New hire refuses to take smelly coworker 2 hours to the airport: 'Once you do something nice, it's just expected next time around'

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Nov 24, 2025 11:00 AM EST

This person has made an important step in their career: refusing to be walked all over by a colleague who wants a free ride. 

Taking someone to the airport can be kind of a hassle, but you'll do it in a second for your loved one. If Grandma needs a ride to the nearest airport, chances are you won't mind too much. But what about those on the peripherals of your life: would you give a ride to a random neighbor, or in this person's case, a coworker? 

Caveat here — this is not just any coworker. This person has a rather strong-smelling habit that many people find off-putting. That smoky smell doesn't bother everyone — in fact, if you're outdoors with that person, their smoke-scented hair and clothing might not even bother you for a minute. But in an enclosed area, like a car, that stench can become overwhelming. It could give a person a headache, or just become a bother. Not to mention that certain smells soak into the car's interior, making it smell smoky for weeks! 

As, as this employee also mentioned, there's another side effect of giving one person a ride to the airport: next time a coworker needs to do that dreaded trip, they'll know exactly who to ask. This person bowed out of giving one ride, and hopefully they won't be bothered about it again. Commenters also supported them, telling them they did the right thing, but you can check out the story below for yourself and see who you think is in the right. 

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  • 01
    Man in suit and tie holds laptop in lap and phone to ear while looking out window of car as he sits in back seat
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02
    Just started a new job working 3 weeks on and 3 weeks off. This is my first time working for 3 weeks straight. I live around 2 hours from the job while my co
    via u/theholylife
  • 03
    workers could be anywhere in the US so most of them fly in. About a week and a half a guy I never met comes joins the crew. He was a chain smoker. At the
    via u/theholylife
  • 04
    end of the 3 weeks I was asked i could drop him off at the airport because he knew i drove to the location. I told him no I couldn't and walked to my car
    via u/theholylife
  • 05
    and left. The reasons why I didn't want to was because he smelted like cigarettes and cigars and I didn't want my car to smell Like that and also I
    via u/theholylife
  • 06
    don't want to be known as the guy who takes people to the airport before I leave. Now I heard that people know i didn't drop him off and he doesn't like
    via u/theholylife
  • 07
    me. I feel that I had the right to refuse to drop him off but AITA?
    via u/theholylife
  • 08
    Edit: thanks to everyone who commented. I feel much better with my decision to set the boundary and not let it turn into a nightmare like It has done for others.
    via u/theholylife
  • 09
    Once you do something nice it's just expected next time around.
    via u/theholylife
  • 10
    Cars driving through a drop zone at an airport with red roofing
    via Alexander Nrjwolf on Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 11
    Reality-Von-Tease NTA. It's not part of your job and you barely know him, why should he be your responsibility?
    via u/Reality-Von-Tease
  • 12
    fro... NTA. The smoke is reason enough although even without that I would have still refused since he was a stranger.
    via u/frogmuffins
  • 13
    Suspicious_Juice... NTA That smoke smell seriously makes me sick to my stomach. Also, it's ridiculous to ask a perfect stranger to drive you anywhere, coworker or not.
    via u/Suspicious_Juice717
  • 14
    Was your drive to the airport the 2 hours? Cus hell no. Not that it changes my vote either way but I'm curious to what level the audacity rose?
    via u/Suspicious_Juice717
  • 15
    kiwifarmdog NTA The smoking issue aside, it's very good to set that boundary early. For FIFO positions, the company should be organising transport to/from the airport for those staff.
    via u/kiwifarmdog
  • 16
    That is absolutely not your job, and if he's missing that transport for some reason that's his problem to deal with, not yours
    via u/kiwifarmdog

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