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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to travel with Ryanair? To have DD miss days of school?

131 replies

HappyHippie · 02/09/2012 00:16

I'm trying to book the flight to see my family in half term, but prices vary a lot from one day to the next one. Also, Ryanair is much, much cheaper, than other airlines, but well... we all know Ryanair, don't we? The other option is Easyjet, but even they are much more expensive in those dates.

So, 2 AIBU questions...

  • Do you think it's OK for a 5 year old to miss 2 days of school right before the holidays? Should I ask for permission or just go ahead and book the flights?
  • Does anyone have anything nice to say about Ryanair? Hmm
OP posts:
MrsTerrysChocolateOrange · 02/09/2012 00:18

I'm not going to step into the fiery inferno that is children missing days of school Grin

DH and I used Ryanair to go to Morocco. Perfectly acceptable. Just don't fall foul of the extra charges, baggage for example.

nancy75 · 02/09/2012 00:20

I have never flown with Ryan air so can't help with that, and yes I think it's fine to take a 5 year old out of school for a couple of days, especially f it is to visit family

bringbacksideburns · 02/09/2012 00:21

At 5 i should think it will be fine.

We did a couple of hours on RA. Never flown with them before. Bit worried by a colleague telling me her daughter had problems due to Boarding Passes not being printed off for everyone when she was coming home as there was a glitch on the site etc but we were absolutely fine.
Obviously you don't get a seat number but we were near the front of the queue there and back and our flights actually arrived ten minutes early both times.

AgentZigzag · 02/09/2012 00:21

I would ask for permission, at least there's a chance of it being authorised.

At 5 missing a couple of days of school is hardly going to be a life changing event.

CestTout · 02/09/2012 00:21

Ryanair are fine if you are prepared! Does the price you have include baggage? I have flown with Ryanair every six weeks for the past seven years and have only had two long delays (3 & 5 hours).

Jinsei · 02/09/2012 00:22

We flew with Ryan air this summer, it was absolutely fine. :)

Original poster
HappyHippie · 02/09/2012 00:28

AgentZigzag The thing is that, if I ask I will delay the whole thing and prices will go up! Sad

OP posts:
AgentZigzag · 02/09/2012 00:31

If you're prepared to go without their permission could you book and then ask them?

You'd still be taking the same risk with them saying no.

WorraLiberty · 02/09/2012 00:36

I don't think it's ever a good idea to give your children a choice of whether they attend school or go on holiday no matter what the price difference.

But if you're determined to do it, I wouldn't mention the holiday to the school as if they won't authorise it, you will be fined for going ahead anyway.

Original poster
HappyHippie · 02/09/2012 00:39

I will be fined?

OP posts:
CoolaSchmoola · 02/09/2012 00:44

I fly with my DD on Ryanair all the time, she's 11 months and we've been going backwards and forwards to Germany.

The staff have always been great, every flight has landed on time or early and I honestly can't fault them.

Two things to remember - check in online WELL in advance, you can do it 15 days before your flight. There have been instances (not for me) where people have struggled to print boarding cards so the earlier you do it the better. Forget to do it and you get charged £60 per boarding card.

Book your baggage and make sure you book enough because the overweight charges are high.

Personally I always pay the extra tenner and book a seat - I find it easier to be right at the front with DD.

WorraLiberty · 02/09/2012 00:45

Yes of course you will be fined.

If you ask for holiday absence during term time and the school refuse and you go ahead anyway, you will be fined.

Original poster
HappyHippie · 02/09/2012 00:48

WorraLiberty DD will just be starting reception so this is totally new... how will I be fined? It's a state school by the way.

OP posts:
AgentZigzag · 02/09/2012 00:49

Is the lass getting a choice of whether to go to school or not though worra?

OP - 'We're off on holiday'

DD - 'Oh, OK Grin'

I know they should be brought up in an atmosphere of school comes first, but she's only 5.

AgentZigzag · 02/09/2012 00:51

It might be a problem if she's coming back to start reception and everyone else has been there a couple of days more.

Could leave her feeling a bit alone when she sees other DC already having made friends?

WorraLiberty · 02/09/2012 00:51

Ahh well it depends in that case on whether she's of the legal age....I'm not sure (term wise) what that legal age is.

But if she should legally be in school and you take her on holiday without the school's authorisation then yes, the school or the LA may well choose to fine you.

A bit of blurb

LilBlondePessimist · 02/09/2012 00:52

Fines are generally only issued for repeat offenders. At least, from what I've experienced in several local authorities, that seems to have been the case. Have never seen a 'first tIme offender' actually be given a fine.

AgentZigzag · 02/09/2012 00:54

I wish I could afford to take DD out of school on holiday

WorraLiberty · 02/09/2012 00:54

First time offenders have been fined at my DS's school when they've asked for authorisation, not been given it and gone ahead with the holiday anyway.

That's why I'm advising the OP not to ask for it...just in case.

Having said that, if you call in sick for your child...you'll have to encourage your child to lie (if asked) and that's very wrong too.

Original poster
HappyHippie · 02/09/2012 00:55

No sorry agentzigzag what I meant to say to worraliberty is that since DD will just be starting reception, I am totally new to school fines and hence if she (or anyone) could explain a bit more.

We'll be going away on half term, so all DC will have made friends by then.

And no, personally I don't think that a couple of days less at school at that stage will be significant.

OP posts:
AgentZigzag · 02/09/2012 00:56

Ahhh yes, I remember you saying that now.

Original poster
HappyHippie · 02/09/2012 00:57

oh thanks worraliberrty. But how are these fines? Are they fines you have to pay, are they notes that will go in her school report? Is there a minimum of days allowed per year?

I'm a bit shocked, I'm just learning about all this.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 02/09/2012 00:57

Ok well check with the school/or Google and find out if your child is at the age where legally they should be in school (or home ed etc)

If they legally should be, then you could well receive the penalty fine.

Maryz · 02/09/2012 00:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ToadsPornFrogsPawn · 02/09/2012 00:58

You won't be fined. Tell the school it's a family event eg wedding, granny's birthday etc, and say you'll go to a museum too, so very cultural. You'll get permission, don't worry

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