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AIBU?

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Original poster

Holiday - posting for traffic!

151 replies

Naturebabe · 11/05/2017 13:53

Does anyone want to but a last minute holiday from me?
Posting here for traffic. I have messed up and didn't realise that ds 5's passport runs out next week. 1 week to renew.

Holiday is with Thomspon. Family life hotel.
Leaving 15th May for 1 week. 2 adults and 2 children.
Location is perfect for children - Majorca Coma Gran

www.thomson.co.uk/destinations/europe/spain/majorca/sa-coma/apartments/tui-family-life-coma-gran.html

I bought for £1,400, but would sell for £1,000

Or can anyone think what else I can do?

OP posts:
ProseccoBitch · 11/05/2017 21:00

YABU for posting this in AIBU Grin

Empireoftheclouds · 11/05/2017 21:02

Yes it's out of date from next week but you'll be fine to travel out No. The passport must be valid until the date of return.

CheeseCrackersAndWine · 11/05/2017 21:04

Just a few weeks ago I applied for my daughter's 1st passport. Standard service but with the check & send extra at the post office. Was advised it would take 6 weeks, arrived 8 days later on Good Friday so they obviously work holidays and probably Saturdays? I can only echo what others have said, if you sent if off on the 1 week service there is every possibility it could be back. Worth a try surely? Or call them, explain, ask if you can drop it off/pick it up at your nearest office to speed it up etc. I'm sure if they can help, they will.

waybalooo · 11/05/2017 21:04

Where in the country are you? Does he qualify for an Irish passport? You could go to Dublin for the day.. they def do same day for kids. I've done it myself!

DuchessK · 11/05/2017 21:06

unhomme total nonsense. They won't get on plane even with a birth certificate due to expiring passport.

Unhomme · 11/05/2017 21:06

No. The passport must be valid until the date of return.

They rarely check going out and it won't ping unless it is expired.

Empireoftheclouds · 11/05/2017 21:08

They rarely check going out. The dates are checked EVERY time.

Starlighter · 11/05/2017 21:11

My ds's one was back in 3 days on the fast track post office service. Don't give up yet?! There's still time!

mashpot · 11/05/2017 21:18

This happened to me recently but fortunately I had a little bit more time than you. We were travelling on a Monday and the Monday eve before discovered my son's (5yo) passport had expired.

I called the passport office and managed to get an appt for the 1 week fast track service the next day - in Liverpool, I am in London. It was 7pm, we had to get the photos, find a form (thank you Local Facebook) get it countersigned and get to Liverpool by noon. We did it.

The people at the passport office were absolutely lovely. The passport arrived on Friday morning. Is there any chance you and your son could fly a few days later? I know it's extra expense but v possible you could get a 4 day break.

Good luck, I couldn't believe we had come so close to turning up with an expired passport and my one consolation was that it was better to know in advance than be turned away at the airport when the kids would be absolutely gutted. Hope you get at least some of your hols.

Original poster
Naturebabe · 11/05/2017 22:00

Only passport office that has appointments in the next 2 days is bloody belfast. I'm in North Wales :(
I'm not being defeatist - but Belfast ffs!

OP posts:
Scottishchick39 · 11/05/2017 22:21

I posted my daughters renewal last Friday and I've just checked its status and it's been changed to dispatched. That was just the normal way, not the fast track. Do it online tonight, send it first class tomorrow and it should be with you by next Friday.

BellyDancer124 · 11/05/2017 22:22

You could fly to belfast and back in the same day? I do it all the time for work. I would be doing anything not to miss out on my holiday!

Scottishchick39 · 11/05/2017 22:23

Just noticed your leaving on the 15th, try the Fast track.

toomanypasswords · 11/05/2017 22:25

You don't need six months on a passport to fly within EU. When you fly out, it will be valid. When you fly back, it wont be but he will still be British - your nationality and right to enter the UK doesn't cease with an expired passport. I work in immigration. Ring Border Force at Gatwick and see what they say. The airline will be concerned about being fined by BF for allowing you to travel back on an invalid document (they won't btw as he's British!). Take his birth cert with you.

toomanypasswords · 11/05/2017 22:27

I'd assumed you were flying from LGW. Ring whichever airport you're flying in to.

Rainshowers · 11/05/2017 22:32

I did mine in a week last week-appointment first thing Wednesday morning, passport was here by Saturday. You might just make it, worth a try?

Dumbo412 · 11/05/2017 22:34

Passports can be very quick, my passport came back in 8 days including interview and including the weekend obviously!

I think you'll be fine

alleypalley · 11/05/2017 22:39

They rarely check going out. The dates are checked EVERY time.

They really don't. Recently I went with a friend to Italy, her passport expire in the middle of our trip. She didn't notice until the last minute so we just thought we'd chance it and then go to the embassy out there for an emergency replacement. We flew from Heathrow with BA and they didn't notice at all, got through customs in Rome no problem. Flying back we could tell the check in guy at Rome had spotted it but I think he just didn't want the hassle to deal with so just let us through. Customs back in London noticed but they still let her back in without any fuss.

Doyoumind · 11/05/2017 22:42

Post it on a next day delivery. Keep a note of the reference number on the form, then ring and check that they've received it and tell them it's needed urgently. They really will try to sort this for you.

Alexandra87 · 11/05/2017 22:59

Do you have holiday insurance? Would that cover loosing a passport

Original poster
Naturebabe · 11/05/2017 23:02

ally I would certainly risk it - but I'm flying out with my parents (well my dad) and they've got all funny and controlling about it. They literally won't let me go or facilitate it in any way (I'm 40!) My mother is freaking out that we would be holed up in some detention centre....

OP posts:
Empireoftheclouds · 11/05/2017 23:11

You wouldn't end up in any detention centre because you will not be allowed to leave the country with a passport that is not valid until your return.

Empireoftheclouds · 11/05/2017 23:13

They do check, that's what you hand your passport over for. The situation you describe alley involves not just one but several people not doing their jobs properly. Strange that your friend encountered quite so many incompetent people over one trip.

Empireoftheclouds · 11/05/2017 23:15

When you fly out, it will be valid. When you fly back, it wont be. It NEEDS to be valid for the duration of the holiday BEFORE they can fly. I not sure why people are struggling to understand the basics

BlondeB83 · 11/05/2017 23:19

Send it. Mine took 4 days with check and send service so with 1 week service you at least have a chance!