I am debating how to get home for the Christmas holidays. My choices are a) to fly, or b) to drive.
When I was in college I made the nine hour drive home to Alabama at least once or twice a year all by myself. I didn't hate it, but I do remember sporadic awful times of boredom, struggling not to fall asleep at the wheel, and the occasional speeding ticket.
It's a long, boring, straight shot down I-20 for about 8 of the 9 hours, and I was often driving the last part at night (due to either classes or my inability to get up and on the road in good time). As soon as I got my first job out of school, flying home for the holidays went straight on my budget.
And oh how I have loved it. It's an easy direct two hour flight (plus one hour at the airport) - and yes, it only takes one hour at the airport. I fly Southwest out of Lovefield (a smaller airport in Dallas), and it's very quick and convenient to where I live. I got a Southwest Rapid Rewards membership, too, and I generally accumulate one free flight a year.
I love flying Southwest out of Lovefield. The baggage checkers out front are so funny and jovial and actually seem to remember me even though I only fly a few times a year. The staff is always pleasant, I've never had a problem getting quickly checked in and through security, and I only recall two instances of a delayed flight in all my years (during which wait I made lots of friends at the airport bar, and it was actually a great experience).
Plus during the holidays the flight attendants are even more festive than usual - I've gotten multiple free drinks and enjoyed several renditions of Christmas classics over the loud speaker. I swear I don't have any vested interest in the airline, but it really is a great way to travel.
So here are the numbers:
$271 Air fare
$40 Taxi to and from airport (I might be able to get a ride...)
$0 Checked bag fee
$5 Tip for the baggage checkers
$7 Magazines to read on the plane
$10 Snacks at airport
$333 Total Cost to Fly
$172 Fuel
$13 Meals on the road
$10 Snacks/beverages on the road
$8 Book(s) on tape
$203 Total Cost to Drive
I'm not factoring in the cost of putting over $1,300 extra miles on my car, but the basic question is whether $130 in savings is worth 12 hours of my life in my car.
I'm thinking it's not.
Non-financial pros for flying:
- The 12 hours I'd save are hours that would be spent with my family, who I don't see often.
- In addition, the 6 hours in the airport/plane could be spent reading, sleeping, meditating, meeting someone new, or even enjoying a glass of wine - as opposed to driving and endlessly surfing the radio.
- Spending 4 hours in flight is less risky from a liability and personal injury standpoint than spending 18 hours driving.

