I'm not adding to your alternatives, Kevin, but have some comments on telecommuting...

I telecommuted for approx. 6 different employers over 7+ years. [I have no kids at home who might get in the way]
A few potential employers during that time clearly thought that telecommuting was a boondoggle and that I would likely collect 'wages' from several employers simultaneously.

My employers got much more work out of me than they would have if I had to attend the office and get back/forth.
Essentially my system connected to theirs as soon as I got up. I might eat a meal rigt at the PC. And I certainly didn't leave some work at some unstable state at shutdown, meaning that I often stayed connected evenings until I could stop at a sensible place.

With Skype (phone) and GoToMeeting and such things it's quite easy o stay i touch with people at the office.

Your boss should realize that telecommuting is soon going to be the new 'standard' and get some good experience with it before he's forced to.

Is you presence at the office required for you to complete your activities?

Good luck


>I work 180 miles from the house. I get up at 4 and arrive at the ofice at 7. I leave at 6 and get home at 8 or 8:30. I'm in the car 4 hours a day. I work four 10 hours days and I am off on friday. Gas is costing me close to $700 a month just to get to and from the office.
>
>I have asked my company to assist in any way they can. I telecommuted two times last week, and my boss has asked me to come up with alternatives. Here is what I have so far. I need other suggestions:
>
>

>Option                    Pros	                                   Cons
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Do nothing	          No extra demands on Company              Continued strain on travel related expenses.
>
>Telecommute 1 or 2 days   Reduce cost of gas, driving time and     Less presence at the office
>a week                    wear & tear on my truck. Increased
>                          productivity
>	
>Work three 12-hour days   Reduce cost of gas, driving time and     Potential to become burned out. Only at the
>and telecommute 4 hours   wear & tear on my truck.                 office 3 days per week.
>on Thursday	
>
>Gas card or gas           Reduce or eliminate my gas costs.        Expense for Company
>Reimbursement.	          Writeoff for Company.
>
>Hotel reimbursement	  Reduce or eliminate my gas costs a few   Expense for Company. More time away from my
>                          days a week. Writeoff for Company. Less  family.
>                          long drives. Close to the office.
>
>Hybrid car lease or       Recuce cost of gas and wear & tear on    Expense for Company.
>reimbursement		  my truck.
>