Flying with Nanny

[Anonymous]

I honestly would be hurt, upset + truly offended if my bosses flew in business/first class and left me behind in economy/coach w/a toddler.

It would definitely put a black mark on our working relationship bar none.

And since this is International flying, I am assuming this will include a very long time in the air.
To have to spend it in such tight quarters w/a toddler is going to be very stressful w/your Nanny.

Do the right thing + book her and your toddler seats in the same section as the rest of the family so that everyone can be together.

And if you expect your Nanny to help you care for and entertain the kids while up in the air, make sure you pay her her usual salary.

If you don't want to pay her for the flying hours, then let her bring a good book or her kindle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look at all the princess nannies over here ...
What's wrong with flying coach? You're just the nanny, you're not part of the family, you're just an employee.
Stop being this demanding !

Nanny.

You are being a fool, Nanny. Of course you are not part of the family but the baby is and you really want to be stuck in the back of the plane while the toddler is screaming for her mother?! And have some respect for yourself - it is standard practice to fly your employees in the same section of the plane as you are flying.

Yes, Nanny, be demanding - demand to be treated fair and with respect.

MB who always flies with nanny and my child seated next to me in either economy or business class depending on the flight.

OP - please don't force your nanny and your child to sit in the back of the plane. It is unfair and simply bad manners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I honestly would be hurt, upset + truly offended if my bosses flew in business/first class and left me behind in economy/coach w/a toddler.

It would definitely put a black mark on our working relationship bar none.

And since this is International flying, I am assuming this will include a very long time in the air.
To have to spend it in such tight quarters w/a toddler is going to be very stressful w/your Nanny.

Do the right thing + book her and your toddler seats in the same section as the rest of the family so that everyone can be together.

And if you expect your Nanny to help you care for and entertain the kids while up in the air, make sure you pay her her usual salary.

If you don't want to pay her for the flying hours, then let her bring a good book or her kindle.

Nannies should all have traveling/away rates worked out and are paid by the day. Of course a nanny should be paid for all traveling time.

[Anonymous]

HYPOCRISY. I see nannies complain how they hate being told by MB/DB that they are "like family", yet when treated like an employee, i.e., flying coach while parents fly business, OH! THE HORROR!!!!

I am a NP, but also used to work at a law firm. It never occurred to me to be annoyed when my partner/boss flew business and I flew coach. The higher ups get better perks. Oh well.

Notwithstanding the above, OP's idea is terrible. Not the different flying classes, but that she would expect her child to sit next to nanny while they are in a different section. Of course, the child is going to throw tantrums because she wants to be with mommy and daddy, and how unfair to nanny to put her in that situation. OP has obviously never flown first/business because she doesn't know that someone with an economy ticket will not be allowed into first/business.

[Anonymous]

If the child is under 2, the parents can have her as a lap child. Doesn't matter if they bought the ticket or not.

It's also two seats, likely close to 1K difference in price (at best).

OP, if you get her the business-class seat, expect her to work the entire flight, and potentially make DD a lap child. She may choose economy if you give her the option you describe here, however, I agree with other posters who say to also off-set that time maybe with a day off when you get there. There is always the chance DD won't sit still and nanny ends up working the entire flight in coach.

[Anonymous]

I would be fine with this but would not be up for walking kid back and forth. On our own we could get into a nive groove but I think the back and forth would be a big issue.

[Anonymous]

OP here with more explanation for why we are even asking this question in the first place. For domestic trips there is no question everyone would fly together. For this specific international trip, there is literally a $10k difference to have DD and nanny in economy vs in business. That's just hard to swallow for a 2 year old (who is just now too old to be a lap child), and we were wondering if this could in any way be an acceptable way to help defray the cost of flights.

[Anonymous]

You can have everybody fly premium economy = problem solved !

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here with more explanation for why we are even asking this question in the first place. For domestic trips there is no question everyone would fly together. For this specific international trip, there is literally a $10k difference to have DD and nanny in economy vs in business. That's just hard to swallow for a 2 year old (who is just now too old to be a lap child), and we were wondering if this could in any way be an acceptable way to help defray the cost of flights.

Any way you could spring for a whole row in economy?

I think for 10K, you can do this. And here is why. You tell the nanny her job is to work this flight. She gets overtime pay, extra time off before and after the trip, unlimited use of electronics on the flight, anything you can think of to make a long flight with a child manageable while you and DH enjoy your time in business class with occasional visits to see DD. Even if you spend 1K on extra pay, extra perks for the plane, another sitter to cover the day after, whatever you decide to do, you've still saved 9K on the flight. I'm assuming you're bringing the nanny to work the flight, not just to get her from point A to point B.

Think creatively. Present this to the nanny as a hard day on the job, but still a day of work, with some sort of compensation to acknowledge that it will be tiring and uncomfortable both money and a way to recover when you get there. Pretty much anything you come up with will be less than 10K!

Or, everyone fly coach and buy some extra seats if you're that worried about insulting someone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here with more explanation for why we are even asking this question in the first place. For domestic trips there is no question everyone would fly together. For this specific international trip, there is literally a $10k difference to have DD and nanny in economy vs in business. That's just hard to swallow for a 2 year old (who is just now too old to be a lap child), and we were wondering if this could in any way be an acceptable way to help defray the cost of flights.

Then all sit together in economy. Problem solved. We fly to Great Britain every year in economy with our nanny and child.

It is not acceptable to force your nanny to sit in economy with your child.

[Anonymous]

Oh come on people, to get an economy seat for the nanny is totally fine. I fly with my employer and it's a better situation for me at least, cuz I don't have the kids the whole flight. If they need me, I changed seat with her husband. Op, it's doable and it's OK.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't do that, OP! You are setting the mood for the entire trip - don't treat your nanny with that kind of disrespect on the way to her first trip with you!

Obviously, OP, already treats her nanny with distespect or she would never have considered 'back of the bus for the help with her special toilet facilities.'! You are a real piece of work, OP. Truly disgusting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh come on people, to get an economy seat for the nanny is totally fine. I fly with my employer and it's a better situation for me at least, cuz I don't have the kids the whole flight. If they need me, I changed seat with her husband. Op, it's doable and it's OK.

Swapping seats from one class to another is not allowed.

[Anonymous]

You are on vacation.
Nanny is working.
Yes, it is fine for her to sit in Coach.

just like it is common at all the companies I've ever worked at for staff people, up to Vice President to sit in coach, while their boss, a Managing Director or Partner, to sit in First/Business class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here with more explanation for why we are even asking this question in the first place. For domestic trips there is no question everyone would fly together. For this specific international trip, there is literally a $10k difference to have DD and nanny in economy vs in business. That's just hard to swallow for a 2 year old (who is just now too old to be a lap child), and we were wondering if this could in any way be an acceptable way to help defray the cost of flights.

OP, I'm sorry, I know this hurts.

The only acceptable ways of building out this trip are:

1. Everyone sits together in whatever class, nanny works to take care of the child during the trip, or

2. Family (including your child) in business/first, nanny in coach. You take care of your child during the flight. Nanny does not work during the trip.