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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

why hasn't he been in touch

50 replies

worryingaboutds · 14/07/2019 23:58

My son is in Dubai and is flying from there to Toronto, he had 4 hours there and promised to text me to let me know he was OK. I haven't heard anything. Should I panic?
His flight out is in half an hour and the gate is open.

OP posts:
Cheeserton · 15/07/2019 00:00

Calm down. He'll be fine and there will be a simple explanation. No crystal ball as to what that'll be, but he'll likely be fine.

Original poster
worryingaboutds · 15/07/2019 00:03

thank you. he's never flown by himself before and i'm worried he has had a problem changing planes or something.

OP posts:
HollowTalk · 15/07/2019 00:05

Everything will be fine. Go online and find the flights so that you can track them.

Original poster
worryingaboutds · 15/07/2019 00:05

im doing that it says the gate is open on the airport website
it doesnt tell me he is on it though

OP posts:
Farcry66 · 15/07/2019 00:30

I flew out to America and had to transfer flights. My second flight was delayed so I tried to message my partner who was picking me up. The internet did not switch over in time (I was in the airport from 3 hours) so I couldn't send a message. Maybe something like that?

OrchidInTheSun · 15/07/2019 00:32

How old is he?

WorraLiberty · 15/07/2019 00:38

How many times have you rang and texted him?

Has he not picked up the calls or returned your texts?

avamiah · 15/07/2019 00:40

How old is he and does he have enough phone data / calls/messages etc ??

avamiah · 15/07/2019 00:43

WiFi is not always easily accessible .

6triesbuttingout · 15/07/2019 00:52

How old is he

Birdie6 · 15/07/2019 00:56

Should I panic?

Panicking never serves any purpose. If he is old enough to fly alone, he is old enough to find his way from one flight to another. I'd go with "no news is good news" and stay calm.

avamiah · 15/07/2019 01:17

Yeah but it would be great if OP could let us all know the age of her son .

SemperIdem · 15/07/2019 01:23

How old is he?

Original poster
worryingaboutds · 15/07/2019 07:01

I texted him once to say have a good flight
He's 17

OP posts:
Didntwanttochangemyname · 15/07/2019 08:00

Did you text or use another service? WhatsApp doesn't work well in dubai, and other platforms are controlled.

Original poster
worryingaboutds · 15/07/2019 08:06

i sent a text message.

OP posts:
SurfingGiantess · 15/07/2019 08:14

Try calling him but he's probably fine. I've had to change in Dubai when I was 19 and there a not much time to call or txt tbh between finding your luggage and the new gate. Lots of signs and staff to ask though so he's going to be ok. It might be hours but getting your luggage and checking back in takes time and really doesn't feel like it.

Original poster
worryingaboutds · 15/07/2019 08:17

I've never been to Dubai. Thanks for the reassurance. He should arrive in Toronto in a couple of hours so i should hear by lunchtime.

OP posts:
mrbob · 15/07/2019 08:19

My phone often won’t connect to wifi in airports so try not to worry- I feel no new is good news!

user1471504234 · 15/07/2019 08:20

Dubai airport is enormous and just finding your gate and walking there can take time, certainly more time than at any other airport I’ve been to.

Original poster
worryingaboutds · 15/07/2019 08:23

oh god I hope he found it
I suffer from anxiety so am over thinking all this

OP posts:
JugsAndSoap · 15/07/2019 08:26

I fly regularly and often the wifi in airports is not useable, never been to Dubai but perhaps it's that?
Try not to worry (though easier said than done), he will be fine. I always think if there was a problem someone would ring you straightaway.

IsobelRae23 · 15/07/2019 08:29

He’ll will have text or called if something was wrong. Don’t panic!

SurfingGiantess · 15/07/2019 08:32

If he didn't find the gate you'd have heard from him by now.
I'd be the same as you but the hours really fly in an airport.
But like I said he'd have rang and told you if he wasn't on the next plane probably in a panic. No news is good news it means he's on the plane and can't txt. Try to go about your day and don't forget once he lands it coukd take half an hour at least until he gets his luggage and his phone network changes over.

adaline · 15/07/2019 08:32

Dubai airport is huge, and from memory the WiFi wasn't brilliant on the move. I mean, it worked but you had to be sat in one place really or it dropped out a fair bit. Plus if he's on the go trying to find his gate, his priority probably wouldn't have been texting his mum - sorry!

He'll be fine. Send him a text now asking him to get in touch when he gets to Toronto. He'll get it when he lands.