfully and remains passionate about her career as a hairdresser.
