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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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?

OP posts:

WelshMaenad · 02/09/2012 16:40

I've taken DD out for a week's holiday two years running (reception and year 1). I'll be doing it again next year.Never had an issue, never asked permission, just told them we were going.

Badgerina · 02/09/2012 20:18

I think what lovebunny says demonstrates how attitudes to this sort of thing really vary from school to school. I'd definitely ask first!

WhatYouLookingAt · 02/09/2012 20:20

she's 5. What does a 5 year old need to catch up on? Trigonometry, German Economics in the inter war years?

Get over yourself.

SoldeInvierno · 02/09/2012 21:11

I think it must depend on the school or LA. I took DS off school for a week in Y3 for a family holiday. It went unauthorised and I didn't get fined. I had already paid for everything 11 months previously, so I concluded that paying for a fine was cheaper than cancelling the holiday. I know other parents who have done the same. No fines so far.

Then in Y4, I asked for 4 days off for another family holiday (different school then), and they were happy to authorise it.

Ryanair is ok providing you don't expect nice service. Expect the worse and you'll be ok.

ZonkedOut · 02/09/2012 21:32

My friend who was on a business trip with a colleague, were in the airport in plenty of time but got held up at check in and security through no fault of their own. My friend got to the gate, running, his colleague had been made to take his shoes off and was just behind. My friend got to the gate and pointed his colleague out to the Ryanair staff at the gate. His colleague was visible running towards the gate, but they refused to wait that 1 minute to let him get on, but let my friend on without his colleague and shut the gate just as he arrived. Then the plane waited 15 minutes at the stand before moving.

That is (at least part of the reason) why I don't fly Ryanair any more.

WhatYouLookingAt · 02/09/2012 21:41

Its not Ryanairs fault that people turn up late for boarding. you need to leave enough time for security. They can't miss their take off slot because your mate was late.

Hulababy · 02/09/2012 21:54

ALL airlines stick to their deadlines for getting to the gates ime.
They have to - otherwise where do they draw the line?

Get there with plenty of time spare. If travelling a long way to the airport, build in the risk of traffic.

Alligatorpie · 02/09/2012 22:09

Love bunny - are you serious? What does a five year old need to catch up on?

I have never heard about fines or unauthorized absences, and I think it is totally OTT. But maybe I am biased. I am a kindergarten teacher ( i teach at an international school overseas) who took her dd (5) out of school for five weeks as I traveled to the UK to give birth to her sister. My principal was totally on board, good thing or dd may have returned to grade only after the summer only to find out her place had been given away!

I would take your dd and tell the school. Plead ignorance if they have a problem with it - but why would they?

LilBlondePessimist · 03/09/2012 09:42

Lovebunny, I'm sorry to say that that is one of the most ridiculous posts I've read on mn for some time. And that's saying something.

Stinax · 03/09/2012 09:54

I took DS out (year 2) for a week. I sent a letter to the head explaining why and got a letter back saying it was fine. While I agree that it will differ from school to school, I also think fines and the like will be imposed on frequent offenders.

Do a letter straight away so you're giving plenty notice. Be honest and tell them it's not something you plan to make a habit of. It will be fine.

And FFS don't listen to anyone who say's you're damaging their education. You are not!

If you had your child in a private school they would have that time off as a holiday anyway as they often get 2 weeks off at half term. I wonder whether Lovebunny and the like feel that those children's education is being damaged?

ZonkedOut · 03/09/2012 18:46

Its not Ryanairs fault that people turn up late for boarding. you need to leave enough time for security. They can't miss their take off slot because your mate was late.

In the case above, it was Ryanair's fault they we're held up at check in. For reasons too complicated to get into, they were held at check-in (not just queuing) until 30 minutes before departure.

And come on, they couldn't wait 1 more minute for someone they could see running towards them? That's just plain jobsworth maliciousness. Especially when the plane didn't budge for 15 minutes afterwards.

