Dad Rents U-Haul Truck to Drive Nearly 4 Hours for Vacation

A man rented a U-Haul truck to go on vacation after his American Airlines flight was canceled and all rental cars were sold out. David Whalen's overjoyed family greeted him as he arrived at their vacation rental in Sarasota, Florida. Whalen drove three-and-a-half hours in the U-Haul just to be with his family. His ordeal comes amid continuing airport chaos caused by last Friday's global computer meltdown.

[@user-qb3vi5kk3t]

4 hours? I would have just driven from the beginning

[@Slips85]

He may have been at a layover

[@Hawthorneheights888]

It could be a layover or maybe he just wanted the quickest way to get to his family after the work week. He’s not you.

[@MollyWhalen-j7k]

This is my dad 😂 it was orginally a 17 hour drive. he was flown to a random airport 4 hours away

[@user-qb3vi5kk3t]

@@MollyWhalen-j7kmakes sense, glad he made it

[@MyHeart1955]

Most people would, at least most smart people. I do not fly just because of this reason. Plus, my broom is in the shop. 🤣

[@CMarr722]

A U-Haul is sometimes cheaper. I rented a pickup for a week instead of a rental.

[@handlesshouldntdefaulttonames]

Unironically, my grandparents did this every summer when I went to visit them. We'd rent a uhaul truck and drive to the gulf.

[@LifeOutsideTheBubble]

What about the mileage charges?

[@marinearenaswimmingpools5320]

@@LifeOutsideTheBubble you only drive around your block

[@CMarr722]

@@LifeOutsideTheBubble I drove it locally while my car was in the shop so it was still cheaper since I didn’t take it out unless necessary.

[@boohere2]

Actually no. Ever hear or Turo? No you will say. Well it's basically a car rental service but it's people renting out their cars. So say if I had a car of my own, I could rent it out on Turo. I put the price in such. Then people can rent it from me.

[@thewildcolonialboy8034]

This is the best U-Haul commercial ever.

[@JohnCampos-uw1rh]

And now they jack the prices up 😂

[@cherieharley4532]

​@JohnCampos-uw1rh right? U-haul should make him their spokesman!

[@tapiolankiira1968]

@@cherieharley4532 I think he would be awesome

[@night77willis88]

Uhaul we will get you there

[@curiousorange8232]

It’s $25 an hour ! What in the$$$$?

[@MollyWhalen-j7k]

By the way the original drive was over 16 hours. We easily would’ve drove if it was only 4 hours. There was not enough context, he was stuck at an airport 4 hours away from our vacation stop. They flew him to one airport then cancelled his flights and he ended up in the only flight of the day that flew to florida. He flew separately from the rest of our family because he had to work, so it was just him.

[@andreamurphy1126]

Thank you for the update… He’s an Absolute Angel & can think on his feet.

[@richardisner3671]

Maybe that should have been part of the story then. Pertinent information. I would have driven the 16 hours.

[@MollyWhalen-j7k]

@@richardisner3671I didn’t make the story so I clearly didn’t have control over that

[@richardisner3671]

@@MollyWhalen-j7k I hear you. I hope the vacation goes well

[@racheld7916]

Wish this was pinned or told in the original story. I was wondering why he didn’t go home n take his own car. He must’ve flown into MIA. Glad he made it there safe and y’all have a great vaca!!!

[@ladykfirst]

Dad is a Complete G!!! So happy for him and his family!!!

[@BitSmythe]

*THERE’S a lesson. ALWAYS keep an AirTag in every piece of luggage!*

[@Valen-xu2wy]

My friends had borrowed suitcases with airtags. Did not help them when they took 2 wrong suitcases(1 business class disabled) in bangkok. They were lucky not to get arrested at the hotel. I was somewhat proactive while they chased up damn airtags.

[@LygerTheCLaw]

how would that help when the airline would still not release your luggage to you?

[@corryandrew2357]

Or just don't travel with luggage, carry on only. I've been on over 100 flights and maybe 10 of them I've had luggage, 5/10 times luggage is delayed/ missing. 50% chance.

