Any great ideas? Need help for Christmas!

[Beekissed]

Okay, here's the deal:

Son #2 needs to get from Redstone Arsenal, AL to Franklin, WV as cheaply as possible for Christmas.

To fly into the closest airport, it will cost approx. $679 round trip or $430 one way~each way. (16 hrs with 4 layovers on the round trip)

To take a bus, it would be cheaper and we would have to travel for 3-4 hours to pick him up. (15 hrs with 2 layovers/transfers + 6-8 hrs to pick him up and bring him home)

Car rental? He's 20 and they won't rent to anyone this young. He can fight and die for his country, but, by golly, he may NOT rent a car!

OR~I can drive down and get him and take him home on the return trip(15 hrs one way and who knows how much money?).

Any really good ideas that will be cheaper and faster?

He's really, really homesick and hasn't got much money....so make it good!

 

[big brown horse]

Some people need their car delivered from point a to point b. I had a friend in college that did this from Austin to Houston for people. Gotta be a web site for that.

ETA: like this for example http://www.nytimes.com/1983/02/20/travel/practical-traveler-getting-your-car-to-florida.html

 

[hwillm1977]

Is he in college? Can he hitch a ride with anyone else travelling?

There are some websites for carpoolers to hook up rides, maybe there is something similar for people needing long drives...

 

[Beekissed]

Military, not college. You would think they would help their soldiers get home for Christmas, but they don't.

It's too bad, so sad....our family lives on the base, so we don't have to worry about it~see ya after the holidays, soldier!

I'll check out the site, BBH!

 

[big brown horse]

That wasn't the best site Bee. In a hurry that was all I could find. I'm sure there are better sites out there.

 

[Up-the-Creek]

Bee have you checked on train travel,..like Amtrack? He could go from Birgingham,AL to Martinsburg,WV for about $265 round trip. Plus they give a military discount also. Its a long ride, but what a way to travel!
By the way,..where is your closest bus terminal? I would say the bus is going to be the cheapest route.

 

[miss_thenorth]

i see ads all the time on kijiji for rides to and from places. Maybe post one on your (and his) local kijiji or craigslist?

 

[sufficientforme]

What days does he have off for leave. I have found that Dec 22 is the cheapest day to arrive and Jan 6th to depart for the flights I am looking at for my family members.
Would any of your other family members be able to pool money together in lieu of gifts?
Also he may qualify for AER (Army emergency relief) loan which is interest free so he could afford to come home. Unfortunately I do not have a great suggestion.

 

[Beekissed]

Bee have you checked on train travel,..like Amtrack? He could go from Birgingham,AL to Martinsburg,WV for about $265 round trip. Plus they give a military discount also. Its a long ride, but what a way to travel!
By the way,..where is your closest bus terminal? I would say the bus is going to be the cheapest route.

Cool! He would love to go by train! I've always wanted to travel that way also.....but, alas, I think we are going to go with the bus.

Cheaper that way..... :/

I just figured one of you brilliant folks had an interesting solution I had not thought to explore...one never knows! Like a secret carpool ring or a one of those things like the folks who transport rescued dogs to their new owners.....

You folks are the greatest, you know that?

 

[Up-the-Creek]

Bee have you checked on train travel,..like Amtrack? He could go from Birgingham,AL to Martinsburg,WV for about $265 round trip. Plus they give a military discount also. Its a long ride, but what a way to travel!
By the way,..where is your closest bus terminal? I would say the bus is going to be the cheapest route.

Cool! He would love to go by train! I've always wanted to travel that way also.....but, alas, I think we are going to go with the bus.

Cheaper that way..... :/

I just figured one of you brilliant folks had an interesting solution I had not thought to explore...one never knows! Like a secret carpool ring or a one of those things like the folks who transport rescued dogs to their new owners.....

You folks are the greatest, you know that?

I know!! Wouldn't going by train be great! The scenery would be awesome!I have always wanted to travel somewhere by train. The sad thing there is an Amtrack depot 5 miles from my house.:/ I have yet to have that oppurtunity. A friend of ours went to Florida by train for Thanksgiving,..she just got back yesterday. I can't wait to hear about her travels! Don't I sound like a bumpkin??