Is my friend BU to ask me to pick her up from the airport at 2am ?

[Eggsandpickles]

She clearly wants to save money by not getting a taxi. There are no buses to our village at that time. A taxi would probably cost her around £85.
Thoughts ?

It's not a big deal OP. You can say no.

It’d be a no from me, if you feel awkward just say you’ve got plans on the Saturday night or Sunday during the day that means you’ll need to be in bed at that time. I wouldn’t expect to be collected at that time if it was me. Not cheeky to ask and totally fine to say no.

I thought that most people factored in the cost of journeys to and from the airport when going on holiday.

She should get a taxi.

I'd have parked my car with one of the many airport parking companies or a long stay car park and driven home. Or arranged for public transport. Or booked a cab.

Like most competent adults.

I think she should pay for the taxi.

For you, you would have the journey to the airport (how far and how long is that) then have to pay to park, then have the journey home - again how long is that? Add all of that time up as to what time you would need to set off and what time you could be back home.

If you book a flight that lands at that time I really think you have to book your own car into the long stay car park or pay for a taxi.

Basically she’s saved money by booking the crappy timed flights

I have a flight booked that arrives at 2AM. Booking it didn’t save me any money.

It’s the only flight available.

I’m leaving the car at the airport, so no need for lifts. A neighbour did offer though.

Totally unreasonable to ask.

In this situation I would tell my friend quite lovingly that they can go and hang out in one of the airport hospitality zones for 3 hours ish as the friendly taxi service doesn't operate between midnight and 5am. tbh at this time of year I tend to wake up at 5am anyway so I would be happy to get up then and come and collect the friend.

However, I would not be a safe driver at 2am. I prefer not to drive after 8pm. Tiredness kills.

She's being really cheeky

She isn’t BU to ask but you’re not unreasonable to refuse either. Just don’t do it if you don’t want, she can afford a taxi so she’ll have to do that.

Perfectly normal thing to ask of a friend imo. But you absolutely can just say "no. Sorry, I can't." No big deal.

Just say, ‘Sorry Sandra - no can do. That’s way past my bedtime.’

Yeah this is normal among good friends and family isn’t it? I’ve picked up friends before, my dad has dropped us off when flights have been before public transport starts.

I wouldn’t ask. But I have a friend who would ask me. And if I could. I would do it.

Just say "I've got plans"

"what plans?"

Get your diary out, flick through, point at something and declare "sleeping"

I don't think she's being unreasonable to ask. £85 is a lot to spend on a lift home (how far is it?)

If you don't want to say no.

I'd probably not ask anyone but my DP (we don't live together) but I wouldn't mind picking a close friend up.

I wouldn’t ask anyone to do this. Is the airport open 24 hours? Your friend should inconvenience herself by waiting at the airport until a more reasonable morning pick up time. Or she could add the cost of a taxi to her vacation expenses.

I would collect someone at this time especially at the weekend and I don't think she's cheeky to ask. You obviously don't want to do it and that's fine too.

I wouldn't have a with being asked. Whether I said yes would depend on my other plans. I'd also suggest other options (cab, hotel, long stay carpark.)

Long stay carpark and petrol is sometimes the cheapest option, especially if booked in advance.

So it's ok for the OP's friend to save money by

1. booking an anti-socially timed flight and
2. Not paying £85 for a taxi -

but MY post "sounds mercenary" asking if OP will be paid?

Okay then.... you may as well have put "#bekind and put yourself out OP, to save your friend doing it" 🙄

Of course it's normal.

How fucking melodramatic do you have to be to be put out by someone who is apparently your friend asking for a favour?

Just say no if you don't want to do it. Easy.

It is a bit cheeky. I also never ask a favour from anyone. I think it depends on your situation, if you have young kids or work later that day or have something on then it’s going to screw up your day. But if you are happy to do it and drive at night etc then just do it and you’re going to be tired.

It’s easy to get out of it, just say ‘I’ve got family coming round for a bbq at midday on the Sunday so I can’t be getting up at 2am, I’ll never be able to get back to sleep at 4ish and be exhausted by the time visitors arrive.

If a taxi is £85 then it’s probably around an hour away going by taxi charges here, so cost to OP two hours petrol plus all the airports I’ve picked people up from there’s no way you can escape the pick up charge which is min of £6 and that’s if the plane lands on time - I’d say no that’s like being up all night long 😱

I would collect a person at anytime if that person was either coming to visit me, especially after a long, tiring flight, OR it was a shortish journey and at a time which worked for me. Of course if any friend was in a genuine emergency situation I would drop everything to help out, but this is a pre-planned holiday.

Our local airports are all 50 -90 mins drive so it's not just a quick journey. It's there and back. Plus fuel costs AND charges to pick up and drop off at some airports.

Friend is cheeky to ask really, she needs to find an alternative. Either fork out for a taxi OR park her own car at the airport and incorporate those costs into the holiday.

Why wouldn't you be safe in a licensed, regulated taxi?

Frankly I think she's taking the mick.

She gets a free ride home, it costs you time, sleep and money.

Say it's not possible.