Flight times for visitations

[amberlea434]

What is the name of your state? TN

My hubby's CO reads that he has 5 weeks of uninterrupted visitation time with his 9yo daughter for the summer. There are no specific times listed that he must schedule her flights in/out.

For this summer, he booked her flight in on Saturday June 28 at noon and her flight out on Saturday August 2 where she'll be returning/landing at 8:30 p.m. Her school doesn't start back until 2 weeks later. This was booked back in February. Mom is now telling him that its unfair to her that the flight is so late because she has an 8mo baby (not my hubby's) that has to be in bed by 8 p.m. She told him to either change the flight or she wants to go back to court to have a judge tell him to change it and to schedule flights in the future more convenient for her.

Could she do this and succeed?

 

[proud_parent]

She told him to either change the flight or she wants to go back to court to have a judge tell him to change it and to schedule flights in the future more convenient for her.

And appearing in COURT over this would be so much more convenient.

Sheesh. Parenting is all about inconvenience. If I were in her shoes, I'd be grateful that I didn't have to book the flight myself. (Out of curiousity, is Dad paying the airfare?)

Perhaps she could get a babysitter for that single evening to tuck the eight month old into bed. Perhaps the infant's *gasp* father.

 

[amberlea434]

And appearing in COURT over this would be so much more convenient.

Sheesh. Parenting is all about inconvenience. If I were in her shoes, I'd be grateful that I didn't have to book the flight myself. (Out of curiousity, is Dad paying the airfare?)

Perhaps she could get a babysitter for that single evening to tuck the eight month old into bed. Perhaps the infant's *gasp* father.

You said everything I was thinking and wanting to say.

Yes, Dad pays for airfare.

And Mom lives with her BF (baby's father). I don't really know why he's not there to watch her. Mom's parents are very involved in the kids lives, I don't know why they couldn't be available, either.

 

[penelope10]

And appearing in COURT over this would be so much more convenient.

Sheesh. Parenting is all about inconvenience. If I were in her shoes, I'd be grateful that I didn't have to book the flight myself. (Out of curiousity, is Dad paying the airfare?)

Perhaps she could get a babysitter for that single evening to tuck the eight month old into bed. Perhaps the infant's *gasp* father.

LOL exactly. IMO I don't think a judge is going to feel it unreasonable that a kiddo's flight lands at 8:30. Now wouldn't it be funny if the judge said, "Well if you feel it's unreasonable than I'll order Dad to change the flight. You will, however, have to incur 100% of any cost for the new ticket."

Betcha Mommy would find a sitter real fast if that were the case.

 

[profmum]

What is the name of your state? TN

My hubby's CO reads that he has 5 weeks of uninterrupted visitation time with his 9yo daughter for the summer. There are no specific times listed that he must schedule her flights in/out.

For this summer, he booked her flight in on Saturday June 28 at noon and her flight out on Saturday August 2 where she'll be returning/landing at 8:30 p.m. Her school doesn't start back until 2 weeks later. This was booked back in February. Mom is now telling him that its unfair to her that the flight is so late because she has an 8mo baby (not my hubby's) that has to be in bed by 8 p.m. She told him to either change the flight or she wants to go back to court to have a judge tell him to change it and to schedule flights in the future more convenient for her.

Could she do this and succeed?

She is going to get NOWHERE with this. But to avoid going back to court and incurring more $$ can Dad get a flight that is earlier and ask Mum to pay for the change in fare (usually $100) or Dad can absorb it, both of which are less $$ options than going back to court!!

 

[amberlea434]

LOL exactly. IMO I don't think a judge is going to feel it unreasonable that a kiddo's flight lands at 8:30.

That's my thought process, as well. Now, I can understand it if the child had school the next day, but this is the summertime. And, actually, it's set up in their CO for Spring Break and Thanksgiving visitations that the child be back by 6pm the day before school resumes.

 

[stealth2]

As a parent whose ex books the flights, I'll toss in my two cents. COULD Dad have booked a flight that was slightly more convenient for the return? How would he feel if she'd been the one who booked a similar time for the kids to come to him?

'Cause I'll tell ya - my ex books flights at the most inconvenient times for me. Flying out at 7am. Returning at 9/10pm. It's a pain in the rear for me, but who does it really affect? The kids.

 

[penelope10]

If Dad wanted to go that route he could check out the flights. But if I were him I wouldn't book the new flight until I had the funds in my hands from Mom first.

Sorry, Penelope is a grump today. As my kiddos used to say, "I not happy."

 

[Humusluvr]

And appearing in COURT over this would be so much more convenient.

Sheesh. Parenting is all about inconvenience. If I were in her shoes, I'd be grateful that I didn't have to book the flight myself. (Out of curiousity, is Dad paying the airfare?)

Perhaps she could get a babysitter for that single evening to tuck the eight month old into bed. Perhaps the infant's *gasp* father.

You said it, proud!

and you know, bedtimes just don't always happen. I want my kid to go to sleep every night at 8. Last night he didn't calm down til 10:30. We deal. Let kiddo sleep in car seat until she gets home.

