My wonderful wife has taught me to "Be grateful for what you have, be happy for those who have more and helpful to those who have less." I've clearly out married myself.
Thank you for your insights Tom. We've flown extensively for business and pleasure for many years. Living two hours from a major airport requires several hours of pre-flight lead time getting to the airport, parking, checking in, etc. or spending the night before the flight in a hotel and navigating their shuttles before an early morning flight. While I applaud the six hour and nine hour drive radius you and another reader suggest, I find 15+ hour trips from Minnesota to Atlanta, New York and Philadelphia are also easier to drive. By the time we drive to the airport, park, check bags, wait to board, are en route, then wait at the luggage carousel, wait for a shuttle to the car rental and drive to our destination (which are invariably nowhere near the airports) it's a wash. Even after gas and tolls we save money by driving while enjoying the added benefits of driving a familiar car full of whatever baggage we wish. We are able to stop en route to visit favorite restaurants, attractions or friends along the way. By driving we avoid the crush and hostility that is all too common in airport lounges and on flights. Your mileage may vary.... Safe travels!
Comments
My wonderful wife has taught me to "Be grateful for what you have, be happy for those who have more and helpful to those who have less." I've clearly out married myself.
Post: How would you summarize your financial philosophy in one sentence?
Link to comment from February 25, 2024
Thank you for your insights Tom. We've flown extensively for business and pleasure for many years. Living two hours from a major airport requires several hours of pre-flight lead time getting to the airport, parking, checking in, etc. or spending the night before the flight in a hotel and navigating their shuttles before an early morning flight. While I applaud the six hour and nine hour drive radius you and another reader suggest, I find 15+ hour trips from Minnesota to Atlanta, New York and Philadelphia are also easier to drive. By the time we drive to the airport, park, check bags, wait to board, are en route, then wait at the luggage carousel, wait for a shuttle to the car rental and drive to our destination (which are invariably nowhere near the airports) it's a wash. Even after gas and tolls we save money by driving while enjoying the added benefits of driving a familiar car full of whatever baggage we wish. We are able to stop en route to visit favorite restaurants, attractions or friends along the way. By driving we avoid the crush and hostility that is all too common in airport lounges and on flights. Your mileage may vary.... Safe travels!
Post: The Unfriendly Skies
Link to comment from January 1, 2022