WhatYouLookingAt · 03/09/2012 18:55

gates close at thirty minutes before departure so there was no way they could have got there in time at that stage, and almost nobody does check in at the desk anymore. I doubt they were entirely blameless. Are you telling us they were at check in for an hour and a half ? I'm afraid I don't believe you.

LucieMay · 03/09/2012 18:59

I save up half the year to take DS on holiday during school holiday time, I'm on my own and don't earn a fortune, so I do think it's very cheeky and have sour grapes when others just take their DCs out during term time when most of just suck it up and pay extra.

dipitydoyou · 03/09/2012 19:26

We took DD then five out of school for three days. Told the school in advance and we were not fined. The impression I was given was that the fines were given to those who make a habit of this, which obviously isn't ok.
I'm sure at 5 years old she won't be missing out hugely by you taking her out of school for two days

We've flown with Ryanair in fact I was so worried about flying with them I think I started a thread! but they were fine, basic but fine. We paid for speedy boarding so we got on first which we found helped us all get seated without too much of a bunfight. Think the flight got us there early too. But prices onboard are ridiculously overpriced and check check check your baggage weight beforehand! Have a good trip!

mayorquimby · 03/09/2012 19:38

Positive to say about Ryanair?
Ryanair are the single greatest thing to happen to European air travel in the last 20 years.

Hulababy · 03/09/2012 19:43

A school will NOT give a child's place away due to 2-3 days unauthorised absence. They won't do it for 10 days. That is a last resort and only used after a significant period of time and where school have attempted to speak to the parents beforehand. They will give notice and time to discuss the absence. There are several stages to the process and no matter what threats people might want to put out there it just doesn't happen at the drop of a hat!

elizaregina · 03/09/2012 19:44

some schools will simply put it down as un authorised absence,

however i wouldnt touch ryan air they are so aggressive they want you to fall foul of the rules so they can over charge you for tiny things...i have also found easy jet more realxed and staff nicer.

Hulababy · 03/09/2012 19:45

Stinax - not all independent schools have 2 week half terms at all. None round here do. However independent schools do have increased holidays - often 3-4 weeks extra each year. However most do have increased hours every day to cover a lot of this.

And some state schools do anyway - my niece's school has 2 weeks in October.

But that is besides the point really anyway. A few day's missed school will NOT have a negative affect ont he majority of children in primary years.

ZonkedOut · 03/09/2012 20:38

Actually, check in closes 30 minutes before departure, the gates don't.

But if you want to know the details, briefly, they missed one flight and bought tickets for the next at some expense. But Ryanair wouldn't release the tickets until 30 minutes before the flight.

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 03/09/2012 20:41

No bad experience of RA, disapprove of taking children out of school to fly with them though!

WhatYouLookingAt · 03/09/2012 20:45

They do with ryanair actually, says on your boarding card what time gates close, and its always 30 mins before departure. Check in closes 45 minutes before departure.

LiegeAndLief · 03/09/2012 20:51

Do you know anyone who already has children at this school that you could ask about their holiday policy?

If it was me, I would book the flights, as I know ds's school would be absolutely fine about two days next to a holiday for a reception child. The head gave me permission to take ds out of Y1 for a week in May to go on holiday. However, judging by the posts above, clearly not all schools are like this!

I'm also flying Ryanair with dc to visit family over half term! Have only flown Ryanair pre-dc so am a bit nervous - good luck with your flight if you go ahead

theodorakis · 05/09/2012 06:15

I have checked in 3 minutes before take off with Qatar Airways and that included hold luggage. Because Heathrow is such a mess, they have had to become more flexible because half the time they cant find enough check in desks to get everyone through in time. Just one more reason never to fly economy out of the UK again.

wicketter · 05/09/2012 06:22

Very few infant schools actually fine and as long as attendance is generally ok I wouldn't worry

WhatYouLookingAt · 05/09/2012 08:40

3 minutes through take off? Did you get your time machine through security?

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