father in law threw a kink in our plans

[Octoberbabiesrus]

NOW, I have to find it in the budget to pay for parking, or find someone to take us to the airport.
Why do people do this!?

 

[Yankeemouse]

Exactly why I always park my own vehicle for the week. I've had that situation with family members too, it stinks. How they can back out or change plans at last minute is crazy. So now I just plan on parking for the week and add it to the budget. Hope it works out for you!

 

[SPHB ILU]

sorry!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Look on the bright side... he gave you 44 days' notice.

 

[happily single]

I know that the ValuPak coupons that come in the mail normally have a coupon for parking at my local airport. You can also go to their website and search for coupons.

 

[NYCDiane]

Gee, he only gave you 6 weeks' notice??? How inconsiderate can he be!?!?!?

Why not just take an airport "limo" (aka: Bus)??? They're not all that expensive and they'll take you right to the terminal.


Oh, and this is precisely why I don't count or depend on anyone to do anything for me. If I know I need to be somewhere, I make my own arrangements to get there even if it means I have to pay extra to do so (whether by parking the car for a week or taking other transportation)

 

[scrapquitler]

NOW, I have to find it in the budget to pay for parking, or find someone to take us to the airport.
Why do people do this!?

I use my AAA discount and park at the "near but outside the airport" valet parking place for less than $50 for a week. If your budget is that close, eliminate one table service meal and opt for counter service, that should cover it.

 

[ilovemk76]

NOW, I have to find it in the budget to pay for parking, or find someone to take us to the airport.
Why do people do this!?

Why do you think others owe you a free ride so you can go on vacation. We never ask others to do us favors just so we can save money. If you cannot afford to pay for airport parking then you cannot afford to fly.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Sorry that happened to you. We only live about 30 min. from our local airport and one of my Dsis usually takes us. I know that if they say they will take us, and pick us up, they will. I also take and pick them up as well. Last Sept. my mom didn't want to ask them to get us there at 5 a.m. so we parked at one of the outside lots. It think it only cost about $75 for 10 days.

I don't like to take vans to the airport as they pick you up so early in order to guarantee you are on time.

One thing we did last time was while my DM waited for the luggage my DD11 and I hopped on the parking lot van and went and got the car. I paid ahead online (for the great price) so it only took us about 15-20 min. or so from the time we left the terminal to the time we parked and picked up my mom and all our luggage. Oh, and doing it this way gave us the added benefit of not having to tip the driver for handling our luggage. We only took our carry-ons on the van and we handled them ourselves.

I like Park 'n Fly. At least at our airport they pick you up very close to your vehicle and they drop you off right at your car. Works great!

Search online for your local airport and sign up on the parking lot websites. Also search for deals. I got a better deal goggling it rather than on their own website.

Have a great trip!

FYI-my DSsis and her DH are going to WDW in May. They are leaving from LAX at 8 a.m. which is over an hour from our house. They are also getting back about 10:30 p.m. They are going to be parking offsite this time. We won't be taking or picking them up.

 

[bkool2323]

Why do you think others owe you a free ride so you can go on vacation. We never ask others to do us favors just so we can save money. If you cannot afford to pay for airport parking then you cannot afford to fly.

Ouch, but it is true. Your vacation your expenses. I do not imposition anyone to save a buck.

 

[RitaE]

Both O'Hare and Midway have several low cost parking options and you seem to have plenty of time to find one.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Park N' Fly near our airport. Easy Peasy.

There is usually a coupon floating around for a free days parking or you can get a discount for everything using the AAA card.
We also have the Park N' Fly membership card and after so many days staying there you get free days.

You could look for something like that at your airport.

 

[shortbun]

I see this as a non issue but I don't go on vacation with a rigid budget; it's too risky and I would not enjoy myself if I was constantly aware of how much I was spending.

 

[DVCBELLE]

You have gotten plenty of notice and honestly if the week parking at the airport is going to break your budget - then your budget is too tight.

Gas is expensive now - so you were going to have him use his gas to take you to and from the airport - wouldn't you have taken him out or given him a gift as a thank you?

You won't be driving that week - use your normal gas budget. Skip a couple of meals out between now and then.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

This is one of the perks of living a 15 minute walk from the airport. One of us drops everyone else off with the luggage and then parks the car at home and walks back up to the airport.

