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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

OH flew home without us blowing £300

51 replies

Irishmummy · 28/12/2017 17:45

First time poster long time lurker. Over in Ireland spending Christmas with my family. The 4 of us due to fly back to Luton yesterday but our flight was cancelled. Rebooked for Sunday lunchtime. A bit annoying but family are happy for us to stay on. Husband was due back into work on Friday so booked himself on a flight to Heathrow today. He's got back home and his boss has texted to say he can have Friday off after all. Aibu as I think he should still go to work and not take the day as leave. I'm stuck trying to keep the kids amused while he chills at home for three days after blowing £30O.

OP posts:
Corcory · 28/12/2017 18:31

I think I would have made him contact his boss about the need to go in on Friday before booking the £300 ticket!

Jaxhog · 28/12/2017 18:40

That's a bit mean of you, he went home early for work but has since been told he doesn't need to go in. It's not his fault.
He wasn't to know. Maybe he can catch up with some DIY or chores?

ImtheChristmasCarcass · 28/12/2017 18:51

If he acted an arse then I think I'd be glad he left before us.

I know it's hectic and kids get wound up, but try to enjoy these last few days without him casting a pall over things. You may find yourself (and others) more relaxed now that he's gone!

FluttershysCutieMarkTheHerald · 28/12/2017 18:52

Not sure who these posters are that double check with their employer before turning up for a scheduled shift. Unless it was made clear before he went off that he may not need to go in then surely he would expect to be working the Friday.

Also 4 extra days with your family may not be a big deal to you but going by many of the threads on here recently even spending a day with the inlaws is an ordeal in itself.

RadioGaGoo · 28/12/2017 18:55

He has three days to do his washing, get the shopping in and clean the house for you OP!

HermioneAndTheSniffle · 28/12/2017 19:01

I’m at loss at the idea that an employer can suddenly decided that someone doesn’t have to turn up for work. And then take the time to ring them about it.

I have known some employers that have said that one can take x day off if asked.

I dont know. It just doesn’t sit well with me that suddenly his boss just happens to ring him to tell him he can have the whole day off. Just as he was clearly finding spending the whole Christmas with family and dcs a bit too much...

Totally agree about telling him that’s it’s great he has this day off as he will be able to do all his washing as well as cleaning up the whole house (much easier with no one else around) so it’s all sparkling clean for when you come back!

Original poster
Irishmummy · 28/12/2017 19:01

Its just so expensive to fly home around Christmas and to have to find another £300 has me stressed. Maybe easyJet will refund us for his ticket. Won't bank on it though!

I think his boss was trying to do a nice thing and I'm just being a real cow. Have given myself a good shake!!

I like the idea of a few chores. I'll make sure he does a shop so I come home to a full fridge and a warm and don't have to panic over new year. Hopefully a bit of absence will do us all good and we can start the new year afresh. I think I'm taking my stresses out on him. It's not his fault but I just want someone to blame.

I need a plan so we don't just sit about getting bored A few trips swimming and maybe to the cinema might help me feeling that every day is Sunday.

OP posts:
FoolandFitz · 28/12/2017 19:02

Not sure who these posters are that double check with their employer before turning up for a scheduled shift.

If a flight got cancelled and rescheduled for the weekend, I would certainly have contacted my employer.

FoolandFitz · 28/12/2017 19:04

Oops. My bad hermione I read it wrong. Apologies. Blush

popcorneatingmonster · 28/12/2017 19:12

Why were the original flights cancelled? I understand EU carriers are legally required to provide compensation for accommodation and for food if they delay/cancel your flights? The carrier should really tell you if this applies, but it might be worth checking it out anyway.
We were stranded once for a week when our flights home were cancelled (not airline fault) and BA paid compensation for meals out and grocery bills we paid for family we were staying with

Original poster
Irishmummy · 28/12/2017 19:15

Sorry just to be clear. He was only due to work Friday as his boss has a family thing but it's now been cancelled or rearranged so she texted him saying she'd cover it. She doesn't know the flight was cancelled as she covered all of Christmas and only asked for this one day to be covered and he was more than happy to cover it. If he had called her she probably would have changed her plans so he didn't have to work as she's a lovely boss. Just read that back I've been a bitch haven't I.

