First family holiday (Tui) - is it worth paying to select seats?

ChasingtheWelshdream

Thank you, decision made! I shall consider our money saved.

Yes, I think it is definitely a play on passenger emotions. Yet I dont think twice if we are on a busy train/bus and we just grab whatever seats are available.

And actually the youngest is most definitely in the ‘you are embarrassing me by simply existing’ phase, so separately could well be better if it happens aanyway! 😆

elsien

ChasingtheWelshdream said:

maman said:

I wouldn't pay, just make sure your children know where their dad is sitting and encourage them to pack something to amuse themselves on the journey in their hand luggage. I'd also suggest they have snacks as these can add an unnecessary cost. 

Ooh, I didn’t know we could take our own snacks on the plane! I can take things through security? That would help as it as early flight and probably too early to eat beforehand, but if I can take our own snacks it will help.

The will likely be plugged in to some electrical device I imagine and won’t be bothered. It is a feeling of mum guilt rather than any real distress on their part I guess. 

You can take food through security, it’s just liquids that are the issue. I tend to take my own snacks which I’ve bought in advance and then buy the meal deal from Boots or WHSmith once I’ve gone through security so I have food and drink while I’m waiting or on the plane without having to pay the airlines extortionate prices.

maman

ChasingtheWelshdream said:

maman said:

I wouldn't pay, just make sure your children know where their dad is sitting and encourage them to pack something to amuse themselves on the journey in their hand luggage. I'd also suggest they have snacks as these can add an unnecessary cost. 

Ooh, I didn’t know we could take our own snacks on the plane! I can take things through security? That would help as it as early flight and probably too early to eat beforehand, but if I can take our own snacks it will help.

The will likely be plugged in to some electrical device I imagine and won’t be bothered. It is a feeling of mum guilt rather than any real distress on their part I guess. 

The rule on liquids still applies in most airports but you can take other snacks. I usually buy water in Boots with my Advantage card when we're airside. 

ChasingtheWelshdream

Thank you both, that has saved me even more! I have only flown once in 16 years since having kids. That was last year and I didn’t realise food was allowed. I blindly bought some
overpriced crisps on the plane last year, but now I know, I will pack some bits and they will be fine.

Happy days all round 🙂

Cressida100

Have a great holiday. Make sure the kids have some sweets to suck (to be eaten when taking off and not on the journey to the airport  ).

maman

That's a good point, sucking a sweet helps cope with the changes in air pressure especially, I find, on landing. 

Crisp packets tend to inflate too which can be a problem if there's not much room in your bag. I always take one of the those bag closure things. They're useful when you're away too for opened biscuits etc. 

elsien

You can actually pack your own sandwiches and take them through if you want to, I prefer just to spend a spend a fiver when I’m there. Their sandwiches tend to be nicer than mine, and fresher.

ChasingtheWelshdream

We are flying early and staying in a hotel the night before, so I am thinking prepackaged long-life bits like cereal bars/brioche rather than anything we would need to keep cold. And yes. Definitely sweets!
 

I am really looking forward to it!

eskbanker

elsien said:

You can actually pack your own sandwiches and take them through if you want to, I prefer just to spend a spend a fiver when I’m there. Their sandwiches tend to be nicer than mine, and fresher.

Consider your MSE membership revoked!

Voyager2002

ChasingtheWelshdream said:

The will likely be plugged in to some electrical device I imagine and won’t be bothered. It is a feeling of mum guilt rather than any real distress on their part I guess. 

Remember they are not allowed to use electronics during take-off and landing. Make sure they know this, and know about seat-belts. Consider getting them something to read during the times when devices are not allowed. (It is also worth mentioning that headphones are discouraged during this period, so that if there is a safety-related announcement they will hear it.)

I always bring snacks, and often eat them at the departure gate while waiting to board.