Joe Yates
A woman flew across up to three states every single week as a cost effective way to get to work instead of splashing out on rent.
Sophia Celentano might be the only person in the US that is willing to fly two to three states, depending on whether she's staying at her mom and dad's or boyfriend's, in order to get to her internship.
The commute sounds excessive for a full-time job let alone as a trainee, but the savvy jet-setter made it work as she explained to her followers on TikTok last year how she opted to board a plane rather than pay extortionate prices for renting in New Jersey.
If she was at her parent's home she flew from Charleston, West Virginia - which would mean she'd travel over Virginia, Maryland and Delaware before landing in New Jersey, or at her partner's in Richmond, Virginia - so it'd just be the two states she'd fly over.
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Speaking to Business Insider, Sophia explained a little more about why she went through all the hassle of taking a plane to her internship every single week.
After receiving the offer from Ogilvy, Sophia said it was her 'initial instinct' to just commute to the offices as there was only one mandatory day a week where she needed to be physically in.
She explained: "From my perspective, I didn't really see it worth getting a really expensive place by the office if I was only needing to be there for eight hours of the week.
"I guess I never really saw super-commuting as a daunting thing."
Sophia proceeded to share a rundown of her morning routine: "When I first started, I'd get up at like 3am to get ready for the plane ride, but now I wake up around 3:30am or 3:45am.
"I do my makeup and hair first, put on my business casual outfit, and then I get my bag ready. I usually pack a lunch, some comfortable clothes, and then bring a coffee to go."
She usually ended up leaving the house 'around 4:30am' and arrived to the airport around '5am'.
"I have TSA PreCheck so the airport security line really only takes five to 10 minutes," she continued. "I'm usually at my gate by around 5:15 am, which is exactly when boarding starts."
When the flight lands, Sophia calls an Uber 'right away' and makes it to the office 'usually around 8:30 or 8:45am' right in time to start her full 9-5 workday.
But at the end of the working day she'd make it back to wherever she's staying that night at 'around 11pm.
"The next day, because I work remote, I'm able to sleep in a bit so that helps a lot," she added.
"I don't have to wake up until around 8am to start work."
While she admitted it could be a 'tiresome commute', Sophia said it's definitely 'worth it'.
And the money?
Well, Sophia explains those who are curious about her jet-setting lifestyle that super-commuting is all about striking a healthy work-life balance.
She said: "A lot of people are interested in how much money I'm saving. I book my flights about three to four weeks out so they're pretty cheap.
"My flights are around $100 there and back and then I pay about $100 for Ubers between the office and airport. If I lived in the New York City or New Jersey area, I'd be spending thousands of dollars a month on rent alone."
While she understands it may not 'work for everyone', Sophia explained: "I feel like I've gotten used to the whole hustle of traveling every week and it really doesn't bother me.
"If anything, I really look forward to it. I love being at the airport. I love the adventure of it. I think it's really nice to be able to wake up in one city and then start my workday in another."
That's one way to see it.
Sophia, clearly happy with her choice, said that her story 'says a lot about how people are prioritizing work-life balance more in the wake of the pandemic'.
She said: "The hybrid world really allows you to have so much more flexibility.
"It's not necessary to live 20 minutes down the road from your office anymore. You can still have a really successful career — even if you're living far away from where you work."