Re: Odd version of "cost cutting"
That wasn't really a matter of cost cutting, but two different reasons.
First, it made sure you were in the office at about the start of the business on Monday morning and well rested at that, or if you weren't you yourself were to blame, not the ungodly hour you had to get up to get to the airport on time.
Second, it was good practice from an environmental point of view (and depending upon the company, this may have been the primary reason).