And if she goes to COURT over something so stupid, I hope the judge laughs in her face. In the amount of time she has until said flight happens, I doubt the case would even be heard.

And if your custody order doesn't say anything about SPECIFIC TIMES for the flights, then mom is SOL anyways.

How petty and controlling.

 

[amberlea434]

She is going to get NOWHERE with this. But to avoid going back to court and incurring more $$ can Dad get a flight that is earlier and ask Mum to pay for the change in fare (usually $100) or Dad can absorb it, both of which are less $$ options than going back to court!!

There's no way Mom would pay the difference in airfares because she thinks it's owed to her. If this did happen to go back to court, could Dad ask for attorney's fees?

 

[proud_parent]

As a parent whose ex books the flights, I'll toss in my two cents. COULD Dad have booked a flight that was slightly more convenient for the return? How would he feel if she'd been the one who booked a similar time for the kids to come to him?

'Cause I'll tell ya - my ex books flights at the most inconvenient times for me. Flying out at 7am. Returning at 9/10pm. It's a pain in the rear for me, but who does it really affect? The kids.

Very valid point.

However, this is a nine year old, arriving at 8:30 pm, with two weeks left of summer vacation. Not a six year old, arriving at 10:00pm, the night before starting first grade.

 

[amberlea434]

As a parent whose ex books the flights, I'll toss in my two cents. COULD Dad have booked a flight that was slightly more convenient for the return? How would he feel if she'd been the one who booked a similar time for the kids to come to him?

'Cause I'll tell ya - my ex books flights at the most inconvenient times for me. Flying out at 7am. Returning at 9/10pm. It's a pain in the rear for me, but who does it really affect? The kids.

It sounds like he's just trying to get on your nerves in any way possible. Dad isn't doing this on purpose. This is the first flight that's been at 8:30 and he didn't deem it unreasonable because the child is out of school and doesn't go to bed early. Plus, it gives him a little more time with his daughter.

 

[penelope10]

You said it, proud!

and you know, bedtimes just don't always happen. I want my kid to go to sleep every night at 8. Last night he didn't calm down til 10:30. We deal. Let kiddo sleep in car seat until she gets home.

And if she goes to COURT over something so stupid, I hope the judge laughs in her face. In the amount of time she has until said flight happens, I doubt the case would even be heard.

And if your custody order doesn't say anything about SPECIFIC TIMES for the flights, then mom is SOL anyways.

How petty and controlling.

Lil Bit did not go to sleep last night until 12:30 am last night. She called me from Dad's last night. She was studying for exams and stressed. (Now don't jump me, no pressure about grades from Mom or Dad). In fact called me three times. Didn't want to wake Dad up. Hence you can call Penelope Grumpela today.

 

[stealth2]

Very valid point.

However, this is a nine year old, arriving at 8:30 pm, with two weeks left of summer vacation. Not a six year old, arriving at 10:00pm, the night before starting first grade.

However, there IS also another parent to think about. Again, using my own situation as an example. (And my kids are older, so we don't necessarily have a bedtime to consider.) Flight gets in at 8:30, let's say. While the kids aren't permitted to check bags going (Dad has made that clear), they are allowed to check them coming home. So, but the time they get off the plane and out past security, figure 9pm. 9:30 before their baggage comes through. 9:45/10pm to get to the car and out of the lot. 1 1/2 hours home, IF there's no traffic. 11:15/30. EXCEPT.... neither kid has had dinner. Which I never know until they actually get off the plane. I can ask, and get yes'd that he's taking them to eat before the flight. So add another 15/20/30 minutes to get them food. So - midnight-ish by the time we ACTUALLY get home. Three dogs who are excited to rediscover their kids.

And while THEY may not have to go to school the next morning, guess who has to be at work at 8am?

Just a flip side to consider. (And yes, I pay for my share of the tickets.)

 

[amberlea434]

However, there IS also another parent to think about. Again, using my own situation as an example. (And my kids are older, so we don't necessarily have a bedtime to consider.) Flight gets in at 8:30, let's say. While the kids aren't permitted to check bags going (Dad has made that clear), they are allowed to check them coming home. So, but the time they get off the plane and out past security, figure 9pm. 9:30 before their baggage comes through. 9:45/10pm to get to the car and out of the lot. 1 1/2 hours home, IF there's no traffic. 11:15/30. EXCEPT.... neither kid has had dinner. Which I never know until they actually get off the plane. I can ask, and get yes'd that he's taking them to eat before the flight. So add another 15/20/30 minutes to get them food. So - midnight-ish by the time we ACTUALLY get home. Three dogs who are excited to rediscover their kids.

And while THEY may not have to go to school the next morning, guess who has to be at work at 8am?

Just a flip side to consider. (And yes, I pay for my share of the tickets.)

I completely understand where you're coming from and thank you for sharing your situation. Every time Dad can book flights on the weekends, he does, because neither parent works weekends. So, it's not like she has to get up early for work. Her only beef is that it's past her other childs bedtime. Not to sound rude, but is that really Dad's problem?