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[barlinkhorse]

I was invited to lecture at a private liberal arts college in the west. I was thrilled to be asked and am excited about going. Today, however, I received an email from someone at the university wondering if I would mind taking public transportation from the hotel to the college and back. The writer pitched it as an opportunity
to experience the public transportation system of which the city is so proud. I wrote back and politely said that I prefer not to negotiate a strange city via public transportation. I was offended, frankly, Taking buses is not my idea of fun at the best of times let alone in a place where I have to be somewhere at a certain time. Nor do I consider it a "cultural experience." Am I being a snob or is it reasonable as a guest lecturer to expect to be picked up in a vehicle (any old vehicle, I'm not asking for a limo!) and driven to and from the speaking engagement?

[jackit]

Totally reasonable.

However, you might earn someone's thanks by suggesting an alternative:  they can have someone pick you up/drop you off. 

[sciencephd]

The "usual" alternative to being picked up at the airport would be to take a taxi. It would have been perfectly reasonable to ask you to take a cab, but public transportation seems a bit odd.  I would take the taxi and then submit it to them with any other receipts when you return.

[larryc]

I wouldn't choose to take offense, but I wouldn't do it either. Your response was fine.

[rockprof]

I think it's rude.  Take a cab and give them the receipt.

[donstefano]

Only in America... What's wrong with public transport: brings you where you need to be, in comfortable conditions, at a reasonable price.

Oh sorry, wrong country, public transport in the US is only for poor people...

When going to conferences, I generally try not to use taxis, because I find them a waste of money

[neutralname]

It's an unusual request.  I think that it is a strong over-reaction to be offended, although your reply was fine.  I also think it is a perfectly reasonable request and if someone requested that of me, I would accept the suggestion, so long as it was not cold and rainy and I didn't have to change buses.  Normally if you ask the bus driver to let you know when you are there, they will shout out when you reach your stop. 

Taxis are good when the weather is bad or you have a heavy bag, and someone else is paying.  Otherwise, if the bus system is good, taking the bus is much more interesting, and can be an adventure.

I would not say that a disdainful attitude towards buses is a purely American trait: remember Margaret Thatcher:
'A man who, beyond the age of 26, finds himself on a bus can count himself as a failure' (1986)
She was such a middle-class grammar school snob.

[spork]

Obviously it's a reflection of your race and/or gender.  Us white males never have to take public transportation.

[polly_mer]

My question would be "Is this a straightforward trip (e.g., trains leave every 15 minutes, take the number 5 for a couple of miles, and get off at the hotel stop) or is it some complicated thing that involves transfers and standing in bad weather?"

If it's the easy one, fine.  If it's the complicated one, I would take a taxi.

[secretweapon]

I don't find this an offensive request at all.  Maybe they are all teaching and find it difficult to pick you up. 

If the public transport is cheap and easy, you should take it.  These people have already invited you and are paying for your trip; why do you want to cost the university and the planet even more? 

[dept_geek]

My question would be "Is this a straightforward trip (e.g., trains leave every 15 minutes, take the number 5 for a couple of miles, and get off at the hotel stop) or is it some complicated thing that involves transfers and standing in bad weather?"

If it's the easy one, fine.  If it's the complicated one, I would take a taxi.

I agree with polly_mer. If the trip is straightforward, it can be faster to take public transport (for example: Reagan Nat'l Airport to anywhere in DC). If it's confusing, take a cab. I wish we had public transport here. Alas, it's two miles to the nearest bus stop. And 4 miles to work.

[minor_t]

If it's a train or tram, then it could be easier than driving.  In some cities (San Francisco, Atlanta, DC, Baltimore, NYC, Chicago) the train/subway can be a better alternative then either a car or cab, depending on where you're staying and where you need to go. 

The university should make you feel welcome.  Given the problems noted on the fora with search committees and candidates, we are not all that good at making people feel welcome.

[prytania3]

If it's a train or tram, then it could be easier than driving.  In some cities (San Francisco, Atlanta, DC, Baltimore, NYC, Chicago) the train/subway can be a better alternative then either a car or cab, depending on where you're staying and where you need to go. 

The university should make you feel welcome.  Given the problems noted on the fora with search committees and candidates, we are not all that good at making people feel welcome.

Public transportation is great in NYC but no so much from the airports. There used to be the JFK express train (if anyone remembers "Take the train to the plane" jingle), but even that wasn't all that swift. You still had to take a bus when you got to the airport. And the bus from LGA used to be a real headache. Taking a cab from either LGA or JRK or EWR is way easier than public transportation.

Frankly, I would feel miffed, and I spent a lot of years taking public transportation.

[dr_dre]

Pry, you don't like the JFK Air Train? I think it's cool, but only if I have time. The bus from La Guardia is not good, unless you happen to live in Jackson Heights--it comes to 74th St., I learned only too recently.

[neutralname]

The JFK Air Train rocks.