Just like code review doesn't happen on its own, pair programming does need to be a team effort. A single developer deciding to do pair-programming more tends not to change an entrenched culture. Working in the same place and time and on the same code change doesn't happen automatically, particularly in places that support flextime and working from home.
The one place I worked where we pair programmed all the time and it worked well was a startup where everyone hired knew going in that it's an XP shop (and this was part of the attraction).
On the other hand, flextime and working from home actually are important benefits. It's a tradeoff.
Comments
Just like code review doesn't happen on its own, pair programming does need to be a team effort. A single developer deciding to do pair-programming more tends not to change an entrenched culture. Working in the same place and time and on the same code change doesn't happen automatically, particularly in places that support flextime and working from home.
The one place I worked where we pair programmed all the time and it worked well was a startup where everyone hired knew going in that it's an XP shop (and this was part of the attraction).
On the other hand, flextime and working from home actually are important benefits. It's a tradeoff.