ID for teenager flying alone? Your experience?
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Anonymous
To fly when they're too old for the unaccompanied minor program" I've flown with my own kid, flown with other people's kids, and escorted my 13 year old niece, who wasn't part of the unaccompanied minor program (too old) to and from the gate. In no situation has a minor been asked to show ID, not once, even when names didn't match (e.g. I was traveling with someone else's kid). When my 7 year old flew as part of the unaccompanied minor program, the people picking him up on both ends (me and my brother) had to show ID that matched the name of the person who was checking him in, but they matched it to the name that was given at check in. They never asked for ID for him. He had his passport, because I didn't know he didn't need it, but they never asked to see it. |
Anonymous
| Wait until age 16 if you can to get the passport. Then you can get a 10 year passport instead of the 5 year one for kids. |
Anonymous
It sounds like it's domestic travel. Passports really aren't required to cross state lines. My DC was asked for ID at age 17 - he told them he was under 18 and they still asked. His drivers license was fine. Before he had a DL he would show a student id but again it wasn't technically required. |
Anonymous
| You can get a "walker id" in Virginia. We got one for my son when he was seven--it was a requirement to play football. |
Anonymous
| School ID and birth certificate will be fine - if any documents are required at all. Don't get a passport just for this. |
Anonymous
No as referenced in the third sentence. |
Anonymous
Maybe because he hasn't traveled internationally and never needed one. I would never think to get one for a minor for no reason - especially with the 5 year valid dates and the overall expense and hassle. |
Anonymous
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DD 14 also leaves next weekend to fly out west so I'm getting her a VA id next week because I don't want her taking a passport or the only copy of her birth cert that we have.
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Anonymous
| I've wondered about this because my DS looked at least 16 by the time he was 13. The only time he flew without family was with a school-sponsored trip, and the other times he's on the manifest with a parent, but I was always a little worried someone would grill him because he looked older and looked into getting a non-drivers' ID. |
Anonymous
+1. Believe it or not, most people in this country haven't traveled extensively. I was in college before I left the country to go on a Caribbean cruise (pre 9/11 didn't need a passport) and in my 20s before I truly went overseas. My parents were in their 50s. It happens. Not everyone is highly privileged and has a passport before they are out of diapers! |
Anonymous
Exactly why the VA or MD id is a good move. |
Anonymous
Advice that is off subject: try to get a couple of more copies of bc. You never know when you might need it. Keep them in separate places. I have a story too long to tell here, but it is a good idea. |
Anonymous
| My 15 year old daughter has been traveling alone for many years. No ID whatsoever required for those under 18. See the TSA website. |
Anonymous
Strange! My 14 year old just flew from DCA and was required an ID. He came back from the queue and asked me for his DC1 card. |
Anonymous
| Carrying an ID is a good idea whether it's required or not regardless of your age when you travel. |