Friday, June 28, 2013

Are there lessons only learnt the hard way?

It's not always that I am downright stubborn, spiteful, and refuse to yield to advice. Sometimes, I just think people exaggerate a bit, or that I may be a bit more flexible than they are, a bit more tolerant or willing to trade inconvenience for other benefits. I have different views about things compared to other people. Don't we all?

My dilemma comes in the form of airfare this time. We (Maryland/DC area) are graced with 3 different airports: BWI, DCA and IAD. I've never flown out of DCA/IAD, but the main one I use, BWI, is the best of the three. And according to people, it is the best of the three by more than 50 miles' worth of praise. Even when BWI is over $150 more expensive than the alternatives, people have told me to stick with it because the headache isn't worth it.

I am not looking to discredit people or to let my naivety show by saying that it can't be THAT bad. I could bite my tongue for a few hours, if that puts $150 back into my pocket. I'm still playing with this vacation idea, but I get the feeling that going against popular advice may make me regret things later. Or not. It could go without issues and be pleasant AND cheap.

I was wondering, are there things you do that make sense to you, against all outside voices of reason? Are there lessons you've been told about, but you just had to find the hard way?

I know I did. EFs sounded like a bright and fluffy idea, but after having my EF complete, it's like a weight off my shoulders that I didn't even know was there. I have no idea why I didn't listen to it earlier! Likewise, I've gone against popular opinion in some of my debt-paying endeavors, and had a much better result than if I had just listened. Guess it's a split when it comes to new things.

More moving for me this weekend, but hopefully by Saturday night I'll be somewhere with internet! SO excited. Have a good one, all!

11 comments:

  1. I hope the new digs work out for ya!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Being from the area and having flown in and out of all three airports, I really don't see THAT much difference between them. Dulles is the most inconveinent, IMO. Reagan is Metro accessible. BWI has Southwest! I say whichever gives you the best deal (which also includes the time of the flight), go for it.

    Good luck with the move....AGAIN.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The attorneys I work with fly a lot and have several airports they like to avoid at all times. Dulles and Detroit are the top two.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Our managers won't fly into Dulles either, even when it costs us more. That says a lot about it.

      Delete
  5. I live in the DC/MD/VA area and travel a lot (every week last year, all but 6 weeks this year). BWI is generally cheaper. But check DCA too - you will be surprised sometimes and the fare will be cheap. If you are flying internationally or live near IAD - you should check them out - but for domestic flights - extremely rarely is it the best deal all in (ticket plus parking or transport). from the bwi area - take amtrak to union station or new Carrollton - and then switch to metro to DCA - takes a little time but cheap!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wonder if that parking would be cheaper than parking at BWI for $8/day. I'll have to check it out. Thanks!

      Delete
  6. I would just go with the cheapest airport.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I would just go with the cheapest airfare. BWI isn't much different or special...I had some flight delays the last time I was there and saw several mice running around.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I agree with the above comments... go with the cheapest airpoint. I prefer DCA because it is smaller and easier to get in and out of. If a friend drops you off at metro, you may also be able to save a lot of money on parking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That'd be a first that DCA is easier to get in/out! I'll check the parking options. Thanks!

      Delete