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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To make nanny and DC travel economy?

724 replies

BooAvenue · 17/01/2016 19:10

We are planning a trip to NY in the autumn and plan to take nanny, DD who will be 6 and DS who will be 16 months.

DH and I will be flying business, partially because I am a crap flyer despite flying frequently and partly because we have quite a lot of air miles that we want to make the most of.

The plan is to bring nanny on the 5 day trip so she can help out with the travelling and babysit for us on three of the nights. I've discussed it with her and she's very eager to come, and the plan is she will have 2 days and 2 evenings completely free to do as she pleases, plus TOIL of 6 days. We will of course pay for all hotels/flights/meals out and she's welcome to join in with us on her days off if she wishes. She also gets her own room whilst we have a 2 bed family room.

The difference between economy and club is about 2.5k per ticket, which whilst we are not poor is still a fair chunk of money.

So AIBU to fly business whilst she flies economy? And will DS need his own seat or will he need to go on one of our laps?

OP posts:
wizzywig · 17/01/2016 22:57

Wouldnt dream of having my nanny in a separate class to me and my husband. She is not beneath me in any way. Whenever we have flown/ travelled with her she is treated as the third parent.

BadLad · 17/01/2016 22:58

I think my favourite comment on this thread is that "things haven't really changed since slavery if you think about it".

" if you think about it" Grin . Brilliant

gingerboy1912 · 17/01/2016 23:00

Turns up late. Takes a seat. Opens popcorn. Hopes op hasn't already left the post. Reminisces fondly over a similar thread about 3 years ago that nearly caused Mumsnet to go into meltdown Grin

Iusedtobecarmen · 17/01/2016 23:01

Yes to babylove.
I have had one holiday abroad without dcs simply because we have no one to have them
Id quite.like the occasional break.
However we have lots of hols with them. Going abroad can be a nightmare at times. We have had shit flights with crying dc or misbaviour. I wouldn't change a thing. We have had some fab times. Great memories and every minute we have spent with them.
Yes id like a break on our own but our family holidays aee that-family. Not someone else watching them so I can sit in a more comfortable seat. If id have wanted a peaceful relaxing life I wouldn't have had kids.

TheWomanInTheWall · 17/01/2016 23:03

Which airlines don't allow kids in business?

HooseRice · 17/01/2016 23:03

Haven't RTFT, so sorry if this has already been mentioned. According to my friend who was BA crew, Madonna and her entourage usually flew first while the nanny and children flew in economy.

If it's good enough for Madge, OP, it's good enough for you Smile

SantasLittleMonkeyButler · 17/01/2016 23:04

I don't see anything wrong with the idea in principle - so long as DS has his own seat. You can't expect the Nanny to entertain a 6 year old whilst wrangling a 16 month old on her lap for the entire long-haul flight. Even if DS sits on his seat for a few short periods, it'll be better than nothing. Also, what if Nanny needs the loo? So long as you & DH are making regular trips down to cattle class to check on them, I suppose that won't be a problem.

That said, I wouldn't do it personally as I would never want to sit apart from my young children on a flight. But I accept not everyone would feel that way.

Aside of the flight, the deal sounds pretty good for the Nanny TBH! She gets two days & two nights to herself in New York, all expenses paid, plus TOIL when she gets home. If you can afford to take your Nanny (who I assume the DCs are very fond of) on holiday then why not? It's not something I could ever afford to do but it sounds great!

ImperialBlether · 17/01/2016 23:07

MrsdeVere, have to say it took me ages to twig, too.

There's just something about the 'voice' that doesn't ring true. It's like someone who's not well off trying to sound well off.

Love the way she posts the thread and stands back, though!

FlatOnTheHill · 17/01/2016 23:07

Gingerboy GrinGrinGrin

rosewithoutthorns · 17/01/2016 23:09

Next quote...

No need to even think about it, they aint changed in some quarters

FlatOnTheHill · 17/01/2016 23:12

Can I ask a question? Nothing wrong with having a nanny....but.
If you are going on a family holiday why would you not look after your own kids. Is it that hard a job that a nanny has to holiday with you and help.
Help do what exactly? I think some women cant cope with motherhood.
My friends who have nannys leave them at home.

Longislandicetee · 17/01/2016 23:16

I think I have finally cracked mumsnet as for the first time ever I recognise all the hall marks of a wind up. It's a proud moment.Smile

BeverlyGoldberg · 17/01/2016 23:17

Between this and the wanking thread I feel like I lead a very dull life I can't say I mind

FlatOnTheHill · 17/01/2016 23:19

Do you all think the OP is the same one that reckons shes lives in kensington and cant cope with school run? You know the lazy pathetic sounding one Grin

rosewithoutthorns · 17/01/2016 23:20

I look after children Flat.
I adore the children I look after. I do that when the mother/father is working and can't.

What i don't do is look after them when the parent are around and should do this.

rosewithoutthorns · 17/01/2016 23:20

*parents

Want2bSupermum · 17/01/2016 23:21

BA and United fly direct to UK and allow kids and babies in business. SAS does not allow kids or babies in business. Ironically my kids do a heck of a lot better in business. The food is better for them (they get a tray of snacks) and milk. Also the entertainment system is awesome and a million times better than what is offered in economy. Finally a flat bed is just what my kids need to sleep. When they eat or sleep they are silent. In between they are monsters. Put them on a flat bed with a thick blanket and a good movie on with a bucket of plain popcorn and you don't hear a peep out of them.

This thread was never going to turn out well. The OP is using points to upgrade and I get that they want time together. Nothing wrong with nanny being in the first couple of rows of economy and the couple being in the very last row of business. If the 16 month old is restless take them up to business and plug them into the entertainment.

Get the ear plugs for flying for the kids. They work and it's not fair to have your nanny deal with any potential ear issues. The mess free color books are great for the 6yr old too. On the way back make both kids sleep.

FlatOnTheHill · 17/01/2016 23:22

Rose
Thats how it should be.

Lightbulbon · 17/01/2016 23:23

I think I might encourage dd into nannying as a career!

Sounds like a great life!

TamaraLamara · 17/01/2016 23:25

I think I have finally cracked mumsnet as for the first time ever I recognise all the hall marks of a wind up. It's a proud moment

Ticks too many of the right boxes, doesn't it? Also, the whole 'oh, the problems caused by my enormous wealth and vaguely detached parenting. What do you strangers think?' trope crops up in one form or another almost daily. It's getting very stale and predictable.

rosewithoutthorns · 17/01/2016 23:25

I know Flat...

I refuse to pander Grin Dont have them then!

justonemorethread · 17/01/2016 23:26

As I live abroad and have had to fly a lot with small dcs... ( always economy, but I have often seen people do as you plan!):
Try to get a seat for 16 month old, it will make her journey bearable esp if she is lucky enough to have him fall asleep.
Be prepared for boomerang children constantly trying to join you or to end up with toddler asleep with you. Or both children, while nanny stretches out across the two vacant seats ( just depends how clingy your children decide to be on the day)
I could never do this as I'm a nervous flier and need to be next to my children at all times, but good luck to you if you are able to relax under such circumstances! ( its not such a long flight is it?)

FlatOnTheHill · 17/01/2016 23:26

Lightbulbon
What you would encourage your dd to be someones dogs body and skivvy?
Take it you were joking Wink

sugar21 · 17/01/2016 23:27

Grin good script but used before 1/10

Namechangenell · 17/01/2016 23:28

I used to work for an airline and this was absolutely standard.

However - it was always fun when there was an aircraft change and the poor nanny got upgraded Grin. Or, shock horror, the parents got downgraded Grin.