If you’re looking for an easy way to get to the airport, you may assume that just asking a friend to drive you is the easiest plan. After all, you don’t have to navigate into the city, fight for a parking space, and worry about your vehicle all week. All you have to do is grab your suitcase and jump out of the car, right?
Maybe…as long as your friend is available, your flight leaves at a reasonable time, traffic isn’t too bad, and – more importantly — your return flight is on time. When all the stars align, it may seem easy to get dropped off at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW).
But what do they say about the best laid plans? They rarely work out that way. So before you ask your spouse, parent, friend, or adult child to report for airport duty, take a good long look at what that favor actually involves.
That 6 a.m. Flight May Require a 3 a.m. Alarm
An early flight at a cheaper price booked four months ago may sound nice on paper. But when you have to ask someone to wake up at 3 a.m. to get you to the airport for six, reality hits a bit different.
It may be convenient for you because all you need to do is get out of the car with your luggage and be on your way. However, the person who drove you has a long return trip ahead of them – often in rush hour traffic that has developed now that everyone is waking up and heading to work.
Same is true with late-night arrivals. A scheduled 10:30 p.m. landing is hard enough on the driver coming to get you; add a delay to that and a late night pickup can quickly morph into an early morning one.
One Airport Trip Is Actually Four Drives
When you drive yourself to the airport, you make one trip to DTW and one trip home. But when you ask a friend to do it for you, there’s a lot more prep and drive time involved.
For your departure, your driver has to:
- Take you to DTW.
- Return home without you.
For pickups, your driver has to:
- Head back to DTW to pick you up.
- Drive you home again and then themselves
Depending on how far from the airport you live (and your friend), the mileage, fuel, tolls, and time involved can really add up.
Your Flight Schedule Becomes Someone Else’s Schedule
When you pull someone else into your travel plans, you now have to coordinate two people’s calendars.
Your driver needs to be available when you leave and again when you return, which means they have to work around their job, school schedules, children’s activities, appointments, weekend plans, or bedtime.
Pickup and drop off times often change last minute, too, meaning your driver is on call for both trips. Flights are often delayed, putting them on standby to accommodate you.
Let’s say your flight is scheduled to arrive at DTW at 6 p.m. Your friend makes plans to pick you up around then, but before leaving, they check the website and see a one-hour delay. So they wait around again. Then another delay happens. Suddenly, they’ve spent their whole night waiting on you.
Driving Yourself Puts the Schedule Back in Your Hands
To avoid all that back and forth, there’s a better option: drive your own vehicle and use off-airport parking.
With Valet Connections, your travel schedule is yours and yours alone. Leave when you need to, and come home whenever the flight gets in. You don’t have to inconvenience anyone else or work around their availability.
That is especially useful for:
- Very early departures
- Late-night arrivals
- Trips when return times could change
- Families traveling with children and lots of luggage
- Business travelers with unpredictable schedules
- Travelers who live a significant distance from DTW
- Anyone who would rather not ask friends or relatives for airport transportation
But What About the Shuttle?
You may assume “off-airport parking” means you have to wait around endlessly for a shuttle to take you to the terminal, or worse – schlep your luggage and kids through lot after lot.
Not so. At Valet Connections, we have complimentary airport shuttles that operate 24 hours a day, every 10 to 15 minutes, so you are never dependent on a friend’s availability for an early departure or late return. These shuttles ensure an easy transition between the parking facility and DTW.
We also have an Apple and Android app that can help you locate shuttles when returning from your trip. No need to text your friend with a play-by-play. Just get out of the terminal, hop on a shuttle, and get in your car.
Sometimes a Ride Really Does Make Sense
That being said, there are some instances where it’s really convenient to accept a ride from a friend or family member.
Maybe you live close to DTW, or maybe your flight leaves at noon and your spouse already has the day off. Perhaps your adult son is a night owl on break from college and has no problem picking you up for a midnight arrival.
In those cases, accept the offer and enjoy.
But when considering the benefits of free ride vs. paid parking, look at the full picture. Sure, it will cost you to park your vehicle, but don’t forget about the cost in time, fuel, mileage, sleep, and inconvenience to a loved one.
The next time you’re tempted to say, “I’ll just have someone drive me,” think through the entire trip, not just the ride to DTW.
Contact Valet Connections
If you’d rather be in control of your own airport schedule, let Valet Connections help. We offer convenient off-airport DTW parking with complimentary 24/7 shuttle service. Call (734) 992-4946 or reserve your parking before your next trip.