In the days leading up to any Elon University break, it is normal to see the Facebook class pages get inundated with posts of students offering or seeking transportation to the airport.
The recurrence of such posts indicates that a demand for convenient airport transportation exists at Elon. Some students seek cheap, convenient transportation to the airport, and others are looking to capitalize on such opportunities by meeting these needs.
Sophomore Daniela Sostaita is one student who recognized the opportunity and decided to cash in.
Sostaita originally limited carpooling options to times when she was going to the airport to drop off a friend; but she later decided to widen her offers when she saw a business potential.
“I realized what a good business it was and started offering rides throughout the beginning of breaks to make some extra money,” Sostaita said.
The trip to Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU), which is approximately fifty minutes long, usually costs $80 by Golden Eagle Taxi. The thirty-minute trip to Piedmont Triad International costs $60.
While these prices include a student discount of $10, they prove to be costly for many students.
Depending on what airport she drives to, Sostaita said she usually charges an alternative, around $20, which is far more cost friendly to airport goers.
While Elon University’s Airport Shuttle Service attempts to offset the high costs by offering $45 round-trip to both airports, the shuttle leaves at limited days and times, which can be inconvenient for students who desire to leave at other times of the day.
Sophomore Alexis (Lexi) Demetroulakos said she believes the shuttle is an efficient way to get to the airport; a downside is that it fills up fast and has limited times.
Demetroulakos’ most recent flight from RDU left at 9:00 p.m., but was forced to take the 4:00 p.m. shuttle, the only available shuttle at the time of her booking and closest time to her flight.
“I got there around 4:45 p.m., so I waited at the airport for over four hours,” Demetroulakos said. “Even though that was a large waiting time, taking the shuttle was easy and sitting in the airport wasn’t too bad.”
Sophomore Bryce Krzenski opened up spots in her car after recognizing that no shuttles were running Oct. 9, the day she was leaving.
“I figured if I was already going, I might as well collect some money for the parking at RDU while helping other students,” she said.
Krzenski said money wasn’t the only thing she gained from offering rides to the airport.
“I definitely made friends,” she said, “especially with people I may not have gotten the opportunity to know.”