DAVID KOB
Staff Writer
Thanksgiving is less than three weeks away, but it is never too early to start harassing people for rides to the airport. Each holiday season, countless people ask me for a ride to the airport while wearing clothes that cost 10 times more than a cab ride. I will never understand it. Giving someone a ride to the airport is about as appealing as getting a parking ticket. Traffic, smog, getting lost tying to find In-N-Out on the way back, turns a simple trip into a giant hassle.
These days, if you ask me for a ride to the airport, the following conversation usually transpires.
Can I get a ride to the airport tonight at 11:00?
“I have class.” (Meaning: I don’t feel like it.)
You have class at 11:00? That’s impossible.
“I’m meeting with my group later for this project.” (Meaning: I really do not feel like it.)
Actually, my bad, my flight is tomorrow at 11:00. Can you take me then?
“I’m already giving someone a ride tomorrow.” (Meaning: Leave me alone)
Oh, come on please?
“My check engine light is on.” (Meaning: It will not stop me from driving home, but it will stop me from driving you to the airport.)
However, some people are nicer than I am. Eventually, most find a ride, but depending on how many people turn you down, a lot can be expedited from the expedition. The list is as follows.
If you get a ride to the airport on your first try: Congratulations, people like you! (Or you are in a relationship, in which case only one person likes you.)
Second or third try: Your backup friends are trustworthy.
Fourth try: You escaped desperate phone calls.
Fifth try: Get more local friends.
Sixth try: Get more friends.
Seventh try: Transfer.
Eighth try and on: Forget it.
Van rides are a good mode of transportation, but only if you have four hours to burn and if you are not carrying any valuables. Last time I took an airport shuttle back to Pepperdine, our ride was delayed because something was blocking the back doors, which I later discovered was my guitar. They fixed the problem by pounding on the doors until they could shut. Van ride: $35, my guitar never sounding good again: priceless.
As another holiday season approaches, asking your friends for rides to the airport is fine, but if they refuse, avoid the guilt trip. A cab ride is not going to bankrupt you and it helps the economy. On another note, if you want to give me a ride to the airport, my flight is at 2:36 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21. I prefer convertibles.
11-09-2006