[@Pizza-km1wf]

@@corryandrew2357 I completely agree. I’ve never taken anything but a carry on. And if they try to say there is not enough room for any more carry ons say I have medicine in my bag that my life depends on. If I have anything else to bring or bring back I usually just ship it on ups or fedex. Call me crazy but feels much safer to me

[@BossBrookeArmstrong]

They’re acting like this is the smartest thing this guy has ever done 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ajspice]

I was just thinking that. This is C-tier clever at best. He still ended up renting a vehicle to drive. The only thing that changed was the type of vehicle. Oooooo.

[@CrimsonMey]

Way better than just wailing on the Internet.

[@N1oreo1]

It may have been. Who knows 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Nom8d]

It's not about the smartness. He had the presence of mind to improvise

[@spacecadet2226]

The bar must be pretty low for this guy.

[@larmstrong2302]

Pack light, just a carry-on, if possible. If something happens, you're not waiting for your luggage! 👍

[@itchysheets1222]

That’s what I do, if it doesn’t fit in my back pack then I don’t need it!

[@Hawthorneheights888]

That’s what I do! Never had an issue, except when they ask to check carry ons 🙄 If I’m flying international and want to bring back a bunch of things, then I buy an extra suitcase there.

[@typoriver3651]

I did this, but i also had my pet bird with me during all this crazyness! I got stuck in the middle of a layover in Pennsylvania. Thankfully after a night at the airport i got a friend to drive 6 hours to rescue me and my bird!

[@PopOutPaulie]

Well yea when you're just a single person going somewhere you can pack light. When you have a whole family it's a different story.

[@tandemmatt]

4 hour drive vs waiting at airport for hours for a 45 minute flight? What?

[@WilliamsPinch]

lol with strangers, coughing and chaos at that.

[@flyingjew2994]

I've always driven. I hate flying unless it's private

[@johnp139]

Connection?

[@LygerTheCLaw]

do they really look that bright to you?

[@tandemmatt]

@@johnp139 that's the only good answer.

[@ln4130]

This man has a beautiful family

[@Lucasisgoated]

That's a crazy idea, but a good thing for his family

[@noble604]

Lol😂😂 it’s an American theme/ been in a thousand movie comedies where something goes wrong on the trip and they end up renting a UHaul😂

[@84americanwoman]

Sometimes U-Haul can be cheaper especially only 4 hours

[@boohere2]

He never heard of Turo before

[@rogerrosen2323]

worse for small kids on the floor seems it will take a while

[@olly305]

That dad is a problem solver! Thats awesome

[@cutthechicken194]

Indeed!❤

[@cherieharley4532]

This reminds me of Planes, Trains and automobiles. 😂 lol, good for you Dad!

[@richie0051]

Glad You Made it to Your Family! Family is The Most Important part Of Life!

[@porshataylor-ee5ri]

True, and nice beard lol

[@porshataylor-ee5ri]

True and Nice Beard lol!

[@cmndrkool321]

This is exactly what people did when all flights were grounded from the September 11 attacks. Some people even rented limos.

[@ceasewatercolorarts]

I've done this before. I thought it was just what you did when you got in a pinch or wanted to save money. Bought a house during covid (across the country). Came down and rental cars were $700 for the weekend so we just rented a uhaul which worked out great because we ended up buying furniture and toted it around.

[@noahclark7603]

I'm all for a happy story but also I was unaware that this was revelatory information or even an ingenious decision others don't know about. Anyway props to the dad for looking for other options and seeing his family!

[@fiona6smith391]

He won the award dad of the all year , 💜💜 my hubby would do the same to see us happy , priceless

[@zacherymayer4847]

Four hours! For us in the Midwest, it's nothing. My family drove 10 hours one time

[@mgulks2]

i drove 20 hours from denmark to france

[@MollyWhalen-j7k]

It was orginally a 17 hour drive. they flew him to a random airport then he drove

[@HarisP000]

​@@mgulks2 that's illegal

[@24k_Mikes]

10 hours?!? Pffff, my dad drove for nearly a dad, 21 hours, from California to Houston, Texas. (Stops included)

[@Ace_Man_Gaming]

My parents used to drive 12+ hours to Tennessee almost every year and even did an 18 hour drive to Florida. I've done many 6+ hour round-trip drives just for a one-day event in my 20-year-old, worn-out, gas-guzzling V8.

