(Happy dance - first time I've ever had a thread in trending!)
I'm going to start by replying to specific questions.
@Jellybeansincognito - The way I'm looking at it is that if it was something that was worthwhile then that's a decent use of my time. The fact that I (and thankfully many other mumsnetters) can see that it's a futile exercise is a waste of my time basically. But your comment that it's not my call is why I've come to the mumsnet hive mind.
@Dexterslockedintheshedagain - she's asking me because she can I suppose.
@Maybeitsmaybelline - I'm not sure on that to be honest. She doesn't currently work but would DWP/Job Centre really expect someone to go to these lengths with regards to looking for a job? It's supposedly her dream job.
@RockyRolly - Fair comment. The job isn't the best paid in the world, £30K basic salary but the uplifts and benefits available aren't sparkling (imho and certainly not for a 6 hour round commute daily).
@pasturesgreen - That is a good point that I hadn't thought about, though I doubt there would be many (if any) of her potential colleagues who are local to me.
@RosaWaiting - According to the RAC mileage calculator it will be around £40 for the round trip not including wear and tear on car.
@Gitfeatures - I guess she wants a lift to be safe? I know in the distant past I attended interviews in my car even where I intended to use public transport during the week.
@Piffle11 - You've hit the nail on the head there. I don't work from home as such but I do run my own business. I hadn't even given it much thought that she'd be that much of a CF to ask for a daily ride - eep that's just crazy and would cost me far more than the £40 petrol. That would be an absolute no go but I can imagine in winter it might become a distinct possibility she asks for a ride because of poor transport options. The main part of the journey (if she can get the quickest option) is a 50 minute train ride. This includes a 30 minute walk the other end and doesn't solve the 1 hour journey to the local rail station.
@Coffeeonthesofa - This is why I'm hedging about it, because it isn't just a simple favour and it doesn't really seem like it's going to pay off for her anyway. While her ultimate plan might be to get even a moped license, as it stands right now, the family don't have the money for such endeavours.
@SagAloojah - If she was my daughter I'd give her a clip round the ear to knock some sense into her. My oldest is only 8!
@WhenOneFacePalmDoesntCutIt - I think if it was 3 hours each way on one distinct service (like for example when I've taken the mainline to London) at least that's 3 hours of work/sleep/relaxing. Given some of her transport options mean 5 changes through random countryside villages, well I wouldn't find that relaxing and I certainly wouldn't be able to sleep! You're right about becoming a lodger for a few nights, that's certainly what my DH used to do when his head office was near Heathrow. He would just book a hotel if he was there for a couple days. I can't see this being viable for her. I've just taken a look on booking.com the cheapest I can find is £70 per night which is still a couple miles away from her potential workplace.
@Brokenwing - that is a very good idea that I'll need to take a look at to see if any of it is viable for me to take her. The irritating point is that mileage wise it isn't far, it's just the road conditions which include single track lanes!
@TremblingFanjo - sadly not, she's around 10 years older than me.
@BarbaraofSevillle - exactly I wouldn't hesitate if it was going to be for a local role.
@ThumbWitchesAbroad - she certainly hasn't told me that it's due to benefits demanding she goes, but can they realistically do that anyway? There are plenty of other jobs in the local area so it isn't a case of this being the only role available.
@MummytoCSJH - she's recently joined my church. I've spent maybe around 30 hours with her max. I'd definitely be willing to do it for a family member if only to say "I told you so!" at the end! :P
@MitziK - I think if she tells me she'll be sanctioned for it then I would be more inclined to help but she's not shared that with me if it is the case. I would also be advising her to contact our MP to complain about such nonsense.
To anyone I've missed I'm sorry, to everyone else who's taken the time to comment thank you. I think you're all right who are saying that she needs to face the reality of the commute.