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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:
TheHobbitMum · 11/05/2017 23:23

I'd go to the Belfast appointment, a cheap flight there & back is worth it save your holiday. If they can't do anything and you have the old passport still I'd chance the airport still. As a last resort could grandparents look after the kids so you & DH can still enjoy a break? I'd be gutted to miss out on a holiday!

Original poster
Naturebabe · 11/05/2017 23:35

Passport centre a no go - even if I flew to Belfast tomorrow - I'm not at my home where they would legally send it to - I'm several hrs away at parents house. Only 1 1/2 working day left for them to process it.

I've decided weather going to be good in UK next week, so I'm going to cash in a haven voucher for a last minute deal, take the kids so they get a holiday and then try to make an insurance claim.... And save up to go later in the year / next year or put on a credit card. Lesson learned.

OP posts:
SnickersWasAHorse · 11/05/2017 23:42

Is it not worth at least trying? Can someone else buy a holiday from you even if they want to?

123rd · 11/05/2017 23:51

Last Aug I realised on the tues that Dd passport had already expired and we were leaving silly o'clock sat morning. I phoned passport office straight away, got an apt for the weds morning. The chap at the passport office pulled a face when I told him when we were due to travel... He didn't actually say the words " no chance" but... So I called the lovely travel company explained what a twit I was and they postponed our hols... The new passport turned up by courier Friday lunch time!!

Original poster
Naturebabe · 12/05/2017 00:02

Your travel company sound lovely 123rd. Mine are Thomson. No flexibility there at all :(

OP posts:
alleypalley · 12/05/2017 00:50

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.

Well I'm not quite sure what you're suggesting but it definitely happened. On the way out the only person who didn't do their job properly was the check in agent. At passport control for all they knew she was flying back the same day so totally valid to travel. I've been to Italy many times and more often than not with an EU passport you are just waived through with barely a glimpse at the picture. Like I say the only person who noticed it was the Italian check in agent as we were leaving the country. He made a phone call to someone, in Italian so I'm only guessing as to how the conversation went but it seemed like it was along the lines of make it London's problem. And like someone else said up thread you're still a British citizen even with an out of date passport so you're going to get back into the country.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this is an ideal way to travel just countering the very definite statement earlier that they always check. They don't.

Coastalcommand · 12/05/2017 01:14

I'd go to the passport office in Liverpool tomorrow. They are nice people. They will help if they possibly can.

bigmac4me · 12/05/2017 03:42

I don't know why you are not trying, OP. Many people have said that with Fastrack it comes back in less than a week - my son's took 3 days last month when we too realised it had expired. If I were you I would go for it and fingers crossed all will be well. You seem resigned not to go whatever helpful and positive people are making.

Original poster
Naturebabe · 12/05/2017 04:03

Bigmac I am not not trying. FFS. And liverpool has no appointments to the 16th. Belfast only. How am I expected to fly out days after the flights leave? On a magic carpet?

OP posts:
Dixiestamp · 12/05/2017 04:26

I lost my passport the week before we went on holiday last year. It was a couple of days before I could get an appointment and I think they got the passport to me in about 2-3 days (definitely not processed there and then for me to pick up that day). I'm lucky live near a passport office though. The week service is definitely worth a try as it may just work.

Coughingchildren5 · 12/05/2017 04:26

Call them again tomorrow, cry and ask extremely nicely. Keep calling until they can slot you in for an appointment.

Original poster
Naturebabe · 12/05/2017 04:29

I am too skint to buy any separate flights, flights to Ireland etc. i've literally put all my savings into this holiday. Not excuses. The reality.

OP posts:
Qtipsrsweet · 12/05/2017 06:21

Have you tried the passport office in Newport? Bit of a drive but they're really quick there.

obviouslymarvellous · 12/05/2017 06:54

Go to Liverpool this morning and ask to be seen (I know someone who did this and got a cancellation spot) passports were all sorted and done that day. No way would I just forget a holiday 😉

CheeseCrackersAndWine · 12/05/2017 06:57

I don't understand why you won't send it on the one week service first thing today at least? Courier the form etc so it arrives same day, processed potentially Monday & sent out for delivery Tuesday. There is every possibility it will arrive back on Tuesday? Surely worth a shot...

Yukbuck · 12/05/2017 07:55

Argh I know this isn't my problem but I'm really really getting wound up by this! I don't understand why you won't just risk sending it off? What have you honestly got to lose ?! You've said yourself that you will save up to book for later this year so you will need a passport for then anyway so what is the harm in trying now? Please just try op

lionsleepstonight · 12/05/2017 07:59

Same happened to us, I rang up, explained got an app the next day. Passport arrived 2 days after. It was also a child's renewal.

Motherbear26 · 12/05/2017 09:30

I'm a bit shocked at defeatist attitude OP. PP have given you great advice which you seem determined to ignore. My DH has just turned up at the passport office in Durham when we needed our daughter's back in a hurry. He explained our situation (we only realised a week and a half before we were supposed to travel, my fault) and they were so helpful and it was back in days. I have also been with appointment needing passport in a rush and had it within 3 hours. I was there and back in school hours and I don't live nearby. They will go out of their way to help you if they can. Just go and try! I'm actually finding myself getting irate at your negativity which indicates that I'm far more invested in your family holiday than you areHmm

CheeseCrackersAndWine · 12/05/2017 11:58

Agreed Motherbear26! I honestly can't believe someone wouldn't even try before giving up... The form could have been away yesterday and passport back Saturday potentially!!

Original poster
Naturebabe · 12/05/2017 12:11

Right, people saying that I'm not trying is winding me right up. I have spent £20 of phone credit ringing passport office, travel agents etc. NO APPOINTMENTS until Tuesday at Passport office. I'm stuck at a work conference without my kids. There is no DH.I cannot keep repeating myself.

Motherbear what a bollocks statement - you're more invested in my family than me. If that was the case I'd just leave them with the grandparents and fly off without them.... ah there's a thought!

OP posts:
tickwhitetick · 12/05/2017 12:18

Shit one op!

SnickersWasAHorse · 12/05/2017 12:47

I'm stuck at a work conference without my kids. There is no DH.I cannot keep repeating myself.

Who has the DC? Can they fill out the form and post it? It's got to be worth a try.

Original poster
Naturebabe · 12/05/2017 18:21

Grandparents have the kids, unfortunately a parent has to sign.... I'm on my way home now so will take things from there!

OP posts:
khajiit13 · 12/05/2017 18:25

Just drop off your application at the passport office. OH only took 2 days (we dropped it off on a Wednesday, new one came in the post the same Friday.)

lozster · 12/05/2017 18:54

Oh lord. I am stressed for you (and also
Checking my own passports) Flowers