No issues really just venting!

Have to fly back to UK in August to collect my daughter who is coming to stay for a couple of weeks, and then I have to fly back with her to go home and then come back here!

Options are for example

Fly out on 1st Aug
Me and her come back to Canada on the 2nd
Me and her go back to England on 16th
Me return to Canada on 17th

Or have a couple of days in England when I take her back and return a bit later? (more expense tho)

She is only 8 so I won't have her fly on her own (not just yet anyway!) and she lives in Leicester with her dad so is a good 3 hour drive from Gatwick too.

I'm gonna be exhausted, but can't really spread the time out any more due to the good old Canadian lack of holiday!!! We will have a fabulous time and she can't wait to come, but am just trying to sort the logistics out of booking it all myself online (at the risk of us being on different planes ), but have also got a travel agent looking at it for me too.

My head hurts

Could you and her father not do a trip each and share the hassle

That would be the sensible idea wouldn't it - lets just say Daddy won't put himself out and leave it at that eh!!!!!

Was kinda hoping he would at least drop her off to me at the airport - but no - making me drive all that way after a long flight to collect her and then straight back down to the airport again he thinks is reasonable considering I'm the one who wants her to come for a holiday :curse:

He sounds like a right loveable chap

He's actually a very good Dad and our little one thinks the world of him - pair of them are inseperable thats why she stayed in the UK with him.

He unfortunately has an answer for everything though best to just play ball and not rock the boat. That way daughter is happy, Dad is happy and its not such a big deal!

At least he's a good Dad which is all that matters. If daughter is happy - parents are happy

Could your parents pick her up and bring her to you or do they not live nearby either?

Sorry not an option, mum no longer around and step dad is an arse!!!!

Thaks for the suggestions guys - wasn't actually looking for them, quite resigned to the mammoth task in hand, just venting really.

Anyway there is an upside - i'll get to know how the rich and famous cope with all this flying - i'll be jet set!

Bet they don't go cattle class on Air Transat tho

Not sure why you think you might end up on different planes? Make two bookings - one for you going over there and back alone, and one for the two of you coming over here and going back together.

Good luck!

You have no idea of the depths of stupidity I can stoop to when trying to arrange important stuff

Hey Hun!!!

bit of a logistical nightmare for you, but I guess the fact she's really excited at coming over, plus the fact her dad is a good one, then you have to sadly suffer the act of a chaufer (sp)...

My only suggestion or alternative was to say could she travel as an unacompanied minor? I know I did that was I was young, but not sure if they still do that on planes and also what issues that would have in getting her to and from the airport!!!

I'm sure the flying will be OK.... On my recce, I managed 5 flights in 13 days!!! it wasn't fun!

chin up mandy...

B xx

Hey B maybe when shes a bit older and has gotten used to the whole idea, but certainly not now. She's a tough little one and would have no issues at all no doubt, but shes still a baby to me

I suppose another option is that I could actually pay for a mate to come out and stay and she could fly with her - mmmmm thats a thought.

Anyone wanna come to Canada in August!!!!! (Just kidding btw!)

OK - I know that when I was at (boarding) school, kids flew on their own really young. Not suggesting it's nice but it's an option if finances really won't stretch. I'm sure she'd actually love it - feeling all grown up! I'm heading over sometime about then, but not to your neck of the woods - sorry matey!!!!

Yes - but preferably turning right through that little door just past passport control in Pearson...
Mandy, if a journey break west of M25 is useful - shout, or I may be working in Derby & could perhaps reduce your miles. More will crystalize nearer the time...
Mr HPM

Really kind of you Mr MPM, all I know is that i'll be off that plane, straight into a hire car from Gatwick, driving up to Leicester to get my baby then turning back and coming back to fly back out to Canada.

It may be sensible to get a little sleep in there somewhere too

Bandit she would absolutely love to fly on her own make no mistakes about that, unfortunately I'm part of the what if crowd. What if something happened on the plane and neither me nor her dad or a close friend were with her? I couldn't live with myself

which UK airport?

I have to go back to UK end of July with my son, and will be returning to Calgary beginning of August (as short a time as I can get away with to visit parents!!)

Somebody would still have to bring her to meet up somehwhere though.....

edit: Ah I just saw you said Gatwick!