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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:
Fluffy24 · 17/01/2016 19:19

If you feel guilty buy her something naice as a thank you - still cheaper than a business class ticket for all 3!

Why wouldn't the children go with their nanny - she's obviously a familiar and important person to them?

wickedwaterwitch · 17/01/2016 19:19

The nanny is presumably perfectly capable of looking after both kids and is willing on the flight as she's a) paid for it it b) getting a free 2 days in NYC c) getting toil

AwfulBeryl · 17/01/2016 19:19

Ds shouldn't need a seat of his own, I think most airlines say from 2. Although I have only flown short-haul with my dc so don't know if the rules differ.

LineyReborn · 17/01/2016 19:19

Why do you need our opinions?

witsender · 17/01/2016 19:20

I don't see anything wrong with paying for her to go economy, giving her the option to upgrade at her cost but I would have the kids with me.

Technoremix · 17/01/2016 19:20

I wouldn't personally do this but lots of people do. It's not unusual at all and the FA''s will be used to it.

ReallyTired · 17/01/2016 19:20

The op dd is used to being with her nanny. I think it would be unfair on the other business class travellers to have a toddler in business class. The child needs someone to look after him in ecomony. I don't think your son technically needs a seat but it would be pretty grim to have a toddler on your lap for 8 hours.

I hope you all enjoy yourselves.

MrsCampbellBlack · 17/01/2016 19:20

God, this is the dream. If only I could make my children sit in economy with the nanny Smile

I think what you're suggesting is fine. 16months means the child can sit on the nanny's lap - don't want him knocking over your glass of champagne after all Wink

But seriously - I think it would be fair to take the smallest child in business class and leave your older one with the nanny in economy.

rosewithoutthorns · 17/01/2016 19:21

Shove them all down there whilst you have all the comfort? Nutter!

Upstairs Downstairs exactly. You need a reality check.

bikingintherain · 17/01/2016 19:21

Unashamedly marking place....

Original poster
BooAvenue · 17/01/2016 19:21

Yes we count the flight days as "working" for TOIL purposes.

Reasons for not having the kids sit full time with me:

  1. more expensive, DD hasn't been on a plane within living memory so she is excited enough about going economy
  2. DD's school holidays are not in line with the rest of the U.K. a so I suspect there will be business travelers when we go and I'm worried they'll get annoyed about having a kid in business.
  3. I'm a nervous flyer, particularly during take off and landing and I don't want to stress DD out
  4. my husband will have been working away for 3 months and I see it as a good opportunity to have some quality time without encroaching on "fun time" we could be spending with the kids
OP posts:
wickedwaterwitch · 17/01/2016 19:21

You'll get a slagging though :rolls eyes:

Do it! Have a lovely time. All that matters is that nanny and kids are ok with it, which they will be (and 16 mo won't remotely care)

maybebabybee · 17/01/2016 19:21

Is this the south Kensington mother again? Confused

ijustwannadance · 17/01/2016 19:21

Whatever you decide I would get a seat for the toddler. Then they can have the 3 seats together giving more space for naps etc. No way I would do long haul with a 16mo sitting on my knee all the way. Far too heavy, and the fidgiting.

Jambonandjerusalem · 17/01/2016 19:21

I fly long haul in business frequently and this arrangement is pretty standard.

You will have your fellow club passengers tutting at you if you invite the non-club passengers into the club cabin though. You can go into the economy cabin to see them if you wish, but not the other way around...

SetPhasersTaeMalkie · 17/01/2016 19:21

I think it would be better if you took your son with you, leaving your daughter with the nanny.

Otherwise it sounds lovely.

I've been an au pair and going on trips was probably the bit I enjoyed the most.

wickedwaterwitch · 17/01/2016 19:22

I agree with MrsCampbellBlack (I LOVE Rupert!) - compromise would be 6yo with you.

Cavaradossi · 17/01/2016 19:22

Absolutely fine if it was only the six year old with the nanny, but leaving her in sole charge of a baby on her lap and a six year old for seven hours isn't fair.

SetPhasersTaeMalkie · 17/01/2016 19:23

Or vice versa.

stampedingthefields · 17/01/2016 19:23

Nanny - no problem, never look a gift horse in the mouth.

DCs - no. I think they are equal members of your family.

MrsNoraCharles · 17/01/2016 19:23

I'm struggling to see past the "if there was an emergency" scenario. Even something simple (and not at all emergency) like turbulence. Wouldn't your DD just want to be with you?

AlwaysHopeful1 · 17/01/2016 19:23

Yanbu there will be a few jealous on here who will say you are bad for abandoning your kids! It sounds like a great solution and will work out for everyone on the holiday. Fwiw my dps also took our nanny with us on holidays, didn't do us any harm.

witsender · 17/01/2016 19:23

Tbh, if they know the nanny that well they will be fine. I would def get toddler a seat, or try to book economy/premium economy with a bit more space though.

Fluffy24 · 17/01/2016 19:23

I think it sounds ideal - if you are happy, nanny is happy with the 'package' of TOIL etc, and children are happy then what is the problem?

LineyReborn · 17/01/2016 19:23

Can they not all fly on a different plane?