There’s a particular energy to a 4am ski-trip pick-up that no amount of coffee can match. Most dawn airport runs are quiet, sleepy affairs. This one was not.
My imaginary passengers this morning are six friends heading for the slopes, and they have brought, by my count, six people, eight ski bags, six boot bags, and an inflatable flamingo whose purpose was never fully explained. Loading the boot became a team sport. We got there. Barely.
Wide awake at the wrong hour
By the time we hit the motorway, the singing had started. Not sleepy singing — proper, committed, slightly-out-of-tune holiday singing. I’ve driven to plenty of airports in silence; this was the opposite, and honestly it’s hard not to grin along.
Some airport runs are about peace and quiet. Some are about getting six very excited people and a flamingo to Terminal 1 on time. Both are the job.
We made the check-in desk with time to spare, the flamingo made it through security (I checked later — it did), and six friends disappeared towards departures still singing. The car was very quiet on the way back.
Why we love the getaway runs
Because you’re the first chapter of somebody’s holiday. The early alarm is worth it for that — a warm car, the bags sorted, and a group who get to start the fun the moment they close the front door. Skis, flamingo and all.
More tales when the roads are quiet. Got a getaway of your own? See our airport transfers or services.