Of course it also means all family and friends use us as airport parking. It's a good thing we have enough parking for 5 cars

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I don't see any reason why everyone has to jump down OP's throat about this...obviously they are disappointed that the FIL cannot give them a ride to the airport, I would be too!

Just ask other friends, neighbors, or relatives and offer to pay for the gas -- hopefully someone will come through for you!!!

 

[jgates]

We used an off-site shuttle parking service at Midway & it wasn't too bad. You didn't state what airport you were leaving from.

I don't think we need to be mean to the OP - she was very possibly having Dad use their car to get them there or paying for the gas, etc. I have my mom take me & drop me but I put gas in the vehicle both round trips. It's just one of those things that comes up & is just a kick in the A**.

The point about not using any gas, paying any tolls, or parking for your own vehicle during the week should help.

Otherwise, if not already in your budget, make the adults each have one meal a day where you just have a glass of water from counter service or something like that. You can pick up $5 a day that way but not spending it on soda. Or get one larger one at each meal & share it so save the cost of the 2nd one x 3 meals a day for about $7.50. My DH & I normally share a soda (everywhere) & I have a glass of water too - I just want a few sips.

One guy from Chicago uses a Town Car from his house - said it equates to parking onsite for the cost -but not sure which service he uses.

 

[Dax]

I don't see any reason why everyone has to jump down OP's throat about this...obviously they are disappointed that the FIL cannot give them a ride to the airport, I would be too!

Just ask other friends, neighbors, or relatives and offer to pay for the gas -- hopefully someone will come through for you!!!

Because that is what happens on the DIS...one persons misery is anothers reason to flame them..

OP, I have always looked for off airport parking. I have gotten as low as $6 a day at some places..sometimes cheaper with coupons. Now I get to park for free on site being an airport employee...

 

[southern_redhead]

The OP never said that they even asked the FIL for a ride, perhaps he volunteered. My mom would volunteer to take us and drop us off........and we live TWO HOURS from the airport. It's just that she would never want to leave her car parked at an airport all week and she wouldn't want us to/would assume we didn't want to, as well. She wouldn't want to drive either of our cars. We would most likely fill her van up for her to get us there and back, I suppose. We have taken her and picked her up and not asked for money to cover the cost. Since the OP never said what the arrangements were, I think it would be judgmental to just up and decide they were trying to swindle anything out of him. She never said how far they were from the airport, perhaps gas isn't that big a factor.

I guess, were we in that situation, I would look at a taxi or other car service. I really, really don't like the idea of leaving my car unattended in an airport lot. When DH flew a lot for work he drove a beat up, old van that we HOPED would get stolen LOL But our *good* cars? No!! The ideas about the water at restaurants or about cutting out one meal and eating in the room are good ones, if that is something you can do. I don't know your meal plans so it might not work for you. What about starting a mini-fund and putting all loose change and one dollar bills in it? You'd be suprised how FAST that adds up and we really don't even miss the money we are putting in there. Change and ones usually go for junk we don't really *need* anyway, like candy or cokes from the vending machines at my work when my kids come after school. Now I buy a few drinks/snacks on sale and keep them on hand to fend off their munchies. Much cheaper and, since it is part of my grocery budget, it doesn't hurt! Just an example, that scenario might well not apply to you. If you have a weekly night out or you get take out some during the week, cut that out for now and pocket the money you would have spent. Little things go a long way!

 

[Dizneydaz]

When we have my DSis drive us to the airport we take my car. Besides using my own gas for the trip I can pack up the car the night before and then when we get up in the a.m. (assuming we slept-last Sept. I didn't-a first for me!) we are ready to go. She usually drives to our house (she lives about 2 minutes away) leaves her car, goes with us, drops us at the curb, drives my car back to my house (I have to trust her not to get in an accident!), and then takes her car back to her house. Since she drops us at the curb there's no parking fee to pay.

When she picks us up she brings my car again. Many times she'll even wash it, or at least hose it down, for me! Then when we leave the airport, I drive, and pay for the parking. But then that's what family does, we help each other out. I do the same thing for her when she visits her DD28 in KS (and in UT before she moved to KS)

I too don't see the need to jump all over the OP but then that's what happens sometimes (more times than it should) I just skip over those comments when reading threads. And if they are particularly snarky, I make sure to not subscribe to them if I leave a comment. I don't want them jumping all over me. If the thread has taken a really bad turn I will usually send the OP a PM instead.