David Lock

My boy was asked to go to Dublin at short notice to help out at a gig tonite. So the band mailed a ticket being a return Gatwick - Dublin.

I realise that this would not attract any "deals" but I still thought it would be in the £60 range.

It was actually £234

So where did it all go wrong?

David

magepaster

iTrader: (2)

I don't think there is really any such thing a budget ariline any more just varying degrees of being treated like crap for your money.

David_Dickson

It depends how and when you book. I have recently booked 2 flights with Ryanair for later in the year for 1p each way, all in, taxes, charges and fees included.

hodgy0_2

they have very sophisticated software to price seats -- so that they get maximum revenue from each plane

David Lock

OK guys, thanks. I guess it's all about planning Thank goodness he's not paying!

In fact James is also hoping to audition for the band who have just lost their lead guitar. James's pal, Sam, plays bass guitar and an actual bass in the band already. Sam says Dublin is a great place to play in a band and whereas in London a band is invited to play at a club the rip-off is that you only earn if you bring say 50 mates along Over there a club/pub will actually pay for a band to play without strings. Plus Dublin is just the right size city to get to know everyone in the music scene and they are relaxed, fun guys anyway

My point being that James might well be spending some time in Dublin over the next few months but we need to find a cheaper way of "commuting" say on a weekly or fortnightly basis as he still has commitments over here.

The icing on his bloody cake today is that he was asked if he would mind attending the party after the Miss Ireland show tonight where he will be playing. I think he reluctantly agreed

d

hodgy0_2

good luck to James

My father in law plays Bass Guitar and has done so since the sixties (was bass Guitarist in Manfred Man)

still loves it, still plays -- and feels very lucky to have made a good career out of it for the last 45 odd years

Ray T

check out aer lingus Aer Lingus- cheap flights, hotels, car hire, & travel insurance

David Lock

Thanks for that

One of the things about being a reasonable player is that even when you are ancient you can still offer home teaching. There are always kids wanting to learn. So £20 quid an hour cash doing what you enjoy without going out into the cold

Too good really - I expect Brown to ban it soon

dl

Thanks Ray, will do. d

Jaybird-UK

Ryanair are superb - if you cant get a cheap flight then you are doing it wrong

Just had a quick look thru my Ryanair mail folder and so far this year Ive done :

(All prices are return, per person, including all taxes and charges!)

Venice Treviso - £8.00
Bratislava - £8.00
Frankfurt-Hanh - £4.00
Arhuus - £0.02
Wheeze - £10.00
Marseille - £8.00
Billund £5.00

If you book sameday, any airline will be very very expensive!

David Lock

A bit like British Rail I guess.

I think if you went to London and asked for the cost of a return on the next available train to Manchester say it would give you a heart attack. But I bet my daughter who knows about these things, given some advance notice, could get a ticket for less than 20 quid and possibly offer an alternative coach trip for a fiver!!

dl

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I go to Aberdeen fairly often with work, £320 this time, flying is expensive, the cheap flights are either to fill planes or as a loss leader.

Steve vRS

So do I. BMI have a near monopoly and so charge what they want. Eastern Airways have started from Liverpool so it should be interesting to see if the prices reduce.

Steve

dpb

I bet he didnt get lunch either ,

330 to joburg - free booze included

daddyscoob

It is simple with these airlines........


book early - cheap as chips

book last minute - pay through nose

hodgy0_2

not as simple, sometimes booking early (although usually cheaper) does not gurantee the lowest fare on the flight

as i said they have very spohisticated software to work out the current price for a ticket, based on lots of variables -- and often the price curve is not a simple curve upwards

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Agree, its not alwaye when you book, its also the dates and add-ons; Mid-week is always cheapest, Friday to Monday more expensive. Holidays seasons (ofcourse) and return dates that are spaced exactly 7 days apart are also more pricey. And one of the cheapest days to fly? 9-11 (I've flown on 9-11 for 3 years running now because of this). Online check-in without baggage usually saves a few quid too.

Have a nose at this website; quite handy for picking cheap flight dates:

Cheap Flights from London Gatwick to Dublin in October

Big Pete

They are really cheap on last minute stuff. We've done Ireland & Sweden for less than £20 return.

BUT

I used to go to Brussels wi work from Manchester and the flights were VERY expensive.

David Lock

There is also the driving there option. We are in Sussex so I suppose it would be M4 to South Wales, ferry and drive to Dublin. Anyone any experience of this?

He would need to do this anyway if he starts work over there and needs to take his music kit. I don't thing Ryanair would take kindly to a couple of large Fender amps in the overhead lockers!!

d