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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To tell friend to get a taxi

98 replies

CupidIsFired · 29/07/2019 22:12

Going on holiday tomorrow, flying from my city. My friend is coming too but she lives an hour and a half away on a train so is travelling up in the morning. Originally she was going to book a train to get her in for 4 hours before the flight, we would meet her at the station and then head to the airport. She booked a ticket to get her in 2 hours before the flight time... I told her she was cutting it fine and not giving any time for delays or traffic as this time of the year is very busy in this city. So she changed it to arrive at 9:30am which is 5 and a half hours before the flight, that's fine I said she can come to mine and we can go from there. She called me today to say I need to meet her at the train station as she's hurt her back and has been told not to/can't lift anything and bring her back to my house. I have a DD who is 15 months who's also coming on holiday, I have to sort her out and also myself and make sure everything is organised as I'm a very stressful traveller (I hate this trait about me) so now having to wake earlier to make sure I've given DD breakfast got her ready and myself ready. And be at the station in time. WIBU to tell friend I can't come, to get a taxi to my house and I will help her from there? She will have to get to the train station in her city and on the train herself anyway? Or would I be a bad friend for this?

OP posts:
EggysMom · 30/07/2019 07:18

Hang on, you don't drive? How were you planning on picking her up, did you mean that you would walk and meet her, then walk back to your house? Or get a taxi to the station and then back to your house (double the cost)?

Blow that. She can get a taxi herself, either to yours or direct to the airport and meet you there. She needs to be able to manage her own luggage anyway.

Original poster
CupidIsFired · 30/07/2019 07:20

@Idontwanttotalk she has sciatica and a couple of days ago she was told it's a prolapsed disc?

@CielBleuEtNuages thanks for the advice Smile hopefully DD doesn't get sickness. I've taken her to this places 4 times already so she has a bit of flying experience... But she wasn't walking in the past so I'm just extra nervous now that she will get aggistated about being on my lap in a seat.

OP posts:
Original poster
CupidIsFired · 30/07/2019 07:23

@EggysMom @CruellaFeinberg yes I don't drive, that's my problem. If I had a car there would be no question and I would pick her up. I just feel it's a little uneccesary for me to walk all the way there and then bring her back when she can probably be fine to just life the suitcase off the train, as she can just push/pull it the rest of the way and a taxi driver could help her into the cab and then I would help her into the house. And I would probably have to pay for the taxi if we got it as she is short on money because she doesn't get paid until tomorrow. I've just found this little bit of info out.

OP posts:
ContessaLovesTheSunshine · 30/07/2019 07:24

Does your friend realise you can't drive?!

RitaMills · 30/07/2019 07:24

Just tell her to get a taxi or meet you at the airport, an hour can easily be passed with coffee, cake and Mumsnet a magazine. I hate when people inconvenience other people when there is an easy solution.

InfiniteSheldon · 30/07/2019 07:25

Just be honest say 'good grief no I can't do that have you forgotten about dd? She will still be asleep. Text me when you're in the taxi and I'll get up and put the kettle on xx'

Karwomannghia · 30/07/2019 07:27

If you’re talking about walking and lugging suitcases for her then it makes sense for her to get a taxi.
Driving, I would pick her up no problem, I can’t see why a 5 min drive is an issue.

hopeishere · 30/07/2019 07:28

Driving YABU

Walking so you can haul her case for her SIBU - that's bonkers. A taxi would be far better.

elessar · 30/07/2019 07:30

Good grief, you don't drive? Then of course she should get a taxi. I think she's being totally unreasonable to ask actually.

VeThings · 30/07/2019 07:31

You not being able to drive was a bit of a drop freed - most posters assumed you’d be jumping in the car to collect her.

There is no point you walking both ways to get her. Ask her to jump in a taxi and you’ll help her at your end.

VeThings · 30/07/2019 07:32

*drip feed!

Original poster
CupidIsFired · 30/07/2019 07:37

@VeThings sorry i realised that now, I thought I had mentioned I don't drive, but I've just re read my post and replies and see I actually didn't. Very sorry. I can drive I just haven't had a car for about 6 years as you don't really need a car in this city

OP posts:
MachineBee · 30/07/2019 07:41

And don’t you pay for her taxi either. It’s her injury (caused by her doing something she knew might be bad for her back) - she needs to manage things herself.

Have a lovely holiday.

sewinginscotland · 30/07/2019 07:46

If it's only a 15 minute walk, tell her to get a taxi, it won't be expensive. Getting a small child ready to go on holiday is enough to do without having an extra 30 minute task thrown into the bargain. And gently remind her that you won't be able to help her with her bags at the other end because you have a toddler. Surely she's best not coming and claiming on the travel insurance if she can't do anything for herself?

LeekMunchingSheepShagger · 30/07/2019 07:52

So she wants you to walk to the station with your 15 month old and lug her luggage and said 15 month old back with you?! That's nuts. Tell her to get a taxi.

Cliques · 30/07/2019 07:54

You might want to check what pain medication she is taking and whether it’s legal in the country you are flying to. Don’t pick her up if you don’t have a car.

summersherewishiwasnt · 30/07/2019 08:03

This is why I have given up arranging trips with people. They always want to do something different or change plan. She is fucking crazy if she really expects you to go to the station to move her cases, how did the cases get on the train??
No I wouldn’t do this, otherwise you are giving the message to her that you will be moving her luggage all holiday. No no no no and no.
Not getting paid is bullshit, who goes on holiday with no money. Come on, don’t be a mug.

summersherewishiwasnt · 30/07/2019 08:05

Good point by cliques ... you need to check her meds. Does she have travel insurance. ?

Rezie · 30/07/2019 08:06

I was about to come and say that you it's a bit crap to not pick your friend when the station so close by. But you walking there to carry her luggage and then walking home makes it totally different.

Yea, she should get a taxi.

Ellmau · 30/07/2019 08:08

I hope you have a good holiday anyway!

fedup21 · 30/07/2019 08:11

This doesn’t bode well for the holiday-has she forgotten you have a small toddler??

namechangeninjaevervigilant · 30/07/2019 08:20

I agree that she is being unreasonable but it doesn’t have to be a big deal. Just text ‘sorry, can’t get to station so early. Text when you’re in a cab and I’ll Be waiting for you. So excited to see you’.

INeedNewShoes · 30/07/2019 08:20

So is she saying she needs you to lift her suitcase off the train?

Station platforms with a toddler in toe are very hard work as it is. You're only thoughts will be keeping DD safe, not helping your friend with luggage.

Surely your friend can ask another passenger to help with her suitcase.

As others have said, you need to say no to this otherwise is she going to think you're going to deal with her luggage at the airport etc.

I'd be concerned that she clearly has no idea what traveling with a toddler is like and that you're going to have your hands full just looking after yourself and DD and your bag.

She may just not realise and I think it might be best for you to explain to her now.

Text her and say that you're stressed about how you're going to handle being ready on time, ensuring DD has her nap (so that she doesn't scream the plane down), and then that the logistics of flying with a toddler mean that you will have to be selfish and concentrate on you and DD at the airport.

Juells · 30/07/2019 08:34

You'll be humping her luggage and carrying her shopping the whole holiday. :(

Orangeballon · 30/07/2019 08:36

You need to take a hard line with your presumptuous friend, you cannot put her needs before your infant child.

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