Two weeks ago, I anxiously hovered over the “send” button in my messages app. I rewrote and reread this text more times than I could count, wanting the tone to be engaging but not too desperate. After praying over the response, I hurriedly clicked send and shut off my phone. Minutes later, the dreaded typing dots began floating across my screen. With an increasing heart rate and eagerness, I grabbed my phone, anxiously waiting for the dots to become a coherent message. After what felt like an eternity of waiting, the dots ceased and a text appeared.
“Yes,” the message read, “I can drive you to LAX.”
There is no kinder friend than the one that takes you to LAX. The traffic, confusing airport roads and driving time make going to LAX obnoxious for even the most experienced SoCal drivers. When a friend agrees to drive me to the airport, reimbursing with gas money never feels like enough. Going out of your way to drive someone to the airport is an act of selflessness and true friendship. Dare I say, the mark of a truest friend.
The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the 11th busiest airport in the world, but the busiest in terms of departures and arrivals. With 76.59 million passengers in 2024, LAX boasts nine terminals in a horseshoe-like layout. Despite being perpetually in use, LAX lacks robust public transportation and adequate runway space. Unfortunately, the congestion doesn’t stop there, but seeps into traffic patterns too. Biolans come from all over the world – making travel through LAX a frequent occurrence, especially during university breaks. Junior Communication Sciences and Disorders major Jaylee Vogel finds the airport overwhelming.
“LAX is really stressful for me. I like the convenience of it, but definitely the traffic and the size of it are not my favorite,” Vogel said.
It takes an average of 41 minutes to get from Biola to LAX, but during rush hour this trip can last up to two hours. For students, time is currency that could be used for getting ahead on assignments and deadlines. This use of time is sacrificial, especially when you drop someone off at an odd hour or complications arise. Senior English major Austin Rohm has experience with airport complications.
“There was one time I was dropping someone off at the airport and they got to their destination before I got back to Biola. I got stuck in the heaviest traffic of my life, where I think I went one mile in about a half hour,” said Rohm.
Despite this lengthy drive back from the airport, Rohm continues to help his friends when they need a ride. For Rohm, unconditional love is essential to being a good friend. While driving to the airport, especially LAX, can be inconvenient, it is a tangible way to demonstrate your loyalty and love for someone. While loving his friends motivates Austin, food does too.
“I normally don’t ask if people will pay me money for gas, but if someone says “I can get you food,” I almost never say no to that. I love Canes,” Rohm said.
Regardless of if they like Canes or not, the best friends are ones that show up even when it is inconvenient for them. Whether that means driving to LAX or snagging medicine for a sick friend at the store, true friends help people out “just because.” For Vogel, having someone to drop her off at the airport is relieving and a reminder of strong friendships. On the Fourth of July, a friend of Vogel’s woke up at 3:00am to drive her an hour to the airport.
“It really inconvenienced her, but she did it without any complaining and with such joy. I was very grateful for her,” said Vogel.
There are many stories across campus of kind, unconditionally loving friends who drive others to LAX. Going out of your way to serve someone exhibits Christlike humility and care. As Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” While going to LAX may be a lower tier burden, it is a burden nonetheless. I implore you to be like Christ by serving your friends and carrying their burdens, even when it means sitting in LAX traffic. The next time the dreaded message, “Can you take me to LAX?” pops up on your phone, there’s no need to fret. Instead, if you’re able, strengthen your friendship by saying yes. Who knows? A trip to Canes might even be involved.