[@srichey444]

Make the most of it, string up some lights, put a rug down, some Beans bags, Bluetooth speaker, and coolers with drinks and snacks. "Party of the Century in the UHaul! Everybody in!". 😂😂😂🤣😭

[@newshodgepodge6329]

Anyone who ever said that you need a tailgate to have a tailgate party got nothing on you. 😉

[@Gabychou2021]

They all look alike, beautiful family❤

[@lionelherselman84]

Skynet; im taking over your computer system Dad; i got a uhaul

[@geoculus5606]

Skynet: Nooooooooooooooooooooooo

[@rocked30]

Yeah, the 19th was crazy. My debit card was declined when I tried to get some gas. I panicked and immediately called my credit union but they said nothing is wrong with your card on our end. This makes me now worry about the security of my money.

[@EzraTheiPhoneGuy]

this guy is a genius i would've never thought to rent a u-haul

[@jonnym4670]

$20 for a van for the day depending on your milage it can be much better then renting a car

[@johnp139]

You must have not been around during 9/11.

[@LongJumpingSurprise]

@@johnp139 I know someone who actually did that

[@Eric_Olsen]

Has no one watched Home Alone, different circumstances but renting a moving truck to reach your destination.

[@mike60521x]

@@jonnym4670 uhaul is usually $19.95 plus mileage $0.60 - so a 4 hour drive is prob 240 miles - so the mileage cost would have been $144.00 Not to mention a possible relocation charge for the vehicle

[@NourAmsterdam]

That first family wow stunning people. Very sad for the kid about Disney land. That’s so sad.

[@donvirts4608]

Always take your prescriptions and other very important things on your carry-on.

[@loveforeignaccents]

Dad of the year!! Great thinking and didn't want to miss time with his family. Love it!!!

[@Divergence]

Why I always carry a carry on. You can easily fit 2 weeks worth of cloths into one.

[@Mrshoujo]

Wiping cloths?

[@extendedp1]

Summer clothes at least

[@nancykoo4156]

travel light

[@LostandFoundTravel]

What ACTION looks like when you take it instead of waiting for help. Bravo.

[@hadley407]

I hope all these people follow Erika and learn how much the airline needs to pay to compensate them for flights!!

[@cadebecker2486]

My job interview was effected during that computer glitch.

[@pennyk1943]

EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON. Where a door closes a window is wide open!!!❤️✝️

[@porshataylor-ee5ri]

​@@pennyk1943Amen!

[@porshataylor-ee5ri]

Something bigger is coming, don't give up!

[@Imakegachavideosforfun_17]

Dad of the year!

[@rogerrosen2323]

so the bags were checked in and then returned to the buikding? because no flights

[@Macsrus5]

Imagine not having the funds to rent something and being stuck! Poor people ☹️

[@solandri69]

It sounds like the issue wasn't cost, but availability. The car rental companies keep enough cars on hand for regular demand. They don't have enough for when the entire air travel system breaks down, and everyone who was supposed to catch a connecting flight suddenly needs a car and hotel.

[@XXtheJUMPoffXX]

Really poor people wouldn’t be going on a trip at all

[@emilegriffith1473]

you didn't listen you toad - they said there was no more rental cars left

[@SignalMan9292]

And there FLIGHT was cancelled. Got to have a decent amount of money to do that.

[@sharonburton9663]

Now this is an awesome family.

[@Abcdeisner]

It was cute how excited they were that dad made it

[@bigvaxmeanie925]

Fyi its $1.19 per a mile to drive that.

[@esallgoodman]

Where did you get that math from?

[@lipozrljohnson7078]

@@esallgoodmanprobably when you factor in the cost of the U-Haul and gas etc

[@bigvaxmeanie925]

@@esallgoodman because that's what uhaul charged me for my rental ontop of the 20 dollar rental fee You pay them by the mile

[@MK-fm3ln]

Wondering why he didn’t use his own car. If he didn’t have own where he was coming from, I am guessing car rentals weren’t cheap either or not available.

[@cho9171]

​@@MK-fm3lndid you not watch the video? They flew from OR to CA where their flights would be connected to go to FL for Disney world but that's when the outage occur in CA, leaving then stranded, thus renting the uhaul in CA to go to Disney world.

[@ChefRhyno]

The portland lady really flew to Disneyworld when Disneyland is right there.

