A common misconception is that MEPs are ‘part-time’ politicians who are highly paid but rarely show up at plenary sessions. Part of this misconception stems from the fact that the European Parliament's plenary sessions only last for one week each month. However, MEPs do much more than speak and vote in plenary sessions. The average month of an MEP involves a week of committee meetings in Brussels, a week of party meetings in Brussels, a plenary week in Strasbourg or Brussels debating and voting on legislation and resolutions, and a week ‘back home’ dealing with constituency and other local political business. Shuttling between Brussels, Strasbourg and home, MEPs ‘live out of a suitcase’. Moreover, the constant shuttles of the MEPs are associated with moves of tons of documents that are needed for the normal operation of the European Parliament. Seen this way, it is as if MEPs are moving offices twice a month. It is thus not too surprising that most MEPs only serve for one five-year term.

Another aspect of this misconception stems from the common observation that even in the plenary sessions not all MEPs take part in all votes. However, like all elected politicians, MEPs have to make choices about how best to allocate their time: for example, whether to work on a committee report, prepare a speech, meet with interest groups or constituents, attend a party meeting, undertake research, attend a committee meeting, attend a plenary debate and speak in the plenary.