Sounds about right.
A few years ago, after being messed around for a month or so, I actually kidnapped two NTL "engineers" and wouldn't let them go until the job was finished. Luckily I was able to lend them the tools that they needed.
One of them was a nervous looking spotty oik, and as time went on he started to look even more nervous. I asked if he had any plans for the evening and he told me that he was meant to be picking up his girlfriend. When I generously offered to call her and explain that he was going to be late he didn't seem terribly impressed.
John