[@Narutocoolcat]

Because Disneyland sucks and Disney World is awesome

[@willwallace6058]

Right there? Disneyland is 1k miles from Portland

[@michaelspencer3586]

@@willwallace6058yeah. They’re at LAX. Disneyland is “right there”.

[@princessmarlena1359]

Well, I wouldn’t say Disneyland is “right there”, Anaheim is on county away from LAX. Funny enough, they almost were set up in Burbank, CA.which is part of Los Angeles County. But the Burbank City Council didn’t want them, so Anaheim got them and have been happy for years.

[@Mars-77]

Awesome dude. Beautiful family!

[@brooks8792]

I never fly, driving is the way to go.

[@user-qb3vi5kk3t]

Especially if it’s just 4 hours

[@zodkip3147]

Well, we all have out limits, no? I mean If it is within 19 hours driving then generally we drive but otherwise we fly.

[@Endorion_YTC]

4 hours is nothing, should have drove anyway like he did.. I drove 6 hours to Canada without being tired and was a fun trip and 6 hours back.

[@alexarihani2902]

Could Have been the layover city

[@jamesmartin1895]

“heartbroken” is not even the word - seeing those little ones sleeping at the airport like that - the airlines need to be fined heavily for not having a back up plan

[@rabbitwooden2184]

This man is resourceful!

[@Timberland1963]

I love all these stories about how the airlines keep abusing the cattle they transport but the cattle keep lining up to be abused.

[@tammied1858]

U-Haul Dad - What a good looking family🚛

[@coconow1]

I just liked seeing their cute family.

[@Scratchedrecord-f2n]

Wow 4 hrs amazing news coverage

[@SimpleWorld08]

That’s a fine dad.

[@HPad2]

I almost did this last week to drive 10 hours back home. But thankfully the late night flight didn't get cancelled.

[@kspen72]

Ive been telling people all year. UHaul got your back once again!

[@GETCRAZEDYOODEN]

Beer in one hand driving for $19.99 all on camera CALL THE KAREN COPS....

[@MollyWhalen-j7k]

Literally in the parking lot and unopened.

[@BDD627]

O.M.G. THIS IS THE LIFE I NEVER WANTED... IM SINGLE NEVER.. MARRIED.. NO KIDS 49 YRS OLD... AND THE BEACH IS A TEN MINUTE WALK FROM MY HOUSE MY JOB IS A 2 MINUTE WALK FROM MY HOUSE... WHEN A PERSON IS PAYING A $1,000 A DAY TO DRIVE SOMEWHERE IT MAKES U THINK TWICE ABOUT WHAT U THOUGHT WAS A GOOD IDEA BUT TURNS INTO A CHEVY CHASE NATIONAL LAMPOON VACATION...

[@therichtershow]

Renting that Uhaul truly was thinking outside of the box

[@rogerrosen2323]

they ride in the box truck?

[@FDR-ww6xz]

This dad was the lucky.

[@monicaalbertson8470]

I had to do that when my mom came to visit, I flew into Phoenix AZ airport couldn't get a rental car so we rented a haul truck to drive back to Florida in. Just with 2 suitcases.

[@Katerinacat61221]

0:57 why am i falling in love with that boy

[@daredare187]

Generation is cooked. That's common sense to think of how else you can rent a vehicle. That man managed to have common sense and bam, inside edition coverage

[@donnarosen7880]

I have to leave for a wedding tomorrow I’m so glad we’re not flying 😂

[@JEng-oc1lc]

Smart man ❗️

[@EJKon-o8z]

It’s unfortunate because it affects people who need to work hard to travel who then instead spend the trip waiting for luggage. It doesn’t affect the rich who just hop on a private jet

[@firebirdude2]

Kevin's mother rode in the back of a Uhaul from NYC to Chicago on Christmas. This guy's a chump.

[@Fonneyyy]

The daughters r really beautiful ❤

[@lindamoore5852]

That’s awesome! Great thinking Dad!

[@benjiebenjamin7810]

That's totally cool. A dad on a mission ❤

[@shawnnelsonwhalen]

Dang it I almost drove from Houston back to Florida in a U-Haul Friday morning. I wouldn't have made headline News

[@dwaynedalton7610]

Thats beautiful, I am all teary eyed. Bless them.

