I have used public transportation in the Los Angeles area since the early 1960s with few problems. I prefer to ride buses or rail lines even now…the lawyer chided me once for taking a bus or Blue Line to downtown Los Angeles–where I go all the time to do research in the big law library. That doesn’t faze me. He had me go to Glendale twice earlier this year-- and I took Metro Rail and the bus; he was none the wiser. Why not drive downtown? To save gas, and avoid the hassles that go with parking-- finding a place to park and paying highway-robbery rates.
But I am getting up in years and a 120 - mile round trip is more taxing than a trip, by any conveyance, to Los Angeles or Glendale or Long Beach, much less Torrance. I will rely on the doctor’s advice.
Especially so since the lawyer hardly pays me anything.
Tell the attorney that your health precludes making the trip using public transportation, but you will be happy to go if they get you (and pay for, of course) an air-conditioned car with driver. You’re in the LA area, right? Arranging for such a car should be a trivial task.
Why would you work for hardly anything?
Sick bennies. Lots of travel, for one!
Wait, the OP lives in LA, and doesn’t own a car?
What is this, science fiction?
My first roommate in LA lived in Marina Del Rey and worked downtown (1985 timeframe). Took 2 1/2 hours each way by bus. I couldn’t understand it then, and I still can’t.
There’s trouble in River City and he needs to work on the Monorail.
Yes, I do own a car. In fact, I drove to Riverside and back Monday-- in unbelievably hot weather.
I had simply considered it wiser to use public transportation than to drive, if possible.
This lawyer doesn’t reimburse you for travel expenses?
Yes, usually. But the Metrolink ticket cost me $11.30, and the gas for Monday’s trip set me back $20.00; I was able to afford it. The saving grace was that I have a handicapped placard (authorized by my doctor after I had vein surgery in my legs) allowing me to use metered parking without having to pay, according to local regulations.
If you don’t want to travel and can afford the loss of whatever small amount the lawyer pays you, then don’t go anymore.
But I’m confused by the details. Does your car have air conditioning? If so, why was the outside temperature such a factor?
If your boss reimburses your travel expenses, why is the $8.70 difference in gas vs Metrolink an issue? Why do you say you can afford it if you’re reimbursed?
If you get free metered parking, why do you say the rates are highway robbery?
This is what makes sense. You’re putting yourself out here to appear in court, it shouldn’t be a burden on you, and someone else has to pay the bill.
If a trip to the Riverside courthouse is for the client’s convenience, the lawyer should be able and willing to foot the bill for the rental of a nicer car than what you normally drive, dougie, and bill it to the client (he should also provide you with a toll road transponder).
Bottom line is, is the decision to refuse to travel to Riverside likely to lose you this lawyer’s business in future? If so (and if this lawyer’s business is anything like crucial to your income), then IMHO, it’s a drastic decision.
There are so many “ifs” in the above because you’re being really coy about describing your working relationship. I can’t tell if you’re a casual freelance paralegal or an employee.
The car, 22 years old, may have air conditioning. But my efforts to locate an owner’s manual (the car did not have one when I bought it) have been futile, and the controls are not that well marked. (It’s a 1994 Mercedes Benz C-280.)
I had decided against driving to downtown Los Angeles years ago, long before I developed trouble with the veins in my legs qualifying me for the placard. Still, if the spaces don’t exist the rates don’t matter.
My status is quite casual–I might go for weeks without contact from the lawyer. In fact when I started I might come into his office from one of my yards (I did yard work until I got too old and heavy for it), barely presentable.
Well, it sounds to me like the stress, inconvenience and the toll on your health and the vehicle aren’t worth what you’re being compensated for making the trip. So your decision does not sound drastic, and it is probably wise.
Dude, look for a button labeled AC and push it.
Ok. Now you’re just teasing us. Seriously, dude, you can’t manage to figure out how to use the air conditioning on your own car yet you actually know the make and model. And for that reason you take the train and bus?
Fuck sake, you can find the instruction manual on line easily. Or just randomly push buttons until cold air comes out. There aren’t that many combinations.
Just when I think dougie has hit his peak, I learn that he is willing to drive for over 4 hours in 100°+ heat without even randomly pushing buttons to turn on the AC.
15 seconds of Googling informs me that the 1994 C280 came with “Automatic Climate Control” as a standard feature, which probably means all you have to do is set a temperature.
Button labeled “AC”? Didn’t I say they weren’t well marked?
Eh, Hajario, I can find the manual online easily? What’s the Internet address?
Riverside is 60 miles from here. That’s one hour on the freeway. And that was just the afternoon–it wasn’t so bad Monday morning, going out there.
FWIW, the lawyer came out here about 30 minutes ago. He understood the situation as I explained it–and agreed that I don’t have to go back to Riverside. No problem. And he even made a constructive suggestion about the air conditioning: inquire at the place that serviced the brakes on my car last month (as does other vehicle service). 
Here’s a picture of the dashboard of your car. The climate control buttons are above the radio.
Well, I spent about 10 seconds to find a picture of the climate control controls on that make and model.
About 15 seconds more got me to a place to pay to download the owner’s manual. MERCEDES BENZ C280 OWNERS MANUAL 1993-2000 DOWNLOAD - Tradebit
Decided it wasn’t worth any more time to see if I could find it free, despite being fairly sure you will reject the link.