OP posts:
rookiemere · 28/12/2017 19:15

Can't you claim on insurance, or if you didn't have it, through the airline for expenses? If you travel to Ireland regularly then you need to invest in annual travel insurance.

Surely there are many people who couldn't just stay on for an additional 4 days, so it's not unreasonable that the price of the flight should be covered somehow.

I don't enjoy staying at peoples houses and I would go barmy if I had to face the prospect of another 4 nights at ILs if I was counting down the time to go.

DistanceCall · 28/12/2017 19:23

Just read that back I've been a bitch haven't I.

Yep.

Worriedrose · 28/12/2017 19:26

No you're not a bitch
Ffs
You have a spidey feeling, because of whatever happened over Xmas. And you felt he wanted to get away from you.
That may or may not be the truth, but you felt it.

HermioneAndTheSniffle · 28/12/2017 20:03

agree with worried
What is happening here is that you are reacting to his behaviour during the hols.
And the idea that he is suddenly getting several days in his own doesn’t sit well.

TBH, if I had been in his case, I would started by actually ringing my boss explains the situation. If I had been needed and couldn’t get out of being at work THEN I would have booked another flight and spent £300. It’s not as if cancelled flights are that unusual.
And as it turns out, he wasn’t actually needed anyway.....

PyongyangKipperbang · 28/12/2017 21:23

Its all just a little bit convenient isnt it?

Probably a coincidence but when someone has been a bit of a dick and then gets a free pass it does bloody rankle. Seems like a reward for bad behaviour.

TheVeryHungryDieter · 29/12/2017 00:36

If your flight got cancelled and you can't wait for the rebooking you are entitled to claim back the cost of the flight from another airline.

I'm not working til Tuesday, but when our flight got cancelled last night we rebooked with Aer lingus for this morning and it was a squeaky-bum €1600 for four of us - otherwise there were no flights available until next week. Ryanair will pay this when we submit the receipt. Hopefully they will also pay my costs of getting to Stansted to retrieve the car too!!

Another time we had easyJet reimburse us for an Air France flight when they cancelled on us due to strike action.

I wouldn't say all is lost wrt the £300 just yet, OP, frustrating though it is. It just has that last-straw feeling because he's been so useless all week.

Butterymuffin · 29/12/2017 00:43

I don't see why he wouldn't have contacted his boss first to see if she could make any other cover arrangements somehow (are there no other staff?) before shelling out £300. So I think you're right to be suspicious that this was a convenient excuse for him to get home early.

However, since you can prove nothing, I'd repay in kind. Book a day out somewhere, miss your train back and decide you'll stay in a nice hotel instead, for instance..

Desmondo2016 · 29/12/2017 00:48

If your flight was cancelled won't you be entitled to compensation?

pandarific · 29/12/2017 01:02

Did you see the text op? Do you believe him? It does seem very convenient for him.

Carriecakes80 · 29/12/2017 09:50

If that was my husband, I would be pleased for him to have a bit of relaxation after being with my family, means I can 'claim it back' from him when I need some time away from the kids lol.

I cannot understand folk jealous of the person they are meant to love?? Whats the point of being together if you get arsey over the little things like this, how the hell with your marraieg survive if THIS
bothers you??? xxxx

TheVanguardSix · 29/12/2017 09:58

I'm sure you're just 'done' with Christmas in Ireland with the extended family and you're just reacting.
Your DH isn't the issue and you know this.
You just want to go home. I don't blame you!
Roll on New Year. Don't blame your OH.
And honestly, I didn't engage much at all over Christmas with the family. Just tired, effing tired. Christmas is an exhausting time of year. The lead up to it is just draining for mums, dads, and kids. Go easy on your family and yourself. Be nice. Wink

IsaSchmisa · 29/12/2017 10:00

Not many responses have specifically addressed your question as to whether he should go into work. If he had the opportunity to go in then yes i do think that would be reasonable. Simply because with 3 children, I expect annual leave is a very precious commodity. Unless you too get a day off from any work and child stuff sometimes of course. Do you?

Dozer · 29/12/2017 10:04

He should’ve checked before spending £300 and yes, IMO he should attend work unless he has a load of annual leave spare.

MontyPythonsFlyingFuck · 29/12/2017 11:38

Claiming for cancelled flights: www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/flight-delays