Going From Tai Po To Admiralty? Just Book A Flight

Catching a flight just to get to work may seem like the preserve of tycoons and celebrities, but that was exactly what one ordinary banker in Hong Kong had to resort to when she wanted to get to her office in Admiralty from her Tai Po home.

The extensive road and rail link disruptions had thrown the commute of millions in the city out of gear, and tens of thousands of people have been enduring long hours on the road to reach their workplace.

Tai Po was especially hard hit, and was left virtually isolated as key road and rail links to the area have been cut. That had left this banker working from home the whole week.

But with the situation showing no sign of getting better, she began feeling the call from her work laptop, stuck there in her office.

Determined to get back, no matter what it takes, the banker drew up travel plans that would have left the most seasoned travel agent scratching their heads. The only trouble was that a part of it required her to take the Airport Express – from the airport.

But recent security arrangements meant she needed to buy an air ticket just to get access to the rail station there. But the determined banker didn’t have any second thoughts and booked a flight even though she had no intention to fly anywhere.

Then she put her plan into action. She took an airport bus from Tai Po with a rather circuitous route, going first to Sheung Shui, then Yuen Long, through Tai Lam and finally, the airport.

Showing her flight booking, she entered the airport, only to head straight to the train platform and board the airport express. And in a mere five hours, she was back in her office.

Once she got in, she promptly called her travel agent and cancelled her flight.

She said she didn't think her plan was that extreme as Hongkongers always want to get to work. "HK people are very diligent and accountable, they are very committed to their duties, finding all ways possible to go to work," she said.

The banker said as she goes on business trips frequently, her agent was not surprised at receiving such last minute requests for bookings and cancellations.

Having had a taste of success in the morning, she proceeded to do the same thing going back home... and got back in just 2.5 hours.