Do you refuse to drive, and fly instead?
Mar 17, 2015 | 6:43 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 472
Given that question before, I would fly but now I would consider driving.
old way/very much liked taking flights
0:30 drive to airport
0:40 check in to airport
1:00 first flight
1:00 connecting
1:00 second flight
0:20 get rental car
total: 4:30
now (if flight taken)
0:40 drive to airport
1:10 check in to airport (1:20 if very big airport)
3:00 flights (same as before
0:25 get rental car
total: 5:15
old way/very much liked taking flights
0:30 drive to airport
0:40 check in to airport
1:00 first flight
1:00 connecting
1:00 second flight
0:20 get rental car
total: 4:30
now (if flight taken)
0:40 drive to airport
1:10 check in to airport (1:20 if very big airport)
3:00 flights (same as before
0:25 get rental car
total: 5:15
Mar 17, 2015 | 6:58 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,784
If a nonstop is available, I would fly, but with a connection involved, I would drive. While 4.5 hours spent driving is unbearably miserable, it would likely be faster.
I usually use the 4 hour rule for nonstops and the 6 hour rule for connections.
I usually use the 4 hour rule for nonstops and the 6 hour rule for connections.
Mar 17, 2015 | 7:33 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,395
My husband works for the Government. With all their cost saving the won't pay for overnight accommodation but expect him to drive 3 to 4 hours to another site for a meeting of 4 to 6 hours then drive home. How unsafe. He'd prefer to fly if he could. Even if the travel time took the same, at least with flying it is relaxing instead of concentrating on the road.
I'd fly instead of drive 4 hours if I could. The only time I would not is when the airport was 3 hours away and I was going on an international flight. If the local small airport plane was delayed, I'd be in huge trouble if it got to the point where I had no time.
I'd fly instead of drive 4 hours if I could. The only time I would not is when the airport was 3 hours away and I was going on an international flight. If the local small airport plane was delayed, I'd be in huge trouble if it got to the point where I had no time.
Mar 17, 2015 | 7:41 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: TK *G, Spirit Gold, Marriott Plat, Hilton HHonors Gold, Amex Plat, Chase SR
Posts: 354
Yes, my family prefers to fly NY-Baltimore rather than drive 4 hours both ways in a weekend. It can be done for little more than the price of gas ($49 each way), and it saves time and energy.
Mar 17, 2015 | 9:10 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,860
I should add that the local airport is a 10 minute-ish drive for me. So my options many times are; drive 10 minute and then spend the next few hours working and hopping around the country. Or....my alternative could be to drive 5-6 hours many times.
Mar 17, 2015 | 10:27 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: PWM
Programs: AA EXP, DL Platinum, and assorted hotel loyalty schemes.
Posts: 281
For me it depends on the type of driving. 4 hours driving in Alberta never bothered me because it was mostly flat and open with little traffic so I drove. 4 hours driving in the northeast US will make make my blood pressure soar so I fly even if it means a connection.
Mar 17, 2015 | 10:32 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,889
Mar 18, 2015 | 6:43 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ONT/FRA
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 878
My employer requires that I utilize a rental car for car trips of more than 149 miles. The nearest rental car facility to me is the airport, and some of the cars they have on offer are very unpleasant to drive on long highway journeys.
So, I use the 149 mile rule. If it's more than 149 miles, I fly, because I'm going to the airport anyway.
So, I use the 149 mile rule. If it's more than 149 miles, I fly, because I'm going to the airport anyway.
Mar 18, 2015 | 6:57 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK Gold, AY Gold
Posts: 13,675
I don't drive for work. Train, plane or a combination only. That said, I've almost never visited a place in this job that I can't get to by public transport (with the odd taxi).
Mar 18, 2015 | 6:58 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York suburbs
Posts: 4,381
Also keep in mind that the more and longer you drive, the more likely you will encounter conditions that result in an accident or ticket. If this is for business, this is a liability that endangers your personal driving record and insurance rates.