The ultimate incentive worked! Now onto phase two

Dinah93

Think you need to prod the LHA at least twice a week Birdie, it honestly is the only way you'll get an answer this side of Christmas.

I'm gonna try to have a talk with mum at the weekend, she doesn't need any more stress while ofsted are around. She keeps going on about not wanting it to be unfair on DB, but at the end of the day its not their fault fees have gone up so much, all students now will take on more debt than we did 5 years ago. Also I will point out that maybe she can help out when he gets married/buys a house/car where they didn't with me when they have a bit more money when the IVA ends.

wendz86

Sounds like a good idea to talk to her about it. Best to wait till after Ofsted too, my mum works in a school so know what that is like!

Most people at uni have to pay their own way so it isn't like your parents would be being unfair. Like you said as well maybe they can help later on in his life to make up for it!

Birdie85

I think that's a good compromise Dinah, let us know what your Mum says to the suggestion when you ask her after Stress Week! Hopefully your brother will be mature enough to accept that things are tough and your parents are doing their best.
I think I'll text OH to ask him to find out who we need to talk to at the LHA, the bloke who came round said he'd send us his details after the meeting but we're still waiting for the letter so we have no contact!

Tete_en_l'Air

Birdie I totally agree with Dinah about chasing and chasing them, so many people are so imconpetent/lazy at their jobs, it's no good waiting for them to do it.

Dinah I agree with the others about your bro - most people do have to fund their own studies and it might teach him to manage his finances at a younger age, it did me! And if they can help out with a house/wedding in a few years I'm sure that'll be more than welcome.

Just got a confirmation through for the holiday - on our way back we leave at 5am on the Sunday morning ... and have to be out of the room at midday on the Saturday!! Surely we'll be able to negotiate something though - we're paying for seven nights and only arrive about 5am on the first day so that makes 6 nights to me ... Gah! Pesky ridiculous flight times! Pesky living in the North!

wendz86

That is annoying Tete, sometimes they let you pay extra for the last night once you get there or something.

We had a smiliar flight time on the way home from Malia last year. We got picked up about 2 am from the hotel. We were allowed to stay in our room that night though

Dinah93

Guess it depends if they let you check in at 9am or whatever when you arrive on the first day? If so I guess they'd count this as a night. We were lucky with our flight times, we arrived at about 1pm, and the room was ready, and we left at 2pm, so only had to leave the room an hour and a half before we set off for the airport. I'm jelous, feels like Egypt was a long time ago, and it was so nice to have so much time with NIM (even if the hotel was rubbish). Grrr stupid NIM-work giving so little holiday!

Birdie85

When I went to Turkey in '07 the holiday company did a day trip for people with a night flight, you left the hotel with all your luggage at 9am then went off and had your day trip and instead of coming back to the hotel they took you to a hotel near the airport where you got a room for the evening to rest and freshen up and you didn't have to leave so early for the airport because you were only a few minutes away. We didn't do it because our flight was a day flight but I thought it was a really good idea for night-flighters!

Cinny91

Dinah - I agree with Tete about agreeing with everyone else. Most people pay their own way for Uni now, so it wouldn't be completely unfair on your brother. It sounds like your parents keep him pretty sheltered, and with how you say he went off at the dishwasher he's going to have a real shock come September.

Looking into going to London in October for my Mums birthday, found a lovely hotel for Me, Mum and my sister for £90. Curiously checked how much it would be for me and OH for the week he's off in September and it's £45 a night.. so went on to see train prices for the dates and it would only me £127 for us both for a 2 day break. So tempting!

Tete - What a pain! Wish I could say something useful but I'm not used to holiday bookings and what not just yet! Couldn't you use it as an excuse to stay in a swanky hotel nearby or something? (this would be spendy Cinny popping up again...)

Tete_en_l'Air

wendz86 wrote: »

That is annoying Tete, sometimes they let you pay extra for the last night once you get there or something.

Don't want to pay extra! *stamps foot* Gah! Maybe I'll ring the lovely and oh so helpful call centre people later on, or complain to the rep when we get there. I mean it's a bit much to have to be out of the room a full 15 hours before you leave for the airport.

I know what you mean Dinah, time with OH is what I'm most looking forward to

Dinah93

Urgh. Stupid pollen. My eyes are streaming and I'm intchy and can't stop sneezing and it's be okay except IT'S NOT EVEN SUNNY!