[@joshuapaul349]

Stunning and brave, it's as if nothing else important is going on in the world.

[@joycelago1315]

Beautiful family ❤

[@andreamurphy1126]

What a man …. Awesome ❤

[@nhiarslain2422]

Resourceful! Good job, dad!

[@sophiaeuan5763]

The “here comes our dad” that says it all!! They deserve this and that dad totally showed up n showed out to make his family happy

[@comfortworkllc]

When I didnt have a car yearss ago. I rented a Uhaul to go Food Shopping. U-Hauls to the Rescue 👏🏾

[@Reveluation]

Usually rent a U-HAUL trucks to go camping!😁😁

[@davez5u52]

Now thats a good backup plan.

[@Meechaw-13]

bro got the idea straight from home alone

[@exquisitelyharrolds9248]

A black woman sis it first Give her her credit too

[@penniesfromheavon]

There was a guy from Ky who rented one to get home from a work trip who was on the news when the Arline first shut down.

[@fytghggyungf7601]

Instead of spending money on a vacation, he should just spend his money on a car instead. Much more practical 🙏🏼

[@calilocal4134]

hubby is so smart! that was a good hack!

[@oldkittykiyru]

One time got stranded in a small desert town hours from no where after our car had mechanical problems. Had to rent a 26' Uhaul to get back home.

[@whatsaaappthesequel]

Truly some high quality journalism

[@Dollfaceicinctlsbrand]

Yes ,Sir

[@RobAndrews18]

Why go through the hassle of flying for only a 4 hour drive? 🤣🤣🤣

[@diamondlee9034]

thats exactly what I thought, makes no sense

[@MollyWhalen-j7k]

it was orginally a 17 hour drive. my dad got flown to a random airport 4 hours away and then drove.

[@HarisP000]

Because you can get there in 1 hour?

[@RobAndrews18]

​@@MollyWhalen-j7k Oh I see. Inside edition left that part out

[@cutthechicken194]

It's call disposable income

[@dizzymindy6024]

Hey, you do what you gotta do!! Resourceful dad👍

[@daveassanowicz186]

That voice is like nails on a chalkboard

[@Lucasisgoated]

Smart idea by that wise man to get away from the Microsoft outage

[@Mrshoujo]

CrowdStrike outage.

[@viron6734]

It wasn't Microsoft; it was Cloudstrike. Likely the result of Russian retaliation after the US launched cyber attacks against them last month.

[@channel4change430]

I love this guy: all important dad....good dude.... you did the damn thing!!!!

[@72stones43]

Tourists take long showers and pollute alot.

[@ssm090]

That last lady, why not just fly to Los Angeles to begin with and go to Disneyland instead? Do they know there’s a Disneyland there? I know Disney world is bigger but cmon Disneyland is just as good.

[@bracebrooks967]

Smart move by that dad.....I honestly wouldn't have thought of a plan like that if I were in his situation. I feel bad for those other passengers stranded at airports. I'm thankful I didn't take a flight in mid-July of this year. I have one planned for August 22nd so I hope no cancelation occurs with that one.

[@Steve-en7xv]

Who flys for a 4 hour drive?

[@ERNIE555]

Exactly

[@WeShallC]

I remember having 3 days off and being stuck on base in the desert; all rental cars fully booked. I rented a Penske box truck told 3 of my friends you can stay here or ride with me to Vegas. Still remember the looks we got when we rolled into the hotel entrance . 😂

[@authorcole]

This is an awesome video. Why can’t all KZbin videos be like this one?

[@jonathantheyorkie]

This is why I don't check my luggage

[@ApeJayy]

Cringe

[@ResinAlchemist2024]

Planes, trains, and automobiles. And Home Alone. Hey it works.👍🏼🚛

[@overknightacention39]

"Now this is pod racing!"

[@Wheelgauge-bt7ox]

Dad. Doing what must be done all in the name of fun.👍

[@cutthechicken194]

When a MAN wants to be with his children, nothing will stop him ❤ Take note fellas 😊

[@tyreefha7862]

Beautiful family… U haul to the rescue

[@Bobby-ry9em]

U Haul should pay that guy for giving them a lot of free advertisment

[@fiona6smith391]

No one will beat the U-Haul dad😂