This Indian Mom Commutes to Malaysia Daily for Work—Her Story Will Inspire You
This Indian Mom Commutes to Malaysia Daily for Work—Her Story Will Inspire You
A mother of Indian descent living in Malaysia has earned the title of ‘super commuter’ due to her remarkable daily commute between home and work. Every weekday, she rises at 4 am to prepare for her job, but instead of driving, she takes a flight to her office. Meet Racheal Kaur, an assistant manager in AirAsia’s finance operations. She has gained attention on social media after sharing how her travel routine not only saves her money but also allows her to spend quality time with her children at home, as reported by CNA Insider.
Racheal Kaur explains her decision to fly daily: “I have two kids who are growing up. My eldest is 12, and my daughter is 11. As they grow, I feel it’s important for their mother to be present more often. This arrangement lets me return home each day and see them in the evenings.”
Kaur used to rent a house in Kuala Lumpur close to her workplace and would return to Penang only once a week. However, this arrangement was affecting her work-life balance, as she mentioned in an interview. To address this, she decided to start flying daily in early 2024, which has helped her establish a better equilibrium between her personal and professional life.
What does her daily routine look like? In a video shared by the outlet, Kaur explained that she wakes up at 4:00 am each morning to prepare for work and leaves for the airport by 5:00 am to catch her 5:55 flight. After completing the necessary procedures, she arrives at her office by “no later than 7:45 am.” After a full day at work, she returns home by 8:00 pm.
According to the outlet, her daily commute, including food and accommodation, is less expensive when she flies than when she rented a place near her office. In fact, she even manages to save money with her new travel routine. She previously spent $474 (around ₹42,000) a month, but her expenses have now decreased to $316 (around ₹28,000) a month.
During her commute, Kaur refers to her flight time as her “me time.” She spends the first few minutes reflecting on her life, followed by listening to music and admiring nature until she arrives at her destination. Once she lands, she walks to her office, which takes about five to seven minutes.
Regarding why she doesn’t work remotely, Kaur believes that being in an office environment is more productive for her. She explained, “Being surrounded by people… it’s easier to get a task done. You know… when you’re able to communicate with people face to face.”
Kaur also mentioned that her employer, AirAsia, is supportive of her commuting arrangement, which has allowed her to maintain a healthy work-life balance. She said, “When I’m here, I focus 100% on my job and then when I’m home I can focus 100% with my family.”
Kaur shared in her interview that people have a range of reactions when they hear about her daily commute. Some are genuinely amazed, while others respond incredulously, saying things like, “Are you crazy!”
She acknowledged that waking up at 4:00 am every day can be exhausting, but she finds joy in seeing her kids as soon as she gets home. “All that exhaustion is just gone. It’s just wonderful,” Kaur expressed. It’s impressive how she manages to keep this routine going, and it seems like a great way to balance work and family life. She mentioned that she plans to stick with this unusual commute for the “foreseeable future.”
